[Gerard_Dirks]

Hello

I need a Lens for Portrait shooting. I want to buy the "still not announced" 1.4/85mm. The alternative is to buy a second hand sigma 1.4/85mm EX DG HSM, but I don't know if I find some on short time.

I own the DFA 24-70 and DFA 70-200 in combination with the K-1. Now my questions. In the Area between 70-85mm which of both is the best option for Portrait.
My problem with the DFA 70-200 is the weight of the lens, the DFA 24-70 is exact 1kg less.

Any experience in Portrait and Handling the heavy lens. Which of both has the best quality in the Area of 70 or 85 for the DFA 70-200 with the Aparture full open at F2.8

Gérard

[skierd]

Not the 70-200, but equivalent... my 50-135 f2.8 is my go-to portrait (head and shoulders and head shots) lens if there's enough room to work with it. Closer in I'll use my 20-40 but I prefer the tele's compression overall.

The weight is part of the deal unfortunately. Support the camera using a tripod if you need to but I just deal with the weight hand holding it.

[Pentax Syntax]

Like skierd said, the long lens is a good way to go. My FA* 80-200 is my go to portrait lens on the K-1 at least for head and shoulder shots. Very sharp even @ 2.8 and your lens is supposed to be even better. Use a tripod and control the lighting with off camera flash or studio lighting. If you are shooting for any length of time, the tripod is a must. For candid portraits the 24-70 should be great. You have the wedding photographer's dream team :-)

[BrianR]

You own both of the lenses you're asking about, why not try them both and see which you prefer? This seems like a dilemma many here would love to be in!

[pschlute]

What sort of portraits are you going to be doing ? Indoor with multiple lighting or outdoor ? Head and shoulders or full body ?

[mcgregni]

I own the DFA 24-70 and DFA 70-200 in combination with the K-1.

yes you really have a dilemma ! I think most people here would be looking to you to answer the question for them


Although you asked about the focal range of 70-85 ..... If you don't like the weight of the bigger zoom then perhaps the 24-70mm at full zoom and the image cropped a bit would serve the purpose well ...? What's the bokeh like on that lens at wide apertures and full zoom ?

[Rondec]

If you think the 70-200 is too big then you could use the 24-70 at the long end. I just find that most of the time with portraits it is nice to be just a little longer than that.

70-200





24-70





Sorry to inflict my kids on you, but they're my go-to portrait subjects. Long story short, a lot depends on what focal lengths you want to shoot at. I love the DFA *70-200 while I like the DFA 24-70 and so I would deal with the extra weight, but if you shoot portraits wider, you could certainly do that or even even do some moderate cropping in post.

[pschlute]

Sorry to inflict my kids on you, but they're my go-to portrait subjects

I think your pictures demonstrate that at the end of the day, the interaction between thoughtful cameraman and willing (or half-willing) model, far outweighs the technical equipment being used when it comes to a portrait.

[mcgregni]

That's true, but also there doesn't look to be much in it technically between the two really. Even if 70mm is not quite long enough, then for portrait purposes the K1 should provide sufficient cropping capacity.

[Wheatfield]

yes you really have a dilemma ! I think most people here would be looking to you to answer the question for them


Although you asked about the focal range of 70-85 ..... If you don't like the weight of the bigger zoom then perhaps the 24-70mm at full zoom and the image cropped a bit would serve the purpose well ...? What's the bokeh like on that lens at wide apertures and full zoom ?

This is what I'd be doing. The 70-200 is ridiculously big. To me it is a tripod only lens, so if you are OK shooting portraits off a tripod (I am), then it's going to be a good lens, but it's way to big. I think for it to work, one would want to choose a slightly longer focal length, perhaps around 105-135 to get some working distance.
Or just use the 24-70 and crop a bit if necessary. The K1 has lots of cropping room.

[leekil]

I wouldn't pick a lens in the 70-85 range for portraits on a K-1. But If I had to pick a lens in the 70-85 range for the K-1, it would be the FA77.

[mikesbike]

Traditionally, the ideal portrait FL for 35mm film or a FF DSLR- the K-1, is between 65-115mm depending on whether for half-body or a tight closeup. This being for best perspective of the features. Going too long in FL will flatten out facial and other dimensional features, compared to a more ideal FL. Going too short in a closeup not only can interfere with the subject's natural expression due to the camera being too close, but will also cause perspective distortion- the nose being somewhat elongated, etc. I would say the DFA 24-70mm at 70mm would be close to ideal for most portrait shots. The DFA 70-200mm could be used above 70mm and below say 120mm for tighter closeups. The exception being candids taken at a distance, where avoiding getting the attention of the subject is most important.

[Gerard_Dirks]

Use the 70-200 on a tripod. Really.

Sorry Tripod for Portraits is for me a No-Go. I am not intend to make static "Mug Shots"

---------- Post added 09-09-17 at 07:41 AM ----------

As more as I read I intend to leave the K-1 at home and use my K-3 with the 2.8/50-135 (compact, light and best coverage)

[Sandy Hancock]

Using a tripod does not make a portrait a mug shot - many of the most dynamic professional studio portraits are made exactly that way. Mug shots can be taken by mugs using all sorts of techniques

Can you give us some examples of the type of portraits you want to make? That would influence any potential advice.

[Gerard_Dirks]

Can you give us some examples of the type of portraits you want to make? That would influence any potential advice.

Maybe it should be defined as People Photography. More or less form the Head to the Knees (or more) depending of the models