Portrait lens for K-1

**UncleVanya** · 01-10-2018, 04:46 PM

Price point? Desired working distance? DA* 200 will do a great job if you have the room. Or the DFA 70-200 ZOOM.

---------- Post added 01-10-18 at 06:47 PM ----------

The key being working distance and budget. .

pschlute · 01-10-2018, 05:19 PM

Originally posted by TerryL

I am looking for the FA 85 1.4, but they are all overseas on eBay. That makes me a little nervous and the wait is so long. It's a beautiful lens.
Terry

I would not let that put you off as long as it is a seasoned seller. But agree with the others the 77mm Ltd is hard to beat. It also has a less obtrusive hood than the FA*85 if you want to carry it around as a walkabout lens too. i often use the 77mm outside on walkabout, the FA*85,never.

It also means you can look forward to buying the D-FA85mm in a years time

kjphilippona · 01-10-2018, 05:45 PM

I would recommend the D FA*70-200 f2.8, I have the FA77 and like it better on my K3. Recently purchased the Carl Zeiss 85mm and cant wait to try it out this spring.

mr.b.snowden · 01-10-2018, 05:45 PM

Where are you located? I know the FA*85 can be hard to find and I grabbed mine from KEH on a whim, since it doesn't come up often.

For day-to-day shooting, the 77 cannot be beat, as it is small, versatile, and renders images with superb detail and wonderful bokeh. The FA*85 is more of a workhorse portrait lens and is pretty sharp wide open, but beats the 77 at f/1.8. I sold my 77 shortly after getting the FA*85. It is a bit bulkier due to the heavier glass, but isn't too big.

Oh, if you like macros, either route you go, you can slap on a Raynox 250 and get some insanely great pseudo-macro images, as that is something I did a lot of when I had the 77.

LeRolls · 01-10-2018, 06:03 PM - **2 Likes**

I pretty much shoot exclusively with the FA 85 1.4 now. I really like the 77 but the 85 is better in almost every way except for weight and size convenience. Check out my Flickr for samples if you'd like.

Christopher Rankin | Flickr

pinholecam · 01-10-2018, 06:30 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LeRolls

I pretty much shoot exclusively with the FA 85 1.4 now. I really like the 77 but the 85 is better in almost every way except for weight and size convenience. Check out my Flickr for samples if you'd like.

Christopher Rankin | Flickr

Listen to the expert.

Agree with this.
The 77ltd is a good portable all rounder.
The FA*85 is a better dedicated portrait lens, but bigger/heavier.

More control over the DOF than can be had with the longer focal length and the f1.4 aperture.

I'd not suggest MF, as the AF confirm on the K1 is probably closer to f2.8/f4 accuracy imo than for f1.4-f2

**darylk** · 01-10-2018, 11:13 PM

If you're going to shoot wide open with razor thin DOF, I think manually focussing using live view in combination with focus peaking will yield the greatest percentage of keepers. I have the K-1 and 77 Limited which work great for portraits, but tend to be a bit hit and miss when using auto focus wide open (at least when looking at 100% and wanting eyes razor sharp).

Billk · 01-11-2018, 02:52 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Price point? Desired working distance? DA* 200 will do a great job if you have the room. Or the DFA 70-200 ZOOM.

---------- Post added 01-10-18 at 06:47 PM ----------

The key being working distance and budget. .

Agreed. 200mm is great for head and shoulders on the K1 or the K3 if you have room to stand back.

Here's a shot I like with the DA*200 and another with the FA 77. I would say either the FA 77 or the Sigma 85 are your first choice if you need AF. (I know I do!)

pschlute · 01-11-2018, 04:28 AM

Originally posted by darylk

If you're going to shoot wide open with razor thin DOF, I think manually focussing using live view in combination with focus peaking will yield the greatest percentage of keepers. I have the K-1 and 77 Limited which work great for portraits, but tend to be a bit hit and miss when using auto focus wide open (at least when looking at 100% and wanting eyes razor sharp).

Have you calibrated your camera/lens combination to correct for any FF/BF issues when using optical viewfinder with AF ?

You also need to look at which AF points are locking focus. Use fewer AF points or even single to get the eyes sharp.

