Suggestions on a Portrait lens

**stevebrot** · 07-03-2021, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

I mentioned this lens (https://www.adorama.com/mtk85mmbkfef.html?) before. I just found a video review with images: https://youtu.be/PR0UYA_b4wk

The Rokinison / Samyang 85 f1.4 is a bit more money ($250) and has fewer aperture blades. Both are good inexpensive options that work on film and digital.

Normally, I would think this to be a good option except that the Mitakon 85/2 does not respect the aperture ring position coupler found in non-crippled camera bodies. Rather than having at least an indent to provide clearance and appropriate index for the full-manual diaphragm, it just has flat metal. This works fine with current product Pentax cameras, but not with any of the K-mount film bodies. From the second review here on PF...

Quote:

Firstly some advice that doesn't seem to be published anywhere:
The pentax-k mount on this lens has no aperture linkage, but is flat metal where the linkage and recess would normally be. I bought this for use on my LX, and found that it mounted with a lot of friction, and the camera thought that the lens was stopped down to something like f/999. This was caused by the flat lens mount grinding against the camera's aperture linkage and dragging it around as the lens is mounted....

Emphasis mine. Mitakon Creator 85mm f2 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Of course, the other matter of potential concern is that the aperture is fully manual and must be stopped down manually after focusing.

Steve

**UncleVanya** · 07-03-2021, 05:49 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Normally, I would think this to be a good option except that the Mitakon 85/2 does not respect the aperture ring position coupler found in non-crippled camera bodies. Rather than having at least an indent to provide clearance and appropriate index for the full-manual diaphragm, it just has flat metal. This works fine with current product Pentax cameras, but not with any of the K-mount film bodies. From the second review here on PF...

Emphasis mine. Mitakon Creator 85mm f2 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Of course, the other matter of potential concern is that the aperture is fully manual and must be stopped down manually after focusing.

Steve

Well dang. That’s a bummer. Whoops.

**stevebrot** · 07-03-2021, 06:20 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Well dang. That’s a bummer. Whoops.

There are several popular lenses that don't play well with film gear due to this exclusion, despite having aperture rings. It used to be that even the simplest mount implementation would would respect the full set of compatibility elements, but such is no longer the case. I have been thinking about writing a general article about K-mount compatibility factors and why they are important. The list is fairly short, but there are aspects that are not real obvious, but are also fairly critical. For example...what ensures that the lens is actually centered in the mount?

Steve

Wheatfield · 07-04-2021, 06:54 AM

Originally posted by DWS1

Back when the K1000 came out I seem to remember a 135mm F:2.8 being the ultimate portrait lens.

If I have the space, I love the 135 for portraits. Generally, I don't, and so use the lowly 85mm. My dream lens for portraits would be a really fast 105.

Wasp · 07-04-2021, 08:59 AM

On a K1000, manually focusing an 85/1.4 requires care. Then again, they have proper focusing screens. Not the rubbishy things optimized for dim witted slow kit lenses that you get in a typical DSLR.

pschlute · 07-04-2021, 04:25 PM

Originally posted by Wasp

On a K1000, manually focusing an 85/1.4 requires care. Then again, they have proper focusing screens. Not the rubbishy things optimized for dim witted slow kit lenses that you get in a typical DSLR.

I wish my eyes had interchangeable screens

**Photos-by-Chas** · 07-04-2021, 08:28 PM

Originally posted by Wasp

On a K1000, manually focusing an 85/1.4 requires care. Then again, they have proper focusing screens. Not the rubbishy things optimized for dim witted slow kit lenses that you get in a typical DSLR.

I have the K1000 SE with the split image view screen. That facilitates focusing very well. I've often wished that DSLRs would put those in the cameras.

Wasp · 07-05-2021, 10:44 AM

The thing is, a split screen in a DSLR would block out the spot meter that I for one never uses.

**UncleVanya** · 07-05-2021, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by Wasp

The thing is, a split screen in a DSLR would block out the spot meter that I for one never uses.

It would also likely go black with the f4-5.6 kit lenses.

