40mm limited versus 77mm

Takizawa · 09-22-2011, 08:19 PM

Does anyone have experience with both? I purchased the 40mm a while back.. but read that the 77mm outperformed. I'm wondering how much of this is just rabble-rousing:>

yeatzee · 09-22-2011, 08:24 PM

not really two lenses you'll ever hear being compared.....

F/2.8 vs. F/1.8
Size = DA 40 > FA 77
Price
77mm vs. 40mm
AF speed im assuming is faster on the DA 40mm

mikeSF · 09-22-2011, 08:25 PM - **1 Like**

you may get all sorts of responses to such a provocative question but i've used both and the 40 is a great lens. the 77 is a FANTASTIC lens, it is perhaps my favorite so far. but depends what you want really. IMO, yes, the difference between the two is clear to see in the photos. have fun shopping.

dgaies · 09-22-2011, 08:26 PM

Originally posted by yeatzee

not really two lenses you'll ever hear being compared!

I'd have to agree. The 40 vs 43, the 70 vs 77 and maybe the 35 vs 31... but I can't say that I've ever heard anyone directly compare the 40 to the 77

So back to the OP, I do own both and they're both outstanding lenses, but they serve very different purposes and I wouldn't say one is "better" than the other.

**miltona580** · 09-22-2011, 08:34 PM

You could put a 2x teleconverter on the 40 limited and you'd get about the same focal length. Seriously though, the DA 40 Limited is a very good lens. The FA 77 Limited is a "10". I do have both, and the FA 77 is what tends to stay on my camera.

hcc · 09-22-2011, 08:42 PM

A recent relevant thread is :
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/158432-series-best.html

In another review by a photographer (sm-02-05-02), he concluded:
"The very best AF SLR lenses made today are the Pentax [FA] Limiteds. There are only three, and they have focal lengths apparently chosen by means of occultish numerology: there's a [FA] 31mm f/1.8 wide, a [FA] 43mm f/1.9 "true" normal, and a [FA] 77mm f/1.8 short tele." [...]
"Yet all things considered, the 77mm may be the best lens of the three"

I do not have either lenses, but I would love the DA40mm of its compact size (eg for street photography) while the FA77 mm is a FA, a tempting lens of high reputation...

Food for thoughts....

**Ash** · 09-22-2011, 09:57 PM

The DA 40 is simply an excellent lens, but clearly does not have the thin DoF capability that the FA 77 does. Nevertheless, these are two lenses for quite different purposes - both good for portraiture, but quite different in rendition, not just in terms of the difference between FA and DA limiteds.

**blackcloudbrew** · 09-22-2011, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

you may get all sorts of responses to such a provocative question but i've used both and the 40 is a great lens. the 77 is a FANTASTIC lens, it is perhaps my favorite so far. but depends what you want really. IMO, yes, the difference between the two is clear to see in the photos. have fun shopping.

If MikeSF says the 77 is better I believe him, he is mister limited guy in these parts. However, they are two quite different purposed lenses.

paperbag846 · 09-23-2011, 12:23 AM

77 is for portraits. Its a tight FOV for normal use. Also lots of CA.

40 is for everyday. Flexible but not special. Maybe the most fun lens you will use.

77 is a speciality lens. It has the best IQ ive ever use in a VERY limited set of circumstances.

The 40 does not match the 77 in quality, but 8/10 times it will get me the better photo because it is so much more flexible.

BBear · 09-23-2011, 07:00 AM

I also have both lenses and would have to agree with most comments: the lenses are very different and master different situations.

If I were to choose and purchase only one of them, ignoring the other lenses I own, I guess I would purchase the 40mm because it is closer to normal, very flexible and very fun to use.

mikeSF · 09-23-2011, 07:40 AM

im so proud of my brethren for not uttering the "p.d." phrase.

RioRico · 09-23-2011, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

im so proud of my brethren for not uttering the "p.d." phrase.

