Re: If You had to pick one lens . . .

[Dan Scott]

On Friday, November 8, 2002, at 02:39  PM, Michael Cross wrote:

I am starting out here and looking to purchase (at least for now) one prime lens. My primary photographic interest is candids and casual portraits of my kids in both individual and small group shots. I am looking at a prime lens because I would like to do available light and shallow DOF shots and the quality (especially bokeh) is important to me.

So I have narrowed it down to three Pentax lenses:

1. FA 50mm f/1.4
2. FA 77mm f/1.8
3. FA 85mm f/1.4

Any of them, depending on how far away you will generally be from them while you are doing your candids. If you live in small rooms, you might back into a wall or piece of furniture before you get far enough back to get everyone in the frame. My favorite for these type of things is the FA 35/2, but you do end up getting close in, which can take away some of the spontaneity if your kids are camera shy.

Dan Scott