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10-15-2019, 08:23 PM - 1 Like   #1
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Favorite lens for shooting food at a restaurant

What's your favourite lens for recording your fine dining experience? In the Instagram Age, I guess my question would be the equivalent of What do you use to 'gram your foodie shots?

For my K-1, I find the 31mm, creamy as the bokeh gets, just doesn't focus close enough. My D FA 50mm F2.8, on the other hand, doesn't give me the perspective I want, without having to leave my chair.

I've had great success (to the point of buying a second copy) with the Komine-made Vivitar 28mm F2 Close Focus (CF). Very highly-rated in the Pentax Lens Database.

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Last edited by gavinhw; 10-15-2019 at 10:32 PM.
10-15-2019, 08:46 PM - 5 Likes   #2
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I've had great success with the 02 zoom on the Q7:

10-15-2019, 08:58 PM - 1 Like   #3
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I typically use fast 50's and recently the 40.
10-15-2019, 09:08 PM - 1 Like   #4
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Depends on various factors - distance between you and the food, the lighting, possible angles to shoot, etc. I can give you a full tutorial if you send some of the diwali goodies along

10-15-2019, 09:36 PM - 1 Like   #5
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On APS-C, my Tokina 24mm f2.8 focuses pretty close at about 0.25 magnification, and is very sharp.
10-15-2019, 09:52 PM   #6
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I have used FA77 for some food shots (lovely bokeh) - but usual problem with having to leave chair!
10-15-2019, 10:16 PM - 1 Like   #7
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I could be missing something here but the OP used the phrase "in the Instagram age". I take that to mean the primary purpose for taking the photo is to post it on social media. So lens or camera? Practically speaking, the camera and lens on most of our late model smartphones would be more than adequate for that. These easily provide the lens range and depth of field that is required, they're easy to use, and we all carry them constantly. Anything bigger is overkill and obtrusive to the dining experience.

10-15-2019, 10:42 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by From1980 Quote
I could be missing something here but the OP used the phrase "in the Instagram age". I take that to mean the primary purpose for taking the photo is to post it on social media. So lens or camera? Practically speaking, the camera and lens on most of our late model smartphones would be more than adequate for that. These easily provide the lens range and depth of field that is required, they're easy to use, and we all carry them constantly. Anything bigger is overkill and obtrusive to the dining experience.
Yep. I meant taking pics that could be on Instagram or Snapchat, which usually means what’s right in front of you at a restaurant under the given lighting conditions. The thing is, I like taking shots that have bokeh and look as if they’ve had effects and filters applied. Except that they didn’t. My idea of a challenge/fun. The Vivitar 28mm is quite commendable in those areas.
10-15-2019, 10:47 PM - 1 Like   #9
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Will suggest to check out the Sigma 24mm f1.8 macro.
10-16-2019, 12:20 AM   #10
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On APS-C, I have sometimes used the 17-50/2.8 Tammy. It focuses very close and at 17 mm the perspective gets quite interesting. Bokeh is the opposite of creamy though
10-16-2019, 12:43 AM   #11
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my guess would be the 35 macro, what do you think?
10-16-2019, 01:23 AM - 1 Like   #12
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Usually the old trusty PK-A 400mm with a tripod on the table next to us.

I know, I know, pics or it didn't happen.
10-16-2019, 02:01 AM   #13
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For client work... it would have to be my “Femme Fatale”(Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro), correctly supported in order to get maximum sharpness of the food presented.
10-16-2019, 02:14 AM - 5 Likes   #14
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I love using my Sigma 18-35, you can get very close...











10-16-2019, 03:21 AM - 1 Like   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by termy Quote
Will suggest to check out the Sigma 24mm f1.8 macro.
this would also be my suggestion:

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