The PD phrase? Pentax Dominatrix? Portrait Dummy? Photographic Delights? Please Don't? Peripheral Distortion? Putrid Detritus? Polychromatic Disestablishmentarianism? Political Doo-doo? Which PD phrase?

dgaies · 09-23-2011, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

The PD phrase? Pentax Dominatrix? Portrait Dummy? Photographic Delights? Please Don't? Peripheral Distortion? Putrid Detritus? Polychromatic Disestablishmentarianism? Political Doo-doo? Which PD phrase?

I was wondering the same thing this morning...

v5planet · 09-23-2011, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

im so proud of my brethren for not uttering the "p.d." phrase.

Well, not until you brought it up. ;-)

In all seriousness, I can't see these two lenses being compared, since they have such different focal lengths. I would pretty staunchly disagree at this point that the 77 is for niche purposes only, but that seems to be the popular thing to say here. In any event, I disagree. The real question is whether the focal length would suit your purposes, and there is no denying that the 40mm will be better suited to doing more things decently well than a short-moderate tele like the 77.

That certainly doesn't make it better, but at a fraction of the cost of the 77 it also makes it much less of a gamble. :-)

RioRico · 09-23-2011, 02:13 PM

PD: Print, dammit!

ObTopic: This compares oranges and orangutans. Shall I match-up my large-ish Tokina 21/3.8 with my itsy-bitsy Meyer Helioplan 40/4.5 pancake? They're about as different as the Limiteds, sure.

PD: Pretty dirty!

09-22-2011, 08:19 PM	#1
Takizawa New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 6	40mm limited versus 77mm Does anyone have experience with both? I purchased the 40mm a while back.. but read that the 77mm outperformed. I'm wondering how much of this is just rabble-rousing:>

09-22-2011, 08:42 PM	#6
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,001	A recent relevant thread is : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/158432-series-best.html In another review by a photographer (sm-02-05-02), he concluded: "The very best AF SLR lenses made today are the Pentax [FA] Limiteds. There are only three, and they have focal lengths apparently chosen by means of occultish numerology: there's a [FA] 31mm f/1.8 wide, a [FA] 43mm f/1.9 "true" normal, and a [FA] 77mm f/1.8 short tele." [...] "Yet all things considered, the 77mm may be the best lens of the three" I do not have either lenses, but I would love the DA40mm of its compact size (eg for street photography) while the FA77 mm is a FA, a tempting lens of high reputation... Food for thoughts.... Last edited by hcc; 09-22-2011 at 09:41 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FA 77mm limited vs DA 70mm limited	kuau	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	59	05-16-2021 10:20 PM
For Sale - Sold: DA 21mm limited, DA 40mm limited, DA* 16-50mm, DA* 50-135mm	kphelan	Sold Items	13	05-24-2011 02:47 PM
For Sale - Sold: K-5 KIT / 15mm Limited, FA 35mm F2 , 77mm Limited, SMC-A 135mm 2.8 (US)	designinme_1976	Sold Items	6	04-20-2011 07:40 AM
FA 31mm limited, FA 43mm limited, 40mm F2.8	Sheridan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	14	07-28-2010 12:30 PM
35mm Limited or 40mm Limited? I'm very torn	manowar1978	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	18	04-04-2010 04:06 AM

09-22-2011, 08:24 PM	#2
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	not really two lenses you'll ever hear being compared..... F/2.8 vs. F/1.8 Size = DA 40 > FA 77 Price 77mm vs. 40mm AF speed im assuming is faster on the DA 40mm

09-22-2011, 08:25 PM - 1 Like	#3
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	you may get all sorts of responses to such a provocative question but i've used both and the 40 is a great lens. the 77 is a FANTASTIC lens, it is perhaps my favorite so far. but depends what you want really. IMO, yes, the difference between the two is clear to see in the photos. have fun shopping.

