Best Portrait Lens? Budget: $600

**mikesbike** · 08-02-2018, 02:18 PM - **1 Like**

I would recommend a fast f/1.4 50 or 55mm lens to provide more options in controlling DOF. Also worth noting, however, is that the extremely fine FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited when used on FF is a different ballgame than APS-C for portrait. Bookeh is excellent, size and weight are small, so if interested in doing candids, it does not draw attention to itself. For that, APS-C may be better with it. A 50mm lens becomes a little short for portrait with FF.

I was still shooting film when bought my FA77mm LTD, and the very first shot I took with it was while walking with a young friend through a wooded area near a Lake Michigan shoreline. The lighting was near ideal that day and as we were in an especially good spot, I suggested a photo, to which he agreed, I walked a bit ahead, turned and his expression was prefect, my VF revealed a good aperture/ shutter speed in the "P" mode so I instantly fired one shot. As it turned out, he said it was the best photo ever taken of him, even better than professional studio work! It did come out beautifully.

Last edited by mikesbike; 08-02-2018 at 08:08 PM.

**UncleVanya** · 08-02-2018, 02:46 PM - **1 Like**

Right - and I would also suggest that at 135 f/2.8 is not quite as shallow as 55 at f/1.4 with the same size object at the same rough framing but it is very shallow already.

gm4life · 08-02-2018, 06:11 PM - **2 Likes**

The DA * 55 is the way to go and fits your budget. You will like it, I loved mine and only just gave it away to my pa when the DFA * 50 came in.

**clackers** · 08-02-2018, 06:53 PM - **1 Like**

Whether you go for the DA*55 or the DA*50-135, you should be able to take outstanding pictures.

**UncleVanya** · 08-02-2018, 07:05 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

Whether you go for the DA*55 or the DA*50-135, you should be able to take outstanding pictures.

I can't disagree. Both are sdm based and auto focus is a tad slow. But both also support quick shift and have a stunning reputation. The 50-135 does seem to match the event,needs of the OP best despite the original discussion focusing on portraits.

Here's the 50-135 at several different f stops and lengths: Hope 19th Birthday | Flickr

Here it is at crazy ISO:

Generated by http://tools.rackonly.com

24thNomad · 08-02-2018, 07:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by gm4life

The DA * 55 is the way to go and fits your budget. You will like it, I loved mine and only just gave it away to my pa when the DFA * 50 came in.

This out of my budget, but I'm curious? How are you liking that lens right now?

gm4life · 08-02-2018, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by 24thNomad

This out of my budget, but I'm curious? How are you liking that lens right now?

Love the DFA * 50, it is like the DA * 55 only for FF and then some. If you don’t plan on going FF and sticking to crop at less than half the cost the DA * 55 fits the bill of a portrait lens perfectly... In fact some of my favorite shots have been with that lens.

repaap · 08-02-2018, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by 24thNomad

Oh, I didn't see your set of photos before. Those are all really nice! It reminds me why I was drifting toward the 55*. It looks like it's between the 55 and the 50-135 at this point. Just trying to mull over which one I think i would get the best use from all in all. Most of my photography has been events so the wider aperture is greatly appreciated. But I know that I can work with f/2.8 and it offers such utility. Really hard to choose from tbh. It's a matter of specialization vs versatility. Will probably get them both in the long run though. But for the present moment, I have a tough decision to make.

Well, DA*55 is one thing, small, little slow at focusing. Quite good at events, but it is not zoom. Also zoom is not fast 85(aps-c) or fifty(FF). I’v seen great photos made with 50-135. I knew that I was going towards FF so I have been putting tgat 50-135 aside. Now I have DFA*70-200 for that. It is great, but fast fifty or 85 has different touch on them. Reason that I went for 70-200 is just because I do shoot at events too.

**clackers** · 08-02-2018, 09:37 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by gm4life

Love the DFA * 50, it is like the DA * 55 only for FF and then some. If you don’t plan on going FF and sticking to crop at less than half the cost the DA * 55 fits the bill of a portrait lens perfectly... In fact some of my favorite shots have been with that lens.

Just to clarify for others, the DA*55 is certainly a full frame lens, never mind the 'DA' tag, it's in my bag beside the K-1, Sigma 35mm Art and Sigma 85mm f1.4 right now!

