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LittleSwans · 11-25-2007, 05:04 PM

I didn't get a lens as a birthday present so I though I might try my luck again for Christmas present!

Currently I have the 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4 and the kit lens 18-55mm which I will sell since I've not used it since I bought the 2 primes.

These are my 3 choices,
1. Pentax DA 70mm f2.4
2. Pentax FA 85mm f2.8 (yes, I know a bit long indoors but would be fantastic outdoors)
3. Tamron 28-75mm. F2.8 Xri

I know that the Tamron covers the range that I already have but it's on the list for consideration due to the ease of use since I don't have to change lenses.

I'm not considering wide angle lenses as I am not really into them and am not considering thre 50-200mm as I prefer fixed aperture.

How would the DA 70 compare to the FA 85? So which would one would you get?

Thanks.

blende8 · 11-26-2007, 01:20 AM

The FA 85/2.8 you mention is a "Soft" lens, meaning, it is only useful for a certain kind of portrait photography.
There is OTOH a very good FA 85/1.4, which I would prefer over the DA70 if money is no consideration.
You might also consider the DFA 100 Macro, which can be used as a portrait lens or normal tele, too. It is one of my most used lenses.

roentarre · 11-26-2007, 03:48 AM

Fa 85 no brainer if money is no issues. Bokeh is much creamier too

But Da 70 is so light and it has faster autofocus for sure.

LittleSwans · 11-26-2007, 04:26 AM

blend8, yes, I just realised that the FA 85mm f2.8 Soft is not the popular FA 85mm f1.4 . I can't find the FA 85mm f1.4 anywhere so not sure how much is it but I'm pretty sure it's out of my budget if it's around the price range of the FA 77 ltd or worse, more! What is OTOH?

roentarre, are you refering the to FA 85mm f2.8 Soft or the other FA 85mm f1.4?

I had a look at the FA 100mm f2.8 Macro. Gee, it's HEAVY! The DA 70 is looking very good at the moment.

and · 11-26-2007, 04:50 AM

Originally posted by LittleSwans

blend8, yes, I just realised that the FA 85mm f2.8 Soft is not the popular FA 85mm f1.4 . I can't find the FA 85mm f1.4 anywhere so not sure how much is it but I'm pretty sure it's out of my budget if it's around the price range of the FA 77 ltd or worse, more!

Quite a bit more, unless you stumble over a bargain. expect around 1400 USD on ebay.

Originally posted by LittleSwans

What is OTOH?

on the other hand

Originally posted by LittleSwans

roentarre, are you refering the to FA 85mm f2.8 Soft or the other FA 85mm f1.4?

FA 85 f1.4

blende8 · 11-26-2007, 04:52 AM

I think you should go with the DA70 then.
The FA85 costs much more.
The DFA 100 is much lighter than the FA 100.
OTOH = on the other hand.

Buddha Jones · 11-26-2007, 07:50 AM

Tamron 28/75mm, you won't be disappointed.

LittleSwans · 11-26-2007, 03:26 PM

I both love and hate buying lenses! It is so hard to choose when budget is a constraint! Ok, so the FA85 f1.4 is off the list. Now, I have

1. Pentax DA 70mm f2.4
2. Pentax DFA 100mm f2.8 Macro
3. Tamron AF 90mm f2.8 Di Macro
4. Tamron 28-75mm. F2.8 Xri

Which macro lens is better? Can I use either of these 2 macros for portrait shots as well? I am undecided between getting a macro lens or a longer focal length lens.

kjao · 11-26-2007, 10:47 PM

Not too sure how true this is but I have heard that one thing to watch out is that macro lenses are usually better at close focusing distance and not so good at distant objects. If that's true then it really depends what you want to do with the lens.

Which macro is better? The short answer is they are all good, just get what you feel like or your budget allows.

cheers
Kenny

LittleSwans · 11-27-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Not too sure how true this is but I have heard that one thing to watch out is that macro lenses are usually better at close focusing distance and not so good at distant objects.

Those with macro lenses, can you confirm this? I wish I could afford the FA 77 ltd then my decision would be very easy but I can't.

