What's the best Pentax portrait lens in production?

**rparmar** · 12-08-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by brecklundin

How would the FA*85/1.4 compare as well as the A*85/1.4 you mention? (or is that question best left to it's own thread?)

Yes, there are extensive threads and detailed comparisons of those lenses, neither of which I have used. In short, the A*85 is considered the best if you can sacrifice auto-focus whereas the FA*85 is optimised for portraits and is not so good at other distances. But it's got AF and maybe an edge in IQ.

However, any advantages of these lenses over the FA77 are minimal indeed, unless you really do need to shoot at f/1.4. I say this from having examined the comparison shots others have made.

Originally posted by brecklundin

I have never understood what people mean by this sort of statement. I am not being sarcastic or anything here, I mean I truly do not understand WHY this is accepted as true.

I do not accept the statement as true; it was made from my own experience. The 43mm focal length on APS-C is uncomfortably close for candid portraits and face shots. It is fine for posed portraits, small groups and portraits where you want more context. I pull it out for those specific purposes. It gets used about 1 time in 10 compared with the FA77.

77mm is what I have on my camera as a default walk-around focal length. It allows me a comfortable distance from my subjects. I can easily frame parts of the landscape or architectural details. Screwing on a macro adapter gives me a good focal for macros. And for portraits it is enough distance to flatter features without me having to be in the next room!

Originally posted by DavidWasch

On the other hand, 50mm is considered a portrait lens for film, so a 35mm is roughly the same for APS-C.

50mm was the normal length for film. 85-135mm or so was considered optimal for portrait.

Blue · 12-09-2009, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by Adrian Owerko

I vote for the DA* 55mm 1.4 (:

This thread was started just before the DA* 55 was released.

and · 12-10-2009, 08:51 AM

of the lenses in the poll, I own/have owned the 50, 77 and 100 and the 77 clearly wins for me. Id say the 100 comes in second, the longer FL helps with blurring the background.

Pentaxor · 12-10-2009, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by and

of the lenses in the poll, I own/have owned the 50, 77 and 100 and the 77 clearly wins for me. Id say the 100 comes in second, the longer FL helps with blurring the background.

same here, except that I'm using a Sigma 70mm then closely followed by the FA100mm.

fwcetus · 12-17-2009, 05:43 PM

Disclaimer - I haven't used a bunch of "in production" portrait lens candidates - just the FA 77mm f/1.8 Ltd. However, I've been lucky enough to use quite a few "out of production" portrait lenses (including nearly all of the Pentax 85's), and the 77/1.8 commends itself very well in that company.

**wtlwdwgn** · 12-18-2009, 12:23 PM - **1 Like**

The reason for the classic 75 to 100mm portrait lens was to capture a head and shoulders FF 35mm image and keep the photographer within an intimate talking distance which is an important aspect of portraiture. The subject size remains the same on the C sensor at the same distance but with the angle of view you now have just the face. With a 200mm lens on a C sensor you'd have to shout at the portraitee, and with a 300mm lens you'd be next door and have to use a phone! I would choose the DA* 50-135 to give me more options (head and shoulders or face). Some 3-D effect is necessary for a normal view also. Too much flattening would be unflattering. Just my ¢¢.

Mohawk · 12-20-2009, 10:52 PM

I agree with Steve. I routinely choose the 50-135 for the flexibility (and IQ) it offers.

Piotr · 12-22-2009, 06:45 AM

In my opinion everything from ~30mm on APS-C can be portrait lens. Practical limit is 300mm

People Photo Gallery by Piotr Sobolewski at pbase.com
From current production I have experience iwith DA35, FA43 and FA77. And for me FA77 is the best from this three but not the best I have

The best one is FA*85/1.4. From 50mm range I love A50/1.2 and I sold ther 50mm like FA50/1.4, K50/1.2 or Leitz Summicron 50/2.

