Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       end
  

Archive 2016 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)

  
 
mustafa604
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


What is your favourite lens that you shoot portraits with? Please share the lens and some images!!!


Dec 08, 2016 at 03:35 AM
pinholecam
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


I like a few, though the lenses I prefer to use for portraits will differ depending on the working space/distance I have.

CZJ Biotar 75/1.5
Center sharp wide open and swirly bokeh which must be taken into consideration in use.
Closer up for chest to head shots and the swirl largely disappears the the bokeh much softer.

DSC0156820140720ILCE-7-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


DSC0401120140209ILCE-7-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


DSC0405820140209ILCE-7-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


Pentax FA*85/1.4
The more 'all round reliable' type 85mm portrait focal length lens.
I use it even more now since I got the Pentax K1 so that it has AF.

Summer Girl #2 by jenkwang, on Flickr


Graziella #2 by jenkwang, on Flickr



Indoors, where my working space is more limited, the Pentax FA43ltd /1.9 has been my most go to lens.
Tack sharp stopped down and good working distance.


20120526_IMGP0020_F040_043_FA43Ltd-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr


20141219-DSC07473-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr



The Pentax Takumar 100/2 is certainly another one that I like a lot.

Super Takumar 100/2 samples by jenkwang, on Flickr



20150329-DSC01119-1 by jenkwang, on Flickr



20150328-DSC00609-2400 by jenkwang, on Flickr



Dec 08, 2016 at 07:47 AM
notherenow
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Lots that I like.

Old 300 2.8 Tamron adaptall (I like this for kids at minimum focus distance outdoors)
Sigma Canon EF mount 150 2.8 APO macro (double duty lens)
Canon EF135 f2 L (sold it but did love it when I had the room)
Canon EF 100 f2
Canon FD 85 1.2 L
Sony Zeiss 55 1.8
Canon FD 24 1.4 L

The Sony Zeiss 55 1.8 is the one that I find myself using more regularly lately but maybe because I have it with me a lot more often.










Dec 08, 2016 at 04:47 PM
robgo2
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


By far, my favorite portrait lens is the C/Y 100/2 Planar. Here are three samples taken with an A7ii.

Rob

















Dec 08, 2016 at 09:24 PM
nehemiahphoto
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Excellent thread--really like your selection Pinholecam. Never shot or seen photos from the Takumar 100 f2.

Minolta 85 1.4 Limited - My first was stolen, saving my pennies for another. The ultimate in rendering. So gorgeous. The smoothness and color are just supreme. The way the lens renders skin and textures at near to mid distance is unreal--they feel tangible.


Honorable mentions:
Min 80-200 2.8 - best combo of color, sharpness, bokeh and usability (and now price) for people photos in a zoom.
ZA 135 1.8 - wicked good, just longer and larger than I like.
100 CY f2 MMJ - my favorite 100mm people lens.
Contax N 85 - Extremely rich, unique bokeh, right amount of sharpness.
Rokkor 58 1.2 - It's has a look at f2 that's hard to beat.
CY 35 1.4 - It's odd how good this lens makes everything look.
Leica r 80 1.4 -- was my favorite people 85 till I shot Mino limited.
ZM 35 1.4 - for being so sharp, I love the way it renders people. Still getting used to it. Reminds me of the CY 35 1.4 somewhat.
ZM 50 1.5 - seems quite nice so far, but haven't had ample opportunity to use it.
RX1 - I can't think of a jack of trades at such a high level, including environmental portraits.
Contarex - lovely iq, moderate contrast WO, quite nice bokeh.

I think the ZA 85 is the most underrated portrait lens.

I'd love to get my hands on the FA 85 and ZM Sonnar 85 f2

I can't wait to see the rest of this thread!






R 80 I just wish the focusing wasn't so long/stiff, and that the lens was easier to focus at 1.4







Mino 58 1.2 @ f2







CY 100 f2 -- agree with Rob. I find the contrast, field flatness and tonality superb.







CY 35 1.4







Minolta 85 1.4 Limited




Dec 08, 2016 at 10:19 PM
rico
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Portrait is a broad field, so I have a broad range of favorite lenses. So do others, apparently.

