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angerdan · 11-01-2020, 09:12 AM

Originally posted by someasiancameraguy

I'm hoping to expand my collection of glass that suits portrait photography, but I find the CA coming off the 77Ltd a bit distracting and the new DFA* 85mm prohibitively expensive.
What other choices aside from the 100mm Macro would you guys recommend with little to no CA?
I'm open to third party glass recommendations too as long as they work on both film and DSLR bodies.

The CA of the FA 77mm can be corrected inside the camera.
D FA* 50mm with the 2021 FF converter. Quality of the D FA* 85mm with lower weight.
But the D FA 100mm Macro is a very good choice, especially if you want to change the aperture on analog bodies.
Or the F(A) 85mm f2.8 Soft.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-F-85mm-F2.8-Soft-Lens.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-85mm-F2.8-Soft-Lens.html

Last edited by angerdan; 11-01-2020 at 09:21 AM.

mikeprotts · 11-01-2020, 12:03 PM

I like the results with the Tamron Adaptall SP2 90mm, a little heavy but easy to use.

Mike

**caliscouser** · 11-01-2020, 12:18 PM

No direct experience, but a few people have said that the the DFA 100 Macro can exhibit CA wide open.

If not too long there a lot of 135mm vintage options.

ZombieArmy · 11-01-2020, 12:42 PM - **2 Likes**

The Samyang 135 f2 is probably one of the most gorgeous portrait lenses I've seen for the price.

angerdan · 11-01-2020, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

The Samyang 135 f2 is probably one of the most gorgeous portrait lenses I've seen for the price.

Do you know if the TO is interested in MF lenses?

**BigMackCam** · 11-01-2020, 01:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by angerdan

Do you know if the TO is interested in MF lenses?

In post #4 of the thread he says that he prefers AF...

ChristianRock · 11-01-2020, 07:44 PM

I have seen a few Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lenses coming up for sale lately... that would be an option.

CA is usually correctable in post or even in-camera if you shoot jpeg, so are you sure it's not just a nit pick?

**pres589** · 11-01-2020, 07:54 PM

There's a number of entirely different 90mm f2.5 macro's (and some rebadges of the same) that all seem good for this sort of thing. Tamron even had one with AF. Pentax's M 120mm f2.8 also seems good but it's MF. There's also the Pentax M 100mm f2.8 which isn't a macro. MF again like all of the M's.

I actually picked up an M 75-150mm f4 zoom for portraits but have yet to shoot any due to timing and the state of things lately. There are a number of zooms with a max aperture of f2.8 that would probably work well for this sort of thing.

radium · 11-01-2020, 10:28 PM

Maybe get a Pentax A* 85mm f1.4 lens? A fantastic portrait lens and a great all around medium telephoto lens. If you get this lens you’ll probably not want any other 85 mm lens afterwards. It has a classical look and plenty sharp that it doesn’t look overly sharp either

Sandy Hancock · 11-01-2020, 11:42 PM - **1 Like**

If you want a fast short telephoto, and shoot it wide open, then expect to deal with chromatic aberration. Either work hard at your lighting, or work hard on your post processing.

The FA77 is superb. The FA*85 is arguably better. The DFA*85 won't work on film cameras, so you don't even have to worry about that one

**Michail_P** · 11-02-2020, 12:11 AM

What about APS-C? Is there any affordable prime portrait glass?
Either af or mf, wouldn’t mind. The limited are nice but so goes the price.

Sandy Hancock · 11-02-2020, 12:16 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by mixalis_kalymnos1611

What about APS-C? Is there any affordable prime portrait glass?

Any fast fifty can make a very decent portrait lens on crop. The FA50/1.4 has lovely out-of-focus rendering and colours, and a pleasing softness wide open, which is quite desirable for portraiture. The DA*55 /1.4 is another level up.

FreeSpirit9 · 11-02-2020, 03:08 AM

Originally posted by mixalis_kalymnos1611

What about APS-C? Is there any affordable prime portrait glass?
Either af or mf, wouldn’t mind. The limited are nice but so goes the price.

I have found the sigma 50 1.4 hsm ex to be excellent.

someasiancameraguy · 11-02-2020, 03:19 AM - **1 Like**

I know that CAs are generally quite easy to correct for in focus areas, but LoCA in bokeh can be unpleasant in high contrast situations. I'll be looking at the Sigma a bit more.

heinamj · 11-02-2020, 03:25 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by someasiancameraguy

I'm open to third party glass recommendations too as long as they work on both film and DSLR bodies.

Cheers

Highly recommended Samyang/Rokinon 135mm F2 ED UMC... I can shoot straight into the stage lights. A joy to use it you're comfortable with manual focus. And one of the best astrophotography lenses out there for under $1000.

