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11-07-2020, 03:03 AM   #1
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K-1 Portrait Lens

I'm looking for portrait lens.

I currently use Three Lenses: D-FA 28-105, FA43 & DA*300, and I still have a K55 f1.8 about.


My experience of fast Standard/Portrait lenses:

Pentax FA 43mm f1.9 - Great, I love it but want something longer and smoother OOF areas.

Pentax FA 50mm f1.7 - Not really especially fast or great rendering, did not own for that long to be honest.

Pentax K 55mm f1.8 - Really liked this on my K-3 and MZ-S, nice and smooth OOF and build but Stop-Down-Metering was a PITA

Pentax K 85mm f1.8 - Lovely, like the K55 much the same experience. Amazing build and size.

Pentax FA 135mm f2.8 - Bit too long for general use (on K-3 and MZ-S), lovely build and size.

Sigma 85mm f1.4 HSM - Best I have had but too big/heavy, did not take it anywhere. Superb Bokeh/OOF areas.

Voigtlander SLII 58mm f1.4 - Lovely, little soft wide open but thats picking at it, superb but not AF. Probably best all-round lens I've had for portraits (mix of size, speed and sharpness)

Voigtlander 90mm APO f3.5 - Amazing OOF areas, super sharp and close focus, but not AF.

The Sigma 85mm HSM and Voigtlanders were all superb but the former too big and the latter without AF.

Ideally what I would like is an AF version of the VL58, obviously not going to happen.


So it seems a straight toss up between the DA*55mm and FA-77, the new D-FA* 50mm is going to be too large (and D-FA*85mm).

The FA77 is obviously the obvious choice but looking at photos in the sample threads, like the DA*55 they both have a similar issue where the OOF areas can still be a bit busy, is that just the nature of a shorter focal length and lack of compression in the background?

11-07-2020, 03:10 AM - 1 Like   #2
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D FA 100mm WR Macro could be on this list also.
11-07-2020, 03:11 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by officiousbystander Quote
D FA 100mm WR Macro could be on this list also.
I forgot the D-FA100, I had one of those for a while, the focus hunting (no limiter) was annoying. Lovely and small though!
11-07-2020, 03:34 AM - 1 Like   #4
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I'd go for the FA 77. The only negative in my experience is purple fringing, but the focal length is closer to the traditional 85mm focal length used for portraits.

The DFA *85 is an amazing lens, but I think it is far bigger than what you want.

11-07-2020, 03:50 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
I'd go for the FA 77. The only negative in my experience is purple fringing, but the focal length is closer to the traditional 85mm focal length used for portraits.

The DFA *85 is an amazing lens, but I think it is far bigger than what you want.
Yes, the new DA*85 is even bigger than the Sigma 85mm f1.4 HSM, that was was too big!
11-07-2020, 04:03 AM   #6
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Samyang 85 f1.4 is excellent value for money and a decent performer. But I rarely use mine now I have a FA 77 f1.8 LImited, which is compact and great for portraits IMO.
11-07-2020, 06:52 AM   #7
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FA 77mm Ltd or FA* 85mm 1.4 (second hand)

11-07-2020, 06:56 AM   #8
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I want them all hahaha :O
11-07-2020, 07:18 AM   #9
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FA 77 mm and the new D FA 85 mm are all I want to carry for portraits now, the former for the portability and classic pixie dust and the latter for images that are simply perfect
11-07-2020, 10:30 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by pschlute Quote
FA 77mm Ltd or FA* 85mm 1.4 (second hand)
I forgot about the FA*85, size wise its looks in the middle between the DA*55 and Sigma 85mm f1.4 HSM.

I did very much enjoy the FA*24 I had before, actually going to search for another.
11-07-2020, 10:55 AM   #11
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Since getting the FA*85 I've relegated the FA77 to my APS-C's where it's closer to a classic 135... Kinda, sorta... Anyway it performs great as a shortish tele portrait lens on the K-70 and KP and always tags along on a shoot along with the *55 and Sigma 17-50.

The FA*85 is my default on the K1. If space to move back is unavailable, indoor for example, the FA31 serves portraiture admirably IMO

Last edited by gatorguy; 11-07-2020 at 11:02 AM.
11-07-2020, 11:03 AM - 1 Like   #12
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I love my D-FA* 50mm even for portraits coupled with K-1, and for me the size and weight isn't much issue people complain about, when I imagine myself holding 70-200, it seems to me a feather.
11-07-2020, 02:36 PM - 2 Likes   #13
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When it comes to doing portraits I still regret the day I sold off my FA 77mm.
11-07-2020, 02:36 PM   #14
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+1 for FA77mm f.18 Ltd. The colour rendering is amazing in my opinion. In addition of a superb portrait lens, I found it amazing for landscape as well, especially at sunset and sunrise.
My 5 cents, hoping that it may help.
11-07-2020, 02:45 PM - 1 Like   #15
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FA 77 1.8 limited

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