Originally posted by MoiVous Hi Vanessa,
Welcome. Sounds like you've got some good kit to be going on with.
I'm not sure about using a zoom for portrait work (though others may disagree) as you'll always be limited by the smaller apertures - most don't maintain the same aperture as the focal length is increased.
I know a photographer that uses a zoom for portrait work but his lens cost more than my camera! lol I do love the sharp, low light features of the 50mm f1.4 lens but there are times when I can't take another step or two backward and the shot is almost impossible to get.
Originally posted by MoiVous For classical portrait work in 35mm film work 85-100mm lenses were often suggested (moves you away from the subject enough to be candid), so in the case of the APS-C format you'd be looking at something around 75mm. You've already got that with one of your zooms, but if you don't mind using your feet as the zoom control, think about a wider aperture fixed focal length lens
The event I photographed yesterday was indoors and outdoors. Outdoors wasn't a problem but when you have tables and chairs, balloons and other obstacles, a zoom would be handy. I love the low-light capabilities of my 50mm f1.4 but had to swap to my Pentax 18-55mm kit lens so that I could capture a group of 60 or zoom in on individual tables.
Quote: (I think there is a Pentax 77mm F1.8 P-FA Limited Lens for around AUD$1000 that would fit the bill, or for a bit less the Pentax 70mm F2.4 SMC DA Limited Lens for about AUD$650) - the 77mm would be great in low light conditions.
Check out the lens discussion and reviews in the forum as to how good they are.....
Good luck with the lens hunting!
Thank you! Definitely some food for thought.