FA 77mm 1.8 or DA 70m 2.4?

angelo9978 · 10-26-2011, 09:01 PM

wow, there are some ridiculously gorgeous pics in those links

mikeSF · 10-26-2011, 09:14 PM

not a bad choice either way really, both wonderful lenses. I started with the 70 and it was super sharp, great contrast and loved the quick shift...only limitation for me was that wide open DOF of the 70 wasnt shallow enough for my head/shoulders portraits. I bought the 77 and it is everything they say and more, easily my favorite lens ever!! well worth the extra couple hundred bucks, imo. good luck!

here's that 77mm:

paperbag846 · 10-26-2011, 10:05 PM

Both have their strengths.

DA 70: Faster AF, quickshift, less CA, more contrast, less flare, more flexible focal length on digital, and (IMHO) better colour, but that last one is completely subjective.

FA77: DOF control / light gathering, much, much better on film, sharper stopped down, the better portrait lens.

I think they both have their strong proponents for a reason - the are each better suited to certain tasks.

Free Soul · 10-27-2011, 02:54 AM - **1 Like**

I wanted 77, because of 1.8, but I've got 70, because of budget reasons.

So I felt in love with my 70/2,4, when I got used to the aperture values.

Here my 2 cents:

Flickr: Svetlana Bekyarova / freesoul's stuff tagged with 7024

**Rondec** · 10-27-2011, 03:38 AM

Originally posted by Free Soul

I wanted 77, because of 1.8, but I've got 70, because of budget reasons.

So I felt in love with my 70/2,4, when I got used to the aperture values.

Here my 2 cents:

Flickr: Svetlana Bekyarova / freesoul's stuff tagged with 7024

This is the same reason I ended up with the DA 70 over the FA 77.

I saved three hundred-ish dollars at the time buying the DA 70 and I just really couldn't budget the price of the FA 77. I find the DA 70 to probably be 90 percent of the lens that the FA 77 is, which with my skills is probably adequate.

causey · 10-27-2011, 04:40 AM

Originally posted by Free Soul

I wanted 77, because of 1.8, but I've got 70, because of budget reasons.

So I felt in love with my 70/2,4, when I got used to the aperture values.

Here my 2 cents:

Flickr: Svetlana Bekyarova / freesoul's stuff tagged with 7024

Svetlana, I'm afraid your link is irrelevant. We were discussing lenses, not talent. Your pics are so good that one may suspect you could have used the kit lens. What we need here is comparative pics, taken at all apertures, of some mundane object

mikeSF · 10-27-2011, 07:45 AM

agreed, Svetlana, fantastic photos!! you are incredibly talented.

vrrattko · 10-27-2011, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by causey

Svetlana, I'm afraid your link is irrelevant. We were discussing lenses, not talent. Your pics are so good that one may suspect you could have used the kit lens. What we need here is comparative pics, taken at all apertures, of some mundane object

Causey, on contrary I believe Svetlana's link is more then relevant - it clearly demonstrates that DA70 can do everything FA77 can

causey · 10-27-2011, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by vrrattko

Causey, on contrary I believe Svetlana's link is more then relevant - it clearly demonstrates that DA70 can do everything FA77 can

doesn't it also suggest the kit lens might do just fine? hence the danger

joking, of course. still...

)

vrrattko · 10-27-2011, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by creampuff

Optically, the FA77 is definitely sharper in the center while the DA70 gives more even center to corner sharpness. AF speed difference is negligible in most situations. Color rendition is much punchier with the FA77 while the DA70 like most DA lenses gives good overall contrast but more neutral color. If I had to choose, it would be the FA77 because the micro contrast is just that bit different.

Nice summarization creampuff, but I can't agree in this point based on my experience. I had both lenses and I definitely find DA70 sharper in the centre. Maybe just my copy of FA77 wasn't that good - it may be possibility.

Originally posted by creampuff

There is no contest in build quality between the two. The FA77 oozes quality while the DA70 appears cheap in comparison, the former is twice the weight of the former. The chrome/anodization on the barrel is a lot thicker on the FA than the DA. Both lenses have ridiculously short hoods that may work well for film but seem too short for digital. I find the FA77 does well without any filters in front due to the larger amount of glass. My conclusion... FA77 first, DA70 second.

