Which lense?

Question

I have a Pentax MZ50. I'd like to take extremely detailed portrait shots (head & shoulders or just head). What sort of lense should i use?

This is an example of what I'd like to achieve:

http://creative.gettyimages.com/source/classes/FrameSet.aspx?&UQR=rxidhj&pk=4&source=front&lightboxView=1&txtSearch=b%26w%20portrait&selImageType=7&chkLicensed=on&chkRoyaltyFree=on&chkNLM=on

Answer 1

Under normal circumstances, the focal length favored for head shots is 85mm to 90mm because it actually has a pleasing effect on the nose, for the most part, and because it normally blurs the background, which may distract from the subject. HOWEVER, since you did say you want to "take EXTREMELY DETAILED portrait shots (head & shoulders or just head)," I suggest that you use the 50mm lens with maximum f/stop of f/1.8 in case you need to work under low-light situations and without a strobe.

The 50mm lens is the most underrated lens around! Years ago, that was the lens all cameras came equipped with; it was called the "standard" or "average" or "regular" lens many years ago, before computers and modern manufacturing processes, which helped introduce zoom lenses. Give it a try and see. The 50mm lens is NOT necessarily the most expensive lens on the market, and there are some that are much faster (f/1.4) but cost a bit more.

When I first started in photography in the mid-60s, I started out with just a 50mm f/1.7 lens and I did a lot of walking back and forth to get the "right" perspective... then, I managed to get a 90mm f/4 lens, which I used pretty much like a telephoto lens AND for portraits. But, I often opted for the 50mm lens with a small aperture and longer shutter stop if I wanted to include the surrounding atmosphere in the image. (Today, it's all very different with the fantastic zoom lenses we have that permit us stand in one spot and still get several perspectives)

Don't underestimate the obvious; try the 50mm f/1.7 or f/1.8 (whatever Pentax puts out). Check with www.keh.com and see what they have available (be ready to buy once you see what they have because their products do not stay on the shelves very long) or check with www.bhphotovideo.com and see the used camera department as well as the regular (new) camera department.

While prime lenses do indeed yield better image detail than zooms, short zooms are really very good insofar as details for portraits; would you consider a short zoom lens, like 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6? Small zooms yield better image detail than super-zooms (28-200mm or 28-300mm). Super zooms have inherent problems at both ends that has more to do with the impossibilities or difficulties of engineering a lens with moving parts than with the camera BRAND (aberrations and distortions). I use small zooms: AF 20-35mm f/2.8, AF 35-70mm and the longest I use for weddings, graduations and Christenings is the AF 70-200mm f/2.8 and I get very good results.

I hope this helps you. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

You have to have a lens in the categories the above respondent mentioned, however I use a 135mm. I would not spend the money on a soft focus lens, I have one for one of my cameras. Buy straight glass and if you have to put a diffusing filter on it to soften it.

A better lens that those he mentioned would be a 70-150mm, it includes all of the lengths he mentioned and gives you a little more latitude for taking shots a bit further away.

Answer 3

Pentax SMC 105/2.8 would do nicely.