Got the NX30 - Which Portrait lens to complete the Kit Lens?

Hi guys !

I just got my NX30 with the Kit lens (no choice in UK).

I used to have a 550D with a 50mm 1.8 as I love doing bokeh and especially portrait.

My problem with the NX mount is that I don't know what I should buy...

First : f1.8 MAX

35 mm / 45 mm or 85 mm ? I can't make my decision...

Here are my first choice :

- Samsung 45mm f/1.8

- Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF

- Rokinon 85mm F1.4

I don't see any other compatible with a NX mount.

I have never worked with a 85MM, I think the 45mm is a bit more versatile even if as I said, I have the kit lens too for landscape etc... But 85MM...

What about 35mm ? I saw some 35mm 1/4 and some people apparently use them for portrait but i'm not sure, it would be a bit to wide I think, and I would have to be to close from the model ?

I don't know, as I said.. I'm lost.

I'm really looking forward to read your advice, I need this lens ASAP and can't make a decision...

If you have an other model that I don't know, feel free to let me know

Thanks a lot guys

The 60mm might be an interesting choice too. That would make it a 90mm on the crop sensor. I haven't seem too much discussion on it, but the rating on DxO isn't half bad. Not badly priced either.

The kit lens is basically free, but pretty decent if you have a good copy. It actually stands up to 20 mp reasonably well.

Samsung native offerings for what you are looking for: 30mm f/2, 45mm f/1.8, 60mm f/2.8 macro, 85mm f/1.4.

The 85mm f/1.4 is a beast, but a beauty as well. It has wonderful image quality even respectable at f/1.4. It isn't very good at minimum focus distance, but even by typical portrait ranges it is great.

The 30mm f/2 is close enough to a 35mm f/1.8 that you probably won't notice much difference. Same with the 45mm f/1.8 vs a 50mm f/1.8.

The 45mm f/1.8 and 60mm f/2.8 are very similar for depth of field wide open. The 60mm has tighter field of view. The lens that stands out for shallow depth of field is the 85mm.

Of the 30, 45, 60, and 85mm, focus speed from fastest to slowest is 45mm, 30mm, 60mm, 85mm, with the 45mm really standing out. It is amazingly fast focusing (at least as fast as an SLR with a 50mm f/1.8 lens). The 30mm is fine focusing speed, and the 60 and 85mm are the only offering true manual focus (not focus by wire) which slows them down a bit. They are generally fast at refocus in good light, only problem if they decide to hunt.

I recently took photos of most of the lenses mounted on the NX30: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53175890

To me, the 45mm f/1.8 is a must have because of its fairly shallow depth of field and near instant focus speed.  The 30mm f/2 since it is the sharpest NX lens, across the frame sharp at f/5.6 even on 20 MP sensor, this lens could handle even higher res sensor with ease, and the 85mm f/1.4 is special.  It won't appeal to everyone though, only get that if you know you need thin depth of field.  It is also very good for a general telephoto.  I use it at zoos, etc.

Eric

Warren C. wrote:

I just pre-ordered the 16-50 mm f2.8 lens ...and when the 50-200 mm comes out, I'll be ordering that one....with two lenses I'll have the 16 to 200 mm coverage I need with fast lenses for any situation.

?  What 50-200?  There are three 50-200 versions for NX that are all basically the same optically.  If you mean a 50-200 f/2.8, I wouldn't hold my breath.  Even the rumor mill only speaks only of a 50-150 f/2.8 or a 300mm prime f/2.8.

I had this with my Canon 60D where I had the 24-70 f2.8 L lens and the 70 - 200 f2.8 L lens.....the only problem was the 70 -200 was large and heavy and conspicuous. These new Samsung lenses are a lot smaller.

Well, the Samsungs don't have a lens that long at f/2.8 yet.  I think when they do it will be a bit smaller than the Canon ones, but maybe not as much as you're hoping.

