Lens Tournament: FA 77mm F1.8 Limited vs D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro

Adam · 10-25-2014, 01:45 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves to Knockout Round Two. The loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results.

In this short telephoto knockout match, and the third match of round 2, the SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited faces the SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro

Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account.
Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours.

Lens Info:

Adam
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**jac** · 10-25-2014, 05:09 PM

The DFA 100mm but only because of versatility - macro and WR. The FA 77mm is an awesome lens in all respects.

Class A · 10-25-2014, 05:24 PM

The FA 77/1.8 with its unique rendering and beautiful build quality is the clear winner, no contest.

The 100mm macro is good optically, but so are almost all macro lenses. I held it many times and it does not feel or look nearly as nice in real life as it looks on most product shots. Not featuring a focus-limiter is an absolute no-no.

mikeSF · 10-25-2014, 07:09 PM

Is there anything more "Pentax" than the FA77?
A stunning lens that everyone should experience.

LeRolls · 10-25-2014, 08:30 PM

I like the 100 quite a bit but for me this is not even a contest. The 77 wins hands down.

Reltih · 10-25-2014, 09:24 PM

The DFA 100 WR is just not special as the FA 77 limited.

langkata · 10-25-2014, 10:08 PM

I've not used the FA 77 but agree it should win this. However, it's madness to say the 100mm wr doesn't look or feel as good in person when the opposite is obviously the case.

**jrpower10** · 10-25-2014, 11:05 PM

My case for the 77. Not just a portrait lens.

Class A · 10-25-2014, 11:06 PM

Originally posted by langkata

However, it's madness to say the 100mm wr doesn't look or feel as good in person when the opposite is obviously the case.

I think it is more "mad" to have a weather-resistant lens feature an open focus scale window when many conventional lenses have protecting windows over the scale and to make the (plastic) inner lens barrel extend; both representing completely avoidable ways for moisture to enter the lens.

I really wanted to like the lens as the design (on product shots) appealed to me but every time I handled it, it left a cheap and unappealing impression on me.

Anyhow, that's just out appearance. Optical performance is of course much more important and while the 100/2.8 WR is very nice, the FA 77/1.8 is very special.

LeRolls · 10-26-2014, 09:44 AM

While I do think that the 77 can be used quite well for more than just people shots portraiture is still my favorite overall application for this gem of a lens.

sundoor · 10-26-2014, 10:43 AM

The FA77 produces the best colours of any of my lenses, next comes the Helios 44M and the FA43. The DA-s can't even compete in this matter.

normhead · 10-26-2014, 10:46 AM

The D FA 100 has some serious competition in the Tamron 90 macro and Sigma 70 and 105 macros... if you want the 77 thing happening, you're going to have to buy it from Pentax.

**Rondec** · 10-26-2014, 11:46 AM

FA 77 is better. I like the DFA 100 a lot, but it just isn't in the same class. The only thing it has on the FA 77 is the close focus ability.

Mojtala · 10-26-2014, 12:00 PM

The FA77mm 1.8 Limited lens is one of the few lenses in the Pentax range which can compete "internationally" and bring new users to the Pentax land. This is the only Fa limited in my posession and after using this lens the saying "It's not the gear...) faded away for me.

Na Horuk · 10-26-2014, 12:01 PM

What? I cannot believe the posts in this thread lol
I have the DFA 100mm WR. Yes, it has faults, like lack of focus limiter, aperture ring, things like that. But optically, it is a great lens, with true macro capabilities! It is so contrasty and sharp, I cannot imagine a lens of similar focal length being noticeably better. I guess I really will have to get the FA limiteds some day.. my poor wallet

View Poll Results: Which lens should be the winner of this match?
FA 77mm Limited	76	70.37%
D FA 100mm Macro	32	29.63%
Voters: 108. You may not vote on this poll

