77mm vs 70mm as all-arround

dc9 · 03-01-2011, 06:29 AM

Any advice?

wlachan · 03-01-2011, 06:34 AM

DA70 - faster AF & less PF.

dc9 · 03-01-2011, 06:44 AM

Tks for quick reply!

psychdoc · 03-01-2011, 06:50 AM

I have the DA 70mm but no experience with the 77. The only issue I had with the 70mm is that you have to be at quite a distance to focus. Not looking for macro abilities but as a walk-around this can get in the way...Otherwise this would have been the perfect lens for me.

axl · 03-01-2011, 07:29 AM

I only have experience with 77 and it's a great lens but I wouldn't take it as all around. But that's relative to your way of seeing things. For me between 40 and 55mm is good length for all around lens.

timo · 03-01-2011, 07:51 AM

Originally posted by dc9

Any advice?

This is like, 'Should I go for Bach or Beethoven?'

How important is money to you?

My own impression is that the 77 has more character, a more interesting performance in terms of OOF rendering. But as a happy DA70 owner I cannot complain about the DA70.

I love the DA's compactness, lightness, and totally reliable performance across the frame.

What are your priorities?

What proportion of your monthly income are you prepared to venture in the quest for that elusive 'pixie dust' (which may be a figment of forum fantasy anyway)?

Of course, if you don't like it you can always sell it.

gnaztee · 03-01-2011, 08:02 AM

The only conclusion I've come to (I own the DA 70, never used the FA77), and it may be off, is that the 70 may be a little better for landscapes as it has better edge sharpness, while the 77 may be better for certain types of portraits because of the f1.8. I wouldn't dare say either would be poor for any use.

SpecialK · 03-01-2011, 08:05 AM

A) No single focal length can really be a "walk around lens", whatever that is. Some shots require wide, some normal, some long...

B) I walk around with the 70, among others. The MFD is about 2 feet or so, as mentioned.

paperbag846 · 03-01-2011, 08:25 AM

The problem with the FA 77 is PF that clings to the bokeh of the OOF specular highlights.

However the FA 77 is the better portrait lens, rendering nicer skin tones and bokeh.

Really, the FA 77 is a very specialized lens. If you want a GOOD portrait lens that also functions as a fantastic all around telephoto as well, the DA 70 is a great choice.

IMHO, the only time the DOF control is not enough on the DA 70 is for creamy portraits. For the most part, though, the DA 70 is a really wonderful lens.

I also think I prefer 70 or lower for portraits in informal settings on digital (this is going to be a very subjective thing). And if you are shooting film I think that the FA 77 is the only way to go. I really, really, want them to release the DA* 55 in a non WR non SDM limited package. It would be a phenomenal little lens.

sterretje · 03-01-2011, 08:37 AM

I can not imagine having a 70mm or 77mm as an universal lens (if that is what you're intending to use it for).

For my use it's far too long.

If I have to pick one focal length to take with me wherever I go, it will be a lens with a focal length between 28mm and 35mm (and rather at the wider side).

If you currently have a lens that covers 70mm (or 77mm), fix it on that focal length and see if you can get the pictures that you want under most circumstances. If so, you can consider the DA70Ltd or FA77Ltd as the 'all-around' lens.

Wheatfield · 03-01-2011, 09:43 AM

I have both the 70 and 77.
The 70 is my go to lens when I need a short telephoto.
The 77 is my go to lens when I need a paperweight.
Sad but true, I almost never use my 77.
Didn't use it at all last year, I used it for two portrait shoots the year before that.

deadwolfbones · 03-01-2011, 10:00 AM

77 is a slightly better lens, IMO, but the 70 has quickshift and significantly less PF.

I wouldn't call either one a walkaround/all-around lens, though.

Pentaxor · 03-01-2011, 11:55 AM

can't go wrong with either. if you need speed magic, the FA77 would be a perfect choice. for wider and consistency, the DA70 would be great.

benjikan · 03-01-2011, 12:20 PM

My 70mm falls in to my "Brutally Sharp" category.

civiletti · 03-01-2011, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by gnaztee

The only conclusion I've come to (I own the DA 70, never used the FA77), and it may be off, is that the 70 may be a little better for landscapes as it has better edge sharpness, while the 77 may be better for certain types of portraits because of the f1.8. I wouldn't dare say either would be poor for any use.

I have neither, but this is the consensus of reviews I have read.

