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Leonski, Macedonia · 08-06-2013, 10:47 AM

Lens for photoportrait: DA* 55mm or DA 77mm or DA* 50-135mm? Best?
All the best from Macedonia.

enoeske · 08-06-2013, 11:00 AM

what type of portrait? headshot? full body? multi-person? posed or candid? natural light or studio lighting?

My favorite is the Sigma 85mm f/1.4

**Kerrowdown** · 08-06-2013, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by First Poster

Best lens for portrait

I'd go for primes, the DA55 on APS and DA77 on FF.

**jatrax** · 08-06-2013, 11:03 AM

That would be FA 77, the DA is 70mm and it is also very good.

Best? I think you would be hard pressed to fault any of the 4 but they do have different features. 50-135 is more versatile, 77 and 70 might be a little too long for some portrait styles. I've used the DA 70 and found the results quite good but had to switch to DA*16-50 with two people in the frame as I could not back up enough. But really I don't think you will be disappointed with any of these.

hcc · 08-06-2013, 02:09 PM

I would second the FA77mm Ltd. Some PF members recommend the DA*55mm, but I prefer the longer focal length of the the FA77 Ltd.

If you need to shoot portrait in low light, the large aperture of the FA77mm might be an asset.

My 5 cents....

JinDesu · 08-06-2013, 02:12 PM

I would say either the DA*55 or the Sigma 85 F1.4

**RKKS08** · 08-06-2013, 03:09 PM

For portraits taken in narrow rooms 55-60mm would be the optimum.
Longer will often be too limiting. On APS-C, 77mm is already a real tele lens.

Outside and in studio, up to 80mm is still ok.
Longer than that, sometimes faces may already look a bit flat.
But this will also depend on how well you can control light.

Last edited by RKKS08; 08-06-2013 at 04:59 PM. Reason: Typing

**RobA_Oz** · 08-06-2013, 03:31 PM

Just to confuse matters, I'd generally choose between the Pentax FA43, FA77 or DA*50-135, but I'd also throw into the mix the Voigtlander SL 58/1.4. I'm lucky enough to have all of these, and I'd choose the FL according to the situation. The 50-135 is the most versatile, of course, but not so much indoors, unless you're shooting in a big room in good light. On the other hand, in a tight space, I've been known to use my FA*24 or even my FA20 for full or half-length portraits. Confusing, isn't it?

Nonetheless, if you're settling on a 50-ish minimum FL, I'd highly recommend the Voigtlander, if you can find one. The additional maximum aperture is useful, over the 50-135, and the colour rendition is unique.

08-06-2013, 10:47 AM	#1
Leonski, Macedonia Guest	Best lens for portrait Lens for photoportrait: DA* 55mm or DA 77mm or DA* 50-135mm? Best? All the best from Macedonia.

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08-06-2013, 11:00 AM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	what type of portrait? headshot? full body? multi-person? posed or candid? natural light or studio lighting? My favorite is the Sigma 85mm f/1.4

08-06-2013, 11:01 AM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,306	Originally posted by First Poster Best lens for portrait I'd go for primes, the DA55 on APS and DA77 on FF.

08-06-2013, 11:03 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	That would be FA 77, the DA is 70mm and it is also very good. Best? I think you would be hard pressed to fault any of the 4 but they do have different features. 50-135 is more versatile, 77 and 70 might be a little too long for some portrait styles. I've used the DA 70 and found the results quite good but had to switch to DA*16-50 with two people in the frame as I could not back up enough. But really I don't think you will be disappointed with any of these.

08-06-2013, 02:09 PM	#5
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,983	I would second the FA77mm Ltd. Some PF members recommend the DA*55mm, but I prefer the longer focal length of the the FA77 Ltd. If you need to shoot portrait in low light, the large aperture of the FA77mm might be an asset. My 5 cents....

08-06-2013, 02:12 PM	#6
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I would say either the DA*55 or the Sigma 85 F1.4

08-06-2013, 03:09 PM	#7
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	For portraits taken in narrow rooms 55-60mm would be the optimum. Longer will often be too limiting. On APS-C, 77mm is already a real tele lens. Outside and in studio, up to 80mm is still ok. Longer than that, sometimes faces may already look a bit flat. But this will also depend on how well you can control light. Last edited by RKKS08; 08-06-2013 at 04:59 PM. Reason: Typing

08-06-2013, 03:31 PM	#8
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,034	Just to confuse matters, I'd generally choose between the Pentax FA43, FA77 or DA50-135, but I'd also throw into the mix the Voigtlander SL 58/1.4. I'm lucky enough to have all of these, and I'd choose the FL according to the situation. The 50-135 is the most versatile, of course, but not so much indoors, unless you're shooting in a big room in good light. On the other hand, in a tight space, I've been known to use my FA24 or even my FA20 for full or half-length portraits. Confusing, isn't it? Nonetheless, if you're settling on a 50-ish minimum FL, I'd highly recommend the Voigtlander, if you can find one. The additional maximum aperture is useful, over the 50-135, and the colour rendition is unique.

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