[Ira]

Man--STUNNING shots.

[rparmar]

Sure you can - and you get *exactly* the effect that gravity demands: you fall toward the earth..

I see; it is a matter of semantics. You are using "ignore" to denote intentionality whereas I am not.

[dugrant153]

legacyb4 > I'm with you there, the DA21 is such an awesome lens for people! Much more interesting photos!

Agreed!! Loving the DA21 as a portrait lens. Unleashes a bit more creativity

[danielchtong]

I am different I guess.


Head & Shoulder : 50/1.4

Stunning. You are not different. 50mm is a common tool in here

I am not a fan of any B/W so I cannot give comment.

Daniel

[Ira]

My spin on this was doing "portraits" slash "head shots" of a young girl who wanted to be a model. Or a middle-aged housewife who just wanted to look better in a strictly posed shot. This was the dull, boring rule for these kinds of shots when I did them way back when, where the subject's personality sure as hell didn't come through.

Hell, judging by the shots above, you guys could make ME look interesting.

Mind you, I AM interesting, but photographically, basically just old and ugly.

[danielchtong]

My spin on this was doing "portraits" slash "head shots" of a young girl who wanted to be a model. Or a middle-aged housewife who just wanted to look better in a strictly posed shot. This was the dull, boring rule for these kinds of shots when I did them way back when, where the subject's personality sure as hell didn't come through.

Hell, judging by the shots above, you guys could make ME look interesting.

Mind you, I AM interesting, but photographically, basically just old and ugly.

Ira

I know what you mean. Portrait is difficult - difficult in making it stand out. Very very tough. Maybe if you learn something from a prof model, you can be a interesting subject. Next time when I meet with you let me try
Any body can do portrait nowadays . But except for very low percentage, they are simple clear snap shots. Nothing more.


Daniel

[res3567]

"On digital (APS-C) the best portraits I have taken have been with my SMC Takumar 55/1.8 (stopped down a bit)"




I have one also. What kind of adapter should I get for my K10D. It is the only screwmount lens I have and I have no clue as how to mount it.( I know I need an adapter and I have looked on EBAY and I am confused).

[Just1MoreDave]

The genuine Pentax adapter is probably worth the investment. OK, it costs as much as some screw-mount lenses, but it works, right away, no risk. I have had decent luck with the cheap ones too, but you are only saving $15-20.

[crisalide]

sorry if i don't speak english well

some portraits take by A 50mm f1.2
(not a f1.2 )

[soccerjoe5]

crisalide > great photos, I love the tones and the contrast (not to mention the subjects and composition) Are these digital or from film?

[celetron]

Hmmmm....

Now I guess that is a matter of taste... Personally, I decided to go to Pentax side because of its great FA 77/1.8 Ltd. I love to shoot portraits, candid ones or not. However, after shooting with several lenses I found out that the lens choice depends more on your shooting style than on what is generally considered to be a portrait lens... I suppose every lens can produce nice portraits (even the DA10-17 fisheye) with some restrictions of course, so I think that in order to choose the proper lens for you, you should firstly decide what is the result you wish to achieve with it... After 5 years of shooting I decided to sell my 77 and stick to 20-35 focal lengths for that propose with APS bodies…


*ist DS + DA16-45/4 at 16mm




*ist DS + FA77/1.8 Ltd




K20D + DA*16-50/2.8 at 21mm




*ist DS + FA31/1.8 Ltd




K20D + DA35/2.8 MACRO Ltd




K20D + DA*50-135/2.8 at 123mm



*ist DS + Tamron 28-75/2.8 at 55mm




MX + M50/1.7




MX + FA31/1.8 Ltd

[soccerjoe5]

Christos > I love those shots. My favorites are the ones taken with the 31 and 35

[dadipentak]

"the lens choice depends more on your shooting style than on what is generally considered to be a portrait lens..."

Amen, Christos! And we have a wonderful array of styles in this thread. What strikes me about yours is the sense of engagement: you and your camera are a significant--if unseen--element in these images. I think the last one is magnificent.

[Piotr]

For me every lens from let's say 50mm till 300mm is ok for portraits. Below 50mm is rather for people in situations. Now my most prefered on is Leica 60/2.8 - good, balanced colours, nice bokeh and very sharp at f2.8. But I love to use also A50/1.2, FA77, Voigtlander 90 or 125 and Leica 180/2.8.

Pentax K20D ,Pentax smc P-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited
1/25s f/1.8 at 31.0mm iso200


Pentax PENTAX K20D,Leitz 60mm f/2.8 Macro-Elmarit-R
1/180s f/2.4 at 60.0mm iso100

[axl]

here is a few of my portraits, with not exaclty portrait lenses:

FA31ltd:





F50/1.7





BR