K-1 Portrait Lens

vector · 11-08-2020, 03:57 PM - **1 Like**

Reading this forum is expensive. I have a December birthday coming up and have wanted an FA 77 for years. My wife told me I better just order it as she has no idea what to get me for my upcoming birthday... So I have a silver FA 77 coming in a few weeks.

**clackers** · 11-08-2020, 04:49 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by vector

Reading this forum is expensive. I have a December birthday coming up and have wanted an FA 77 for years. My wife told me I better just order it as she has no idea what to get me for my upcoming birthday... So I have a silver FA 77 coming in a few weeks.

I have a silver 77 myself, Vector, and it's beautiful.

Sandy Hancock · 11-08-2020, 05:10 PM - **1 Like**

I have two

**Serkevan** · 11-08-2020, 05:39 PM - **1 Like**

Mine's silver too! Prim and proper princess

**pentaxus** · 11-08-2020, 06:02 PM

I had good results with my Pentax 85mm f/2. A nice small lens. My FA 85mm 1.4 was better, but heavier.

**matroxication** · 11-10-2020, 02:21 AM

+1 for FA 77 ltd. Amazing lens for the portrait. I got DFA100 macro as well but I felt its too sharp for portraits.

Class A · 11-10-2020, 05:07 AM

My recommendation (for an FF camera): HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 SDM AW.
One of the best lenses Pentax has ever made.

The 55/1.4 has far inferior bokeh.

The 77/1.8 Ltd is a gem of a lens but it suffers from PF and does not blur the background as much as as a 85/1.4 can.

The Samyang 85/1.4 is also fantastic but a manual focus lens; works best in combination with LiveView and a Loupe on the back-LCD.

**Serkevan** · 11-11-2020, 04:33 AM

Originally posted by Class A

My recommendation (for an FF camera): HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 SDM AW.
One of the best lenses Pentax has ever made.

The 55/1.4 has far inferior bokeh.

The 77/1.8 Ltd is a gem of a lens but it suffers from PF and does not blur the background as much as as a 85/1.4 can.

The Samyang 85/1.4 is also fantastic but a manual focus lens; works best in combination with LiveView and a Loupe on the back-LCD.

It's a shame that the D FA* weighs about as much as the other three put together

. The images from the D FA* are nothing short of astounding, but of course you cannot magic them out of thin air. In a studio setup where you can go ham on gear? It's more or less uncontested, and not only in Pentax land I think...

boblivious · 12-08-2020, 08:53 PM

Another vote for the DA 70 Ltd., or the 77 if you have the $$$.

outdoorsman · 12-09-2020, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by vector

Reading this forum is expensive. I have a December birthday coming up and have wanted an FA 77 for years. My wife told me I better just order it as she has no idea what to get me for my upcoming birthday... So I have a silver FA 77 coming in a few weeks.

Reading this forum is VERY expensive. lol

**Kerrowdown** · 12-09-2020, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by hoopsontoast

K-1 Portrait Lens

If you can live with manual focus... here's the three that I use most often for all my portrait work, all of which have given me outstanding results. :0

Special Lady Pentax-A 50mm F1.2, Sweetheart Pentax-A*85mm F1.4 and Lady Luck Pentax-A*135mm F1.8

**clackers** · 12-09-2020, 03:14 PM - **2 Likes**

Obviously, the DFA*85 is the Queen of image quality, you should order it now if that's important.

But you say you already don't use your Sigma 85mm f1.4 because of its size.

Ergo, the FA 77 Limited (and its pixie dust) is for you!

gatorguy · 12-09-2020, 04:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

Obviously, the DFA*85 is the Queen of image quality, you should order it now if that's important.

But you say you already don't use your Sigma 85mm f1.4 because of its size.

Ergo, the FA 77 Limited (and its pixie dust) is for you!

I've had the FA77 for some time, Bower/Rokinon 85 too, but have pretty well settled on the FA85 for my K1. Has the edge over the 77 for my full-frame portraiture IMO. The FA77 is now used on my K70's where it shines bright as would be expected.

Hayashi · 12-09-2020, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by officiousbystander

D FA 100mm WR Macro could be on this list also.

I bet difference.

Resolution of a macro lens is too much, it would even show all the pore.

Unless that is your purpose, or your portrait model did great makeup to cover.

I'd suggest DFA*50 or FA-31Limited

**BarryE** · 12-14-2020, 11:14 AM

On the topic of portrait lenses: going beyond the 77/85mm FL (for K-1), I believe that, production, autofocus lenses, suitable for portrait, are limited. The DFA 100mm macro hunts and does not work well for me as a portrait lens. Zooms are too big and threatening. The FA77 is ideal most of the time, but a little more reach would be nice on occasions. Do others crave something to fill this gap?