CZ D28/2.8 C/Y (A7ii):



CZ P50/1.4 C/Y (A7ii):



Leitz Telyt-V 280/4.8 (D3X):



Don't tell the FM Alties, but sometimes I really need a modern AF zoom like the Nikkor 70-200/4 VR (D3X):




Edited on Nov 21, 2017 at 06:28 PM · View previous versions



Dec 09, 2016 at 03:41 AM
LightShow
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


nehemiahphoto wrote:
R 80 I just wish the focusing wasn't so long/stiff, and that the lens was easier to focus at 1.4


Get it serviced, there are some great greases now that have a very light viscosity, it makes lenses so much easier to adjust.
These are the greases I like.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Helical-Grease-10-30-Set-Made-in-Japan-/252522146962 the #10 is the lightest grease I've found.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271194713421



Dec 09, 2016 at 06:33 AM
frosty1987
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Anything that's 50mm.

I've got the Sigma 50mm 1.4 (Nikon F-mount), Mitakon 50mm 0.95 (Sony E-mount) and Canon 50mm 1.2

I have a problem with buying and selling a lot of camera gear so I've pretty much used all brands.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7543/27711238270_8ebe49885c_b.jpg
Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art on Nikon D750

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1640/24432559845_2c6fdde196_b.jpg
Nikon 50mm 1.8 on Nikon D750

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5659/23333766231_33d7db8173_b.jpg
Mitakon 50mm 0.95 on Sony A7II

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8417/30227973775_13f570b0fe_b.jpg
Canon 50mm 1.2 L on Canon 5D Mark III




Dec 09, 2016 at 01:35 PM
robgo2
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Here's another from the C/Y 100/2 Planar on an A7ii.

Rob







Dec 09, 2016 at 04:22 PM
ZoneV
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Canon Fd 300mm f/2.8L - absolut great CA correction

Under the tree by Markus, auf Flickr

Autumn Portrait by Markus, auf Flickr

Canon Fd 400mm f/2.8 - with less good CA control

Autumn Leaves by Markus, auf Flickr

Meyer Optik Goerlitz Trimagon 95mm f/2.6

Soap Bubble Bokeh by Markus, auf Flickr

Liesegang Janar 480mm f/3.8

Women-Portrait by Markus, auf Flickr



Dec 09, 2016 at 05:16 PM
JohnJ
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


STOP! STOP NOW!

I have enough lenses. I don't need this relentless taunting.

Now I think I have to buy a Mitakong 0.95/50 ...

Edit, lots of superb samples from the Mitakong 0.95/50 here (not mine) : http://www.fotodesign-rs.de/zhongyi-mitakon-speedmaster-50mm-f0-95-review



Dec 09, 2016 at 05:18 PM
JohnJ
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


My favourite is the Leica 1.4/80 Summilux-R, more so since using it on an A7RII then on Canon bodies in the previous 10 years, or, Leica film bodies in the 10 years before that. Although focusing on the A7RII is quite slow, and you really can't accurately focus on a moving subject, you can actually nail focus even at F1.4. I always struggled to nail focus WO on Canon bodies but F2 was fairly easy. Focusing on a Leica R8/R9 is a piece of cake, as it has one of the best viewfinders ever, although the lens does have focus shift when stopping down so nailing focus can still be an issue.

The qualities I like most of the Leica 1.4/80 Summilux-R are probably those qualities that others dislike. The lens does have a bit of a 'glow' (spherical aberration) wide open. It does also flare a bit, sometimes, which often adds to the image. When stopped down to F2, the lens is noticeably sharper and already shows a different character. When stopped down to F4 it's a completely different lens again with relatively few flaws. I only use it at F1.4 or F2 unless I actually need depth of field.

The lens does have very good bokeh in that it is quite soft behind the subject but it is not as soft as the bokeh from the FE 1.8/55, or some other 80/85's. In any case, it certainly doesn't have a harsh bokeh. To me, it's bokeh sits on the fence between being soft and painterly, it is visible or present, but not the star of the show. If I want a lens for harsh background bokeh, one that does draw the eye to the bokeh, then there are many lenses from which to choose, such as the Mamiya 1.9/80 N (M645 lens), but not the Leica 1.4/80 Summilux-R.

Some (mostly) recent examples from the Leica 1.4/80 Summilux-R;

http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/161119_DSC01004.jpg
http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/161120_DSC01290.jpg
http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/161103_S_DSC00309.jpg
http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/161120_DSC01241.jpg
http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/IMG_0070_1000.jpg
http://photocornucopia.com/images/Lenses/Leica/R80/IMG_0105_1000.jpg



Dec 09, 2016 at 06:18 PM
Frogfish
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


nehemiahphoto wrote:
I'd love to get my hands on the FA 85 and ZM Sonnar 85 f2

I can't wait to see the rest of this thread!