Brooke Meyer · 08-02-2018, 09:45 PM - **3 Likes**

Buy a used 50-135, run my business on it. Work horse lens, probably 3 to 4 hundred thousand images made since buying new in 9 years ago. My bought used 17-70 works well too. Take all the hand wringing about SDM failure with a grain of salt. You can get it fixed for about the same as I paid to fix a Pentax 645 FA 80-160 ( failed electric spot weld on zoom ring carriage) and a bought new, fully mechanical Sigma 100-300/4 with a jammed aperture ring and failed aperture control. Stuff happens.

Sandy Hancock · 08-02-2018, 09:46 PM

If the DA70 limited was too tight, the DA*55 is a no-brainer.
But there's nothing wrong with the DA*50-135 except its full-frame future proofing.

**clackers** · 08-02-2018, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by Brooke Meyer

Take all the hand wringing about SDM failure with a grain of salt.

All that hand-wringing is not great for sellers, because no matter how unjustified, the reputation brings the price down … but for buyers, hooray!

It's how I got my 50-135. It's so good, and I converted it to screwdrive autofocus for nothing.

pid · 08-02-2018, 11:40 PM - **1 Like**

I loved my DA*55 and DA*50-135 on APS-C. Now on FF with the K1 the DA*55 shines even more and my beloved DA*50-135 is used in square mode and remembers me how it was shooting on film a long time ago. The DA* 50-135 works at 135mm very good on FF, the other lengths work fine only on square mode without vignetting.

Brooke Meyer · 08-03-2018, 12:09 AM - **3 Likes**

Which is a good thing because you can spend the savings on lighting gear which is what really offers opportunity. Modern lenses and cameras are good enough. It would be no problem at all to make annual report quality corporate head shots with a kit lens and a K10D if the lighting is well understood and executed.

**twilhelm** · 08-03-2018, 12:12 AM

For crop sensor and zoom lenses, it's hard not to like the DA17-70 and the DA50-135, both were workhorses for me. I have yet to have a DA*55.

If your concerned about the K-1 in your future, neither of the DA lenses work well, but I've seen great work with the DA*55 on the K-1. But if you are looking ahead at the K-1, there's always the FA43 with the FA77 after you get the camera. Those two lenses with the K-1 are nothing short of amazing.

08-02-2018, 09:45 PM - 3 Likes	#40
Brooke Meyer Guest	Buy a used 50-135, run my business on it. Work horse lens, probably 3 to 4 hundred thousand images made since buying new in 9 years ago. My bought used 17-70 works well too. Take all the hand wringing about SDM failure with a grain of salt. You can get it fixed for about the same as I paid to fix a Pentax 645 FA 80-160 ( failed electric spot weld on zoom ring carriage) and a bought new, fully mechanical Sigma 100-300/4 with a jammed aperture ring and failed aperture control. Stuff happens. Last edited by Brooke Meyer; 09-03-2018 at 10:38 AM.

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08-02-2018, 02:18 PM - 1 Like	#31
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	I would recommend a fast f/1.4 50 or 55mm lens to provide more options in controlling DOF. Also worth noting, however, is that the extremely fine FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited when used on FF is a different ballgame than APS-C for portrait. Bookeh is excellent, size and weight are small, so if interested in doing candids, it does not draw attention to itself. For that, APS-C may be better with it. A 50mm lens becomes a little short for portrait with FF. I was still shooting film when bought my FA77mm LTD, and the very first shot I took with it was while walking with a young friend through a wooded area near a Lake Michigan shoreline. The lighting was near ideal that day and as we were in an especially good spot, I suggested a photo, to which he agreed, I walked a bit ahead, turned and his expression was prefect, my VF revealed a good aperture/ shutter speed in the "P" mode so I instantly fired one shot. As it turned out, he said it was the best photo ever taken of him, even better than professional studio work! It did come out beautifully. Last edited by mikesbike; 08-02-2018 at 08:08 PM.

08-02-2018, 02:46 PM - 1 Like	#32
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Right - and I would also suggest that at 135 f/2.8 is not quite as shallow as 55 at f/1.4 with the same size object at the same rough framing but it is very shallow already.

08-02-2018, 06:11 PM - 2 Likes	#33
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	The DA * 55 is the way to go and fits your budget. You will like it, I loved mine and only just gave it away to my pa when the DFA * 50 came in.

08-02-2018, 06:53 PM - 1 Like	#34
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Whether you go for the DA55 or the DA50-135, you should be able to take outstanding pictures.

