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Archive 2017 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?

  
 
elicious
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


hi all,

Thinking about dipping into the A7/R pool. I enjoy taking candid/portrait shot the most, and the portability of the A7/R system has me intrigued!

I've always been a Nikon/Canon user, so I may lean on AF a bit (Batis or Sony 85 offerings may accomodate this) but may try MF, too.

What lens(es) at portrait focal lengths do you guys enjoy the most? I'm looking at staying at native-mount. Also, not looking to drop $2k+



Mar 09, 2017 at 02:01 PM
Tony Ross
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


I bought the Batis 85mm f/1.8 for head-and-shoulders portraits, but I shoot "environmental" portraits, too, and those are usually full-length, putting the person in their environment - a businessman at a desk, that sort of thing. For full-length I think it's really hard to go past the Sony Zeiss 55mm f/1.8.


Mar 09, 2017 at 02:12 PM
AGeoJO
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Sony 85mm GM f/1.4 is simply awesome and it is my favorite but not the most compact nor the lightest. In the same category of not being the lightest and more compact is the Sony 135mm f/1.8 but it is in A-mount. So, you need an adapter for that lens that adds to both factors. You also loose some AF features with that lens but the bokeh is simply awesome. If you need a portrait lens for casual occasional use and it is fairly compact/light-weight, the Batis 85mm is hard to beat and you get all the advantages of it being a native FE lens, including the Eye-AF.


Mar 09, 2017 at 02:18 PM
notherenow
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Longer lenses I currently use adapted (EF 100 f2 in particular) but in native lenses, I only have the two.

Sony Zeiss 55 1.8 I never used to warm to a normal lens FF but I use this more and more for portraits for individuals and small groups.

IF you can get close enough, it is hard to beat I think and step back it is nice for two or three people.

The other native lens I have is the 28-70 FE kit lens and even it has its use for people, at least on the lower pixel count cameras. Might not be the best choice on an A7Rii though might be ok still.

Comes in handy anyway for larger groups but also at 70mm 5.6 at a cheaper price.

I had to shoot a combined Catholic christening/welcome to country/smoking ceremony/birthday/family reunion last week and used all three but the 55 1.8 is the one I preferred using for people.



Mar 09, 2017 at 02:54 PM
Wanny
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


35 1.4 FE is my favorite lens for portraits. I usually only shoot environmental.

85 g master is second



Mar 09, 2017 at 02:58 PM
Ken_Cravillion
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


My favorite would have to be the Canon 200mm f2L IS. Then the 135mm 1.8 ZA (when it focuses accurately), then a toss up between the two 85mm's the GM and Batis and the 50mm f1.4 Zeiss.


Mar 09, 2017 at 03:17 PM
Jeff Kott
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


If cost is a factor, wait until some FMers get their hands on the brand new FE 85/1.8 and see what their shots look like. I think Guy has one on order.

I would definitely not buy the Batis 85/1.8 until you can see how the FE 85/1.8 compares for half the cost.



Mar 09, 2017 at 05:08 PM
charles.K
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


AGeoJO wrote:
Sony 85mm GM f/1.4 is simply awesome and it is my favorite but not the most compact nor the lightest. In the same category of not being the lightest and more compact is the Sony 135mm f/1.8 but it is in A-mount. So, you need an adapter for that lens that adds to both factors. You also loose some AF features with that lens but the bokeh is simply awesome. If you need a portrait lens for casual occasional use and it is fairly compact/light-weight, the Batis 85mm is hard to beat and you get all the advantages of it
...Show more

+1




Mar 09, 2017 at 05:39 PM
WestTexas Sky
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Samyang 8mm fisheye. Use it on the NEX 6 and A7R. Does a truly awesome and unique portrait.


Mar 09, 2017 at 06:06 PM
notherenow
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Forgot to add I am looking forward to the new 100 STF lens and what it can do.

Not sure I can afford it though for a while.



Mar 09, 2017 at 06:19 PM
TheEmrys
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


My favorites were the 55/1.8 in e mount, but the a-mount Minolta 100/2, Sony CD 135/1.8, and 135 STF provided 3 very different and excellent looks. My favorite pairing was the 55/100.


Mar 09, 2017 at 06:42 PM
jhinkey
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


When I get the 85/2.4 Lox or the upcoming 135/1.8 . . . until then my 85/4 ZM and 135/2 ZF.2 will have to be the stand-ins.


Mar 09, 2017 at 06:45 PM
hiepphotog
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


In-door, the FE 35/1.4 is perfect IMO. While outdoor, GM 85/1.4 would be my preferred choice. The two really complement each other well.


Mar 09, 2017 at 07:07 PM
mdemeyer
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


If you can go MF and want small and light, I have found the LTM mount Voigtlander Color Heliar f2.5 with a suitable adapter to deliver some outstanding portraits. Way under-rated and under priced - my "user" copy (lots of brass showing through the black paint) cost me $225 on Craigslist. (I have no experience with the newer f1.8 version.)

Michael

Edited on Mar 09, 2017 at 10:43 PM · View previous versions



Mar 09, 2017 at 09:28 PM
Greggf
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Since I don't have the GM85, I would have to say the FE 50 1.4 ZA. The bokeh is exquisite! It really is a great lens, and can be used in many applications.
G



Mar 09, 2017 at 10:28 PM
dkmiles1
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


I love the FE 35mm f/1.4 - best lens I've used on full frame A7 cameras.


Mar 09, 2017 at 11:16 PM
elicious
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Thanks for all the suggestions, my fellow FM'ers! Keep 'em coming...I just bought an A7R2 and need some glass to be here when it arrives


Mar 09, 2017 at 11:21 PM
Matt Kerby
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


85 GM, 85 Batis and my 24-70GM is killer at 70mm's....I prefer a native lens that supports Eye-AF...
I think if I could get Eye-AF with non native lenses I'd have the Canon 85LmkII (pretty common to find them around $1200 used these days)



Mar 10, 2017 at 12:32 AM
kape06111
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Batis 85 and sony 55 f1.8.


Mar 10, 2017 at 03:21 AM
rsrsrs
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · What's your favorite E-mount portrait lens?


Batis 85 and sony 55 f1.8 for paid clean photos.

if i decide for retro B/W with environment i use Olympus Pen 38mm 1,8
very sharp wide open, little 3D POP, little swirl, little vignetting ... love it.



Mar 10, 2017 at 03:36 AM





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