Portrait Lens (50mm) advice
Posted 09/05/2014 - 13:52
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I love my DA 50 f1.8. Buy it quick before Pentax realise what they have done!
Steve
Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
Posted 09/05/2014 - 14:39
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If you have more sense than money the DA 50 is the wisest choice - I love mine
Gravelrash wrote:
I love my DA 50 f1.8. Buy it quick before Pentax realise what they have done!
I love my DA 50 f1.8. Buy it quick before Pentax realise what they have done!
Posted 09/05/2014 - 16:27
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+1 for the Sigma, but my arms and shoulders like the Pentax better.
The Sigma 50mm f1.4 in my opinion is the best portrait lens for the money, unless you don't have the money and then the Pentax is good to.
The Sigma 50mm f1.4 in my opinion is the best portrait lens for the money, unless you don't have the money and then the Pentax is good to.
Posted 09/05/2014 - 16:56 - Helpful Comment
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Playing Devils advocate...you may like the idea of the DA50 and the DA35 f2.4 and some change?
Nothing like muddying the waters for a little entertainment
Nothing like muddying the waters for a little entertainment
Steve
Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
Posted 09/05/2014 - 17:05 - Helpful Comment
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Rather than a difference in image quality as such I think the difference will be in the character of the lenses. You could also add the Pentax 50mm f/1.4 at the price level of the Sigma.
However, I'd go for the 50mm f/1.8 as it has been designed with portraiture and softness of bokeh in mind. It has an almost circular diaphragm construction for pleasing bokeh. Also, f/1.8 lenses have flatter field and behave better close up and with accessories such as close up lenses, tubes, bellows. etc.
Add to that a very low price and you can't go far wrong. If you didn't like it, selling it on would lose you very little as well.
However, I'd go for the 50mm f/1.8 as it has been designed with portraiture and softness of bokeh in mind. It has an almost circular diaphragm construction for pleasing bokeh. Also, f/1.8 lenses have flatter field and behave better close up and with accessories such as close up lenses, tubes, bellows. etc.
Add to that a very low price and you can't go far wrong. If you didn't like it, selling it on would lose you very little as well.
Best regards, John
Posted 09/05/2014 - 22:02
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It's true, it is noisy, but I don't have a problem with it when I see the quality images it helps me to produce. Not like you're going to go birding with it!
mivoligo wrote:
I don't know about Sigma, but the Pentax lens makes a lot of noise when focusing.
I don't know about Sigma, but the Pentax lens makes a lot of noise when focusing.
Posted 10/05/2014 - 00:26 - Helpful Comment
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I don't have the Sigma, but I do have the DA50, and the FA50 F1.4. Wide open the DA50 is a lot sweeter and more contrasty than the FA50. Plus it is lighter and very cheap indeed. I have seen examples of shots taken wide open and it is indeed even better. But when stopped down the Pentax pair overtake it in IQ (Look on Flickr)
Personally I would go the DA50 route, as bangs for buck, and more, it is a bargain.
There is another option if you don't mind slowing down a little and manual focus only. The SMC-M 50mm F1.7. Now that is a very good lens indeed and very cheap to buy.
Personally I would go the DA50 route, as bangs for buck, and more, it is a bargain.
There is another option if you don't mind slowing down a little and manual focus only. The SMC-M 50mm F1.7. Now that is a very good lens indeed and very cheap to buy.
Some Cameras
Posted 10/05/2014 - 13:18
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Thanks for your replies.
I will probably go for the DA50 in the end.
I have never heard of Microglobe, damn now I'm tempted by the Pentax HD-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED High Definition WR Lens Sale Price: £239.91
Offertonhatter wrote:
There is another option if you don't mind slowing down a little and manual focus only. The SMC-M 50mm F1.7. Now that is a very good lens indeed and very cheap to buy.
I actually have one of these on my Super ME but have never tried it on the K5. I'm doing a Gavin Hoey workshop with a half time model shoot next weekend, so a prefect time to try it . There is another option if you don't mind slowing down a little and manual focus only. The SMC-M 50mm F1.7. Now that is a very good lens indeed and very cheap to buy.