08-02-2018, 07:05 PM - 1 Like	#35
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by clackers Whether you go for the DA55 or the DA50-135, you should be able to take outstanding pictures. I can't disagree. Both are sdm based and auto focus is a tad slow. But both also support quick shift and have a stunning reputation. The 50-135 does seem to match the event,needs of the OP best despite the original discussion focusing on portraits. Here's the 50-135 at several different f stops and lengths: Hope 19th Birthday \| Flickr Here it is at crazy ISO: Generated by http://tools.rackonly.com

08-02-2018, 07:23 PM - 1 Like	#36
24thNomad Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 66 Original Poster	Originally posted by gm4life The DA * 55 is the way to go and fits your budget. You will like it, I loved mine and only just gave it away to my pa when the DFA * 50 came in. This out of my budget, but I'm curious? How are you liking that lens right now?

08-02-2018, 08:54 PM	#37
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by 24thNomad This out of my budget, but I'm curious? How are you liking that lens right now? Love the DFA * 50, it is like the DA * 55 only for FF and then some. If you don’t plan on going FF and sticking to crop at less than half the cost the DA * 55 fits the bill of a portrait lens perfectly... In fact some of my favorite shots have been with that lens.

08-02-2018, 09:34 PM	#38
repaap Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,242	Originally posted by 24thNomad Oh, I didn't see your set of photos before. Those are all really nice! It reminds me why I was drifting toward the 55. It looks like it's between the 55 and the 50-135 at this point. Just trying to mull over which one I think i would get the best use from all in all. Most of my photography has been events so the wider aperture is greatly appreciated. But I know that I can work with f/2.8 and it offers such utility. Really hard to choose from tbh. It's a matter of specialization vs versatility. Will probably get them both in the long run though. But for the present moment, I have a tough decision to make. Well, DA55 is one thing, small, little slow at focusing. Quite good at events, but it is not zoom. Also zoom is not fast 85(aps-c) or fifty(FF). I’v seen great photos made with 50-135. I knew that I was going towards FF so I have been putting tgat 50-135 aside. Now I have DFA*70-200 for that. It is great, but fast fifty or 85 has different touch on them. Reason that I went for 70-200 is just because I do shoot at events too.

08-02-2018, 09:37 PM - 3 Likes	#39
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by gm4life Love the DFA * 50, it is like the DA * 55 only for FF and then some. If you don’t plan on going FF and sticking to crop at less than half the cost the DA * 55 fits the bill of a portrait lens perfectly... In fact some of my favorite shots have been with that lens. Just to clarify for others, the DA*55 is certainly a full frame lens, never mind the 'DA' tag, it's in my bag beside the K-1, Sigma 35mm Art and Sigma 85mm f1.4 right now!

08-02-2018, 09:46 PM	#41
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	If the DA70 limited was too tight, the DA55 is a no-brainer. But there's nothing wrong with the DA50-135 except its full-frame future proofing.

08-02-2018, 09:53 PM	#42
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Brooke Meyer Take all the hand wringing about SDM failure with a grain of salt. All that hand-wringing is not great for sellers, because no matter how unjustified, the reputation brings the price down … but for buyers, hooray! It's how I got my 50-135. It's so good, and I converted it to screwdrive autofocus for nothing.

08-02-2018, 11:40 PM - 1 Like	#43
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	I loved my DA55 and DA50-135 on APS-C. Now on FF with the K1 the DA55 shines even more and my beloved DA50-135 is used in square mode and remembers me how it was shooting on film a long time ago. The DA* 50-135 works at 135mm very good on FF, the other lengths work fine only on square mode without vignetting.

08-03-2018, 12:09 AM - 3 Likes	#44
Brooke Meyer Guest	Which is a good thing because you can spend the savings on lighting gear which is what really offers opportunity. Modern lenses and cameras are good enough. It would be no problem at all to make annual report quality corporate head shots with a kit lens and a K10D if the lighting is well understood and executed.

08-03-2018, 12:12 AM	#45
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	For crop sensor and zoom lenses, it's hard not to like the DA17-70 and the DA50-135, both were workhorses for me. I have yet to have a DA55. If your concerned about the K-1 in your future, neither of the DA lenses work well, but I've seen great work with the DA55 on the K-1. But if you are looking ahead at the K-1, there's always the FA43 with the FA77 after you get the camera. Those two lenses with the K-1 are nothing short of amazing.