PDish · 07-20-2021, 03:53 AM

I have the 77mm and it's great, but for my go to an f series 70-210 gets it every time. And it's cheaper to boot.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Landscape Which direction works best? Suggestions for cropping? And any other suggestions.	robysue	Photo Critique	17	12-22-2019 06:13 PM
"Portrait challenge" lens suggestions	babywriter	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	08-27-2018 09:45 AM
Canon crop body lens suggestions for portrait & events work?	pres589	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	2	05-05-2017 11:00 AM
Portrait Lens suggestions?	creative69	Pentax Medium Format	3	11-10-2015 03:38 PM
Suggestions for Portrait lens for K-5	scotheran	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	24	12-13-2013 06:35 PM

07-03-2021, 05:38 PM	#46
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by UncleVanya I mentioned this lens (https://www.adorama.com/mtk85mmbkfef.html?) before. I just found a video review with images: https://youtu.be/PR0UYA_b4wk The Rokinison / Samyang 85 f1.4 is a bit more money ($250) and has fewer aperture blades. Both are good inexpensive options that work on film and digital. Normally, I would think this to be a good option except that the Mitakon 85/2 does not respect the aperture ring position coupler found in non-crippled camera bodies. Rather than having at least an indent to provide clearance and appropriate index for the full-manual diaphragm, it just has flat metal. This works fine with current product Pentax cameras, but not with any of the K-mount film bodies. From the second review here on PF... Quote: Firstly some advice that doesn't seem to be published anywhere: The pentax-k mount on this lens has no aperture linkage, but is flat metal where the linkage and recess would normally be. I bought this for use on my LX, and found that it mounted with a lot of friction, and the camera thought that the lens was stopped down to something like f/999. This was caused by the flat lens mount grinding against the camera's aperture linkage and dragging it around as the lens is mounted.... Emphasis mine. Mitakon Creator 85mm f2 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Of course, the other matter of potential concern is that the aperture is fully manual and must be stopped down manually after focusing. Steve

07-03-2021, 05:49 PM	#47
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,451	Originally posted by stevebrot Normally, I would think this to be a good option except that the Mitakon 85/2 does not respect the aperture ring position coupler found in non-crippled camera bodies. Rather than having at least an indent to provide clearance and appropriate index for the full-manual diaphragm, it just has flat metal. This works fine with current product Pentax cameras, but not with any of the K-mount film bodies. From the second review here on PF... Emphasis mine. Mitakon Creator 85mm f2 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database Of course, the other matter of potential concern is that the aperture is fully manual and must be stopped down manually after focusing. Steve Well dang. That’s a bummer. Whoops.

07-03-2021, 06:20 PM - 1 Like	#48
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by UncleVanya Well dang. That’s a bummer. Whoops. There are several popular lenses that don't play well with film gear due to this exclusion, despite having aperture rings. It used to be that even the simplest mount implementation would would respect the full set of compatibility elements, but such is no longer the case. I have been thinking about writing a general article about K-mount compatibility factors and why they are important. The list is fairly short, but there are aspects that are not real obvious, but are also fairly critical. For example...what ensures that the lens is actually centered in the mount? Steve

07-04-2021, 06:54 AM	#49
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 14,645	Originally posted by DWS1 Back when the K1000 came out I seem to remember a 135mm F:2.8 being the ultimate portrait lens. If I have the space, I love the 135 for portraits. Generally, I don't, and so use the lowly 85mm. My dream lens for portraits would be a really fast 105.

07-04-2021, 08:59 AM	#50
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,991	On a K1000, manually focusing an 85/1.4 requires care. Then again, they have proper focusing screens. Not the rubbishy things optimized for dim witted slow kit lenses that you get in a typical DSLR.

07-04-2021, 04:25 PM	#51
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,301	Originally posted by Wasp On a K1000, manually focusing an 85/1.4 requires care. Then again, they have proper focusing screens. Not the rubbishy things optimized for dim witted slow kit lenses that you get in a typical DSLR. I wish my eyes had interchangeable screens

07-04-2021, 08:28 PM	#52
Photos-by-Chas Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Northwest Pennsylvania, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,229	Originally posted by Wasp On a K1000, manually focusing an 85/1.4 requires care. Then again, they have proper focusing screens. Not the rubbishy things optimized for dim witted slow kit lenses that you get in a typical DSLR. I have the K1000 SE with the split image view screen. That facilitates focusing very well. I've often wished that DSLRs would put those in the cameras.

07-05-2021, 10:44 AM	#53
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,991	The thing is, a split screen in a DSLR would block out the spot meter that I for one never uses.

07-05-2021, 06:21 PM	#54
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,451	Originally posted by Wasp The thing is, a split screen in a DSLR would block out the spot meter that I for one never uses. It would also likely go black with the f4-5.6 kit lenses.

07-20-2021, 03:53 AM	#55
PDish Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Santa Rosa,CA Posts: 79	I have the 77mm and it's great, but for my go to an f series 70-210 gets it every time. And it's cheaper to boot.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search