portrait lenses?
1,415 posts
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Posted 14/05/2013 - 21:47
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.
PPG Flickr
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.
PPG Flickr
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Posted 14/05/2013 - 21:58
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.
Best regards, John
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.
Best regards, John
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Posted 14/05/2013 - 22:07
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
Chris
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Posted 14/05/2013 - 22:28
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
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
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Posted 15/05/2013 - 01:17
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.
Listen to my albums free on BandCamp. Or visit my main website for links to photography, etc.
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.
Listen to my albums free on BandCamp. Or visit my main website for links to photography, etc.
Link
Posted 15/05/2013 - 08:49
The Vivitar 135mm f/2.3 has a mighty reputation.
Best regards, John
Best regards, John
Link
Posted 15/05/2013 - 09:30
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
LennyBloke
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
LennyBloke
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Posted 15/05/2013 - 09:34
LennyBloke wrote:
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
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.
Link
Posted 15/05/2013 - 09:37
Knowledge of budget would be useful to any recommendation.
You can see some of my photos here if you are so inclined
You can see some of my photos here if you are so inclined
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Posted 15/05/2013 - 09:38
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.
Best regards, John
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.
Best regards, John
Link
Posted 15/05/2013 - 09:55
johnriley wrote:
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.
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 ......
Lurking is shirking.!
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Posted 15/05/2013 - 10:05
Gamka wrote:
On a P30n body ... I don't think so.
LennyBloke wrote:
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
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.
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 !
LennyBloke
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Posted 15/05/2013 - 10:47
johnriley wrote:
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.
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.
+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.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
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DERYN
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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