ClaphamWolf wrote:

Hi guys !

I just got my NX30 with the Kit lens (no choice in UK).

I used to have a 550D with a 50mm 1.8 as I love doing bokeh and especially portrait.

My problem with the NX mount is that I don't know what I should buy...

First : f1.8 MAX

35 mm / 45 mm or 85 mm ? I can't make my decision...

Here are my first choice :

- Samsung 45mm f/1.8

- Samyang 85mm F1.4 Aspherical IF

- Rokinon 85mm F1.4

I don't see any other compatible with a NX mount.

I have never worked with a 85MM, I think the 45mm is a bit more versatile even if as I said, I have the kit lens too for landscape etc... But 85MM...

What about 35mm ? I saw some 35mm 1/4 and some people apparently use them for portrait but i'm not sure, it would be a bit to wide I think, and I would have to be to close from the model ?

It is too wide for portrait even on a crop sensor.  And yep, having to be too close to the model to fill the frame is exactly the problem, results in perspective distortion.

I don't know, as I said.. I'm lost.

I'm really looking forward to read your advice, I need this lens ASAP and can't make a decision...

I would pick one of the 85s if portrait is the primary use case.  I guess you're on a budget since you're listing the manual focus models.  I haven't used any of them myself, but from everything I've read (which is an awful lot) the 85mm NX is best, but the other manual focus ones still have very good image quality.  I think that all the manual focus ones are rebrands of the same lens anyway, though I think one version has a different aperture ring for smooth changes in video (unclicked), though I might be remembering that wrong.

If you have an other model that I don't know, feel free to let me know

Thanks a lot guys

If you're looking at manual focus lenses, vintage lenses used via an adaptor are also a consideration. Like the Pentax Takumars, for example. The Samsung 45mm is probably your best bet though. Of course you have to get the Samsung 30mm as well because it's great and versatile (it's equivalent to almost a 50mm on full frame, which is fine for portraits).

monkeybrain wrote:

If you're looking at manual focus lenses, vintage lenses used via an adaptor are also a consideration. Like the Pentax Takumars, for example. The Samsung 45mm is probably your best bet though. Of course you have to get the Samsung 30mm as well because it's great and versatile (it's equivalent to almost a 50mm on full frame, which is fine for portraits).

The 30 is getting to the edges of acceptability for portrait there in my opinion, I guess the OP can look up some flickr shots and maybe see what he likes though.

-- hide signature --

http://www.flickr.com/photos/beneva/

ttbek wrote:

monkeybrain wrote:

If you're looking at manual focus lenses, vintage lenses used via an adaptor are also a consideration. Like the Pentax Takumars, for example. The Samsung 45mm is probably your best bet though. Of course you have to get the Samsung 30mm as well because it's great and versatile (it's equivalent to almost a 50mm on full frame, which is fine for portraits).

The 30 is getting to the edges of acceptability for portrait there in my opinion, I guess the OP can look up some flickr shots and maybe see what he likes though.

Exactly, not for a classic portrait, but great for something where you want to include some environment.  I happened to do a few at a photo shoot.  The portraits there were all quick candid shots.

Eric

jennyrae wrote:

rumor of samsung nx fast telephoto zoom is 50-135mm f1.8-f2. that is very fast zoom lens.

If that is really the aperture I would be happy if it performs well, still, going to be a pretty big lens if it is.

Eric

jennyrae wrote:

rumor of samsung nx fast telephoto zoom is 50-135mm f1.8-f2. that is very fast zoom lens.

whats the probability of that 

25%

50%

75%

90%

jennyrae wrote:

rumor of samsung nx fast telephoto zoom is 50-135mm f1.8-f2. that is very fast zoom lens.

Could you cite that rumour's source?  I haven't heard anything about it before.  That is pretty epically fast for a lens of that zoom.

If you are used to the Canon 50mm f/1.8, I think your best bet is the Samsung 45mm.