portrait lenses?

Hi all, I have been posting about a Pentax P30n in the film forum. What I am looking for now is a good portrait lens. In the range of 80mm being good for portraits I hear? (28-80?)

I know there are probably lots of differing opinions regarding favorites but perhaps there is a general consensus about a particular lens or two?

I'm not looking for a new lens but an older model which would I hope cut down on costs.

Deryn

Hi Deryn,

Portrait lenses traditionally have been around 85-105mm with wide apertures to allow minimum depth of field. These are now generally expensive - the cheapest new is probably the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 manual focus (about £230).

A 28-80 zoom is typically going to be f/4 or f/5.6 ish at the long end, which will give you the the right field of view, but won't allow the narrow depth of field.

The most affordable option is to look for a cheap 135mm f/2.8 lens (loads of these were made by a variety of manufacturers) or an M series 135mm f/3.5 if you want to keep it Pentax. As these are longer lenses, you'll need to be further away from the subject to compensate.

Remember that any lens you buy will be usable on digital (and a 135mm is equivalent to a 200mm there).

Regards,

John.

The 120mm f/2.8 is designed as a portrait lens - weak performance wide open, sharp when closed down.

The 85mm lenses are the classic portrait lens and Pentax made a few including the 85mm f/2 M and the very expensive 85mm f/1.4

My personal favourite though is the SMC Pentax-M 100mm f/2.8 - compact and beautiful rendering.

The Tamron Adaptall-2 SP 90mm f/2.5 would do you nicely. Would double up as a macro lens too

With the cost consideration mentioned in the original post, what about the 'stack of primes' lens Pentax SMC A 35-105 f3.5, just a thought, good performance and a flexible performer to boot.
Chris

Hi all, I am checking out all considerations. Cost is a consideration as Chris says, so an older lens will be my focus. Not many 35-105's about.

Lot's of 135's, but so many manufacturers!

Some of the other lenses are too expensive.

I'm not bothered using it with my K10. I'm looking for a certain look with film. Soft focus, head and shoulders, b&w.

Deryn

Carl Zeiss Jena DDR MC S 1:3.5 F=135mm
Vivitar Series 1 135mm 1:2.3
Pentacon 2.8/135

Discussed here:

Three 135mm Lens Recommendations

And even better:
Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 Auto Telephoto Close Focusing

It has a very special rendering for portraits.

The Vivitar 135mm f/2.3 has a mighty reputation.

As Johnha mentioned, the Pentax M series f3.5 is a good option. It's nicely built, has a built-in hood, very good quality and can sometimes be found for around £30. It is that bit longer, but if you can deal with that you wont go far wrong. There aren't as many around in Camera Shops as there used to be (a lot just won't take them in as Part-Ex anymore), but CameraWorld at Chelsford has a "mint" one for £43 at present.

Another option is one of the Pentax DA or DAL 50-200 lenses, they are very cheap at the moment, are good quality, fully digital comaptible, and are more flexible.

Hope this helps a bit

On a P30n body ... I don't think so.

Knowledge of budget would be useful to any recommendation.

A browse on eBay will reveal a mass of choice. You could also consider a screw thread lens with a K adapter. Then the wonderful Super or SMC Takumar 105mm f/2.8 could also be considered.

Personally, I find 135mm too long for portraits. It's starting to stray too far from the classic 85mm effect for me.

It is, however, sometimes fine to use almost any lens for creative portraiture. A 500mm mirror lens can give some interesting results, but not all the time, just to explore new territory.

.....another step back ..... and another ..... a couple more ... nearly there ..... and another .... yep I've got your nose ...... another step back ......

Sorry - I thought that the DA/DAL lenses (of longer focal length) could be used with the P30 in Program mode - I don't think there would be any vignetting, - but your probably right, best not to go for a DA/DAL !

+1

This is an excellent lens and I sold the Carl Zeiss equivalent to keep the SMC Tak which is just better all round, sharper and with more contrast.