[axl]

What 85/2 did you buy?

Pentax SMC M85/2....

but I need to sell my K24 very quickly now

[freewheeler]

My FA35/2.0 for environmental portraits and social events,
the A50/1,7 and m85/2.0 for head+shoulders and faces.

[MrCynical]

If the 35mm f2 were still available over here I'd snap one up for walkaround, let alone portraits. Nice one Pentax!

[KjetilH]

The Sigma 30/1.4 isn't too bad for portraits, although it may be a bit wide (which the FA50/2.8 should cover up well).

If you need anything longer than 50mm, maybe you should consider selling your 50-200 (I suppose that is your second kit zoom) to fund a DA*50-135 or a Sigma 50-150 (which should cost a little less). Apart from the size, both should be sharp enough at 135/150 stopped down to equal the 50-200 at larger apertures.

[Lowell Goudge]

just to keep IRA happy, I voted something else.

I have none of the lenses you have listed, but have many lenses that are quite suitable for portraits, depending on exactly what you plan to do, and what size studio / what shooting distance you will have.

Personally I like longer portrait lenses, and even with the crop factor I really like 85mm, there I have the vivitar series 1 85 F1.4 and a super tak 85 F1.9

If this requires too much distance, I can put my SMC-Pentax 50mmF1.4 or Super Tak 50mm F1.4 or my Helios 58mmF2, or either a canon FD 50mmF1.8 or Nikor AI 50mmF1.8 (each with their own 1.25x optically corrected K mount adaptor)

I can also go to my SMC Tak 35F2 if I am really pushed on distance, or any of my zoom lenses that cover any part of the range above.

The point really is, exactly what you are doing and what apertures you want to shoot at.

Once you start looking for very shallow DOF, you are into primes because even at F2.8 a zoom does not have the shallow DOF you are looking for.

There are a lot of cases where you really want to shoot below F2.8 for artistic reasons. For these shots, I like my 50's and 85's.

BTW, I also have the option to stand back and pick up my 135 F2.5, which for outdoor portraits is a great lens.

[rustynail925]

Im surprise no vote for the Sigma 50 1.4
This is even sharper than the DA*55 and FA50

[ellepi]

DA* 55 on dslr camera.
But if you use already a film camera: FA* 85

[Ember.]

50mm isnt for portrait, if you are using 50mm lense to make a portraite, you must shoot pretty close, even to close, your model just will feel uncomfortable!
135mm, on crop, is already very good solution, in my opinion!
So maybe take that 85mm

[theperception2008]

A fast 50 you already have but you do have to be pretty close up to your subjects to get head and shoulders. I just recently (as in today received) my FA 77 and It just blows me away. I personally think the 70mm range is a nice range to do portraits. Since FA is outta price range, get the DA 70. It's faster focusing than the FA 77, it smaller, lighter (a little), and cheaper then the FA and it's in a focal length you don't have. it's a hair faster (stop wise) than the DA 40 too. I wouldn't go DA* 55 unless you are at the type of party where people get soaked and you're equipped with a K-7 (or a K20D, K200D, K10D, or LX :-P) That's my thought on matter. Oh I voted DA 70 :-)

[theperception2008]

Im surprise no vote for the Sigma 50 1.4
This is even sharper than the DA*55 and FA50

It's not always about sharpness in portraits I think. The Sigma 70mm f2.8 is brutally sharp from many reviews and accounts. SO much so that it can make imperfections come out too clearly for portrait work and might require some PP or else every pore on a girls face is gonna be clearly in focus . Sad thing is that everyone is covered in pores... but that's another discussion :-P

[KjetilH]

50mm isnt for portrait, if you are using 50mm lense to make a portraite, you must shoot pretty close, even to close, your model just will feel uncomfortable!
135mm, on crop, is already very good solution, in my opinion!
So maybe take that 85mm

Preferred focal lengths depends on which type of portrait you want to do. For headshots 85-135 certainly isn't a bad idea (hence my suggestion for a medium zoom), but shorter focal lengths are indeed easier to work with.

[Frank_DK]

Out of these choices? The DA* 70mm

I personal use fa 77 and takumar 85mm

[MrCynical]

Im surprise no vote for the Sigma 50 1.4
This is even sharper than the DA*55 and FA50

True, but the chances of getting one that DOESN'T front focus are apparently less than 50%

[Clinton]

Im surprise no vote for the Sigma 50 1.4
This is even sharper than the DA*55 and FA50

You may be interested in my posting here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/945277-post23.html for this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/91916-pentax-d...m-1-4-a-2.html


Sharper at f1.4 wasn't the deciding factor for me voting for the DA*. I find the rendering of the bokeh, especially highlight bokeh to be far preferable on the DA* vs the Sigma

[Clinton]

Sad thing is that everyone is covered in pores... but that's another discussion :-P

I think you'd be far more sad if you weren't covered in pores.