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/335117-sale-smc-pentax-fa-85-1-4-a.html



Dec 10, 2016 at 01:04 AM
rico
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


I find 100/2 too short and too fast for my studio style but, since everyone loves the Contax, here's the P100/2 MMG wide open (A7ii):



Yashica 300/5.6 ML wide open (A7ii):



Here come the AF lenses. Sigma 35 Art (D3X):



Nikkor kit 18-55 (D500):



Nikkor 17-55/2.8 (D300):



Nikkor 17-55/2.8 (D500):



Did I mention I have many favorite portrait lenses?

Edited on Nov 21, 2017 at 06:30 PM · View previous versions



Dec 10, 2016 at 02:33 AM
teiki arii
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Hello Mustafa,
In my humble opinion, there is no "portrait lens", it doesn't exist. One can have picture taken with any lens you wish, it's just an exercise in style. So, all people of the world is going to post their photos but I am afraid it doens't help you, the reverse is the case.



Dec 10, 2016 at 03:58 AM
Frogfish
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Really too many to count/list as it depends on the situation, it could pretty much be anything from a Sigma Art 35/1.4 to a Nikon 300/2.8, knowing your lens and when to use them is more important. That said :

Pentax FA 77/1.8 Ltd has a special place in my heart :




The Cosina 55/1.2 is one of my current go to lenses :




I'm just getting to know the Nikon 105/2.5 AiS but this is going to be a wonderful lens for portraits :


Nikon 200-500/5.6 (@210mm):


The Tamron 70-200/2.8 (or pretty much any 70-200/2.8) :




The Sony Zeiss 55/1.8 ir recognised as a wonderful portrait lens :




Sony 28/2




Nikon 135/2 DC has been a long-time favourite of mine for portraits :






Nikon 300/2.8




Sigma Art 35/1.4


Sigma 50-150/2.8 (APS-C lens)


And the Zeiss MP 100/2 can be superb (even too sharp) :




I've found a lovely Russian Jupiter 9 (85/2) that will soon be joining the stable along with a Batis 85/1.8. I'm sure both of those will become popular portrait lenses for me but with TAP and the Sony A7rii there are now so many exciting lenses to choose from.

This could end up a very long and image heavy thread !



Dec 10, 2016 at 04:09 AM
Steve Spencer
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


When I shot Canon my favourite lenses for portraits were Zeiss ZE lenses. The 35 f/1.4, the 100 f/2 Makro, and even the 21 f/2.8. Since switching to Sony I got a ZF.2 35 f/1.4 and I have a Milvus 21 f/2.8. I replaced the 100 f/2 Makro with the Milvus 85 f/1.4, but I haven't used that much. I think it will be very nice for portraits, however. Below are some examples:





Zeiss ZE 35 f/1.4







Zeiss ZE 35 f/1.4







Zeiss ZE 100 f/2 Makro







Zeiss ZE 100 f/2 Makro







Zeiss ZE 21 f/2.8




Dec 10, 2016 at 10:55 AM
Steve Spencer
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


The other lens I really liked for portraits in my Canon Days was the Minolta MC 58 f/1.2. I usually shot it at f/2, however, like in the examples below. More recently on Sony I have used the FE 55 f/1.8, which is quite good for portraits. Enough that I have put up with the autofocus--I have a strong preference for manual focus. I have a couple examples below. I just got a Leica M 50 cron AA, however, so the FE 55 f/1.8 I suspect will be used a lot less. A few months back I also got a Leica M 90 cron AA and I like that a lot--even for portraits, which many people do not. It is the major reason I haven't shot with the Zeiss Milvus 85 f/1.4 much. I just so much prefer the size of the Leica M. Here are a few examples of shots with those lenses.





Minolta MC 58 f/1.2 at f/2 or maybe f/2.8







Minolta MC 58 f/1.2 at f/2







Sony/Zeiss FE 55 f/1.8







Sony/Zeiss FE 55 f/1.8







Leica M 90 f/2 AA at f/2




Dec 10, 2016 at 11:03 AM
nehemiahphoto
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


I now have several new lenses to check out. Portraits can be done well with so many lenses. I am surprised I haven't seen more love for the Fuji 56 or 85L though





77 limited







Gm 85







Mino 85







Batis 85







Mino 80-200



Edited on Dec 10, 2016 at 03:21 PM · View previous versions



Dec 10, 2016 at 12:46 PM
nehemiahphoto
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Favourite Lens (Portraits Only)


Frogfish wrote:
http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/335117-sale-smc-pentax-fa-85-1-4-a.html


Hahahah--I know! Very curious about that lens...I just have 4 85 1.4s right now...



Dec 10, 2016 at 12:52 PM
1
       2       end




FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.