[dcpropilot]

So, this is what lens I currently have:

DA* 16-50mm,
DA* 50-135mm F2.8,
F 35-70MM,
FA 43mm F1.9 Limited,
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 HD FE

I have to save up a little for the FA 31 Limited, and the DA*60-250. In the meantime I have some spending $ and I'm thinking of getting either the FA77 or the DA*55 to add to my lineup and I can't decide on the 77 or the 55 or even perhaps the 100 macro WR. I just don't know. I guess need some input on what would be a good next purchase. Thanks!

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Last edited by dcpropilot; 06-03-2015 at 03:40 PM.

[Adam]

So, this is what lens I currently have:

DA* 16-50mm,
DA* 50-135mm F2.8,
F 35-70MM,
FA 43mm F1.9 Limited,
Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 HD FE

I have to save up a little for the FA 31 Limited, and the DA*60-250. In the meantime I have some spending $ and I'm thinking of getting either the FA77 or the DA*55 to add to my lineup and I can't decide on the 77 or the 55 or even perhaps the 100 macro WR. I just don't know. I guess need some input on what would be a good next purchase. Thanks!

What do you primarily shoot? Since you already have the 43mm I'd lean toward the 77mm unless you do a lot of portraiture, in which case the 55mm would typically be more appropriate.

[Na Horuk]

Nice lineup and a good plan!
The FA 77mm is a FA limited, similar in caliber to the FA 43 (a little more popular, made for portraiture). The DA* 55mm has silent AF (might be slower than screw drive AF), sharp, and is also made for portraiture. A little wider, as it was made for APSC portraiture.
But of these lenses I only have the DFA 100mm (I don't really do portraiture). This lens is really great, QS, WR, slick beautiful design, sharp sharp sharp, and true 1:1 macro. But it has a clinical sharp look to it, not much character at all (unlike the FA 77mm). The DFA 100mm has slightly slower AF, because it is macro and has long focus throw. Its not very great for portraiture, because it is very sharp and shows all blemishes.

Here is how I would sum up your dilemma:
Dreamy film style look, wonderful bokeh - FA 77mm
Modern digital look, silent AF, more comfortable working distance - DA* 55mm
Clinical, lab sharpness, macro capability, WR - DFA 100mm

Feel free to look at the PF user lens reviews (here!) , sample photo gallery. Those photos should make things easier for you

[Billk]

The FA 77mm is the bomb for all portraiture - both head and shoulders, close up type shots and full length shots.

Wanna do dreamy shots. The 77mm has that magic quality. Lovely bokeh (better than the 43mm for some reason).

Wanna do "great legs" shots? you do those with a longer focal length and standing back, with the camera at waist height. Getting in close with a wider angle lens gets you stumpy leg shots.

[wibbly]

Between the 55 and 77 I'd go with the 77. both have pretty terrible ca, and what the DA has in the extra stop the FA more than makes up for in character.

Given you have the 43 already the 77 is a clear winner as far as I'm concerned

[JayBee451]

IMO get the FA77, you are saving for FA31 you said, so that will give you The Three Princesses

[Sandy Hancock]

Get the 77 first, but you definitely need both

[civiletti]

I like people with character. In lenses, I like machine-like precision and literal faithfulness to reality.

[SpecialK]

I would get neither the 55 nor 77. You have that range covered with some good lenses. If you want macro, go with that. If you want more range, get the 60-250, though that somewhat cancels the 50-135.

[hcc]

Both the FA77mm and DA*55mm are outstanding lenses. You cannot get wrong with either. They are also quite different focal length.

Based upon your present lens lineup, I would agree with others that the FA77mm seems an obvious choice.

[drypenn]

Please refer to Sandy's advice. Four posts up ^

---------- Post added 06-04-15 at 01:13 PM ----------

I like people with character. In lenses, I like machine-like precision and literal faithfulness to reality.

A preference for glasses devoid of character will probably be limited to Macro lenses, no?

[HYS]

FA31, FA43 and FA77. One by one.

[biz-engineer]

I'd recommend either: DA55 + DFA100 Macro, or the 77 alone.
From experience, 77mm is too long and too short on APSC: too long for framing a person or a group including some background, a little too shot for head or head and shoulders (the range of the 50-135 is very convenient for portraiture). I had the 55, the 77 and the 100 macro. At the beginning I was excited to use the 77mm, but felt a little annoyed when photographying people. The 100 macro is not as fast as the 77, but it's an interesting lens to have, it's macro, it's a DFA, so it can be used wide open for portraiture or macro on both APSC and FF. I love the 55, incredible rendering, fast silent focusing.

[grispie]

Both the FA77mm and DA*55mm are outstanding lenses. You cannot get wrong with either. They are also quite different focal length.

Based upon your present lens lineup, I would agree with others that the FA77mm seems an obvious choice.

I'd also vote for one of these if you ever intend to go FF.
However, if you want to save up for the FA31, there might be a vote for the DA70?

[redcat]

take a look at the photo sample of the two lens, I already shoot with FA77 so I can tell it's a wonderful lens, bokeh is dreamy, super sharp wide open, color is saturate (no need to boost in PP).
Some of my photos shot with fa 77mm is here : SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

If you need weather seal then DA*55 is the winner, if you need a portrait lens, no one beat the FA77 ^^