K-1 Portrait Lens

**UncleVanya** · 11-07-2020, 05:22 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by hoopsontoast

I forgot the D-FA100, I had one of those for a while, the focus hunting (no limiter) was annoying. Lovely and small though!

The F and FA 100 macro are optically identical other than the coatings. These also have a focus limiter... .

As for the choice of a portrait lens... I shoot crop so I can't determine what would work well on the K-1 but since I like a longer portrait lens (a Nikon 105 f2.5 Nikon was my favorite at one time) and on my K-3 the FA 77 is lovely as is the DA* 55, so my best suggestion is to rent or borrow what you think you'd like and shoot some shots.

**robgski** · 11-07-2020, 06:56 PM

Another +1 for the FA-77mm and the K-1. My favorite combo for portraits and I am learning just how good it is for group photos, landscapes, and street. I am using it all month long for Single In and I am really appreciating the results.

I have seen it offered here on the PF market place at a very reasonable price, too.

I am surprised this lens does not have its own thread in the lens club.

**Serkevan** · 11-07-2020, 06:57 PM

I'm biased because my only portrait lenses are the Tamron 90/2.5 and the 77... Both are great; the Tammy is a macro so it gives you fantastic sharpness and nice, neutral bokeh. But the 77 *really* has that 3D pop that makes portraits something else - truly gorgeous lens.

chrism888 · 11-08-2020, 03:47 AM - **1 Like**

Sigma 85mm F1.4

antipattern · 11-08-2020, 04:02 AM

Can I throw the DA70 into the mix? Glorious colours, smooth backgrounds - less fringing than the FA77. At 2.4 the aperture isn't the widest but usually sufficient. The lens is tiny and designed for APS-C, but unless the hood is fully pulled out I had no issues for portraits on the K1. I have taken some of my favourite portraits with it.

Sandy Hancock · 11-08-2020, 04:21 AM - **3 Likes**

I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA*85/1.4 and DFA*85/1.4, as well as the DFA*50/1.4 and DA*55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited

If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter.

**UncleVanya** · 11-08-2020, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA*85/1.4 and DFA*85/1.4, as well as the DFA*50/1.4 and DA*55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited

If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter.

That's a nice collection of glass. What is it about the FA 77 that makes it the one you'd keep?

gatorguy · 11-08-2020, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

That's a nice collection of glass. What is it about the FA 77 that makes it the one you'd keep?

Sandy, I also don't remember if you use the K1 or a crop model (K3II?)

DeadJohn · 11-08-2020, 08:37 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by hoopsontoast

I forgot the D-FA100, I had one of those for a while, the focus hunting (no limiter) was annoying. Lovely and small though!

The hunting on the DFA 100 Macro is very manageable with the way my K-1 is configured. I use the rear AF button, and as soon as I see the AF start to go too far, I release and repress AF and it reverses direction.

Here are samples from a parade with the DFA 100 Macro. These subjects were moving and the long AF throw didn't interfere. Minor cropping to remove distractions.

Lev · 11-08-2020, 08:54 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA*85/1.4 and DFA*85/1.4, as well as the DFA*50/1.4 and DA*55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited

If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter.

My imaginations that I have to have this lens raised ten times after your post

hoopsontoast · 11-08-2020, 08:58 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA*85/1.4 and DFA*85/1.4, as well as the DFA*50/1.4 and DA*55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited

If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter.

Could you please do a quick sentance on comparison between the FA*85, DA*55, FA77Ltd and DA70? I am familiar with the K85.

Ivan · 11-08-2020, 09:59 AM - **1 Like**

Macro lenses can be really too sharp for a portrait, and bokeh can be too jittery.

Sandy Hancock · 11-08-2020, 02:01 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

What is it about the FA 77 that makes it the one you'd keep?

Size. Beauty. Handling. Imaging character. Bokeh.
And sentimentality

Sandy Hancock · 11-08-2020, 02:01 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by gatorguy

Sandy, I also don't remember if you use the K1 or a crop model (K3II?)

Both.

Gerbermiester · 11-08-2020, 03:01 PM

I can recommend both the Fa 77mm and the Fa 135mm. I own them both.

But, they're different beasts to be sure.
The 135mm has faster autofocus and really benefits from being stopped down to f/3.5. (sharpness/glow, PF, contrast, OOF smoothness all dramatically improve @ f/3.5).

The FA 77 performs better wide open, but the bokeh also smooths out around f/2.2-2.8.

You can get a bit more more isolation with the FA 135 and you get a bit better control of what you can include (or remove) in your background due to its higher compression.

Both have a place in one's kit. I tend to shoot my 77mm more often, simply because it has more flexibility shooting indoors.

