Anyone has/had both the DA 70mm/2.4 ltd. and the Samyang 85mm/1.4?

joe.penn · 01-24-2012, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by causey

Thank you all for your input. I made up my mind (I think). I'll get the Samyang 85/1.4. Catch-in-focus is a game changer for me.

I have the Vivitar version of this lens (I am a vivitar brand name junkie) and I use it a ton for random street people shooting (moving subjects), it is a fantastic lens! As for CIF (catch in focus), I not only use it with this lens I also use CIF with the DA*50~135 - my spot on focus hit rate of moving subjects is probably 90% with CIF as opposed to maybe 50% with AF...

Enjoy the Samyang

causey · 01-24-2012, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by joe.penn

I have the Vivitar version of this lens (I am a vivitar brand name junkie) and I use it a ton for random street people shooting (moving subjects), it is a fantastic lens! As for CIF (catch in focus), I not only use it with this lens I also use CIF with the DA*50~135 - my spot on focus hit rate of moving subjects is probably 90% with CIF as opposed to maybe 50% with AF...

Enjoy the Samyang

Not to mention CIF is absolutely silent

I'd like to get the Vivitar version as well--for its rubberized body--but it's $320+ except at BH, where it's temporarily OOS. I think I'll wait to see if BH restocks it in a couple of weeks or so.

HoBykoYan · 08-28-2012, 11:32 PM

hi Causey,

Here's my take on this topic...

I've been using the DA70 for over 3 mos now, can carry it all the time hanging (neck strapped), very sharp lens, very fast af, solid little lens... that's why they call it LTD i guess...

Problem with this lens? too busy background for me... and I found a link to samyang/rokinon/vivitar/polar 85mm 1.4 (its the only lens ive ever seen that mostly all of the pics taken with it on the net are awesome) got to get 1 for me and... i am trading/selling my DA70 now in order to get a copy of this 85mm (i'll be mostly using this for portraits and low lights at 1.4).

And im willing to sell my da70 at a crappy low price just to get this bad ass lens...

I know i cant use this on street just like the da70 but ive got my M50 1.4 and am planning to get the DA35 2.4 as well.

Hope this helps

causey · 08-29-2012, 04:21 AM

Originally posted by HoBykoYan

hi Causey,

Here's my take on this topic...

I've been using the DA70 for over 3 mos now, can carry it all the time hanging (neck strapped), very sharp lens, very fast af, solid little lens... that's why they call it LTD i guess...

Problem with this lens? too busy background for me... and I found a link to samyang/rokinon/vivitar/polar 85mm 1.4 (its the only lens ive ever seen that mostly all of the pics taken with it on the net are awesome) got to get 1 for me and... i am trading/selling my DA70 now in order to get a copy of this 85mm (i'll be mostly using this for portraits and low lights at 1.4).

And im willing to sell my da70 at a crappy low price just to get this bad ass lens...

I know i cant use this on street just like the da70 but ive got my M50 1.4 and am planning to get the DA35 2.4 as well.

Hope this helps

Thank you--that's what I did. I have a Rokinon 85/1.4 lens:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/194367-landscape-black-sea-beach.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/137335-samyang-lens-club-12.html#post2073273
Excellent, but heavy. Anyway, I got a K 55/1.8 as well, instead of the DA 70mm. With focus trap MF is pretty quick with these lenses.

HoBykoYan · 08-29-2012, 08:24 AM

lovely pics. like what ive said on my reply... every single pics from this lens... amazing!!!
really want 1 too grrrr. crossing my fingers.......

have you seen the links i was mentioning? try to look for it. cant wait to have 1 attached to my k5

causey · 08-29-2012, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by HoBykoYan

lovely pics. like what ive said on my reply... every single pics from this lens... amazing!!!
really want 1 too grrrr. crossing my fingers.......

have you seen the links i was mentioning? try to look for it. cant wait to have 1 attached to my k5

there are many links with photos taken with this lens on the internet... I don't know to which you're referring exactly...

**K6-III** · 08-29-2012, 10:39 PM

Had both of these at one time. Kept my Vivitar 85mm and traded the DA70 for the 35mm F1.4 Rokinon. They're amazing on film and damn special on APS-C...just make sure and get the right focusing screen.

Docrwm · 08-31-2012, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by causey

Thank you--that's what I did. I have a Rokinon 85/1.4 lens:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/194367-landscape-black-sea-beach.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/137335-samyang-lens-club-12.html#post2073273
Excellent, but heavy. Anyway, I got a K 55/1.8 as well, instead of the DA 70mm. With focus trap MF is pretty quick with these lenses.

