My next lens purchase should be?

**NaClH2O** · 03-20-2011, 07:15 PM

Get the 77ltd, you won't regret it. And get a raynox for macro for now. The raynox does a very good job, check out the raynox macro club on the lens club forum.

NaCl(and the 'instant on/instant off' aspect is appealing too)H2O

Chex · 03-20-2011, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by NaClH2O

Get the 77ltd, you won't regret it. And get a raynox for macro for now. The raynox does a very good job, check out the raynox macro club on the lens club forum.

NaCl(and the 'instant on/instant off' aspect is appealing too)H2O

yeah I've been lurking on the Raynox Macro club thread for awhile.. really decent IQ for a clip on!
As for the 50-135, I've seen a lot of fantastic shots from it, but I'm a bit worried about the SDM motor issues, although there have not been LOTS with that particular lens, it sure is a fair amount of money to have something like that go on you when warranty is up. Price wise I can get one for a little more than the FA77 Ltd. I think if I would goto a longer zoom, I might look at the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 Macro. A fast f2.8 with above average IQ and Macro are a plus.. but the IQ is not that of the 50-135 or a prime. But the IQ from that lens is still much better than the 18-135 WR.. and I would get another 65mm range.

I guess the 60-250 would be really nice too (be nicer if it was f2.8).. but that sure is a fair amount of money.

sterretje · 03-20-2011, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by Chex

At this rate I will end up with far too many lenses.. than I should be affording!

The problem will not be the financing; the problem will be what to take on a trip

I also wanted something longer to combine with a FA31Ltd so I could zoom in a little on details. 70/77 or a Tamron/Sigma/Pentax macro around 100mm. I did not do too much research as it would make life more difficult and opted for the DFA100WR. More reach over 70/77, WR (over the other macros) and macro (in that order) were the important benefits for me.

Advantage of the FA77Ltd might be the maximum aperture.

Chex · 03-20-2011, 10:52 PM

yeah having a nice fast lens at a longer focal length would be really nice, most lenses are f2.8 at best, not that 2.8 is a slouch by any means. I would really like to shoot Macro though as well.. so I think the kicker will be as I've recommended to others.. checking the EXIF data on the shots we take and like best from the 18-135 and decide between the 77 and the 100... poor DA 70 hasn't received one vote. Guess that shows that people with a 70 would have probably bought the 77 if they had the option of funds. But it is shorter and slower than the 77, I guess it should be cheaper.

TOUGEFC · 03-20-2011, 10:59 PM

Dont be cheap, spend the extra $$$ and get the 77

Chex · 03-20-2011, 11:02 PM

yeah I'm almost thinking "why not both" the 77 and the 100 Macro, finish it off with a 15 or 21mm for a nice WA and then a long zoom down the road... like a Bigma

sterretje · 03-20-2011, 11:44 PM

I will be waiting for you poll on 15mm versus 21mm

I'm highly in doubt which wide angle to get. Possibly because I have only had a real need for a wide angle once in the last 3 months.

Not to hijack your thread:
Current contenders: 15, 21 or maybe 12-24. My choice will probably be between the latter two unless somebody is going to produce a 18mm AF lens.

Good luck in the decision making.

paperbag846 · 03-20-2011, 11:48 PM

In my experience, the FA77 isn't a huge leap forward from the DA 70.

I'd get the macro.

For portraits, get a f2.8 zoom.

Chex · 03-20-2011, 11:48 PM

Yeah well we'll see how much my wife will let me spend after this lens.. or "these lenses"

Then I would be for a WA poll

TOUGEFC · 03-21-2011, 12:04 AM

Originally posted by paperbag846

In my experience, the FA77 isn't a huge leap forward from the DA 70.

I would like to hear about your experience.

paperbag846 · 03-21-2011, 12:08 AM

Originally posted by TOUGEFC

I would like to hear about your experience.

I own the lens.

TOUGEFC · 03-21-2011, 12:12 AM

Yes but i'd like to hear from your experience with it.

paperbag846 · 03-21-2011, 12:28 AM

It's a great lens, really nice for portraits, but not a large upgrade from the DA 70. I was shocked at the small difference in DOF control (I expected a more dramatic difference), colour and sharpness are good/great, lots of cyan fringing which can look cool, and can look annoying. Lens hood too short for digital. Wonderful build quality. AF is good, but quickshift would be handy. 1.8 is very good and useful.

A small step up from the DA 70 for a lot more money. I'm not sure if I will keep it. A really good lens. Just, the 70 is as well.

KxBlaze · 03-21-2011, 12:51 AM

Voted the FA 77 Ltd because of the IQ but this is a personal preference. The 100mm macro would give you good IQ along with macro capabilities. You really can't go wrong with any of the lenses.

DogLover · 03-21-2011, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by paperbag846

It's a great lens, really nice for portraits, but not a large upgrade from the DA 70. I was shocked at the small difference in DOF control (I expected a more dramatic difference), colour and sharpness are good/great, lots of cyan fringing which can look cool, and can look annoying. Lens hood too short for digital. Wonderful build quality. AF is good, but quickshift would be handy. 1.8 is very good and useful.

A small step up from the DA 70 for a lot more money. I'm not sure if I will keep it. A really good lens. Just, the 70 is as well.

Look, the 70 is a great lens, I wouldn't fault anyone for choosing it over the 77, unless you already know that you like the FA Ltd. style of rendering. That is the most important difference between the two, and for those of us who have been bitten by the FA Ltd. bug, that difference is well worth every extra penny that it costs.

