Recommended portrait/fashion lense

**BigMackCam** · 10-23-2016, 06:03 AM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I also suggest the HD DA 70 or a DA 70 for consideration... I believe the 70 outshines the 50-135 for portraits.

I've never used the 50-135, but I too have the HD DA70 f/2.4 and if you have the room to work with it, it's an absolutely stellar lens, with beautiful rendering of detail and bokeh

MBT74 · 10-23-2016, 06:15 AM

Originally posted by yozza

Thanks for the great advice guys. It seems like the 50-135 may be the best, though i have also heard that some people are having problems with it to.
Victor my budget is around $1000 Aus and yes i will be using af

If you're considering the 50-135 then the Sigma 50-150 is comparable to that lens. Doesn't have the WR but it also doesn't have the problematic Pentax motor. Where in Australia are you?

**pres589** · 10-23-2016, 06:29 AM

Surprised no one mentioned the DA* 55. Sigma 50-150 sounds nice as well. I don't think that the sharpness & rendering of a macro like the D FA 100 makes much sense.

MBT74 · 10-23-2016, 06:38 AM

Yeah, the DA55 is very sharp and was the first lens that came to mind when I read the thread title.

kjphilippona · 10-23-2016, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Driline

This is a fantastic portrait lens. I have one and am very pleased with it. So much so that I have delayed purchase of the FA 77 limited lens indefinitely.

I agree with Driline, I gave my K5II and my DA*50-135 to my daughter and this is all she uses to do her photo shoots. I also own the DA*55, DA70 and FA77, they are fantastic lenses!

VoiceOfReason · 10-23-2016, 09:55 AM

For the field of view equivalent I'd do the FA 31 ltd.

kjphilippona · 10-23-2016, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by yozza

I have just purchased the pentax k3 (crop sensor), and are looking for a recommended portrait lense, in which the focus will be on full body shots and 3/4 length. I am coming from nikon and was in use of a 50mm 1.8 on full frame, however i am looking for super sharp shots which i have noticed more so from the zoom lense reviews for pentax.

Do i stick with a prime lense and which, or do i got the zoom route which gives me more flexibility in shots i can take and which one?

Would appreciate any recommendations.

What FF Nikon were you using? funny, i was looking into purchasing a D750 or D500.

johnyates · 10-23-2016, 01:51 PM

Shooting full body shots with a long lens is problematic--you'll need a huge studio, and in order to direct your model you'll need to shout. To get the same FOV as your 50mm on the full frame, you'll be looking at 35mm on a crop camera. The plastic fantastic DA35/2.4 will be more than adequate for your needs. If you want a zoom, find a used 35-70. Either option is inexpensive; you can allocate the rest of your budget towards lighting, or seamless backgrounds, or whatever.

**Alex645** · 10-23-2016, 03:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Adam

I'd recommend the Sigma 35mm F1.4. Bokeh's to die for, and you'll get roughly the same FoV as a 50mm on FF.

Based on your coming from the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 and having a $1000 budget, Iʻd have to +1 Adamʻs recommendation of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art prime. If you were doing head shots, then the 50-150 zoom would be fine, but with full or 3/4 body shots, Iʻd go with a fast 35mm prime that renders exceptional bokeh.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Pentax DSLR Cameras 340109

Driline · 10-23-2016, 04:29 PM - **1 Like**

This is probably my best 3/4 body shot with the DA*50-135. I purchased it used from eBay for $600 and have had it for 4 years with no problems whatsoever.

**robgski** · 10-23-2016, 04:52 PM

That's sharp enough for me, the subjects pop out from the background, too, well done.

yozza · 10-24-2016, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by kjphilippona

What FF Nikon were you using? funny, i was looking into purchasing a D750 or D500.

I had the d750. It has great reviews and is an excellent camera, i just couldn't seem to produce what i was after, plus i have a friend who has pentax cameras who will mentor me in getting what i'm really after

---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:50 AM ----------

Originally posted by MBT74

If you're considering the 50-135 then the Sigma 50-150 is comparable to that lens. Doesn't have the WR but it also doesn't have the problematic Pentax motor. Where in Australia are you?

I am in Melbourne

---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:51 AM ----------

Originally posted by Driline

This is probably my best 3/4 body shot with the DA*50-135. I purchased it used from eBay for $600 and have had it for 4 years with no problems whatsoever.

Amazing shot and quality of picture!

---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:51 AM ----------

Wow such great help and options it seems. With a focus on full length and 3/4 portraits over head and shoulders the da 50-135 may give me my best bang for buck, though the 35 also seeming very appealing

---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:56 AM ----------

Originally posted by Driline

This is probably my best 3/4 body shot with the DA*50-135. I purchased it used from eBay for $600 and have had it for 4 years with no problems whatsoever.

Drilline how do you find the af with the k3 in general/low light?

Driline · 10-24-2016, 07:06 AM

I don't shoot much in low light but what I have shot I really didn't notice any problem. The biggest problem I have with AF are using teleconverters. But that's really a lens problem.

pete-tarmigan · 10-24-2016, 07:33 AM

I'd recommend spelling the singular of the plural word lenses the proper way: lens, not lense.

**BigMackCam** · 10-24-2016, 07:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pete-tarmigan

I'd recommend spelling the singular of the plural word lenses the proper way: lens, not lense.

Any lens recommendations to help welcome our new member, Tony?

