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12-12-2008, 08:18 PM   #1
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Portrait Lens??

I'm looking for a new AF portrait lens for my ist*DL. Can you give me your opinion on what you think is the best you've found or direct me to a link in here that may already have a discussion/input? I'm looking for something under $300.00 Thanks

12-12-2008, 08:32 PM   #2
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fa 50mm f1.4 for $200 new or da 40mm f2.8 limited ~$200 used

oops you want new... amazon got new da40mm for $239 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw_0_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywor...efix=pentax+40 OR prodigital (on ebay) got it new for like $205 +shipping or offers...

Last edited by ltdstar; 12-12-2008 at 08:37 PM.
12-12-2008, 09:27 PM   #3
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FA 35mm f2

This is another fantastic lens. Good for full body portraits and group photos.
12-13-2008, 12:03 AM   #4
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Yep,
FA 50 1.4
FA 35 2.0
Tamron 28-75 2.8

All good choices, at or around the 300$ mark.

c[_]

12-13-2008, 08:41 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by KatyAZ Quote
I'm looking for a new AF portrait lens for my ist*DL. Can you give me your opinion on what you think is the best you've found or direct me to a link in here that may already have a discussion/input? I'm looking for something under $300.00 Thanks
Definitely the FA50/1.4. If you can stomach manual focus, the Nokton 58/1.4 is very nice, but I don't recall it's price.
I expect the FA50/1.4 will be discontinued when the 55/1.4 is released.
When this happens is anyone's guess, a month, a year, who knows?
Right now, the FA50 is one of the most undervalued lenses available.
12-13-2008, 09:20 AM   #6
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Wow, tough call. The shortest I would want for portraits would be about 50mm on a DSLR. The F or FA 50mm 1.4 or 1.7 would be good and well in that price range.

You MIGHT be able to pick up an F 85mm f/2.8 SOFT for about $300, but it will be soft. A nice effect for portraits, but if you ever need a sharp image, forget about it.
12-13-2008, 09:23 AM   #7
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my vote goes to the 70mm ltd.

12-13-2008, 12:14 PM   #8
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Many good fast 50's are around for that kind of money.
12-13-2008, 02:08 PM   #9
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If are you looking portrait lens for outdoor photography best lens available for yours budget is the Helios 40 (2) 85/1.5....

Last edited by Patriot; 12-14-2008 at 04:04 AM.
12-13-2008, 02:09 PM   #10
Igilligan
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Oh lets call a spade a spade....

All good advice above... I have the FA 50 and the DA 40, but for me the tamron 28-75 is the best AF portrait option. It can go wide for the group shots, go medium for the full body, and 75mm for the face shooting. The most used lens in my bag for people shootin' ---- new about 349 and used in the marketplace about 275....

Then pick up a used 50 or 85mm MF fast lens for the shallow dof artsy portrait work... I have a 20 dollar helios 44M 58mm lens that is a blast to use along with my SMC tak 50... Another fun MF option for later on is the Jupiter 9 85mm...
But as a face shooter, I long for the FA 77...

good luck
12-13-2008, 03:12 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Wheatfield Quote
I expect the FA50/1.4 will be discontinued when the 55/1.4 is released.
When this happens is anyone's guess, a month, a year, who knows?
Early in the new year. But it's going to cost a bundle compared to the FA 50.

As for the original question, it depends on what you call a portrait:
  • Environmental and/or full-body portraits: FA 35mm f/2
  • Torso and head 'n' shoulders: FA 50mm f/1.4
  • Head 'n' neck: FA 77mm Ltd (a bit over your budget, but I'm throwing it out there)
  • Tight head shots: Any 135mm f/2.8 (but there are no new ones currently available from Pentax)
12-13-2008, 03:18 PM   #12
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Awesome...you are all a great help. I have quite a few choices here to write on my list for Santa Perhaps there will be more than 1 in his bag for me

I'm looking for a fast, soft lens with great bokeh. I'm leaning towards the 50mm or the FA 35mm f2. Researching them made me have a bad case of the "I WANNAS"
12-13-2008, 03:31 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by KatyAZ Quote
Awesome...you are all a great help. I have quite a few choices here to write on my list for Santa Perhaps there will be more than 1 in his bag for me

I'm looking for a fast, soft lens with great bokeh. I'm leaning towards the 50mm or the FA 35mm f2. Researching them made me have a bad case of the "I WANNAS"
The "I WANNAS" are called LBA in camera land, haha, LBA = Lens Buying Addiction...
12-13-2008, 04:49 PM   #14
Igilligan
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Oh Katy...

QuoteOriginally posted by KatyAZ Quote
Awesome...you are all a great help. I have quite a few choices here to write on my list for Santa Perhaps there will be more than 1 in his bag for me

I'm looking for a fast, soft lens with great bokeh. I'm leaning towards the 50mm or the FA 35mm f2. Researching them made me have a bad case of the "I WANNAS"
What do I need to do to put this tammy 28-75mm on your camera today???... I don't want you leaving this store without it





Just kidding
12-13-2008, 05:18 PM   #15
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Add another vote for fast 50. I'm using my F50/1.7. It's hard to beat it. If I need to go wider I use DA40ltd, and for longer Sigma 105 (but that's quite a bit on the longer side). I think Da70 and Tamron 90 would do just fine too...
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