[lesmore49]

A few months ago I bought a Pentax 70mm F 2.4, wanting a relatively fast portrait lens. I never considered the Sigma 85mm F 1.4...but after looking at these photo's I would say it would of also good choice. Great DOF. BTW, I'm very happy with the 70mm...but I think I would of been pleased with the 85mm F 1.4 also.

[KarenH]

Best lens I've got and together with the K-5 it's a golden combo
Shot at f/1.4 and it's in focus, that doesn't happen very often with the SMC Pentax FA 50 mm f/1.4 on f/1.4.





Have been using it for dog action, which I really suck at, but that's getting better too.





f/1.4



f/2.8

[pop4]

A couple of recent ones with my K-5 and this lens:


20130511 - 002 Fotoholics MUPC Outdoor Portrait Photoshoot


20130511 - 004 Fotoholics MUPC Outdoor Portrait Photoshoot


20130511 - 006 Fotoholics MUPC Outdoor Portrait Photoshoot

[pentaz]

incredible shots and incredible sharpness

is there any example with this lens and the Pentax K3?

why do you think is not a popular lens being so nice?

[enoeske]

incredible shots and incredible sharpness

is there any example with this lens and the Pentax K3?

why do you think is not a popular lens being so nice?

I have the K-3 and the Sigma 85mm. Is there any specific type of shot you want to see? Portrait/still-life? Wide open/Stopped down? Its dark outside now but I can shoot something in my studio.

[pentaz]

I have the K-3 and the Sigma 85mm. Is there any specific type of shot you want to see? Portrait/still-life? Wide open/Stopped down? Its dark outside now but I can shoot something in my studio.

Mainly portrait with wide open (f1.4) and a bit down.
What is your opinion about this combo K3 + Sigm 85mm?

Thanks for your help

[enoeske]

My strobe couldn't go low enough to hit f/1.4 but f/2.2 is a more realistic setting anyway. I love this combo but its definitely specialized for headshot/portraiture. Its pretty long for general use but makes a great wedding slow dance lens for separating the subjects from the background. Focus is fast enough, but slower than some lenses; but its pushing a lot of glass.

Here's an edited shot


view larger (2048px)

Camera PENTAX K-3
Focal Length 85mm
Exposure 1/125
F Number f/2.2
ISO 100

[disco_owner]

My strobe couldn't go low enough to hit f/1.4 but f/2.2 is a more realistic setting anyway. I love this combo but its definitely specialized for headshot/portraiture. Its pretty long for general use but makes a great wedding slow dance lens for separating the subjects from the background. Focus is fast enough, but slower than some lenses; but its pushing a lot of glass.

Here's an edited shot


view larger (2048px)

Camera PENTAX K-3
Focal Length 85mm
Exposure 1/125
F Number f/2.2
ISO 100

Beautiful , natural portrait. Great work.

My sigma 85 1.4 hardly come out of it's box. I prefer the FA77 for portrature. But after seeing all these great shots im being awe inspired to get out and start shooting with it.

[pentaz]

Great shot.
It is very sharp.
Just what I looking for.
Perhaps a bit heavy.

Thanks Enoeske

[Mike.P®]

Very quiet in here ... anyway, managed to acquire a Sigma 85mm f1.4 and it arrived today.

Have to say I am blown away by how sharp it is ... I'm not one to shoot wide open normally but it would be rude not to with this lens.

K-5IIs and 85mm Sigma wide open

[Winder]

This is my most used lens on my K-3. Just ahead of my 31mm LTD. Fantastic IQ, but it is a huge lens. Really can't wait to mount it on a Pentax FF body. Hopefully Ricon has a new 85mm in the works. If I can get a WR HD D-FA* DC 85mm F/1.4 (or even F/2) that is as good as the Sigma I will buy one..... Of course Sigma is rumored to have an ART version of the 85mm in the works, but it will probably never be made for K-mount.

[sonicgroove]

I agree with you; I don't know how people leave the house with skin all not perfect like that. It's damned inconsiderate is what it is! I also agree with your implication that the 77mm resolves less detail: that, among other reasons, is why I didn't buy one.

Not retouching a photo is an excellent idea if said photo is being used as a sample which shows the optical characteristics of the lens used to take it. Providing samples, at least I believed, was the purpose of this thread. I would add that not retouching a photo is also a good idea if one isn't interested in creating the illusion that one's subject has "perfect" skin.

I mean, there are any number of photos of people--people with imperfect skin--which are posted here on PentaxForums that haven't been retouched. No, really! Don't take my word for it, just look. You might find at least one non-retouched photo of a person shot by someone else in this very thread--shot with a copy of the very same lens. There has to be some reason why your retouching admonition was reserved for me. I suppose it's possible that you're methodically working your way through the threads and I just happen to be next in line for a warning.

But thank you for offering an honest critique, although one of dubious merit given the context in which it was offered.

Wait a minute.

Actually, the more I think about it, you really didn't critique anything I did: basically, you just told me that my lens is too sharp, my subject has bad skin, I was remiss in not retouching a photo I submitted as a sample, the 77mm (which, of course, you own) is a better lens. I hereby withdraw my thanks, and wonder anew as to what your intentions were here.

But I'm sure you were just trying to be helpful and not making an irrelevant, cheap-shot criticism bracketed by the obligatory, passive-aggressive IMOs.

-XM

You, my new best friend(although I expect that to be one way for a little while) have just won the internet. Best repIy have read in a long long time.

[hoopsontoast]

First real play with the Sigma 85mm f1.4, nice and sharp wide open. This one focussed on the eye @f1.4

[hoopsontoast]

[Winder]

https://www.flickr.com/groups/1619491@N24/

Its a great lens. One of my favorite.