Come on, help me spend my budget before it's spent elsewhere!

WendyB · 11-27-2007, 09:35 PM

Originally posted by blende8

The FA 85/2.8 you mention is a "Soft" lens, meaning, it is only useful for a certain kind of portrait photography.
There is OTOH a very good FA 85/1.4, which I would prefer over the DA70 if money is no consideration.
You might also consider the DFA 100 Macro, which can be used as a portrait lens or normal tele, too. It is one of my most used lenses.

I concur, but if you can afford a DA70 go for it, wonderful lens.

blende8 · 11-28-2007, 01:40 AM

Originally posted by LittleSwans

Those with macro lenses, can you confirm this?

I don't think this is true today anymore.
My DFA 100 is the sharpesst lens I own.
If I were you and knowing your current lenses, I would take the DFA100.
This is a very versatile lens, you can take makro, portrait, tele ...

Mike Cash · 11-28-2007, 04:02 AM

Originally posted by WendyB

I concur, but if you can afford a DA70 go for it, wonderful lens.

It's one of the top lenses I very much want if I ever get the bucks to buy new.

You know, you actually can use beverage containers to take pictures:

LittleSwans · 11-28-2007, 05:13 AM

Quote:

You know, you actually can use beverage containers to take pictures:

You're kidding right!

Thank you guys for all your replies. I was all set to order the DFA 100mm macro then we received the good news today. We were given some bonus as the company met its target! YAY!!!

So now I can afford the FA 77 ltd! I just placed the order with B&H! (Doing my happy dance now!)

Mike Cash · 11-28-2007, 05:19 AM

Congratulations. I vicariously share in your joy.

And, no, I wasn't kidding. The lower image (front of my truck) was taken through the Pocari Sweat can you see mounted on the K100D, just exactly as you see it there. There's a very tiny pinhole in the can's cap and the inside has been lined with a layer of thin cardboard colored flat black with a magic marker. Whole shebang mounted with cellophane tape.

11-25-2007, 05:04 PM	#1
LittleSwans Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 98	DA70 vs FA 85 vs 28-75 I didn't get a lens as a birthday present so I though I might try my luck again for Christmas present! Currently I have the 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4 and the kit lens 18-55mm which I will sell since I've not used it since I bought the 2 primes. These are my 3 choices, 1. Pentax DA 70mm f2.4 2. Pentax FA 85mm f2.8 (yes, I know a bit long indoors but would be fantastic outdoors) 3. Tamron 28-75mm. F2.8 Xri I know that the Tamron covers the range that I already have but it's on the list for consideration due to the ease of use since I don't have to change lenses. I'm not considering wide angle lenses as I am not really into them and am not considering thre 50-200mm as I prefer fixed aperture. How would the DA 70 compare to the FA 85? So which would one would you get? Thanks.

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11-26-2007, 01:20 AM	#2
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	The FA 85/2.8 you mention is a "Soft" lens, meaning, it is only useful for a certain kind of portrait photography. There is OTOH a very good FA 85/1.4, which I would prefer over the DA70 if money is no consideration. You might also consider the DFA 100 Macro, which can be used as a portrait lens or normal tele, too. It is one of my most used lenses.

11-26-2007, 03:48 AM	#3
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Fa 85 no brainer if money is no issues. Bokeh is much creamier too But Da 70 is so light and it has faster autofocus for sure.

11-26-2007, 04:26 AM	#4
LittleSwans Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 98 Original Poster	blend8, yes, I just realised that the FA 85mm f2.8 Soft is not the popular FA 85mm f1.4 . I can't find the FA 85mm f1.4 anywhere so not sure how much is it but I'm pretty sure it's out of my budget if it's around the price range of the FA 77 ltd or worse, more! What is OTOH? roentarre, are you refering the to FA 85mm f2.8 Soft or the other FA 85mm f1.4? I had a look at the FA 100mm f2.8 Macro. Gee, it's HEAVY! The DA 70 is looking very good at the moment.

