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09-07-2018, 09:11 AM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
This may skyrocket, but if it stays low it would be a great choice:
SMC PENTAX 85mm f/2 K Mount MF Lens from Japan | eBay

New and available and buy it now - but it has a poor reputation for quality and has no real advantages over older lenses:
Mitakon Zhongyi 85mm F2.0 Manual Silent Full Frame Prime for Pentax PK Mount | eBay

Mitakon Zhongyi 85mm F2.0 Manual Silent Full Frame Prime for Pentax PK Mount | eBay

Jupiter 9 (soviet 85/2):
Review: Jupiter-9 85mm 2.0 (Zeiss Copy) - phillipreeve.net
many on ebay

Not everyone loves this lens:
SMC Pentax Soft 85mm F/2.2 MF Prime Lens SN1002586 for K Mount from Japan | eBay
Check the reviews here on Pentax Forums

Similarly this isn't all that commonly recommended:
Pentax F 85mm F2.8 SMC Soft Lens 85/2.8 #296 | eBay

Outside of the 85's you can find a ton of weird and wonderfully inexpensive lenses:
Chinon 135mm f2.8 Prime Lens M42 - (#4) | eBay (This has a great reputation!)
All watched. As for the chinon 135mm, I have it in K mount and it cost me £12, and its brilliant

09-07-2018, 09:25 AM   #17
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One more thought - you could also pair a 1.4x Teleconverter with one of your fast 50mm lenses. With a very high quality unit that should give nice results.
09-07-2018, 09:28 AM   #18
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Helios definitely creates nice bokeh. So I'd take that lens if I wanted a nice bokeh. Oftentimes though the background might not be suitable. I took Helios 40 to the forest in winter to take some photos of the kids, and it produced some harsh and unpleasant bokeh. Because of that I tend to pay attention to background more than usual when using Helioses. I think Helios and Pancolar would be nice.
09-07-2018, 10:07 AM   #19
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To fill in the gap between 50mm and 100mm, you need an 85mm. If you are on a budget, look at the Jupiter 9. For a bit more, you can get an SMC Pentax M 85mm f/2. For a lot more, you can get the classic K 85mm f/1.8. Or go for broke and get the A* 85mm f/1.4.

On the other hand, you can play it safe and get a modern Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. I have the Rokinon and I absolutely love it. That f/1.4 aperture just can't be beaten when it comes to blurry background bokeh!

09-07-2018, 11:37 AM   #20
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18-135 is good lens. If you can use 50-100 mm diapazone of focal lenghts where you will shoot (distance to the object!), then for half body or face-shoulders portrait the lens is good, bokeh is acceptable. My duaghter started to shoot Pentax k-5II and this lens and I wonder how good are her pictures for 16 year old girl. Good light or flash would be preferable.
As alternative you can take 50/2 mamiya due to largest aperture you have, if the lens has still acceptable sharpness at f2. You can always close the aperture to f2,8 or more.
09-07-2018, 12:01 PM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by Medex Quote
18-135 is good lens. If you can use 50-100 mm diapazone of focal lenghts where you will shoot (distance to the object!), then for half body or face-shoulders portrait the lens is good, bokeh is acceptable. My duaghter started to shoot Pentax k-5II and this lens and I wonder how good are her pictures for 16 year old girl. Good light or flash would be preferable.
As alternative you can take 50/2 mamiya due to largest aperture you have, if the lens has still acceptable sharpness at f2. You can always close the aperture to f2,8 or more.

I also have an f1.7 Yashinon 50mm which is a tamioka, that's a sharp lens too
09-07-2018, 01:51 PM   #22
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It may not offer much over the 18-135, but I got a 40-year old 45-125 f4 that is an interesting (and full frame) portrait lens.

It is hard to focus because of the aperture, and it’s a big thing, but I really like the way it renders, and it’s plenty sharp, with less CA than I expected, given its age.

-Eric

09-07-2018, 03:12 PM - 1 Like   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by Cerebum Quote
Hi
I may get the chance to take part in a model shoot in a local orchard. It will be short notice so I want to know what I am grabbing. Thing is, I have never done portraits so I am a bit undecided, lens wise. My best lenses are my 18-135mm, and the following manual primes
Auto Mamiya Sekor 50mm f2
Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolor 50mm f2.8
Super Takumar 50mm f3.5
Auto Yashinon 50mm f1.8
Helios 44-2/44-4
Takumar 100mm f4 macro

They are all sharp, anyone care to suggest which may be best? ......Anyone?

Also, as you can see I have a gap from 58-100mm. Is there a hidden gem? A soligor, pentacon or suchlike that won't cost me a fortune but is still a worthwhile addition?

Thanks
Orchard= outdoor setting. Your DA 18-135mm should be terrific! You cannot predict what your distance will be. There will be numerous other eager photographers, of which you will be seeking to omit an elbow or shoulder. This lens can produce very fine people shots with very good background bokeh. Excellent image quality, especially in the central frame area. It has been shown to be a quite good portrait lens. In model shooting it will allow you to adjust framing for full-body to facial closeup, or in-between, on the fly. If the shoot goes on into the low-sunlight hour, you could then try keeping the FL from 18-70mm, where this lens can keep to f/3.5-4.5 aperture to keep shutter speed up without having to raise ISO too much. Using a more open aperture to blur background will be mostly a good idea anyway, just how much so depends on the degree of tele FL and the background distance. I think this lens will be a very good choice for this somewhat unpredictable situation. Take a fast 50mm lens also, in case you need it if lighting gets low.

Last edited by mikesbike; 09-07-2018 at 03:28 PM.
09-07-2018, 03:14 PM   #24
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FA7mm f1.8 Ltd.

No argument. The coulour rendering of portrait is outstanding.
09-07-2018, 04:33 PM - 1 Like   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by hcc Quote
FA7mm f1.8 Ltd.

No argument. The coulour rendering of portrait is outstanding.
for sure, but the OP is looking for a lens that will "not cost me a fortune". Perhaps, the OP can give us a price range, but if its under $100 its really the 135mm's that are going to come in low for good quality, particularly the Russian Jupiters if you can find one that is not a bag of flagrant mold.
09-07-2018, 04:39 PM - 1 Like   #26
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It may be better to spend the budget on a flash. The 18-135 has a good reputation, so you may have better luck controlling the light...

-Eric
09-07-2018, 06:07 PM - 1 Like   #27
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18-135 does great portraits if you can make the background unobtrusive.


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09-07-2018, 07:29 PM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by RKKS08 Quote
I doubt this.
It is a tele lens, and as such I would only use it when this angle of view is needed.
It is the bomb on the K1 and also very good on APS-C for head and shoulders or even full length portraits, if you have room to get back.

I learn photography from a fashion photographer and never do a full length that doesn't show the subject's legs at their best. You take great legs shots by getting down low and getting back from your subject.
09-07-2018, 07:45 PM - 1 Like   #29
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Use the lenses you have. Your Helios 44-2 and Takumar 100 should give some really cool results. But definitely bring the 18-135 as well.

Think about buying something new if you come away from the workshop inspired to continue with portraiture.
09-07-2018, 11:42 PM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by TwoUptons Quote
It may be better to spend the budget on a flash. The 18-135 has a good reputation, so you may have better luck controlling the light...

-Eric
Yes, a pop of flash can be a good thing for daylight shots, and can be modified through flash comp.
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