Gravelrash wrote:
Playing Devils advocate...you may like the idea of the DA50 and the DA35 f2.4 and some change?
Nothing like muddying the waters for a little entertainment
I also already have the DA35 f2.4, a bit wide for portrait but a nice lens.Playing Devils advocate...you may like the idea of the DA50 and the DA35 f2.4 and some change?
Nothing like muddying the waters for a little entertainment
I will probably go for the DA50 in the end.
I have never heard of Microglobe, damn now I'm tempted by the Pentax HD-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED High Definition WR Lens Sale Price: £239.91
Digital: Pentax K-1 II + Grip, Pentax K3II + Grip, Pentax MX-1.
Lenses: Pentax D-FA 24-70mm 2.8, D-FA 15-30 2.8, D-FA 70-200 2.8*, Pentax 35mm 2.4, 50mm 1.8, 18-135mm WR, 55-300mm HD, Sigma 70-300mm (macro), Tamron 17-50mm F2.8.
Film: Mamiya C330 Medium Format, Pentax Super ME.
Lenses: Pentax D-FA 24-70mm 2.8, D-FA 15-30 2.8, D-FA 70-200 2.8*, Pentax 35mm 2.4, 50mm 1.8, 18-135mm WR, 55-300mm HD, Sigma 70-300mm (macro), Tamron 17-50mm F2.8.
Film: Mamiya C330 Medium Format, Pentax Super ME.
Posted 10/05/2014 - 14:29
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And don't forget the Pentax DA 50mm f1.8 is currently only £103.50 from SRS with this months discount code.
Posted 11/05/2014 - 00:24
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Love my FA501.4 and good value used.
Pentax K50,FA 35 2.0,FA 50 1.4, DA 18-135 WR, Sony RX100 2, Manfrotto bits...
Posted 11/05/2014 - 10:16
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I have had them both and would concur, Pentax was a gift, after much comparison of results sold the Sigma recently, as it became second choice, I guess that's the answer for me
Regards
Regards
Offertonhatter wrote:
I don't have the Sigma, but I do have the DA50, and the FA50 F1.4. Wide open the DA50 is a lot sweeter and more contrasty than the FA50. Plus it is lighter and very cheap indeed. I have seen examples of shots taken wide open and it is indeed even better. But when stopped down the Pentax pair overtake it in IQ (Look on Flickr)
Personally I would go the DA50 route, as bangs for buck, and more, it is a bargain.
There is another option if you don't mind slowing down a little and manual focus only. The SMC-M 50mm F1.7. Now that is a very good lens indeed and very cheap to buy.
I don't have the Sigma, but I do have the DA50, and the FA50 F1.4. Wide open the DA50 is a lot sweeter and more contrasty than the FA50. Plus it is lighter and very cheap indeed. I have seen examples of shots taken wide open and it is indeed even better. But when stopped down the Pentax pair overtake it in IQ (Look on Flickr)
Personally I would go the DA50 route, as bangs for buck, and more, it is a bargain.
There is another option if you don't mind slowing down a little and manual focus only. The SMC-M 50mm F1.7. Now that is a very good lens indeed and very cheap to buy.
Daronl
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123 posts
12 years
I am looking for some advice, if you would be so kind?
I would like a prime lens for portraits and a bit a street photography. The two lens I have been looking at are;
Pentax smc DA 50mm f1.8 Lens - £115.00
or
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens - Pentax - £329.00
Obviously the Sigma is over twice the price and a part from weight and build is there any real difference in image quality?
Also is there options I may have missed?
I will be using the lens primarily on a K5IIs.
Any advice would be welcome.
Thank you,
Lenses: Pentax D-FA 24-70mm 2.8, D-FA 15-30 2.8, D-FA 70-200 2.8*, Pentax 35mm 2.4, 50mm 1.8, 18-135mm WR, 55-300mm HD, Sigma 70-300mm (macro), Tamron 17-50mm F2.8.
Film: Mamiya C330 Medium Format, Pentax Super ME.