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11-01-2020, 09:12 AM	#16
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,643	Originally posted by someasiancameraguy I'm hoping to expand my collection of glass that suits portrait photography, but I find the CA coming off the 77Ltd a bit distracting and the new DFA* 85mm prohibitively expensive. What other choices aside from the 100mm Macro would you guys recommend with little to no CA? I'm open to third party glass recommendations too as long as they work on both film and DSLR bodies. The CA of the FA 77mm can be corrected inside the camera. D FA* 50mm with the 2021 FF converter. Quality of the D FA* 85mm with lower weight. But the D FA 100mm Macro is a very good choice, especially if you want to change the aperture on analog bodies. Or the F(A) 85mm f2.8 Soft. https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-F-85mm-F2.8-Soft-Lens.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-85mm-F2.8-Soft-Lens.html Last edited by angerdan; 11-01-2020 at 09:21 AM.

11-01-2020, 12:03 PM	#17
mikeprotts Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Posts: 66	I like the results with the Tamron Adaptall SP2 90mm, a little heavy but easy to use. Mike

11-01-2020, 12:18 PM	#18
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	No direct experience, but a few people have said that the the DFA 100 Macro can exhibit CA wide open. If not too long there a lot of 135mm vintage options.

11-01-2020, 12:42 PM - 2 Likes	#19
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	The Samyang 135 f2 is probably one of the most gorgeous portrait lenses I've seen for the price.

11-01-2020, 01:10 PM	#20
angerdan Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,643	Originally posted by ZombieArmy The Samyang 135 f2 is probably one of the most gorgeous portrait lenses I've seen for the price. Do you know if the TO is interested in MF lenses?

11-01-2020, 01:20 PM - 1 Like	#21
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,705	Originally posted by angerdan Do you know if the TO is interested in MF lenses? In post #4 of the thread he says that he prefers AF...

11-01-2020, 07:44 PM	#22
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	I have seen a few Sigma 85mm f/1.4 lenses coming up for sale lately... that would be an option. CA is usually correctable in post or even in-camera if you shoot jpeg, so are you sure it's not just a nit pick?

11-01-2020, 07:54 PM	#23
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	There's a number of entirely different 90mm f2.5 macro's (and some rebadges of the same) that all seem good for this sort of thing. Tamron even had one with AF. Pentax's M 120mm f2.8 also seems good but it's MF. There's also the Pentax M 100mm f2.8 which isn't a macro. MF again like all of the M's. I actually picked up an M 75-150mm f4 zoom for portraits but have yet to shoot any due to timing and the state of things lately. There are a number of zooms with a max aperture of f2.8 that would probably work well for this sort of thing.

11-01-2020, 10:28 PM	#24
radium New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Hong Kong Photos: Albums Posts: 16	Maybe get a Pentax A* 85mm f1.4 lens? A fantastic portrait lens and a great all around medium telephoto lens. If you get this lens you’ll probably not want any other 85 mm lens afterwards. It has a classical look and plenty sharp that it doesn’t look overly sharp either

11-01-2020, 11:42 PM - 1 Like	#25
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,276	If you want a fast short telephoto, and shoot it wide open, then expect to deal with chromatic aberration. Either work hard at your lighting, or work hard on your post processing. The FA77 is superb. The FA85 is arguably better. The DFA85 won't work on film cameras, so you don't even have to worry about that one

11-02-2020, 12:11 AM	#26
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	What about APS-C? Is there any affordable prime portrait glass? Either af or mf, wouldn’t mind. The limited are nice but so goes the price.

11-02-2020, 12:16 AM - 2 Likes	#27
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,276	Originally posted by mixalis_kalymnos1611 What about APS-C? Is there any affordable prime portrait glass? Any fast fifty can make a very decent portrait lens on crop. The FA50/1.4 has lovely out-of-focus rendering and colours, and a pleasing softness wide open, which is quite desirable for portraiture. The DA*55 /1.4 is another level up.

11-02-2020, 03:08 AM	#28
FreeSpirit9 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 557	Originally posted by mixalis_kalymnos1611 What about APS-C? Is there any affordable prime portrait glass? Either af or mf, wouldn’t mind. The limited are nice but so goes the price. I have found the sigma 50 1.4 hsm ex to be excellent.

11-02-2020, 03:19 AM - 1 Like	#29
someasiancameraguy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 419 Original Poster	I know that CAs are generally quite easy to correct for in focus areas, but LoCA in bokeh can be unpleasant in high contrast situations. I'll be looking at the Sigma a bit more.

11-02-2020, 03:25 AM - 1 Like	#30
heinamj Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 366	Originally posted by someasiancameraguy I'm open to third party glass recommendations too as long as they work on both film and DSLR bodies. Cheers Highly recommended Samyang/Rokinon 135mm F2 ED UMC... I can shoot straight into the stage lights. A joy to use it you're comfortable with manual focus. And one of the best astrophotography lenses out there for under $1000.

Recommendations for Portrait glass?

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