What portrait lens for the K1?

ozlizard · 12-11-2017, 07:18 PM

Well, a pretty simple question on the face of it but now I am going to complicate things a bit!

The back story.
I have basically retired from "commercial" photography to concentrate on landscapes. I recently sold my Nikon gear and could only really afford the K1 and one lens. I chose the Irix 15mm which has proved to be a wise choice.

Of course, as Murphy's Law decrees no sooner had I sold my only portrait lens I get two requests for family photo shoots. Now it's not a lot of money (about $550 AUD total for both), however I thought it might be worthwhile purchasing a cheap but suitable portrait lens which I could pay for from the proceeds and leave me something in the kitty.

So the question.
Assuming a budget of about $150 maybe max of $200 what lens would fit the bill? Note that it would have to be sourced from Australia.

I posted this in the K1 section as the lens has to suit FF. I have looked at lots of option but just got more confused as I went on!

Adam · 12-11-2017, 07:36 PM

Maybe the Samyang 85mm F1.4? Hard to do better for the price, IMO.

lukulele · 12-11-2017, 08:13 PM

If you can deal with manual focus and a zoom, the A35-105 can perform well on both sides of 85 mm and easily fit your budget.

**pres589** · 12-11-2017, 08:30 PM

Used DA 70? Maybe one of the old 28-70 2.8 zooms?

disconnekt · 12-11-2017, 08:30 PM

You can get a Mitakon 85mm f2 (more info here Mitakon 85mm f/2 Lens for Pentax K-Mount DSLR Cameras - Manual Focus MTK85MMBKFPK) that should be in your price range

**pres589** · 12-11-2017, 08:38 PM

Is that Mitakon 85 very good?

disconnekt · 12-11-2017, 08:46 PM

Hard to really say, there's not that many reviews on it but from the one's out there people seem to like it.

swanlefitte · 12-11-2017, 08:50 PM

Before i converted a nikkor 105 2.5 ai I considered a Kaleinar-5N 100/2.8 m42. A bit outside the box but fits the price with m42 adapter.

IgorZ · 12-11-2017, 09:28 PM

Jupiter 9 if you have time to play with it. Probably not one of those lenses you pick up at the post office on the way to a shoot, but it's nice and you can pick it up for under a $100.

ozlizard · 12-11-2017, 11:00 PM

Thanks guys, I should have mentioned that AF would be preferred but I guess I could consider MF at a pinch. Will have a look at the suggestions.

Had a look at all those. In Australia the prices are higher unfortunately. The Samyang looks good but way over budget, same with the DA 70 and the Mitakon is way over in the Pentax mount. Most camera shops here do not stock Pentax mount lenses.

biz-engineer · 12-11-2017, 11:29 PM

when being on proper location, typically onto something given a sense of depth and far background, kit lens and flash light / good lighting works for portraits.
"The Samyang looks good but way over budget", just wondering how did you manage to buy a K1, Samy is cheap. But if manual focus is an option , an old M lens can do it for a lot cheaper.

crabby · 12-11-2017, 11:29 PM

If you don't mind a zoom a brand new Pentax DA 17-70 mm SDM is A$199.00 with free delivery on Ebay. I believe it comes from C R Kennedy the Australian Distributor. Not sure if its compatible with FF.

ozlizard · 12-11-2017, 11:47 PM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

just wondering how did you manage to buy a K1

Samyung is $320 AUD here, so yeah well over my budget. Read the original post for the explanation of why I want a portrait lens!

HarisF1 · 12-11-2017, 11:56 PM

The Pentax-M 100mm f/2.8 is said to be a fabulous portrait lens and I believe it may be found quite cheaply even though it is fairly scarce.

pinholecam · 12-12-2017, 01:43 AM

I won't recommend any of the manual focus lenses since you are getting paid for the job and won't want to end up finding that the shots are OOF.
The K1 screen is not exactly accurate for fast lenses and the focus confirmation beep is probably more accurate for f2.8 and smaller apertures.

So just get a F/FA/FDA100/2.8 macro.
Otherwise, a Tamron 28-75/2.8 should do well too.

