The perfect/best portrait lens for K-1

Wheatfield · 04-20-2019, 08:28 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

The claim was about flattened features, I think we can agree my subject was not flattened even at 200mm on APSC. I've used 400mm on APSC for some 3/4 candid head shots. Working distance is long with longer lenses - that is true. But the claim that someone shooting 135mm on APSC wouldn't like 200 on full frame based on features flattening or even distance to subject is silly. Many will find it too long but generally those people won't already like to shoot 135 on apsc for this purpose.

You could do a portrait of Jimmy Durante with a 600mm lens and do OK.
The confusion that Paul is having is in thinking that a telephoto compresses things. It’s not the lens, it’s the distance to the subject that is giving the effect.
From a field of view perspective (I know, sad play on words), a 135 on APS-C will be nearly identical to a 200 on 35mm and working distances will also be close to identical. If you like one, you will like the other, and you will be the same distance from your subject with both.

normhead · 04-20-2019, 08:36 AM - **1 Like**

Quote:

The confusion that Paul is having is in thinking that a telephoto compresses things. It’s not the lens, it’s the distance to the subject that is giving the effect.

But the fact that you have to back up for the same subject framing with a long lens means in essence it's the same thing.
But it does point out the problem with one portrait lens.

If the subject has a really flat face take it with the 50 1.4. If the subject has a Jimmy Durante face take it with a 200 2.8 and stand back a lot further. That's part of knowing what you're doing. Like many things, it's not one size fits all.

**UncleVanya** · 04-20-2019, 03:08 PM - **1 Like**

As is said above, the face, the pose, the distance - all play a role. It isn't just a simplistic rule... It's at worst technique and at best art. Break the rules but understand why they are there and how they really influence the results.

04-20-2019, 08:36 AM - 1 Like	#62
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Quote: The confusion that Paul is having is in thinking that a telephoto compresses things. It’s not the lens, it’s the distance to the subject that is giving the effect. But the fact that you have to back up for the same subject framing with a long lens means in essence it's the same thing. But it does point out the problem with one portrait lens. If the subject has a really flat face take it with the 50 1.4. If the subject has a Jimmy Durante face take it with a 200 2.8 and stand back a lot further. That's part of knowing what you're doing. Like many things, it's not one size fits all. Last edited by normhead; 04-20-2019 at 04:50 PM.

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04-20-2019, 08:28 AM - 1 Like	#61
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by UncleVanya The claim was about flattened features, I think we can agree my subject was not flattened even at 200mm on APSC. I've used 400mm on APSC for some 3/4 candid head shots. Working distance is long with longer lenses - that is true. But the claim that someone shooting 135mm on APSC wouldn't like 200 on full frame based on features flattening or even distance to subject is silly. Many will find it too long but generally those people won't already like to shoot 135 on apsc for this purpose. You could do a portrait of Jimmy Durante with a 600mm lens and do OK. The confusion that Paul is having is in thinking that a telephoto compresses things. It’s not the lens, it’s the distance to the subject that is giving the effect. From a field of view perspective (I know, sad play on words), a 135 on APS-C will be nearly identical to a 200 on 35mm and working distances will also be close to identical. If you like one, you will like the other, and you will be the same distance from your subject with both.

04-20-2019, 03:08 PM - 1 Like	#63
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	As is said above, the face, the pose, the distance - all play a role. It isn't just a simplistic rule... It's at worst technique and at best art. Break the rules but understand why they are there and how they really influence the results.