03-01-2011, 06:29 AM	#1
dc9 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 4	77mm vs 70mm as all-arround Any advice?

03-01-2011, 07:51 AM	#6
timo Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: former Arsenal football stadium Photos: Gallery Posts: 431	Originally posted by dc9 Any advice? This is like, 'Should I go for Bach or Beethoven?' How important is money to you? My own impression is that the 77 has more character, a more interesting performance in terms of OOF rendering. But as a happy DA70 owner I cannot complain about the DA70. I love the DA's compactness, lightness, and totally reliable performance across the frame. What are your priorities? What proportion of your monthly income are you prepared to venture in the quest for that elusive 'pixie dust' (which may be a figment of forum fantasy anyway)? Of course, if you don't like it you can always sell it. Last edited by timo; 03-01-2011 at 08:04 AM.

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03-01-2011, 06:34 AM	#2
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	DA70 - faster AF & less PF.

03-01-2011, 06:44 AM	#3
dc9 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 4 Original Poster	Tks for quick reply!

03-01-2011, 06:50 AM	#4
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	I have the DA 70mm but no experience with the 77. The only issue I had with the 70mm is that you have to be at quite a distance to focus. Not looking for macro abilities but as a walk-around this can get in the way...Otherwise this would have been the perfect lens for me.

03-01-2011, 07:29 AM	#5
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	I only have experience with 77 and it's a great lens but I wouldn't take it as all around. But that's relative to your way of seeing things. For me between 40 and 55mm is good length for all around lens.

03-01-2011, 08:02 AM	#7
gnaztee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 772	The only conclusion I've come to (I own the DA 70, never used the FA77), and it may be off, is that the 70 may be a little better for landscapes as it has better edge sharpness, while the 77 may be better for certain types of portraits because of the f1.8. I wouldn't dare say either would be poor for any use.

03-01-2011, 08:05 AM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	A) No single focal length can really be a "walk around lens", whatever that is. Some shots require wide, some normal, some long... B) I walk around with the 70, among others. The MFD is about 2 feet or so, as mentioned.

03-01-2011, 08:25 AM	#9
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	The problem with the FA 77 is PF that clings to the bokeh of the OOF specular highlights. However the FA 77 is the better portrait lens, rendering nicer skin tones and bokeh. Really, the FA 77 is a very specialized lens. If you want a GOOD portrait lens that also functions as a fantastic all around telephoto as well, the DA 70 is a great choice. IMHO, the only time the DOF control is not enough on the DA 70 is for creamy portraits. For the most part, though, the DA 70 is a really wonderful lens. I also think I prefer 70 or lower for portraits in informal settings on digital (this is going to be a very subjective thing). And if you are shooting film I think that the FA 77 is the only way to go. I really, really, want them to release the DA* 55 in a non WR non SDM limited package. It would be a phenomenal little lens.

03-01-2011, 08:37 AM	#10
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	I can not imagine having a 70mm or 77mm as an universal lens (if that is what you're intending to use it for). For my use it's far too long. If I have to pick one focal length to take with me wherever I go, it will be a lens with a focal length between 28mm and 35mm (and rather at the wider side). If you currently have a lens that covers 70mm (or 77mm), fix it on that focal length and see if you can get the pictures that you want under most circumstances. If so, you can consider the DA70Ltd or FA77Ltd as the 'all-around' lens.

03-01-2011, 09:43 AM	#11
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I have both the 70 and 77. The 70 is my go to lens when I need a short telephoto. The 77 is my go to lens when I need a paperweight. Sad but true, I almost never use my 77. Didn't use it at all last year, I used it for two portrait shoots the year before that.

03-01-2011, 10:00 AM	#12
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	77 is a slightly better lens, IMO, but the 70 has quickshift and significantly less PF. I wouldn't call either one a walkaround/all-around lens, though.

03-01-2011, 11:55 AM	#13
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	can't go wrong with either. if you need speed magic, the FA77 would be a perfect choice. for wider and consistency, the DA70 would be great.

03-01-2011, 12:20 PM	#14
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	My 70mm falls in to my "Brutally Sharp" category.

03-01-2011, 12:42 PM	#15
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Originally posted by gnaztee The only conclusion I've come to (I own the DA 70, never used the FA77), and it may be off, is that the 70 may be a little better for landscapes as it has better edge sharpness, while the 77 may be better for certain types of portraits because of the f1.8. I wouldn't dare say either would be poor for any use. I have neither, but this is the consensus of reviews I have read.