ddement1 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 What are your suggestions for the best portrait lens for a IST DL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWScott Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I know this is an offbeat answer (i.e. it doesn't include purchasing a brand-new autofocus Pentax DA lens.) But my favourite lens for portraits on my *ist DL is an old Hanimex 135mm/f2.8 in M42 screw mount (with K-mount adapter). The adapter cost $6, used. The lens I got from my dad. My expectations were low, but this lens delivers lovely images. At longer focal lengths, the issue of digital vs analog lenses disappears, because the angles of the light rays are considerably straighter. Chromatic aberration is much more likely with an older wide-angle lens. The 135mm is long enough that manual focusing is not a problem on my *ist DL. (Sometimes on a manual focus 28mm, the ground glass on the DL simply isn't ggood enough to judge critical focus.) Wide open at 135mm, the image snaps into focus quite obviously. I also don't mind using stop-down metering. I find it makes me more methodical, which is a good thing for portraits. I haven't used the Pentax options in this focal length (M42 or K-mount.) I understand that the Pentax 135mm/f3.5 is a sharp lens, but I like the speed and bokeh of a 2.8. It also means I can stop down to f4 and get increased resolution without sacrificing shallow DOF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfcole Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 It depends on what focal length you like. I noticed, for example, that many of the portraits lengths I subconsciously choose with a zoom lens are right around 70 mm. So personally, I'd find a 70 to be the most useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffpolaski Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I'm sorry, but if the IST DL has an image ratio of 1.53, then a 135mm lens would be the equivilent of a 206mm lens. There has been a lot of discussion about portrait lens focal length with the DSLR ratio applied, but since it is actually a crop of the lens focal length, the effect would be the same. So, the foreshortening effect of a 135mm lens (which is IMHO about as long as you'd wnat a portrait lens) would be the same, but the "telephoto" effect would be 206mm, which may be a bit excessive for composition. I have a "full" face, so I probably wouldn't want someone to use a 135mm lens for a head shot. 70 to 85 mm (full 36x24 frame) may be very good, remember the narrower angle of view. I've solved it by using a 50mm or 55mm lens on my Pentax DSLR, which produces an angle of view equivilent to 75mm or 80mm full frame, but will be far enough from the subject to minimize foreshortening effects. By golly, now I'm confused. I'm at any rate always happy when people use the 135mm classic lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserere_mei Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 David, I think the answer also depends of what you're willing to spend. I'm on a limited budget, so my portrait lens is the FA 50mm f/1.4 (a steal at $199), which on my K10D becomes a 77mm equivalent. If I had a FF camera I would have to spend over $600 to buy the Pentax 77mm Limited! Depending on the amount of light I have I use anywhere between f/2 and f/4, and using my feet also allows me to control DoF to a degree. I am by no means a professional, but I've taken some portrait shots that I'm very happy with (and a little surprised too) and which have been a success with those portrayed in them. Like David Scott, I've also used an old K mount 135mm with stop down metering. The only problem with it is that you need to stand quite far away from the subject, so I only use it outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlad Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Don't forget that FA 50mm/1.7 is as good or better lens as the f/1.4 optically. That half stop is not an issue most of the time in portraiture as the lighting is under photog's control. The f/1.7 version of the 50mm lens is substantially less expensive on the used market and is an awesome performer. I have one and find that I use it as a "normal" as well as portrait lens a lot more than the FA 28mm/2.8 I have, which, BTW, is also outstanding and all the distortion is on the periphery, which is out of the DSLR's crop range. I think no Pentax DSLR owner should be without these two superb manual focus SMC lenses. They simply rock! Just my $0.02. -- Vladimir<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denys_meunier1 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 David,lot a people got different opinion by the focal,zoom or non zoom and large or small aperture so all the reason are good,on my side i prefer non zoom,large aperture,crisp,sharp and clean lens and medium range focal(around 70 to 80 mm film camera)so i choose the 50mm 1.4 FA for my K10D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david richhart Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I really, really, REALLY like my Pentax FA 50mm f1.7 a lot on my *istD. I keep thinking about the 50mm 1.4, but then I look at my pictures and don't feel the need to change. BTW I still really, really, REALLY like my old manual SMC 50mm f1.4 lens when I use it on my trusty old Pentax ME Super. That is a sweet little combination!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacques c pelletier Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Hi you all! Great to see that the Pentax FA F1.4 is in acclaim! I just received mine this Saturday and will proceed with some indoors stuff very soon ... protraits ,etc... can't wait to see the results. (No time for that right now ... got to go!) Cheers to all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewg_ny Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Of course, an important distinction between the FA50 f/1.4 and f/1.7 is that the f/1.4 is still for sale new, and the f/1.7 is not. If you already have the f/1.7 version, I wouldn't covet the f/1.4. The FA50 (1.7 or 1.4), DA70 f/2.4, and FA77 f/1.8 are all excellent choices for portraits on the current APS-C digital bodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kuhne Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I second what Andrew says, by all means, as well as others regarding the 50mm f1.4 and 1.7. I will add that the 43mm f/1.9 Limited also does quite well for portraits, and with its added field of view is versatile in other applications too. Its small size is great on a compact camera for general use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a few images Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I like the tone of that photo Dave Richhart. It's really nice. Warm yet neutral. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacques c pelletier Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Andrew, Thanks for feedback. I'll do my best to come up with some decent shots with that FA f1.4 next weekend! Of course, I bought it at $199.00 Cdn and thought it was a great deal, so why not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWScott Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 The 135mm is definitely limited to exterior portraits. Indoors, I like my 55mm Super Takumar (another M42 gem). I can't recommend this lens enough, for many subjects, not just portraits.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserere_mei Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Wow...that Latte shot blew me away...and it wasn't the latte! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel_tong1 Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I have F50mmF1.7 which I believe has the same optics as the FA50mm. http://www.pbase.com/danieltong/image/90663430/original Daniel, Toronto<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kuhne Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Just my impression, but the f/1.7 seems a little less contrasty than the f/1.4 in the AF versions. Maybe a good thing for portraits? Can't go wrong with either though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cory_zerkee Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 Great shots guys. I just ordered the FA 50mm f1.4 from Adorama to replace my current SMC 50mm f1.7 The SMC f1.7 takes great, sharp pictures but I can't handle the manual focus with a depth of field that shallow (I know, I suck). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
namatjira Posted November 26, 2008 Share Posted November 26, 2008 Any clues as to how i get a Pentax 135mm lens to actually work on my istD?- ( it was my fave film lens- ) the lens doesnt have an A engraved on the casing- its from my old film SLR and has been languishing in a box- All my DSLR lens are just that - but i do have a few old K mount lenses that i would like to press into service- The 135 mounts OK and shows the number of shots left on the card within the view but resists all attempts to fire off a shot- Am i right in assuming that as it is not an A rated lens, that it will only fire off on my film SLR- - thanks for any tips- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_preston Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 <p>In answer to the 135mm and IST D I have an IST DL and in order to use lens without the A setting you have to go into the custon settings in menu then go to Using aperture ring (which is default set to 1) and change to 2 with is allow. Hope this helps.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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