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11-07-2020, 05:22 PM - 3 Likes	#16
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by hoopsontoast I forgot the D-FA100, I had one of those for a while, the focus hunting (no limiter) was annoying. Lovely and small though! The F and FA 100 macro are optically identical other than the coatings. These also have a focus limiter... . As for the choice of a portrait lens... I shoot crop so I can't determine what would work well on the K-1 but since I like a longer portrait lens (a Nikon 105 f2.5 Nikon was my favorite at one time) and on my K-3 the FA 77 is lovely as is the DA* 55, so my best suggestion is to rent or borrow what you think you'd like and shoot some shots.

11-07-2020, 06:56 PM	#17
robgski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,796	Another +1 for the FA-77mm and the K-1. My favorite combo for portraits and I am learning just how good it is for group photos, landscapes, and street. I am using it all month long for Single In and I am really appreciating the results. I have seen it offered here on the PF market place at a very reasonable price, too. I am surprised this lens does not have its own thread in the lens club.

11-07-2020, 06:57 PM	#18
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	I'm biased because my only portrait lenses are the Tamron 90/2.5 and the 77... Both are great; the Tammy is a macro so it gives you fantastic sharpness and nice, neutral bokeh. But the 77 really has that 3D pop that makes portraits something else - truly gorgeous lens.

11-08-2020, 03:47 AM - 1 Like	#19
chrism888 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 178	Sigma 85mm F1.4

11-08-2020, 04:02 AM	#20
antipattern Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 232	Can I throw the DA70 into the mix? Glorious colours, smooth backgrounds - less fringing than the FA77. At 2.4 the aperture isn't the widest but usually sufficient. The lens is tiny and designed for APS-C, but unless the hood is fully pulled out I had no issues for portraits on the K1. I have taken some of my favourite portraits with it.

11-08-2020, 04:21 AM - 3 Likes	#21
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA85/1.4 and DFA85/1.4, as well as the DFA50/1.4 and DA55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter.

11-08-2020, 07:12 AM	#22
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA85/1.4 and DFA85/1.4, as well as the DFA50/1.4 and DA55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter. That's a nice collection of glass. What is it about the FA 77 that makes it the one you'd keep?

11-08-2020, 07:33 AM	#23
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Originally posted by UncleVanya That's a nice collection of glass. What is it about the FA 77 that makes it the one you'd keep? Sandy, I also don't remember if you use the K1 or a crop model (K3II?)

11-08-2020, 08:37 AM - 2 Likes	#24
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Originally posted by hoopsontoast I forgot the D-FA100, I had one of those for a while, the focus hunting (no limiter) was annoying. Lovely and small though! The hunting on the DFA 100 Macro is very manageable with the way my K-1 is configured. I use the rear AF button, and as soon as I see the AF start to go too far, I release and repress AF and it reverses direction. Here are samples from a parade with the DFA 100 Macro. These subjects were moving and the long AF throw didn't interfere. Minor cropping to remove distractions.

11-08-2020, 08:54 AM - 1 Like	#25
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA85/1.4 and DFA85/1.4, as well as the DFA50/1.4 and DA55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter. My imaginations that I have to have this lens raised ten times after your post

11-08-2020, 08:58 AM	#26
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I have the K85/1.8, F85/2.8 Soft, FA85/1.4 and DFA85/1.4, as well as the DFA50/1.4 and DA55/1.4. And the DA70/2.4 Limited If I had to choose between any of them and the FA77/1.8 Limited, I'd keep the latter. Could you please do a quick sentance on comparison between the FA85, DA55, FA77Ltd and DA70? I am familiar with the K85.

11-08-2020, 09:59 AM - 1 Like	#27
Ivan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Moscow Posts: 639	Macro lenses can be really too sharp for a portrait, and bokeh can be too jittery.

11-08-2020, 02:01 PM - 3 Likes	#28
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by UncleVanya What is it about the FA 77 that makes it the one you'd keep? Size. Beauty. Handling. Imaging character. Bokeh. And sentimentality

11-08-2020, 02:01 PM - 2 Likes	#29
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by gatorguy Sandy, I also don't remember if you use the K1 or a crop model (K3II?) Both.

11-08-2020, 03:01 PM	#30
Gerbermiester Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: British Columbia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 377	I can recommend both the Fa 77mm and the Fa 135mm. I own them both. But, they're different beasts to be sure. The 135mm has faster autofocus and really benefits from being stopped down to f/3.5. (sharpness/glow, PF, contrast, OOF smoothness all dramatically improve @ f/3.5). The FA 77 performs better wide open, but the bokeh also smooths out around f/2.2-2.8. You can get a bit more more isolation with the FA 135 and you get a bit better control of what you can include (or remove) in your background due to its higher compression. Both have a place in one's kit. I tend to shoot my 77mm more often, simply because it has more flexibility shooting indoors.

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