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Archive 2016 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

nbradley
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

I'm in the market for a portrait (and some still life) lens for my Sony A7R II. I've been searching around and in my price range, I'm considering 3 in my price range:

1. Leica 90mm f2Summicron
2. Laowa 105mm STF f2
3. Sony Zeiss 135mm f1.8

Does anyone have any experience with any of these lenses? Are any of them recommended over the other? I'm looking mostly for sharpness and pleasing transition from in focus to out of focus area.

Jul 28, 2016 at 04:30 PM

artmaseda
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

I owned the Zeiss 135 1.8 and I considered the best portrait lens (tied with the Sony 135 STF) until the 85 GM arrives, but I guess the price of an used one should be around US $900 plus the adapter, that will put you pretty close to the Batis, which is also an excelent lens and you will enjoy all the AF capabilities of your camera and will be smaller and lighter.

Jul 28, 2016 at 04:54 PM

nbradley
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

Having AF isn't a huge deal as my subjects will be quite static and I'm shooting on a tripod most of the time, I'm more concerned with lens rendering than anything else (which is why the Leica 90mm is in the running as I've heard good things about it in this regard). How is a 135mm focal length for getting waist-up portraits? How far would I have to be away from the subject that is? Would a 85-100mm FL be more feasible indoors? Thanks for the advice!

Jul 28, 2016 at 05:28 PM

Picture This!
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

The SZ 135/1.8 is an amazing lens and hard to beat.

Jul 28, 2016 at 05:54 PM

notherenow
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

Not used any of those and they are all so different.

For me the choice would clearly be the Laowa as for the price you could buy that and another portrait lens as well. Maybe something like a Canon 85 1.8 or Samyang 135 f2 MF lens.

I am after a new portrait prime. I am down a notch in price from the OP but loved the Canon EF 135 f2 L I had but at some venues I shoot at it was a bit long and I needed the money so sold it.

I will (probably) get a Canon EF 100 f2 and maybe a old manual focus 90/100/105 as a back up, maybe even a cheap EF AF zoom or faster manual zoom.
I still have and love an old FD 85 1.2 L and Sigma 150 2.8 APO in Canon EF mount (A7s currently).

Jul 28, 2016 at 06:04 PM

nbradley
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

How are the sizes of these lenses fairing on the A7? Would any of them feel unwieldy on a small mirrorless body? The 135 1.8 and Laowa seem quite long and heavy? I had a Rokinon 100mm 2.8 and sold it because it felt way too front heavy for me.

Thanks for your thoughts so far!

Jul 28, 2016 at 06:14 PM

charles.K
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

It appears that size and weight maybe an issue, so the best choice from list above is the M 90 Cron Apo. Personally I do not like MF for longer FL's and would prefer AF.

I have the ZA 135/1.8 and it is a superb lens. Probably one of the best lenses I have owned. I also had the M 90 Cron Apo and Pre Asph and both are wonderful lenses.

It will really depend on the look and perspective you are after...

Jul 28, 2016 at 06:24 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

The Sony 135/1.8 is a great lens. Personally, I find the focal length a little limiting for portraiture, but I use it a lot for small animals and still life.

My three favorite portrait lenses are the Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2, Summicron-M 90/2, and Canon FD 85L I can't pick a favorite out among them because they share some key (for me) traits in common. From wide open to f/4, they all have gentle focus transitions, good with the big details, light on the small ones, and good close-focus, large aperture bokeh. So, from your list, I'd go with the Summicron.

Jul 28, 2016 at 06:40 PM

TheEmrys
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

The CZ135/1.8 is amazing. However, it's massive size was a hinderance, and the rendering was overly sharp and contrasty for my tastes. I sold it and went back to the Minolta 100/2. The Minolta 100/2 renders quite similarly to the Summicron 90/2. The Summicron was a joy to use for the hour I had my mitts on it. But, I just couldn't love it like I did my Cron 50. The 100/2 was more than good enough for me.

I would also add the Minolta 100/2 and the Minolta/Sony 135 STF. That STF has a very special look to it. It set my standard of perfect bokeh.

Jul 28, 2016 at 07:06 PM

OpticalFlow
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

I guess it won't help much to throw other options into the ring, but I really love my Olympus OM 100 f2 for portraits. Similar price range, maybe even a tad cheaper.

Jul 29, 2016 at 02:41 AM

nbradley
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

Thanks for all the extra options! I hadn't considered the Minolta 100 f2 and it seems to be at a good price point. I was a little worried about the 135 1,8 being too unforgiving for portraits, but maybe the STF would be more flattering. I'll check out the Olympus too, so many choices.

Jul 29, 2016 at 04:18 AM

rsrsrs
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

if 2,8 if enough, and you want to safe (lots of) money i would recommend
contax zeiss 85mm 2,8

old review

http://slrlensreview.com/web/reviews/carl-zeiss-lenses-swhorizontalmenu-172/zeiss-telephoto/407-carl-zeiss-sonnar-t-85mm-f28-cy-lens-review?showall=&start=3

Jul 29, 2016 at 04:36 AM

rico
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Portrait Lens Advice - Sony A7R II

I avoid wafer-thin DOF for portraiture and waist-up is nicely handled by a standard FL, so you can consider something like the Yashica 50/2 ML in C/Y mount ($20). Head-and-shoulders will need a longer FL, and I like the Zeiss Sonnar 100/3.5 C/Y (expensive these days @ $400). Tight head shots wants 135-200, and my primes are the Rokinon 135/2 (heavy) and the Yashica 200/4 ML. I often prefer AF for this purpose, and the Nikkor 70-200/4 is my go-to zoom: Sony makes fine equivalents in FE and A mounts (have wallet handy).

Jul 29, 2016 at 07:28 AM


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