Blue · 12-24-2009, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Piotr

In my opinion everything from ~30mm on APS-C can be portrait lens. Practical limit is 300mm

People Photo Gallery by Piotr Sobolewski at pbase.com
From current production I have experience iwith DA35, FA43 and FA77. And for me FA77 is the best from this three but not the best I have

The best one is FA*85/1.4. From 50mm range I love A50/1.2 and I sold ther 50mm like FA50/1.4, K50/1.2 or Leitz Summicron 50/2.

The FA* 85mm is out of production though.

Russell-Evans · 12-25-2009, 01:19 AM

I thought I had seen posted, more than once, that the FA 77mm's AF was comparatively slow. How is it in use when the subjects aren't posing? Does it work well with event work?

Thank you
Russell

ilya80 · 12-25-2009, 05:28 AM

FA77 Limited hands down.

Its a magic lens. You press a button and a beautiful picure shows up on your LCD.

ilya80 · 12-25-2009, 05:29 AM

Originally posted by Russell-Evans

I thought I had seen posted, more than once, that the FA 77mm's AF was comparatively slow. How is it in use when the subjects aren't posing? Does it work well with event work?

Thank you
Russell

Check this out.

Ilya Kalujny: Pentax screwdrive autofocus.

lesmore49 · 02-15-2010, 08:47 PM

I just got a Pentax 50mm F2.8 Macro and I have to say...this is one excellent portrait lens.

Pentaxor · 02-15-2010, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

I just got a Pentax 50mm F2.8 Macro and I have to say...this is one excellent portrait lens.

congratulations on a great acquisition.

lesmore49 · 02-16-2010, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by Pentaxor

congratulations on a great acquisition.

Got it for Xmas from my wife. I really like the lens and I'm surprised how clear and sharp the pix blow ups are with this very useful little Macro prime. Also like the F 2.8 factor.

I already had the 50mm F1.4 'normal'. Great little lens too, but I have a feeling that if I got the Macro first, I probably wouldn't of gotten the 50 F1.4.

View Poll Results: Which portrait lens?
FA 50mm/1.4	42	14.19%
DA 70mm/2.4	45	15.20%
FA 77mm/1.8 Limited	191	64.53%
D FA 100mm/2.8 Macro	18	6.08%
Voters: 296. You may not vote on this poll

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12-08-2009, 04:31 PM	#46
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	Originally posted by brecklundin How would the FA85/1.4 compare as well as the A85/1.4 you mention? (or is that question best left to it's own thread?) Yes, there are extensive threads and detailed comparisons of those lenses, neither of which I have used. In short, the A85 is considered the best if you can sacrifice auto-focus whereas the FA85 is optimised for portraits and is not so good at other distances. But it's got AF and maybe an edge in IQ. However, any advantages of these lenses over the FA77 are minimal indeed, unless you really do need to shoot at f/1.4. I say this from having examined the comparison shots others have made. Originally posted by brecklundin I have never understood what people mean by this sort of statement. I am not being sarcastic or anything here, I mean I truly do not understand WHY this is accepted as true. I do not accept the statement as true; it was made from my own experience. The 43mm focal length on APS-C is uncomfortably close for candid portraits and face shots. It is fine for posed portraits, small groups and portraits where you want more context. I pull it out for those specific purposes. It gets used about 1 time in 10 compared with the FA77. 77mm is what I have on my camera as a default walk-around focal length. It allows me a comfortable distance from my subjects. I can easily frame parts of the landscape or architectural details. Screwing on a macro adapter gives me a good focal for macros. And for portraits it is enough distance to flatter features without me having to be in the next room! Originally posted by DavidWasch On the other hand, 50mm is considered a portrait lens for film, so a 35mm is roughly the same for APS-C. 50mm was the normal length for film. 85-135mm or so was considered optimal for portrait.

12-09-2009, 09:46 AM	#47
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Adrian Owerko I vote for the DA* 55mm 1.4 (: This thread was started just before the DA* 55 was released.

12-10-2009, 08:51 AM	#48
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	of the lenses in the poll, I own/have owned the 50, 77 and 100 and the 77 clearly wins for me. Id say the 100 comes in second, the longer FL helps with blurring the background.