View Poll Results: Which lens would you get next if you only had a 43mm Ltd
FA 77mm Ltd f1.8	21	47.73%
D FA 100mm f2.8 Macro	17	38.64%
DA 70mm Ltd. f2.4	1	2.27%
Other - please list below!	5	11.36%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

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03-20-2011, 07:15 PM	#16
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Get the 77ltd, you won't regret it. And get a raynox for macro for now. The raynox does a very good job, check out the raynox macro club on the lens club forum. NaCl(and the 'instant on/instant off' aspect is appealing too)H2O

03-20-2011, 08:12 PM	#17
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678 Original Poster	Originally posted by NaClH2O Get the 77ltd, you won't regret it. And get a raynox for macro for now. The raynox does a very good job, check out the raynox macro club on the lens club forum. NaCl(and the 'instant on/instant off' aspect is appealing too)H2O yeah I've been lurking on the Raynox Macro club thread for awhile.. really decent IQ for a clip on! As for the 50-135, I've seen a lot of fantastic shots from it, but I'm a bit worried about the SDM motor issues, although there have not been LOTS with that particular lens, it sure is a fair amount of money to have something like that go on you when warranty is up. Price wise I can get one for a little more than the FA77 Ltd. I think if I would goto a longer zoom, I might look at the Tamron 70-200 F2.8 Macro. A fast f2.8 with above average IQ and Macro are a plus.. but the IQ is not that of the 50-135 or a prime. But the IQ from that lens is still much better than the 18-135 WR.. and I would get another 65mm range. I guess the 60-250 would be really nice too (be nicer if it was f2.8).. but that sure is a fair amount of money.

03-20-2011, 10:32 PM	#18
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Chex At this rate I will end up with far too many lenses.. than I should be affording! The problem will not be the financing; the problem will be what to take on a trip I also wanted something longer to combine with a FA31Ltd so I could zoom in a little on details. 70/77 or a Tamron/Sigma/Pentax macro around 100mm. I did not do too much research as it would make life more difficult and opted for the DFA100WR. More reach over 70/77, WR (over the other macros) and macro (in that order) were the important benefits for me. Advantage of the FA77Ltd might be the maximum aperture.

03-20-2011, 10:52 PM	#19
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678 Original Poster	yeah having a nice fast lens at a longer focal length would be really nice, most lenses are f2.8 at best, not that 2.8 is a slouch by any means. I would really like to shoot Macro though as well.. so I think the kicker will be as I've recommended to others.. checking the EXIF data on the shots we take and like best from the 18-135 and decide between the 77 and the 100... poor DA 70 hasn't received one vote. Guess that shows that people with a 70 would have probably bought the 77 if they had the option of funds. But it is shorter and slower than the 77, I guess it should be cheaper.

03-20-2011, 10:59 PM	#20
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Dont be cheap, spend the extra $$$ and get the 77

03-20-2011, 11:02 PM	#21
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678 Original Poster	yeah I'm almost thinking "why not both" the 77 and the 100 Macro, finish it off with a 15 or 21mm for a nice WA and then a long zoom down the road... like a Bigma

03-20-2011, 11:44 PM	#22
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	I will be waiting for you poll on 15mm versus 21mm I'm highly in doubt which wide angle to get. Possibly because I have only had a real need for a wide angle once in the last 3 months. Not to hijack your thread: Current contenders: 15, 21 or maybe 12-24. My choice will probably be between the latter two unless somebody is going to produce a 18mm AF lens. Good luck in the decision making.

03-20-2011, 11:48 PM	#23
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	In my experience, the FA77 isn't a huge leap forward from the DA 70. I'd get the macro. For portraits, get a f2.8 zoom.

03-20-2011, 11:48 PM	#24
Chex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The 'Stoke, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,678 Original Poster	Yeah well we'll see how much my wife will let me spend after this lens.. or "these lenses" Then I would be for a WA poll

03-21-2011, 12:04 AM	#25
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by paperbag846 In my experience, the FA77 isn't a huge leap forward from the DA 70. I would like to hear about your experience.

03-21-2011, 12:08 AM	#26
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by TOUGEFC I would like to hear about your experience. I own the lens.

03-21-2011, 12:12 AM	#27
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Yes but i'd like to hear from your experience with it.

03-21-2011, 12:28 AM	#28
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	It's a great lens, really nice for portraits, but not a large upgrade from the DA 70. I was shocked at the small difference in DOF control (I expected a more dramatic difference), colour and sharpness are good/great, lots of cyan fringing which can look cool, and can look annoying. Lens hood too short for digital. Wonderful build quality. AF is good, but quickshift would be handy. 1.8 is very good and useful. A small step up from the DA 70 for a lot more money. I'm not sure if I will keep it. A really good lens. Just, the 70 is as well.

03-21-2011, 12:51 AM	#29
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	Voted the FA 77 Ltd because of the IQ but this is a personal preference. The 100mm macro would give you good IQ along with macro capabilities. You really can't go wrong with any of the lenses.

03-21-2011, 08:03 AM	#30
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by paperbag846 It's a great lens, really nice for portraits, but not a large upgrade from the DA 70. I was shocked at the small difference in DOF control (I expected a more dramatic difference), colour and sharpness are good/great, lots of cyan fringing which can look cool, and can look annoying. Lens hood too short for digital. Wonderful build quality. AF is good, but quickshift would be handy. 1.8 is very good and useful. A small step up from the DA 70 for a lot more money. I'm not sure if I will keep it. A really good lens. Just, the 70 is as well. Look, the 70 is a great lens, I wouldn't fault anyone for choosing it over the 77, unless you already know that you like the FA Ltd. style of rendering. That is the most important difference between the two, and for those of us who have been bitten by the FA Ltd. bug, that difference is well worth every extra penny that it costs.