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Wheatfield · 10-09-2021, 09:19 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by sarge

I had left Pentax a few years back for what I thought were greener pastures.
Well I am coming back. I am going to be getting a K-3 III and a K-70 for my wife.
We do weddings and portraits mainly.
I am trying to decide on the best portrait lenses to get.
I am debating on either the 77mm Limited paired with the 43mm Limited or the 70mm Limited paired with the 55mm DA*.
For those of you who shoot portraits on the crop sensor cameras what is your advice?
Thanks!

When I was using the smaller format, I found the 70Ltd was my most useful portrait lens. I found the 77 to be just a bit too long, and quite honestly, it's over rated. The 70 is every bit as good. If you are planning to go full frame in the future, consider the 77, but if you are happy with APS-C, don't waste your money.

I never learned to like the DA 55/1.4. It's sharp and contrasty, but I didn't like it's out of focus rendering. I found it to be on the nervous side. The 43 Ltd is a much nicer lens than the 55 for looser portraits or for shooting in a smaller room.

Just my opinion from using these lenses extensively in the studio. Take it for what worth you get from it, which will probably be zero as you appear to have decided badly in my honest opinion.

**UncleVanya** · 10-09-2021, 10:36 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by nosillec

I also have a 20-40, which I'll be selling soon because the weight/size savings isn't significantly different from the 16-50 and I prefer the 16-50 rendering.

That’s interesting. I find the 20-40 much smaller and lighter and the hood of the 16-50 makes the situation worse. I haven’t found I particularly love the 16-50, I would love to see examples of head to head shots that make you feel that way. I may have overlooked something but my 20-40 is a joy when I use it.

Paul_R_H · 10-12-2021, 08:36 AM

For portraits you don't need edge-to-edge sharpness but you say you want narrow DoF. The old FA f1.4, is an option, but wide open it's is blurry and has LoCA. So it will need stopping down to f2. Or the plastic DA50 f1.8. Both are screw-drive but they will focus fast. I think you might get hunting with the FA50m but the DA50 is probably better and heck it's so cheap you could try it and get sell on if it doesn't suit you, at very little loss.

**loyalt** · 10-12-2021, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by sarge

I had left Pentax a few years back for what I thought were greener pastures.
Well I am coming back. I am going to be getting a K-3 III and a K-70 for my wife.
We do weddings and portraits mainly.
I am trying to decide on the best portrait lenses to get.
I am debating on either the 77mm Limited paired with the 43mm Limited or the 70mm Limited paired with the 55mm DA*.
For those of you who shoot portraits on the crop sensor cameras what is your advice?
Thanks!

For portraits, I use both the 50mm f1.4 and the 70-200mm 2.8, getting wonderful results with both. I also have the K-3 Mark iii, as well as both the K-3 and K-5. Until receiving the K-3 Mark iii this spring, have used the other two cameras with those lenses with very good outcomes pleasing to all of my clients for years.

**UncleVanya** · 10-12-2021, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by loyalt

For portraits, I use both the 50mm f1.4…

Since there are multiple 50 f1.4s and I’ve lost track is that the D FA or FA?

**loyalt** · 10-12-2021, 10:48 PM - **1 Like**

D FA 50mm f1.4 and the D FA* 70-200mm f2.8

**Rondec** · 10-13-2021, 02:58 AM

It sounds like you have decided. I think the FA 77 is a nice choice. Only negative is that you have to do some purple fringing correction at times with back lite situations.

DA *55 is the classic portrait length for APS-C. I own it and while the SDM is adequate, it is quite slow. I typically shoot mine stopped down to f2 and it does pretty well there. Others have mentioned the DFA *50 and that lens would have faster focus (ring motor) and better sharpness and performance at f1.4-f2. It is also quite a bit more expensive, but if you use that focal length a lot it might be worth it.

ChristianRock · 10-13-2021, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by sarge

Looks like it will be the 77mm Limited and the 55mm DA* lenses.
I want to thank everyone who gave their input. I forgot how helpful and friendly this community is. It is quite refreshing!

We are always glad to help people part ways with their money

and acquire nice gear, of course

In this case, you should be thrilled with both lenses but I'm sure the 77 is the pick of the litter.

sarge · 10-13-2021, 05:40 PM

Well I have decided to get the 16-50 PLM lens and the 55 1.4. I am going to wait on the 77 for now.
I am sure I will pick it up in the future but for now it will have to wait.