10-25-2014, 01:45 PM	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Lens Tournament: FA 77mm F1.8 Limited vs D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the knockout round of the Greatest Pentax Lens Tournament! The rules are simple: Two lenses enter. You must choose one. The winner moves to Knockout Round Two. The loser is gone. Check out the bracket here, which is based on the user nomination results. In this short telephoto knockout match, and the third match of round 2, the SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited faces the SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 WR Macro Make your choice by voting in the poll above. You will need to log in or register if you don't yet have a forum account. Feel free to argue, persuade, and generally carry on after that. Voting will be open for exactly 24 hours. Lens Info: SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR Reviews - D FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

10-26-2014, 09:44 AM	#10
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	While I do think that the 77 can be used quite well for more than just people shots portraiture is still my favorite overall application for this gem of a lens. Last edited by LeRolls; 10-26-2014 at 09:52 AM.

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10-25-2014, 05:09 PM	#2
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	The DFA 100mm but only because of versatility - macro and WR. The FA 77mm is an awesome lens in all respects.

10-25-2014, 05:24 PM	#3
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	The FA 77/1.8 with its unique rendering and beautiful build quality is the clear winner, no contest. The 100mm macro is good optically, but so are almost all macro lenses. I held it many times and it does not feel or look nearly as nice in real life as it looks on most product shots. Not featuring a focus-limiter is an absolute no-no.

10-25-2014, 07:09 PM	#4
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Is there anything more "Pentax" than the FA77? A stunning lens that everyone should experience.

10-25-2014, 08:30 PM	#5
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	I like the 100 quite a bit but for me this is not even a contest. The 77 wins hands down.

10-25-2014, 09:24 PM	#6
Reltih Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 84	The DFA 100 WR is just not special as the FA 77 limited.

10-25-2014, 10:08 PM	#7
langkata Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Baton Rouge Photos: Albums Posts: 68	I've not used the FA 77 but agree it should win this. However, it's madness to say the 100mm wr doesn't look or feel as good in person when the opposite is obviously the case.

10-25-2014, 11:06 PM	#9
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by langkata However, it's madness to say the 100mm wr doesn't look or feel as good in person when the opposite is obviously the case. I think it is more "mad" to have a weather-resistant lens feature an open focus scale window when many conventional lenses have protecting windows over the scale and to make the (plastic) inner lens barrel extend; both representing completely avoidable ways for moisture to enter the lens. I really wanted to like the lens as the design (on product shots) appealed to me but every time I handled it, it left a cheap and unappealing impression on me. Anyhow, that's just out appearance. Optical performance is of course much more important and while the 100/2.8 WR is very nice, the FA 77/1.8 is very special.

10-26-2014, 10:43 AM	#11
sundoor New Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 15	The FA77 produces the best colours of any of my lenses, next comes the Helios 44M and the FA43. The DA-s can't even compete in this matter.

10-26-2014, 10:46 AM	#12
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	The D FA 100 has some serious competition in the Tamron 90 macro and Sigma 70 and 105 macros... if you want the 77 thing happening, you're going to have to buy it from Pentax.

10-26-2014, 11:46 AM	#13
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	FA 77 is better. I like the DFA 100 a lot, but it just isn't in the same class. The only thing it has on the FA 77 is the close focus ability.

10-26-2014, 12:00 PM	#14
Mojtala Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Bergen Photos: Gallery Posts: 30	The FA77mm 1.8 Limited lens is one of the few lenses in the Pentax range which can compete "internationally" and bring new users to the Pentax land. This is the only Fa limited in my posession and after using this lens the saying "It's not the gear...) faded away for me.

10-26-2014, 12:01 PM	#15
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	What? I cannot believe the posts in this thread lol I have the DFA 100mm WR. Yes, it has faults, like lack of focus limiter, aperture ring, things like that. But optically, it is a great lens, with true macro capabilities! It is so contrasty and sharp, I cannot imagine a lens of similar focal length being noticeably better. I guess I really will have to get the FA limiteds some day.. my poor wallet