While I agree that LV zoomed to 100% while manually focussing is an excellent tool to ensure you nail focus, it wont work with a model who can't keep their head still, like my dogs

**WPRESTO** · 01-11-2018, 04:47 AM

I don't do either portraits or ultra-shallow DOF, but from a technical/practical viewpoint, do not evaluate 77mm f1.8 versus 85mm f1.4 in terms of DOF. NOT POSSIBLE to see a difference in a head-&-shoulders portrait taken at f1.4 versus f1.8.

beholder3 · 01-11-2018, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by TerryL

I would like an 85mm 1.4, but I don't see one under Pentax.

The Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX is one option.
There once was a direct comparison, which did not make it look any worse than the FA* 85.

My album here: Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM | Flickr does have both real life images and test shots both with APSC and FF cameras. The test shots are available in full res.

Maybe that helps a little.

**WPRESTO** · 01-11-2018, 06:45 AM

FYI: There's currently an 85mm f2 SMC M on the Pentax for sale listings.

**UncleVanya** · 01-11-2018, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

I don't do either portraits or ultra-shallow DOF, but from a technical/practical viewpoint, do not evaluate 77mm f1.8 versus 85mm f1.4 in terms of DOF. NOT POSSIBLE to see a difference in a head-&-shoulders portrait taken at f1.4 versus f1.8.

But the bokeh characteristics will vary. Also the comparison is fa 77 @1.8 vs 1.4 so focal length and aperture both changed. I suspect this is visible but I don't currently have an 85mm to shoot a test shot. @lerolls

beholder3 · 01-11-2018, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

But the bokeh characteristics will vary. Also the comparison is fa 77 @1.8 vs 1.4 so focal length and aperture both changed. I suspect this is visible but I don't currently have an 85mm to shoot a test shot. @lerolls

There is the frog, who can help (top left of each image has focal length, aperture and format infos):

Kermit is the size of a human head. If you click on the image you can look at the bigger image version.

**WPRESTO** · 01-11-2018, 09:11 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

But the bokeh characteristics will vary. Also the comparison is fa 77 @1.8 vs 1.4 so focal length and aperture both changed. I suspect this is visible but I don't currently have an 85mm to shoot a test shot. @lerolls

There is a difference. @ 8 feet, 85mm f1.4 DOF = 1.68 inches; 77mm @ f1.8 DOF = 2.64 inches. So, if about one inch makes a difference, there is a difference. However it depends somewhat on how the calculator I used arbitrarily defines "in focus." It's obviously not a hard line and therefore subjective.

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01-10-2018, 04:46 PM	#16
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Price point? Desired working distance? DA* 200 will do a great job if you have the room. Or the DFA 70-200 ZOOM. ---------- Post added 01-10-18 at 06:47 PM ---------- The key being working distance and budget. .

01-10-2018, 05:19 PM	#17
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,210	Originally posted by TerryL I am looking for the FA 85 1.4, but they are all overseas on eBay. That makes me a little nervous and the wait is so long. It's a beautiful lens. Terry I would not let that put you off as long as it is a seasoned seller. But agree with the others the 77mm Ltd is hard to beat. It also has a less obtrusive hood than the FA85 if you want to carry it around as a walkabout lens too. i often use the 77mm outside on walkabout, the FA85,never. It also means you can look forward to buying the D-FA85mm in a years time

01-10-2018, 05:45 PM	#18
kjphilippona Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,298	I would recommend the D FA*70-200 f2.8, I have the FA77 and like it better on my K3. Recently purchased the Carl Zeiss 85mm and cant wait to try it out this spring.

01-10-2018, 05:45 PM	#19
mr.b.snowden Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 683	Where are you located? I know the FA85 can be hard to find and I grabbed mine from KEH on a whim, since it doesn't come up often. For day-to-day shooting, the 77 cannot be beat, as it is small, versatile, and renders images with superb detail and wonderful bokeh. The FA85 is more of a workhorse portrait lens and is pretty sharp wide open, but beats the 77 at f/1.8. I sold my 77 shortly after getting the FA*85. It is a bit bulkier due to the heavier glass, but isn't too big. Oh, if you like macros, either route you go, you can slap on a Raynox 250 and get some insanely great pseudo-macro images, as that is something I did a lot of when I had the 77.