09-22-2011, 08:26 PM	#4
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by yeatzee not really two lenses you'll ever hear being compared! I'd have to agree. The 40 vs 43, the 70 vs 77 and maybe the 35 vs 31... but I can't say that I've ever heard anyone directly compare the 40 to the 77 So back to the OP, I do own both and they're both outstanding lenses, but they serve very different purposes and I wouldn't say one is "better" than the other.

09-22-2011, 08:34 PM	#5
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309	You could put a 2x teleconverter on the 40 limited and you'd get about the same focal length. Seriously though, the DA 40 Limited is a very good lens. The FA 77 Limited is a "10". I do have both, and the FA 77 is what tends to stay on my camera.

09-22-2011, 09:57 PM	#7
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	The DA 40 is simply an excellent lens, but clearly does not have the thin DoF capability that the FA 77 does. Nevertheless, these are two lenses for quite different purposes - both good for portraiture, but quite different in rendition, not just in terms of the difference between FA and DA limiteds.

09-22-2011, 10:11 PM	#8
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Originally posted by mikeSF you may get all sorts of responses to such a provocative question but i've used both and the 40 is a great lens. the 77 is a FANTASTIC lens, it is perhaps my favorite so far. but depends what you want really. IMO, yes, the difference between the two is clear to see in the photos. have fun shopping. If MikeSF says the 77 is better I believe him, he is mister limited guy in these parts. However, they are two quite different purposed lenses.

09-23-2011, 12:23 AM	#9
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	77 is for portraits. Its a tight FOV for normal use. Also lots of CA. 40 is for everyday. Flexible but not special. Maybe the most fun lens you will use. 77 is a speciality lens. It has the best IQ ive ever use in a VERY limited set of circumstances. The 40 does not match the 77 in quality, but 8/10 times it will get me the better photo because it is so much more flexible.

09-23-2011, 07:00 AM	#10
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	I also have both lenses and would have to agree with most comments: the lenses are very different and master different situations. If I were to choose and purchase only one of them, ignoring the other lenses I own, I guess I would purchase the 40mm because it is closer to normal, very flexible and very fun to use.

09-23-2011, 07:40 AM	#11
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	im so proud of my brethren for not uttering the "p.d." phrase.

09-23-2011, 01:02 PM	#12
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Originally posted by mikeSF im so proud of my brethren for not uttering the "p.d." phrase. The PD phrase? Pentax Dominatrix? Portrait Dummy? Photographic Delights? Please Don't? Peripheral Distortion? Putrid Detritus? Polychromatic Disestablishmentarianism? Political Doo-doo? Which PD phrase?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-23-2011, 01:05 PM	#13
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by RioRico The PD phrase? Pentax Dominatrix? Portrait Dummy? Photographic Delights? Please Don't? Peripheral Distortion? Putrid Detritus? Polychromatic Disestablishmentarianism? Political Doo-doo? Which PD phrase? I was wondering the same thing this morning...

09-23-2011, 01:13 PM	#14
v5planet Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,915	Originally posted by mikeSF im so proud of my brethren for not uttering the "p.d." phrase. Well, not until you brought it up. ;-) In all seriousness, I can't see these two lenses being compared, since they have such different focal lengths. I would pretty staunchly disagree at this point that the 77 is for niche purposes only, but that seems to be the popular thing to say here. In any event, I disagree. The real question is whether the focal length would suit your purposes, and there is no denying that the 40mm will be better suited to doing more things decently well than a short-moderate tele like the 77. That certainly doesn't make it better, but at a fraction of the cost of the 77 it also makes it much less of a gamble. :-)

09-23-2011, 02:13 PM	#15
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	PD: Print, dammit! ObTopic: This compares oranges and orangutans. Shall I match-up my large-ish Tokina 21/3.8 with my itsy-bitsy Meyer Helioplan 40/4.5 pancake? They're about as different as the Limiteds, sure. PD: Pretty dirty!