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11-08-2020, 03:57 PM - 1 Like	#31
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	Reading this forum is expensive. I have a December birthday coming up and have wanted an FA 77 for years. My wife told me I better just order it as she has no idea what to get me for my upcoming birthday... So I have a silver FA 77 coming in a few weeks.

11-08-2020, 04:49 PM - 1 Like	#32
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by vector Reading this forum is expensive. I have a December birthday coming up and have wanted an FA 77 for years. My wife told me I better just order it as she has no idea what to get me for my upcoming birthday... So I have a silver FA 77 coming in a few weeks. I have a silver 77 myself, Vector, and it's beautiful.

11-08-2020, 05:10 PM - 1 Like	#33
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I have two

11-08-2020, 05:39 PM - 1 Like	#34
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Mine's silver too! Prim and proper princess

11-08-2020, 06:02 PM	#35
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	I had good results with my Pentax 85mm f/2. A nice small lens. My FA 85mm 1.4 was better, but heavier.

11-10-2020, 02:21 AM	#36
matroxication Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 169	+1 for FA 77 ltd. Amazing lens for the portrait. I got DFA100 macro as well but I felt its too sharp for portraits.

11-10-2020, 05:07 AM	#37
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	My recommendation (for an FF camera): HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 SDM AW. One of the best lenses Pentax has ever made. The 55/1.4 has far inferior bokeh. The 77/1.8 Ltd is a gem of a lens but it suffers from PF and does not blur the background as much as as a 85/1.4 can. The Samyang 85/1.4 is also fantastic but a manual focus lens; works best in combination with LiveView and a Loupe on the back-LCD.

11-11-2020, 04:33 AM	#38
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Class A My recommendation (for an FF camera): HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 SDM AW. One of the best lenses Pentax has ever made. The 55/1.4 has far inferior bokeh. The 77/1.8 Ltd is a gem of a lens but it suffers from PF and does not blur the background as much as as a 85/1.4 can. The Samyang 85/1.4 is also fantastic but a manual focus lens; works best in combination with LiveView and a Loupe on the back-LCD. It's a shame that the D FA* weighs about as much as the other three put together . The images from the D FA* are nothing short of astounding, but of course you cannot magic them out of thin air. In a studio setup where you can go ham on gear? It's more or less uncontested, and not only in Pentax land I think...

12-08-2020, 08:53 PM	#39
boblivious Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 107	Another vote for the DA 70 Ltd., or the 77 if you have the $$$.

12-09-2020, 08:28 AM	#40
outdoorsman Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 31	Originally posted by vector Reading this forum is expensive. I have a December birthday coming up and have wanted an FA 77 for years. My wife told me I better just order it as she has no idea what to get me for my upcoming birthday... So I have a silver FA 77 coming in a few weeks. Reading this forum is VERY expensive. lol

12-09-2020, 02:28 PM	#41
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by hoopsontoast K-1 Portrait Lens If you can live with manual focus... here's the three that I use most often for all my portrait work, all of which have given me outstanding results. :0 Special Lady Pentax-A 50mm F1.2, Sweetheart Pentax-A85mm F1.4 and Lady Luck Pentax-A135mm F1.8

12-09-2020, 03:14 PM - 2 Likes	#42
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Obviously, the DFA*85 is the Queen of image quality, you should order it now if that's important. But you say you already don't use your Sigma 85mm f1.4 because of its size. Ergo, the FA 77 Limited (and its pixie dust) is for you!

12-09-2020, 04:03 PM - 1 Like	#43
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Originally posted by clackers Obviously, the DFA*85 is the Queen of image quality, you should order it now if that's important. But you say you already don't use your Sigma 85mm f1.4 because of its size. Ergo, the FA 77 Limited (and its pixie dust) is for you! I've had the FA77 for some time, Bower/Rokinon 85 too, but have pretty well settled on the FA85 for my K1. Has the edge over the 77 for my full-frame portraiture IMO. The FA77 is now used on my K70's where it shines bright as would be expected.

12-09-2020, 05:58 PM	#44
Hayashi Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 177	Originally posted by officiousbystander D FA 100mm WR Macro could be on this list also. I bet difference. Resolution of a macro lens is too much, it would even show all the pore. Unless that is your purpose, or your portrait model did great makeup to cover. I'd suggest DFA*50 or FA-31Limited

12-14-2020, 11:14 AM	#45
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	On the topic of portrait lenses: going beyond the 77/85mm FL (for K-1), I believe that, production, autofocus lenses, suitable for portrait, are limited. The DFA 100mm macro hunts and does not work well for me as a portrait lens. Zooms are too big and threatening. The FA77 is ideal most of the time, but a little more reach would be nice on occasions. Do others crave something to fill this gap?