[nick52]

Hey everyone! I just got my K-5 a little under a month ago. It is an amazing piece of technology! I am now in "saving up for a good portrait lens" mode and was wondering which ones I could get!

I am currently looking at getting a tamron 70-200 f/2.8 (and probably a cheap, smaller prime)

-Or- The sigma 85mm f/1.4 (probably the most beautifal pictures I have ever seen)

I know the lenses are COMPLETELY different, but which one would I be getting better results from?

Thanks!

[adpo]

depends on what you plan on using it for. What is your intended purpose for the new lens?

[nick52]

well, I am doing Yearbook photos, portraits and general photography. The portraits are the main priority though.

[adpo]

what other lenses do you shoot with? if you don't already have a dedicated portrait lens, i'd say go for the 85mm

[nick52]

I have a pentax A 50 f/1.7 and an A 135 f/2.8

[adpo]

It looks like you're pretty comfortable with manual focus in that case. Have you considered getting the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 instead of the sigma?

[nick52]

Yes, but from what I've seen, the quality of the sigma is better than the samyang. I have thought this through many times. If I did get the samyang, what would you suggest with the extra money? Maybe the tamron 28-75?

[adpo]

have you considered getting a wider lens to complement the ones you have now? The tamron 28-75 is a pretty good general purpose/portrait lens. Others you could consider are the sigma 30mm f/1.4, DA35mm f/2.4, DA21 Limted, tamron/sigma 17-50 f/2.8, etc.

[nick52]

the 28-75 may be the one I will be getting

Also: I'm going to be doing family photos later this month and was thinking about renting some pentax lenses. I was considering getting the DA* 16-50 and the FA 77mm
do you think that would work well?

[Schraubstock]

what would you suggest with the extra money?

Hi
I will sent you my account details for a direct deposit

Joking aside, if portrait is your main consideration and you want to achieve top quality output go for the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 otherwise if you don't do critical poster size prints I would go for the Samyang. The difference in IQ? well I do not think you will notice a great deal of difference. The Samyang is manual focus but that should not matter with portrait shooting.

Greetings

[nick52]

thanks for the suggestion! I am starting to think it is a good idea

[wizofoz]

I had the Samyung 85mm F1.4 and loved it. When it was stolen along with my other gear it was replaced with the Fa77. The pentax lens is superior, but for the price the Samyung is a winner. I seriously doubt that the Sigma is THAT much better in build quality, the samyung is very well built.

My advice would be to get the samyung for portraits and then something to enhance your other lenses. As others have suggested, get something wider. The Tamron 28-70 is highly reccomended by many folk on this forum.

If you really want to have some fun with a wide, have a look at the DA15 F4. Cool lens.

[nick52]

Sounds like a great idea!

Does anyone know of a pentax lens rental website that would ship to Texas?

[Adam]

Get the 85mm.
Sigma 85mm F1.4 HSM - Review

[joe.penn]

the quality of the sigma is better than the samyang. I have thought this through many times

Not so sure about that. Have you looked around the net on reviews of the Samyang lens? (not just the review posted here on this site)

There are many Canon and Nikon users (and using on FF bodies) that are pitting this lens better than the Nikon and Canon lens of the same focal's (with the only drawback being MF). Also, the general consensus seems to be this lens produces some of the best looking creamy bokeh out there. I would recommend looking a lot harder at the Samyang if you don't mind a manual focus lens then put the rest of the cash towards other equipment you might (WILL!) need (SOFT BOXES W/ STANDS, FLASHES, FLASH TRIGGERS, etc..) - it take's a hell-uv-a lot more than a couple lenses and a camera body to consistently do quality portrait work with lighting being one of the bigger investments.




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