11-26-2007, 04:50 AM	#5
and Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,476	Originally posted by LittleSwans blend8, yes, I just realised that the FA 85mm f2.8 Soft is not the popular FA 85mm f1.4 . I can't find the FA 85mm f1.4 anywhere so not sure how much is it but I'm pretty sure it's out of my budget if it's around the price range of the FA 77 ltd or worse, more! Quite a bit more, unless you stumble over a bargain. expect around 1400 USD on ebay. Originally posted by LittleSwans What is OTOH? on the other hand Originally posted by LittleSwans roentarre, are you refering the to FA 85mm f2.8 Soft or the other FA 85mm f1.4? FA 85 f1.4

11-26-2007, 04:52 AM	#6
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	I think you should go with the DA70 then. The FA85 costs much more. The DFA 100 is much lighter than the FA 100. OTOH = on the other hand.

11-26-2007, 07:50 AM	#7
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Tamron 28/75mm, you won't be disappointed.

11-26-2007, 03:26 PM	#8
LittleSwans Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 98 Original Poster	I both love and hate buying lenses! It is so hard to choose when budget is a constraint! Ok, so the FA85 f1.4 is off the list. Now, I have 1. Pentax DA 70mm f2.4 2. Pentax DFA 100mm f2.8 Macro 3. Tamron AF 90mm f2.8 Di Macro 4. Tamron 28-75mm. F2.8 Xri Which macro lens is better? Can I use either of these 2 macros for portrait shots as well? I am undecided between getting a macro lens or a longer focal length lens.

11-26-2007, 10:47 PM	#9
kjao Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 423	Not too sure how true this is but I have heard that one thing to watch out is that macro lenses are usually better at close focusing distance and not so good at distant objects. If that's true then it really depends what you want to do with the lens. Which macro is better? The short answer is they are all good, just get what you feel like or your budget allows. cheers Kenny

11-27-2007, 06:48 PM	#10
LittleSwans Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 98 Original Poster	Quote: Not too sure how true this is but I have heard that one thing to watch out is that macro lenses are usually better at close focusing distance and not so good at distant objects. Those with macro lenses, can you confirm this? I wish I could afford the FA 77 ltd then my decision would be very easy but I can't. Come on, help me spend my budget before it's spent elsewhere!

11-27-2007, 09:35 PM	#11
WendyB Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Posts: 189	Originally posted by blende8 The FA 85/2.8 you mention is a "Soft" lens, meaning, it is only useful for a certain kind of portrait photography. There is OTOH a very good FA 85/1.4, which I would prefer over the DA70 if money is no consideration. You might also consider the DFA 100 Macro, which can be used as a portrait lens or normal tele, too. It is one of my most used lenses. I concur, but if you can afford a DA70 go for it, wonderful lens.

11-28-2007, 01:40 AM	#12
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Originally posted by LittleSwans Those with macro lenses, can you confirm this? I don't think this is true today anymore. My DFA 100 is the sharpesst lens I own. If I were you and knowing your current lenses, I would take the DFA100. This is a very versatile lens, you can take makro, portrait, tele ...

11-28-2007, 04:02 AM	#13
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Originally posted by WendyB I concur, but if you can afford a DA70 go for it, wonderful lens. It's one of the top lenses I very much want if I ever get the bucks to buy new. You know, you actually can use beverage containers to take pictures:

11-28-2007, 05:13 AM	#14
LittleSwans Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 98 Original Poster	Quote: You know, you actually can use beverage containers to take pictures: You're kidding right! Thank you guys for all your replies. I was all set to order the DFA 100mm macro then we received the good news today. We were given some bonus as the company met its target! YAY!!! So now I can afford the FA 77 ltd! I just placed the order with B&H! (Doing my happy dance now!)

11-28-2007, 05:19 AM	#15
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	Congratulations. I vicariously share in your joy. And, no, I wasn't kidding. The lower image (front of my truck) was taken through the Pocari Sweat can you see mounted on the K100D, just exactly as you see it there. There's a very tiny pinhole in the can's cap and the inside has been lined with a layer of thin cardboard colored flat black with a magic marker. Whole shebang mounted with cellophane tape.

DA70 vs FA 85 vs 28-75

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!