01-10-2018, 06:03 PM - 2 Likes	#20
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	I pretty much shoot exclusively with the FA 85 1.4 now. I really like the 77 but the 85 is better in almost every way except for weight and size convenience. Check out my Flickr for samples if you'd like. Christopher Rankin \| Flickr

01-10-2018, 06:30 PM - 1 Like	#21
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	Originally posted by LeRolls I pretty much shoot exclusively with the FA 85 1.4 now. I really like the 77 but the 85 is better in almost every way except for weight and size convenience. Check out my Flickr for samples if you'd like. Christopher Rankin \| Flickr Listen to the expert. Agree with this. The 77ltd is a good portable all rounder. The FA*85 is a better dedicated portrait lens, but bigger/heavier. More control over the DOF than can be had with the longer focal length and the f1.4 aperture. I'd not suggest MF, as the AF confirm on the K1 is probably closer to f2.8/f4 accuracy imo than for f1.4-f2

01-10-2018, 11:13 PM	#22
darylk Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Blue Hill, Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 494	If you're going to shoot wide open with razor thin DOF, I think manually focussing using live view in combination with focus peaking will yield the greatest percentage of keepers. I have the K-1 and 77 Limited which work great for portraits, but tend to be a bit hit and miss when using auto focus wide open (at least when looking at 100% and wanting eyes razor sharp).

01-11-2018, 04:28 AM	#24
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,210	Originally posted by darylk If you're going to shoot wide open with razor thin DOF, I think manually focussing using live view in combination with focus peaking will yield the greatest percentage of keepers. I have the K-1 and 77 Limited which work great for portraits, but tend to be a bit hit and miss when using auto focus wide open (at least when looking at 100% and wanting eyes razor sharp). Have you calibrated your camera/lens combination to correct for any FF/BF issues when using optical viewfinder with AF ? You also need to look at which AF points are locking focus. Use fewer AF points or even single to get the eyes sharp. While I agree that LV zoomed to 100% while manually focussing is an excellent tool to ensure you nail focus, it wont work with a model who can't keep their head still, like my dogs

01-11-2018, 04:47 AM	#25
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	I don't do either portraits or ultra-shallow DOF, but from a technical/practical viewpoint, do not evaluate 77mm f1.8 versus 85mm f1.4 in terms of DOF. NOT POSSIBLE to see a difference in a head-&-shoulders portrait taken at f1.4 versus f1.8.

01-11-2018, 06:28 AM	#26
beholder3 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3,112	Originally posted by TerryL I would like an 85mm 1.4, but I don't see one under Pentax. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX is one option. There once was a direct comparison, which did not make it look any worse than the FA* 85. My album here: Sigma 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM \| Flickr does have both real life images and test shots both with APSC and FF cameras. The test shots are available in full res. Maybe that helps a little.

01-11-2018, 06:45 AM	#27
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	FYI: There's currently an 85mm f2 SMC M on the Pentax for sale listings.

01-11-2018, 07:37 AM	#28
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,445	Originally posted by WPRESTO I don't do either portraits or ultra-shallow DOF, but from a technical/practical viewpoint, do not evaluate 77mm f1.8 versus 85mm f1.4 in terms of DOF. NOT POSSIBLE to see a difference in a head-&-shoulders portrait taken at f1.4 versus f1.8. But the bokeh characteristics will vary. Also the comparison is fa 77 @1.8 vs 1.4 so focal length and aperture both changed. I suspect this is visible but I don't currently have an 85mm to shoot a test shot. @lerolls

01-11-2018, 08:48 AM	#29
beholder3 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3,112	Originally posted by UncleVanya But the bokeh characteristics will vary. Also the comparison is fa 77 @1.8 vs 1.4 so focal length and aperture both changed. I suspect this is visible but I don't currently have an 85mm to shoot a test shot. @lerolls There is the frog, who can help (top left of each image has focal length, aperture and format infos): Kermit is the size of a human head. If you click on the image you can look at the bigger image version.

01-11-2018, 09:11 AM	#30
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,137	Originally posted by UncleVanya But the bokeh characteristics will vary. Also the comparison is fa 77 @1.8 vs 1.4 so focal length and aperture both changed. I suspect this is visible but I don't currently have an 85mm to shoot a test shot. @lerolls There is a difference. @ 8 feet, 85mm f1.4 DOF = 1.68 inches; 77mm @ f1.8 DOF = 2.64 inches. So, if about one inch makes a difference, there is a difference. However it depends somewhat on how the calculator I used arbitrarily defines "in focus." It's obviously not a hard line and therefore subjective.