The 85/1.4 is a beast but it really can work magic in the right hands. I also own the 70 Limited and its a very nice short telephoto on my K-5. When I am being lazy, which is often, I use the 70 but when I feel up to it the 85/1.4 just produces some amazing images IMHO.

simbon4o · 09-02-2012, 07:05 AM

Yes it is a smart choice(samyang85 + DA70)! The 77Ltd can't compete with the Samyang in terms of fringing control, fast aperture, smoothness of OOF areas and shallow depth of field. The 70Ltd is AF lens... so I think it is great idea to skip the 77.

Soap · 09-04-2012, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by K6-III

Had both of these at one time. Kept my Vivitar 85mm and traded the DA70 for the 35mm F1.4 Rokinon. They're amazing on film and damn special on APS-C...just make sure and get the right focusing screen.

And which focusing screen might that be?

**K6-III** · 09-04-2012, 10:55 AM

For the K5, I had to get the S-type screen from Focusing Screen to achieve accurate focus with fast glass.
For my PZ-1P, I replaced the focusing screen with one from a broken MZ-M.
Otherwise, my ME Super and Ricoh XR-P have no problems with their excellent stock split-prism focusing screens.

kent · 12-15-2012, 02:35 PM

I sold DA70 for Samyang.. I am still waiting till it arrive. DA70 is small, light, great lens, absurdly sharp when just a bit stopped down however 2.4 is what made me to sell it.. At first it looks pretty much ok, but slowly I began to feel that there is not enough DOF control and the bokeh is not really good (busy, 'soulless').

CrazyNuts · 12-15-2012, 03:52 PM

I have no idea how you guys find the DA70mm bokeh "busy".

Here are a couple of samples from a recent xmas party shoot I did and do not find the bokeh busy at all. Maybe someone can show me a comparisson?

ImageShack Album - 2 images

VisualDarkness · 12-15-2012, 04:11 PM

I don't understand it either. I find it to be at the level of some quite expensive lenses from other makers and I can't really see myself selling it. The way it handles flare too is just magical.

causey · 12-15-2012, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by CrazyNuts

I have no idea how you guys find the DA70mm bokeh "busy".

Here are a couple of samples from a recent xmas party shoot I did and do not find the bokeh busy at all. Maybe someone can show me a comparisson?

ImageShack Album - 2 images

I'm sorry to tell you, but your pics illustrate what we mean by "busy/nervous bokeh"--especially the second pic (with the smiling guys having beer); just look at the left side of the second pic: bokeh is anything but creamy/smooth there.

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01-24-2012, 04:00 PM	#16
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Originally posted by causey Thank you all for your input. I made up my mind (I think). I'll get the Samyang 85/1.4. Catch-in-focus is a game changer for me. I have the Vivitar version of this lens (I am a vivitar brand name junkie) and I use it a ton for random street people shooting (moving subjects), it is a fantastic lens! As for CIF (catch in focus), I not only use it with this lens I also use CIF with the DA*50~135 - my spot on focus hit rate of moving subjects is probably 90% with CIF as opposed to maybe 50% with AF... Enjoy the Samyang

01-24-2012, 04:10 PM	#17
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757 Original Poster	Originally posted by joe.penn I have the Vivitar version of this lens (I am a vivitar brand name junkie) and I use it a ton for random street people shooting (moving subjects), it is a fantastic lens! As for CIF (catch in focus), I not only use it with this lens I also use CIF with the DA*50~135 - my spot on focus hit rate of moving subjects is probably 90% with CIF as opposed to maybe 50% with AF... Enjoy the Samyang Not to mention CIF is absolutely silent I'd like to get the Vivitar version as well--for its rubberized body--but it's $320+ except at BH, where it's temporarily OOS. I think I'll wait to see if BH restocks it in a couple of weeks or so.

08-28-2012, 11:32 PM	#18
HoBykoYan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: HCMC Posts: 271	hi Causey, Here's my take on this topic... I've been using the DA70 for over 3 mos now, can carry it all the time hanging (neck strapped), very sharp lens, very fast af, solid little lens... that's why they call it LTD i guess... Problem with this lens? too busy background for me... and I found a link to samyang/rokinon/vivitar/polar 85mm 1.4 (its the only lens ive ever seen that mostly all of the pics taken with it on the net are awesome) got to get 1 for me and... i am trading/selling my DA70 now in order to get a copy of this 85mm (i'll be mostly using this for portraits and low lights at 1.4). And im willing to sell my da70 at a crappy low price just to get this bad ass lens... I know i cant use this on street just like the da70 but ive got my M50 1.4 and am planning to get the DA35 2.4 as well. Hope this helps