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10-09-2021, 09:19 AM - 2 Likes	#31
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,991	Originally posted by sarge I had left Pentax a few years back for what I thought were greener pastures. Well I am coming back. I am going to be getting a K-3 III and a K-70 for my wife. We do weddings and portraits mainly. I am trying to decide on the best portrait lenses to get. I am debating on either the 77mm Limited paired with the 43mm Limited or the 70mm Limited paired with the 55mm DA*. For those of you who shoot portraits on the crop sensor cameras what is your advice? Thanks! When I was using the smaller format, I found the 70Ltd was my most useful portrait lens. I found the 77 to be just a bit too long, and quite honestly, it's over rated. The 70 is every bit as good. If you are planning to go full frame in the future, consider the 77, but if you are happy with APS-C, don't waste your money. I never learned to like the DA 55/1.4. It's sharp and contrasty, but I didn't like it's out of focus rendering. I found it to be on the nervous side. The 43 Ltd is a much nicer lens than the 55 for looser portraits or for shooting in a smaller room. Just my opinion from using these lenses extensively in the studio. Take it for what worth you get from it, which will probably be zero as you appear to have decided badly in my honest opinion.

10-09-2021, 10:36 AM - 1 Like	#32
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by nosillec I also have a 20-40, which I'll be selling soon because the weight/size savings isn't significantly different from the 16-50 and I prefer the 16-50 rendering. That’s interesting. I find the 20-40 much smaller and lighter and the hood of the 16-50 makes the situation worse. I haven’t found I particularly love the 16-50, I would love to see examples of head to head shots that make you feel that way. I may have overlooked something but my 20-40 is a joy when I use it.

10-12-2021, 08:36 AM	#33
Paul_R_H Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 88	For portraits you don't need edge-to-edge sharpness but you say you want narrow DoF. The old FA f1.4, is an option, but wide open it's is blurry and has LoCA. So it will need stopping down to f2. Or the plastic DA50 f1.8. Both are screw-drive but they will focus fast. I think you might get hunting with the FA50m but the DA50 is probably better and heck it's so cheap you could try it and get sell on if it doesn't suit you, at very little loss.

10-12-2021, 12:37 PM	#34
loyalt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 261	Originally posted by sarge I had left Pentax a few years back for what I thought were greener pastures. Well I am coming back. I am going to be getting a K-3 III and a K-70 for my wife. We do weddings and portraits mainly. I am trying to decide on the best portrait lenses to get. I am debating on either the 77mm Limited paired with the 43mm Limited or the 70mm Limited paired with the 55mm DA*. For those of you who shoot portraits on the crop sensor cameras what is your advice? Thanks! For portraits, I use both the 50mm f1.4 and the 70-200mm 2.8, getting wonderful results with both. I also have the K-3 Mark iii, as well as both the K-3 and K-5. Until receiving the K-3 Mark iii this spring, have used the other two cameras with those lenses with very good outcomes pleasing to all of my clients for years.

10-12-2021, 03:31 PM	#35
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by loyalt For portraits, I use both the 50mm f1.4… Since there are multiple 50 f1.4s and I’ve lost track is that the D FA or FA?

10-12-2021, 10:48 PM - 1 Like	#36
loyalt Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 261	D FA 50mm f1.4 and the D FA* 70-200mm f2.8

10-13-2021, 02:58 AM	#37
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,668	It sounds like you have decided. I think the FA 77 is a nice choice. Only negative is that you have to do some purple fringing correction at times with back lite situations. DA 55 is the classic portrait length for APS-C. I own it and while the SDM is adequate, it is quite slow. I typically shoot mine stopped down to f2 and it does pretty well there. Others have mentioned the DFA 50 and that lens would have faster focus (ring motor) and better sharpness and performance at f1.4-f2. It is also quite a bit more expensive, but if you use that focal length a lot it might be worth it.

10-13-2021, 06:56 AM	#38
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	Originally posted by sarge Looks like it will be the 77mm Limited and the 55mm DA* lenses. I want to thank everyone who gave their input. I forgot how helpful and friendly this community is. It is quite refreshing! We are always glad to help people part ways with their money and acquire nice gear, of course In this case, you should be thrilled with both lenses but I'm sure the 77 is the pick of the litter.

10-13-2021, 05:40 PM	#39
sarge Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 460 Original Poster	Well I have decided to get the 16-50 PLM lens and the 55 1.4. I am going to wait on the 77 for now. I am sure I will pick it up in the future but for now it will have to wait.

Need advice on portrait lenses

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