12-11-2017, 07:18 PM	#1
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903	What portrait lens for the K1? Well, a pretty simple question on the face of it but now I am going to complicate things a bit! The back story. I have basically retired from "commercial" photography to concentrate on landscapes. I recently sold my Nikon gear and could only really afford the K1 and one lens. I chose the Irix 15mm which has proved to be a wise choice. Of course, as Murphy's Law decrees no sooner had I sold my only portrait lens I get two requests for family photo shoots. Now it's not a lot of money (about $550 AUD total for both), however I thought it might be worthwhile purchasing a cheap but suitable portrait lens which I could pay for from the proceeds and leave me something in the kitty. So the question. Assuming a budget of about $150 maybe max of $200 what lens would fit the bill? Note that it would have to be sourced from Australia. I posted this in the K1 section as the lens has to suit FF. I have looked at lots of option but just got more confused as I went on!

12-11-2017, 07:36 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Maybe the Samyang 85mm F1.4? Hard to do better for the price, IMO. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

12-11-2017, 11:00 PM	#10
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903 Original Poster	Thanks guys, I should have mentioned that AF would be preferred but I guess I could consider MF at a pinch. Will have a look at the suggestions. Had a look at all those. In Australia the prices are higher unfortunately. The Samyang looks good but way over budget, same with the DA 70 and the Mitakon is way over in the Pentax mount. Most camera shops here do not stock Pentax mount lenses. Last edited by ozlizard; 12-11-2017 at 11:13 PM.

12-11-2017, 11:29 PM	#12
crabby Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Gold Coast Queensland Photos: Gallery Posts: 53	If you don't mind a zoom a brand new Pentax DA 17-70 mm SDM is A$199.00 with free delivery on Ebay. I believe it comes from C R Kennedy the Australian Distributor. Not sure if its compatible with FF. Last edited by crabby; 12-11-2017 at 11:44 PM.

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12-11-2017, 08:13 PM	#3
lukulele Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Blue Ridge Escarpment, North Carolina, US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,850	If you can deal with manual focus and a zoom, the A35-105 can perform well on both sides of 85 mm and easily fit your budget.

12-11-2017, 08:30 PM	#4
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Used DA 70? Maybe one of the old 28-70 2.8 zooms?

12-11-2017, 08:30 PM	#5
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	You can get a Mitakon 85mm f2 (more info here Mitakon 85mm f/2 Lens for Pentax K-Mount DSLR Cameras - Manual Focus MTK85MMBKFPK) that should be in your price range

12-11-2017, 08:38 PM	#6
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Is that Mitakon 85 very good?

12-11-2017, 08:46 PM	#7
disconnekt Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: SoCal/I.E. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,699	Hard to really say, there's not that many reviews on it but from the one's out there people seem to like it.

12-11-2017, 08:50 PM	#8
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Before i converted a nikkor 105 2.5 ai I considered a Kaleinar-5N 100/2.8 m42. A bit outside the box but fits the price with m42 adapter.

12-11-2017, 09:28 PM	#9
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Jupiter 9 if you have time to play with it. Probably not one of those lenses you pick up at the post office on the way to a shoot, but it's nice and you can pick it up for under a $100.

12-11-2017, 11:29 PM	#11
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	when being on proper location, typically onto something given a sense of depth and far background, kit lens and flash light / good lighting works for portraits. "The Samyang looks good but way over budget", just wondering how did you manage to buy a K1, Samy is cheap. But if manual focus is an option , an old M lens can do it for a lot cheaper.

12-11-2017, 11:47 PM	#13
ozlizard Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bridgetown West Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 903 Original Poster	Originally posted by biz-engineer just wondering how did you manage to buy a K1 Samyung is $320 AUD here, so yeah well over my budget. Read the original post for the explanation of why I want a portrait lens!

12-11-2017, 11:56 PM	#14
HarisF1 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 543	The Pentax-M 100mm f/2.8 is said to be a fabulous portrait lens and I believe it may be found quite cheaply even though it is fairly scarce.

12-12-2017, 01:43 AM	#15
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	I won't recommend any of the manual focus lenses since you are getting paid for the job and won't want to end up finding that the shots are OOF. The K1 screen is not exactly accurate for fast lenses and the focus confirmation beep is probably more accurate for f2.8 and smaller apertures. So just get a F/FA/FDA100/2.8 macro. Otherwise, a Tamron 28-75/2.8 should do well too.