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Portraits

philstaff
Posted 17/01/2020 - 16:29 Link
Can I ask you guys? Which is your preferred lens for portraits and why this is? If you could add the odd photo for further interest so much the better. Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards Ian
johnriley
Posted 17/01/2020 - 17:18 - Helpful Comment Link
Any lens can be used for portraits, depending on the type of portrait that we want.

However, for a realistic and flattering result the preferred length would be a fast (bright) short telephoto. On full frame that would be 85mm (the classic portrait lens), 100mm (my favourite choice) or 135mm (getting a little long).
Best regards, John
pschlute
Posted 17/01/2020 - 17:27 - Helpful Comment Link
For my pooch portraits my go-to lens is the FA* 85mm 1.4. It never fails me.
Chrism8
Posted 17/01/2020 - 17:30 - Helpful Comment Link
I tend to use anything from a 45mm / 85mm F4.5 zoom ot a 150mm F2.8 on medium format or an 85mm F1.2 on full frame.
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8

Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2

K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
HarisF1
Posted 17/01/2020 - 17:30 - Helpful Comment Link
FA* 85 for me too. I'm an idiot for selling mine (in anticipation of the new D-FA* 85) and I'm putting the feelers out for a replacement.
All the gear with no idea
LennyBloke
Posted 17/01/2020 - 18:44 - Helpful Comment Link
Pentax are masters of the portrait length lens (IMO) - the FA77, FA*85, A*85 are probably the pinnacle, but the K and M 85's are no slouches either. I have to say that since the DFA*50/1.4 arrived I tend to use this one for portraits rather a lot
LennyBloke
HarisF1
Posted 17/01/2020 - 21:11 - Helpful Comment Link
I'd also like to add that the FA77 didn't really impress me on my recent trip with the KP. It felt very challenging to use and wasn't so great in high contrast areas. It's quite long on APS-C which also reduces its usefulness.

On the K-1 it's a completely different animal and really shines on the larger format.
All the gear with no idea
Daronl
Posted 17/01/2020 - 22:55 - Helpful Comment Link
It seems given the degree of perspective compression that occurs when shooting a face with a lens greater than 50mm focal length that 80-100 mm is most flattering.

So that says it all, in formal portrait photography the positive enhancement of prominent facial features is real; prominent noses and chins, for example can subtly benefit from the perspective compression of a longer focal length. Candids portraits are better taken with a medium length zoom

So I shoot portraits on primes at 80 to100 mm as a rule but will shoot up-to 200mm.on candids.

Eg’s in my portfolio
Daronl
JAK
Posted 18/01/2020 - 01:46 - Helpful Comment Link
Daronl wrote:
It seems given the degree of perspective compression that occurs when shooting a face with a lens greater than 50mm focal length that 80-100 mm is most flattering.

Fish-eye lenses can prove quite interesting for the opposite effect!
John K
PRYorkshire
Posted 18/01/2020 - 11:50 Link
For me it is the 50mm f1.7. On both the istd and K70 this seems to give the best results. Probably best on istd as can be a little too sharp on the K70.

Paul
Paul

K1000, Espio 140, ist, istD, K70, K3iii and numerous lenses, just don't tell my wife.
philstaff
Posted 18/01/2020 - 14:33 Link
PRYorkshire wrote:
For me it is the 50mm f1.7. On both the istd and K70 this seems to give the best results. Probably best on istd as can be a little too sharp on the K70.

Paul

Are you talking of the 1.7 50mm lenses the old manual focus lens?
philstaff
Posted 18/01/2020 - 14:34 Link
Chrism8 wrote:
I tend to use anything from a 45mm / 85mm F4.5 zoom ot a 150mm F2.8 on medium format or an 85mm F1.2 on full frame.

Some cracking photos there thank you for sharing

ian
AndrewA
Posted 18/01/2020 - 16:18 - Helpful Comment Link
The Sigma F1.4 50mm was very good when I owned one.
Andrew

"I'm here because the whiskey is free" - Tyla

PPG link
Flickr link
mr.mellow
Posted 18/01/2020 - 18:24 - Helpful Comment Link
I often use a Sigma 70mm macro lens with good results.
The older I get the faster I was.
Dave
K-3 II, K10D, DA16-85, DA*50-135, DA12-24, DA18-55, DA 50, Sigma EX DG 70mm Macro, Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma DG 120-400mm APO HSM.
Metz 58 AF-1.

My Flickr link
takuman
Posted 18/01/2020 - 18:34 - Helpful Comment Link
DA 70mm Limited?
Just passing thru

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