08-29-2012, 04:21 AM	#19
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757 Original Poster	Originally posted by HoBykoYan hi Causey, Here's my take on this topic... I've been using the DA70 for over 3 mos now, can carry it all the time hanging (neck strapped), very sharp lens, very fast af, solid little lens... that's why they call it LTD i guess... Problem with this lens? too busy background for me... and I found a link to samyang/rokinon/vivitar/polar 85mm 1.4 (its the only lens ive ever seen that mostly all of the pics taken with it on the net are awesome) got to get 1 for me and... i am trading/selling my DA70 now in order to get a copy of this 85mm (i'll be mostly using this for portraits and low lights at 1.4). And im willing to sell my da70 at a crappy low price just to get this bad ass lens... I know i cant use this on street just like the da70 but ive got my M50 1.4 and am planning to get the DA35 2.4 as well. Hope this helps Thank you--that's what I did. I have a Rokinon 85/1.4 lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/194367-landscape-black-sea-beach.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/137335-samyang-lens-club-12.html#post2073273 Excellent, but heavy. Anyway, I got a K 55/1.8 as well, instead of the DA 70mm. With focus trap MF is pretty quick with these lenses.

08-29-2012, 08:24 AM	#20
HoBykoYan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: HCMC Posts: 271	lovely pics. like what ive said on my reply... every single pics from this lens... amazing!!! really want 1 too grrrr. crossing my fingers....... have you seen the links i was mentioning? try to look for it. cant wait to have 1 attached to my k5

08-29-2012, 08:27 AM	#21
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757 Original Poster	Originally posted by HoBykoYan lovely pics. like what ive said on my reply... every single pics from this lens... amazing!!! really want 1 too grrrr. crossing my fingers....... have you seen the links i was mentioning? try to look for it. cant wait to have 1 attached to my k5 there are many links with photos taken with this lens on the internet... I don't know to which you're referring exactly...

08-29-2012, 10:39 PM	#22
K6-III Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 222	Had both of these at one time. Kept my Vivitar 85mm and traded the DA70 for the 35mm F1.4 Rokinon. They're amazing on film and damn special on APS-C...just make sure and get the right focusing screen.

08-31-2012, 03:33 PM	#23
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by causey Thank you--that's what I did. I have a Rokinon 85/1.4 lens: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/194367-landscape-black-sea-beach.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/137335-samyang-lens-club-12.html#post2073273 Excellent, but heavy. Anyway, I got a K 55/1.8 as well, instead of the DA 70mm. With focus trap MF is pretty quick with these lenses. The 85/1.4 is a beast but it really can work magic in the right hands. I also own the 70 Limited and its a very nice short telephoto on my K-5. When I am being lazy, which is often, I use the 70 but when I feel up to it the 85/1.4 just produces some amazing images IMHO.

09-02-2012, 07:05 AM	#24
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258	Yes it is a smart choice(samyang85 + DA70)! The 77Ltd can't compete with the Samyang in terms of fringing control, fast aperture, smoothness of OOF areas and shallow depth of field. The 70Ltd is AF lens... so I think it is great idea to skip the 77.

09-04-2012, 05:35 AM	#25
Soap Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Pijnacker Posts: 79	Originally posted by K6-III Had both of these at one time. Kept my Vivitar 85mm and traded the DA70 for the 35mm F1.4 Rokinon. They're amazing on film and damn special on APS-C...just make sure and get the right focusing screen. And which focusing screen might that be?

09-04-2012, 10:55 AM	#26
K6-III Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 222	For the K5, I had to get the S-type screen from Focusing Screen to achieve accurate focus with fast glass. For my PZ-1P, I replaced the focusing screen with one from a broken MZ-M. Otherwise, my ME Super and Ricoh XR-P have no problems with their excellent stock split-prism focusing screens.

12-15-2012, 02:35 PM	#27
kent Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 344	I sold DA70 for Samyang.. I am still waiting till it arrive. DA70 is small, light, great lens, absurdly sharp when just a bit stopped down however 2.4 is what made me to sell it.. At first it looks pretty much ok, but slowly I began to feel that there is not enough DOF control and the bokeh is not really good (busy, 'soulless').

12-15-2012, 03:52 PM	#28
CrazyNuts Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 180	I have no idea how you guys find the DA70mm bokeh "busy". Here are a couple of samples from a recent xmas party shoot I did and do not find the bokeh busy at all. Maybe someone can show me a comparisson? ImageShack Album - 2 images

12-15-2012, 04:11 PM	#29
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	I don't understand it either. I find it to be at the level of some quite expensive lenses from other makers and I can't really see myself selling it. The way it handles flare too is just magical.

12-15-2012, 04:13 PM	#30
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757 Original Poster	Originally posted by CrazyNuts I have no idea how you guys find the DA70mm bokeh "busy". Here are a couple of samples from a recent xmas party shoot I did and do not find the bokeh busy at all. Maybe someone can show me a comparisson? ImageShack Album - 2 images I'm sorry to tell you, but your pics illustrate what we mean by "busy/nervous bokeh"--especially the second pic (with the smiling guys having beer); just look at the left side of the second pic: bokeh is anything but creamy/smooth there.