Hey everyone — I’m pretty new to L-mount and just picked up a used Lumix S5 as my first “serious” camera. I mostly shoot friends/family portraits and some casual street stuff, and I’m trying to add my first portrait prime without spending a ton. I’m not chasing ultra-pro glass yet, but I do want that nice subject separation and decent low-light performance for indoor shots.
Right now I’m torn between going with a 50mm f/1.8 type lens vs stepping up to an 85mm (or something close) for a more classic portrait look. I’m also a little worried about size/weight since I like to carry the camera around, and I don’t want autofocus to be frustrating for a beginner. Budget is roughly $300–$600 (used is totally fine), and I’d love something that’s sharp enough wide open but not overly clinical.
For someone starting out in L-mount, what’s the best affordable portrait prime you’d recommend, and would you personally start with a 50mm or an 85mm for portraits?
> Budget is roughly $300–$600… 50mm f/1.8 vs 85mm?
ok so i went 85 early on and unfortunately indoors i kept backing into stuff + missed focus more, felt sketchy; switching to Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN Contemporary (L-Mount) was wayyy more reliable + still nice separation
For your situation, I’d start with a 50-ish, honestly. On the S5, Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 is kinda the no-brainer: light, sharp wide open, AF is generally reliable, and it’s good for both portraits + street. Used it’s usually in ur budget and it doesn’t feel like hauling a brick.
85mm is awesome for the “classic” look, but indoors you’ll be backing up a LOT… and if you’re new, that gets old fast. If you still want longer, I’d look at Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 used (often sneaks into $500-600). It’s great, just more niche.
If you can, rent/borrow 50 vs 85 for a weekend and see what you keep reaching for. good luck!
- **Watch out for the “85mm trap” early on:** it’s awesome for classic portraits, but indoors you’ll *constantly* be backing up into walls, and if you’re new it can feel like the AF is “worse” when it’s really just tighter framing + thinner DOF.
- **TL;DR from this thread:** folks are basically saying start with a 50-ish prime first because it’s lighter, cheaper, more flexible for street + family, and less frustrating day-to-day (they already called out Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8).
- **Common mistake:** chasing max blur at f/1.8 and missing focus. Seriously, stop down a touch for indoor group shots.
- **Value move:** grab a used 50-ish now, learn what focal length you *actually* like, then add an 85-ish later if you still want that look. good luck!!
For your situation, I’d start with a 50-ish f/1.8. When I first grabbed an S5 I went that route and honestly it was just easier to live with—lighter, cheaper, and indoors you’re not backed into a wall.
- 50mm: more flexible (street + portraits), less “AF hunting” frustration, easier in tight rooms
- 85mm-ish: nicer classic headshots + blur, but you’ll need space and it feels less casual to carry
- Brand-wise: I’d stick to Panasonic or Sigma primes for reliable AF + fewer weird quirks
Lesson learned for me: 50mm taught me framing fast, then I added an 85 later when I knew I wanted that look. good luck!
Yep, this is the way
Re: "For your situation, I’d start with a 50-ish,..." I’ve been shooting with the S5 for about a year now and honestly i’m so satisfied with the results. It’s a killer little body. Quick question tho before you buy anything... do you mostly do tight headshots or do you like showing more of the environment around your subject? I’m a huge fan of the Sigma I-series primes because they’re built like tanks but weigh nothing. Here’s two I really like:
- Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary: This is my favorite walk around lens. It feels way more premium than the standard Lumix 1.8 and it’s sharp as a tack even wide open. No complaints at all with the AF speed on my S5.
- Sigma 90mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary: If you want that classic compression but hate heavy lenses, this is the one. It’s tiny! The f/2.8 still gives plenty of blur for portraits and it’s super easy to pack for street stuff. Both are great options that wont break the bank, just depends on how much space you usually have to work with when you're shooting.
This is exactly what I needed to hear. Youre a lifesaver honestly.