12-10-2009, 03:52 PM	#49
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by and of the lenses in the poll, I own/have owned the 50, 77 and 100 and the 77 clearly wins for me. Id say the 100 comes in second, the longer FL helps with blurring the background. same here, except that I'm using a Sigma 70mm then closely followed by the FA100mm.

12-17-2009, 05:43 PM	#50
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Disclaimer - I haven't used a bunch of "in production" portrait lens candidates - just the FA 77mm f/1.8 Ltd. However, I've been lucky enough to use quite a few "out of production" portrait lenses (including nearly all of the Pentax 85's), and the 77/1.8 commends itself very well in that company.

12-18-2009, 12:23 PM - 1 Like	#51
wtlwdwgn Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Billings, MT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,837	The reason for the classic 75 to 100mm portrait lens was to capture a head and shoulders FF 35mm image and keep the photographer within an intimate talking distance which is an important aspect of portraiture. The subject size remains the same on the C sensor at the same distance but with the angle of view you now have just the face. With a 200mm lens on a C sensor you'd have to shout at the portraitee, and with a 300mm lens you'd be next door and have to use a phone! I would choose the DA* 50-135 to give me more options (head and shoulders or face). Some 3-D effect is necessary for a normal view also. Too much flattening would be unflattering. Just my ¢¢.

12-20-2009, 10:52 PM	#52
Mohawk Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 109	I agree with Steve. I routinely choose the 50-135 for the flexibility (and IQ) it offers.

12-22-2009, 06:45 AM	#53
Piotr Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	In my opinion everything from ~30mm on APS-C can be portrait lens. Practical limit is 300mm People Photo Gallery by Piotr Sobolewski at pbase.com From current production I have experience iwith DA35, FA43 and FA77. And for me FA77 is the best from this three but not the best I have The best one is FA*85/1.4. From 50mm range I love A50/1.2 and I sold ther 50mm like FA50/1.4, K50/1.2 or Leitz Summicron 50/2.

12-24-2009, 01:13 PM	#54
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Piotr In my opinion everything from ~30mm on APS-C can be portrait lens. Practical limit is 300mm People Photo Gallery by Piotr Sobolewski at pbase.com From current production I have experience iwith DA35, FA43 and FA77. And for me FA77 is the best from this three but not the best I have The best one is FA85/1.4. From 50mm range I love A50/1.2 and I sold ther 50mm like FA50/1.4, K50/1.2 or Leitz Summicron 50/2. The FA 85mm is out of production though.

12-25-2009, 01:19 AM	#55
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	I thought I had seen posted, more than once, that the FA 77mm's AF was comparatively slow. How is it in use when the subjects aren't posing? Does it work well with event work? Thank you Russell

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12-25-2009, 05:28 AM	#56
ilya80 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 410	FA77 Limited hands down. Its a magic lens. You press a button and a beautiful picure shows up on your LCD.

12-25-2009, 05:29 AM	#57
ilya80 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 410	Originally posted by Russell-Evans I thought I had seen posted, more than once, that the FA 77mm's AF was comparatively slow. How is it in use when the subjects aren't posing? Does it work well with event work? Thank you Russell Check this out. Ilya Kalujny: Pentax screwdrive autofocus.

02-15-2010, 08:47 PM	#58
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,324	I just got a Pentax 50mm F2.8 Macro and I have to say...this is one excellent portrait lens.

02-15-2010, 11:20 PM	#59
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by lesmore49 I just got a Pentax 50mm F2.8 Macro and I have to say...this is one excellent portrait lens. congratulations on a great acquisition.

02-16-2010, 08:24 PM	#60
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,324	Originally posted by Pentaxor congratulations on a great acquisition. Got it for Xmas from my wife. I really like the lens and I'm surprised how clear and sharp the pix blow ups are with this very useful little Macro prime. Also like the F 2.8 factor. I already had the 50mm F1.4 'normal'. Great little lens too, but I have a feeling that if I got the Macro first, I probably wouldn't of gotten the 50 F1.4.