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Among my Pentax 6x7 lenses, the longest lens useful for portrait ends at 150 mm - which however translated into fullframe, is an equivalent of something like a 70 mm portrait lens !
I do have the simple Pentax 67 SMC 300mm f 4 lens (equivalent to around 140 mm) - but it is not really made for indoor portraits, partially due to it's not to stellar performance when used wide open but also due to a rather long minimum focus distance. It needs to be stopped down to at least 8 in order to perform well, albeit in black & white, it isn't or should be an issue anyway. So, I decided to add another lens.
Cost ? 55 € + 35 € shipping and 25 € Swedish tax = 115 €
Pentax 67 SMC 200 mm f 4
It has a good reputation, with neutral, sharp optics and an equivalent to something like a 100 mm lens. Kind of ideal for portraits if you use it on the 6x7 format, or digital equivalent. If you use it straight on a Fuji GFX 50 camera, it is something equivalent like 160 mm telephoto lens.
Changed priorities
I normally wouldn't have bought the lens when just working with film material - but since I am now using these lenses on a Fujifilm GFX 50s II camera where these Pentax 6x7 lenses are now my primarily used lenses for this 33x44 mm medium format camera.
So, my priorities have changed a little, and i thought i would add a telephoto lens which performs better than the 6x7 300mm lens - the latter more of an outdoor lens and usually not used as often. While the 200mm lens likely get more used, plus that I will eventually make portrait photography in the studio - using this lens straight on - without the Vertex rotating adapter.
Studio portrait lenses
This 200 mm ƒ4 lens plus the 105mm ƒ2.4 as well the 150 mm f 2.8 lens all come in handy for that type of studio based photography. Of course, also the Canon FD 85/1.2 L may have a place - as well the Sigma ART 105mm f 1.4 lens - dependent on if the electronica EF-GFX adapter works reliable (which controls the electronic aperture in the lens).
Then there is another joker - which i do not know if it will perform well on the Fuji GFX or not...
Another 200 mm lens... which is one of a kind !
The stellar Canon EF 200/2 L IS lens, which is one of its kind. But also heavy and huge. ON a fullframe camera, you get glorious portrait, with smooth background like velvet.
But I don't know how that will work out on a Fujifilm GFX 50s II camera.... the handling and everything. One advantage there is however: When you mount the lens (via its own lens foot) onto a tripod - you can rotate the lens + camera easily horizontal and vertical shots.
That makes it very easy to switch when needed, without having to detach the camera + lens on the tripod. This also works with the Sigma ART 105mm f 1.4 since it is its own foot as well.
Now since these lenses are very bright - maybe they are useful in the studio with available light, rather then flashlight. While the Pentax 6x7 200mm lens is for studio flashes, and stopped down aperture like ƒ8 or ƒ11 in order to ensure good sharpness.
Practice, practice, practice, Ralf
I have not yet gotten there yet - the feeling what works best - if handheld or tripod based photos. I feel with that with the Fuji GFX camera, if i really want to do a good reliable job (with the exact focus) - e.g. that the focus is exactly located on the eye of the model - then i should perhaps work slowly, set focus manually and keep the lens + camera on a tripod.
I know, it is far less flexible... but if I work like I did back in the 90s - i may actually get good portrait - which align with a sense for the lights the shapes, the face expressions etc. Instead of shooting away many images ... and "picking out the best".
Digital cameras have been so technical in so many ways, that I sometimes feel they are more into our way, instead of being a "transparent" tool for the photographers eye and vision.
When i work with a camera on tripod
- yes, it does feel stiff and inflexible at one hand. Especially in modern times where everything is so flexible and fast... Yet, when working on a tripod - I get more "time and space" to take in the light from the studio flashes, how the light sculptures the model, plays with the expressions of a persons face. And to make those little changes in the modeling lights, their positions, in order to get it right, so it feels right when i look at the persons face.
Above all: I need to get a much better feel regarding the Fuji GFX camera, its settings without having to search for every "fart" when i need to change a parameter in the camera... I also have to practice in the studio... because then ones sees, feels and gets a hang of what works out well, and what doesn't. Now, in advance, I feel unsure where I stand with all the options, settings and different (possible) ways.
So, i exercise. And exercise. And exercise.
And then we'll see. |