I had it just opposite. My DA70 looks to be very precisely assembled, focusing ring is much more smoother, definitely a step above FA77 I had. Both again it is nitpicking, both lenses are higher quality then rest of pentax AF lenses.

vrrattko · 10-27-2011, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by causey

doesn't it also suggest the kit lens might do just fine? hence the danger

joking, of course. still...

)

Well actually I saw some landscape photos taken with kit lens that were better then stuff some people (incl. me) publish with their FA31 limited. No joking of course.

Free Soul · 10-27-2011, 11:26 PM

Guys, thank you for commenting on my photos

. I just wanted to show the sharpness, DoF, bokeh, colours and Image quality of the 70/2.4. That's why they are some SOOC shots.
I am pretty sure I would be happy with 77/1.4 but for now 70 makes me love photography more (if "more" is possible)...

Antifreez · 10-28-2011, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by Free Soul

Guys, thank you for commenting on my photos

. I just wanted to show the sharpness, DoF, bokeh, colours and Image quality of the 70/2.4. That's why they are some SOOC shots.
I am pretty sure I would be happy with 77/1.4 but for now 70 makes me love photography more (if "more" is possible)...

I have to also chime-in and let you know how much I enjoyed looking at your photos. Actually, your entire photostream. Your stye is exactly the direction I would love to take in my own photography.

You certainly make the case for the DA70, however, as others are pointing out, there is a lot to be said about what the person behind the camera is able to bring out of the lens.

Wheatfield · 10-28-2011, 04:38 PM

I own both lenses. I bought the 70 because the 77 was just a bit too long in my studio for full lengths, but I was able to make the 70 work. Overall, I think the 77 has an edge over the 70, but both are very good lenses indeed.
The 77's OOF rendering is somewhat smoother than the 70s, but it's getting pretty nit picky to see it.

mikeSF · 10-28-2011, 11:41 PM - **1 Like**

The proper LBA answer is not which to get, but which to get first.

10-26-2011, 09:14 PM	#17
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	not a bad choice either way really, both wonderful lenses. I started with the 70 and it was super sharp, great contrast and loved the quick shift...only limitation for me was that wide open DOF of the 70 wasnt shallow enough for my head/shoulders portraits. I bought the 77 and it is everything they say and more, easily my favorite lens ever!! well worth the extra couple hundred bucks, imo. good luck! here's that 77mm: Last edited by mikeSF; 10-26-2011 at 09:57 PM.

10-27-2011, 11:10 AM	#24
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by vrrattko Causey, on contrary I believe Svetlana's link is more then relevant - it clearly demonstrates that DA70 can do everything FA77 can doesn't it also suggest the kit lens might do just fine? hence the danger joking, of course. still...)

10-27-2011, 11:20 AM	#26
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Originally posted by causey doesn't it also suggest the kit lens might do just fine? hence the danger joking, of course. still...) Well actually I saw some landscape photos taken with kit lens that were better then stuff some people (incl. me) publish with their FA31 limited. No joking of course.

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10-26-2011, 09:01 PM	#16
angelo9978 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 231 Original Poster	wow, there are some ridiculously gorgeous pics in those links

10-26-2011, 10:05 PM	#18
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Both have their strengths. DA 70: Faster AF, quickshift, less CA, more contrast, less flare, more flexible focal length on digital, and (IMHO) better colour, but that last one is completely subjective. FA77: DOF control / light gathering, much, much better on film, sharper stopped down, the better portrait lens. I think they both have their strong proponents for a reason - the are each better suited to certain tasks.

10-27-2011, 02:54 AM - 1 Like	#19
Free Soul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bulgaria Photos: Gallery Posts: 94	I wanted 77, because of 1.8, but I've got 70, because of budget reasons. So I felt in love with my 70/2,4, when I got used to the aperture values. Here my 2 cents: Flickr: Svetlana Bekyarova / freesoul's stuff tagged with 7024

10-27-2011, 03:38 AM	#20
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by Free Soul I wanted 77, because of 1.8, but I've got 70, because of budget reasons. So I felt in love with my 70/2,4, when I got used to the aperture values. Here my 2 cents: Flickr: Svetlana Bekyarova / freesoul's stuff tagged with 7024 This is the same reason I ended up with the DA 70 over the FA 77. I saved three hundred-ish dollars at the time buying the DA 70 and I just really couldn't budget the price of the FA 77. I find the DA 70 to probably be 90 percent of the lens that the FA 77 is, which with my skills is probably adequate.