10-23-2016, 09:04 AM	#20
kjphilippona Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,298	Originally posted by Driline This is a fantastic portrait lens. I have one and am very pleased with it. So much so that I have delayed purchase of the FA 77 limited lens indefinitely. I agree with Driline, I gave my K5II and my DA50-135 to my daughter and this is all she uses to do her photo shoots. I also own the DA55, DA70 and FA77, they are fantastic lenses! Last edited by kjphilippona; 10-24-2016 at 01:54 PM.

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10-23-2016, 06:03 AM	#16
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by BigMackCam I also suggest the HD DA 70 or a DA 70 for consideration... I believe the 70 outshines the 50-135 for portraits. I've never used the 50-135, but I too have the HD DA70 f/2.4 and if you have the room to work with it, it's an absolutely stellar lens, with beautiful rendering of detail and bokeh

10-23-2016, 06:15 AM	#17
MBT74 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 135	Originally posted by yozza Thanks for the great advice guys. It seems like the 50-135 may be the best, though i have also heard that some people are having problems with it to. Victor my budget is around $1000 Aus and yes i will be using af If you're considering the 50-135 then the Sigma 50-150 is comparable to that lens. Doesn't have the WR but it also doesn't have the problematic Pentax motor. Where in Australia are you?

10-23-2016, 06:29 AM	#18
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Surprised no one mentioned the DA* 55. Sigma 50-150 sounds nice as well. I don't think that the sharpness & rendering of a macro like the D FA 100 makes much sense.

10-23-2016, 06:38 AM	#19
MBT74 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 135	Yeah, the DA55 is very sharp and was the first lens that came to mind when I read the thread title.

10-23-2016, 09:55 AM	#21
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	For the field of view equivalent I'd do the FA 31 ltd.

10-23-2016, 10:07 AM	#22
kjphilippona Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,298	Originally posted by yozza I have just purchased the pentax k3 (crop sensor), and are looking for a recommended portrait lense, in which the focus will be on full body shots and 3/4 length. I am coming from nikon and was in use of a 50mm 1.8 on full frame, however i am looking for super sharp shots which i have noticed more so from the zoom lense reviews for pentax. Do i stick with a prime lense and which, or do i got the zoom route which gives me more flexibility in shots i can take and which one? Would appreciate any recommendations. What FF Nikon were you using? funny, i was looking into purchasing a D750 or D500.

10-23-2016, 01:51 PM	#23
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	Shooting full body shots with a long lens is problematic--you'll need a huge studio, and in order to direct your model you'll need to shout. To get the same FOV as your 50mm on the full frame, you'll be looking at 35mm on a crop camera. The plastic fantastic DA35/2.4 will be more than adequate for your needs. If you want a zoom, find a used 35-70. Either option is inexpensive; you can allocate the rest of your budget towards lighting, or seamless backgrounds, or whatever.

10-23-2016, 03:36 PM - 1 Like	#24
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by Adam I'd recommend the Sigma 35mm F1.4. Bokeh's to die for, and you'll get roughly the same FoV as a 50mm on FF. Based on your coming from the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 and having a $1000 budget, Iʻd have to +1 Adamʻs recommendation of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art prime. If you were doing head shots, then the 50-150 zoom would be fine, but with full or 3/4 body shots, Iʻd go with a fast 35mm prime that renders exceptional bokeh. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Pentax DSLR Cameras 340109

10-23-2016, 04:29 PM - 1 Like	#25
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	This is probably my best 3/4 body shot with the DA*50-135. I purchased it used from eBay for $600 and have had it for 4 years with no problems whatsoever.

10-23-2016, 04:52 PM	#26
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,797	That's sharp enough for me, the subjects pop out from the background, too, well done.

10-24-2016, 05:48 AM	#27
yozza Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 77 Original Poster	Originally posted by kjphilippona What FF Nikon were you using? funny, i was looking into purchasing a D750 or D500. I had the d750. It has great reviews and is an excellent camera, i just couldn't seem to produce what i was after, plus i have a friend who has pentax cameras who will mentor me in getting what i'm really after ---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:50 AM ---------- Originally posted by MBT74 If you're considering the 50-135 then the Sigma 50-150 is comparable to that lens. Doesn't have the WR but it also doesn't have the problematic Pentax motor. Where in Australia are you? I am in Melbourne ---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:51 AM ---------- Originally posted by Driline This is probably my best 3/4 body shot with the DA50-135. I purchased it used from eBay for $600 and have had it for 4 years with no problems whatsoever. Amazing shot and quality of picture! ---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:51 AM ---------- Wow such great help and options it seems. With a focus on full length and 3/4 portraits over head and shoulders the da 50-135 may give me my best bang for buck, though the 35 also seeming very appealing ---------- Post added 10-24-16 at 05:56 AM ---------- Originally posted by Driline This is probably my best 3/4 body shot with the DA50-135. I purchased it used from eBay for $600 and have had it for 4 years with no problems whatsoever. Drilline how do you find the af with the k3 in general/low light?

10-24-2016, 07:06 AM	#28
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	I don't shoot much in low light but what I have shot I really didn't notice any problem. The biggest problem I have with AF are using teleconverters. But that's really a lens problem.

10-24-2016, 07:33 AM	#29
pete-tarmigan Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Conception Bay South, New-fun-land Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,272	I'd recommend spelling the singular of the plural word lenses the proper way: lens, not lense.

10-24-2016, 07:46 AM - 1 Like	#30
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by pete-tarmigan I'd recommend spelling the singular of the plural word lenses the proper way: lens, not lense. Any lens recommendations to help welcome our new member, Tony?