10-27-2011, 04:40 AM	#21
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by Free Soul I wanted 77, because of 1.8, but I've got 70, because of budget reasons. So I felt in love with my 70/2,4, when I got used to the aperture values. Here my 2 cents: Flickr: Svetlana Bekyarova / freesoul's stuff tagged with 7024 Svetlana, I'm afraid your link is irrelevant. We were discussing lenses, not talent. Your pics are so good that one may suspect you could have used the kit lens. What we need here is comparative pics, taken at all apertures, of some mundane object

10-27-2011, 07:45 AM	#22
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	agreed, Svetlana, fantastic photos!! you are incredibly talented.

10-27-2011, 11:00 AM	#23
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Originally posted by causey Svetlana, I'm afraid your link is irrelevant. We were discussing lenses, not talent. Your pics are so good that one may suspect you could have used the kit lens. What we need here is comparative pics, taken at all apertures, of some mundane object Causey, on contrary I believe Svetlana's link is more then relevant - it clearly demonstrates that DA70 can do everything FA77 can

10-27-2011, 11:15 AM	#25
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Originally posted by creampuff Optically, the FA77 is definitely sharper in the center while the DA70 gives more even center to corner sharpness. AF speed difference is negligible in most situations. Color rendition is much punchier with the FA77 while the DA70 like most DA lenses gives good overall contrast but more neutral color. If I had to choose, it would be the FA77 because the micro contrast is just that bit different. Nice summarization creampuff, but I can't agree in this point based on my experience. I had both lenses and I definitely find DA70 sharper in the centre. Maybe just my copy of FA77 wasn't that good - it may be possibility. Originally posted by creampuff There is no contest in build quality between the two. The FA77 oozes quality while the DA70 appears cheap in comparison, the former is twice the weight of the former. The chrome/anodization on the barrel is a lot thicker on the FA than the DA. Both lenses have ridiculously short hoods that may work well for film but seem too short for digital. I find the FA77 does well without any filters in front due to the larger amount of glass. My conclusion... FA77 first, DA70 second. I had it just opposite. My DA70 looks to be very precisely assembled, focusing ring is much more smoother, definitely a step above FA77 I had. Both again it is nitpicking, both lenses are higher quality then rest of pentax AF lenses.

10-27-2011, 11:26 PM	#27
Free Soul Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bulgaria Photos: Gallery Posts: 94	Guys, thank you for commenting on my photos . I just wanted to show the sharpness, DoF, bokeh, colours and Image quality of the 70/2.4. That's why they are some SOOC shots. I am pretty sure I would be happy with 77/1.4 but for now 70 makes me love photography more (if "more" is possible)...

10-28-2011, 02:36 PM	#28
Antifreez Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Kenmore, WA Posts: 156	Originally posted by Free Soul Guys, thank you for commenting on my photos . I just wanted to show the sharpness, DoF, bokeh, colours and Image quality of the 70/2.4. That's why they are some SOOC shots. I am pretty sure I would be happy with 77/1.4 but for now 70 makes me love photography more (if "more" is possible)... I have to also chime-in and let you know how much I enjoyed looking at your photos. Actually, your entire photostream. Your stye is exactly the direction I would love to take in my own photography. You certainly make the case for the DA70, however, as others are pointing out, there is a lot to be said about what the person behind the camera is able to bring out of the lens.

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10-28-2011, 04:38 PM	#29
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,976	I own both lenses. I bought the 70 because the 77 was just a bit too long in my studio for full lengths, but I was able to make the 70 work. Overall, I think the 77 has an edge over the 70, but both are very good lenses indeed. The 77's OOF rendering is somewhat smoother than the 70s, but it's getting pretty nit picky to see it.

10-28-2011, 11:41 PM - 1 Like	#30
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	The proper LBA answer is not which to get, but which to get first.