77 limited... Greatest prime ever made ?

Laurentiu Cristofor · 09-28-2012, 12:07 AM

Originally posted by Isnwm

I read an article online today that compared a bunch of prime lenses, and to make a long story short, the end conclusion was him saying the 77 limited was the greatest prime lens EVER.

Funny, I remember reading a post that mentioned an article that, to make a long story short, said that the FA 31 Limited was the greatest prime lens ever. Based on what you are also reporting, I am calling BS on these stories.

Voe · 09-28-2012, 12:19 AM

Originally posted by tuco

I can't argue that. But like all lens manufactures, not every lens they make is the sharpest knife in the drawer. This slrgear.com test of the Leica 50mm ƒ/1.4 Summilux does not look too impressive, number wise, for the price.

I had this particular lens and at f/1.4 was very sharp. Sharper that anything else at f/1.4. Actually the site you quoted confirm the same:
"Unfortunately, for a $4,000 lens, results are somewhat soft when used wide open at ƒ/1.4; however, if you look across the field of offerings produced by Canon, Nikon and Carl Zeiss, you'll note that it produces the sharpest results between them all at this aperture."

The M 50mm Summilux ASPH is still the best 50mm lens ever made. Absolute great sharpness and the best bokeh.

gtl · 09-28-2012, 01:11 AM

But there is the new crazy expensive Summicron 50mm to contend with.....

tuco · 09-28-2012, 01:17 AM

Originally posted by Voe

I had this particular lens and at f/1.4 was very sharp. Sharper that anything else at f/1.4. Actually the site you quoted confirm the same:
"Unfortunately, for a $4,000 lens, results are somewhat soft when used wide open at ƒ/1.4; however, if you look across the field of offerings produced by Canon, Nikon and Carl Zeiss, you'll note that it produces the sharpest results between them all at this aperture."

The M 50mm Summilux ASPH is still the best 50mm lens ever made. Absolute great sharpness and the best bokeh.

Yes, I agree. What f1.4 lens is at its best wide open. I was thinking more as you start stopping down according to their test. It never is really gets flat across the frame compared to many other lenses I've seen there. Some of Nikon's zooms show to be more consistant.

RubyT · 09-28-2012, 05:59 AM - **1 Like**

I love the FA 77 every time I use it for a portrait. There is just something about the way it takes pictures of people. Now I'll be honest--I mostly don't read all those math charts, because I don't really care. How does it look? It's not my favorite lens for landscapes or flowers, but for portraits I love it on film and on digital.

This is just a quick shot of two of the kids who wait for the school bus with my kids. Nothing formal or planned. This is on the K-5, at f/4, 160.

And on film. Portra 160, PZ-1, f/4.

**jeffshaddix** · 09-28-2012, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by selar

You actually want LR 4.1 for one click PF removal. It works very well for the FA77

Excellent, thanks!

**NaClH2O** · 09-28-2012, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by vrrattko

Let's just hope that Mike Johnston have tested thoroughly all the AUTOFOCUS PRIMES before he claimed FA77 is the best

I think he has but the article was written in 2002 so there are now many many lenses that weren't around then. I think the best that can be stated is: "The best autofocus lens around in 2002" Even then he also mentions the other 2 FA ltd's and to Contax lenses (IIRC)
original article can be found:
here

NaCl(even with all those caveats it's still a damn good lens, and one of my favs)H2O

Last edited by NaClH2O; 09-28-2012 at 08:33 AM.

Blue · 09-28-2012, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Contrast is a lot better on the DA *55 giving much better photos at f2. My FA 50 didn't sharpen up till after f2.8, while I get good results from my DA 55 at f1.8. Wide open is a little soft.

The FA 50/1.4 was the best new $199 shipped lens I have.

**Rondec** · 09-28-2012, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by Blue

The FA 50/1.4 was the best new $199 shipped lens I have.

My copy was 185 dollars.

Still, I just never connected with it. Might have helped if I put on a hood, as it seemed pretty prone to flare, but it just felt soft below f2.8. Anyway, it's a little off topic...

Laurentiu Cristofor · 09-28-2012, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

My copy was 185 dollars.

Still, I just never connected with it. Might have helped if I put on a hood, as it seemed pretty prone to flare, but it just felt soft below f2.8. Anyway, it's a little off topic...

I got mine shipped for $199 too, but then I used the $20 rebate. Blue may have too - he just mentioned the retail price.

Christian V. · 09-28-2012, 09:39 AM

You can debate what is best all day.

Do a comparison between different systems, then choose what is best for you at the price you are willing to pay.

After doing a head-to-head, my friends ended up selling their gear and getting a Pentax. The FA Limiteds are a cut above the rest. It's at the top of my extensive collection of vintage and modern Zeiss, Pentax and Meyer-Optiks right now. It is that good.

The proof is in the pudding (in this case, Bread Pudding)!

clem · 09-28-2012, 09:49 AM

Who can say which lens is the best? I shoot macro and wide-angle photos. The DA 15 and 35 limited are good enough for me.

loco · 09-28-2012, 09:53 AM

I love my FA 77 for any type of photography. It's the sharpest lens wide open I own. Its bokeh is the nicest of any lens I own. It really does have a special look to it. The tones it produces are just very natural. For some reason, the AF has become faster and more accurate since I got my K-30, so a former "weakness" isn't even a weakness any more.

The only negative I can say is it doesn't handle flare that well and you do have to deal with CA in certain situations.

I have gone back and forth between the FA 77 and the DA*55 as my favorite lens, but right now I have to say it's the FA77.

Why not rent it and see what the fuss is about? If you don't like it, you've not spent $800.

Cambo · 09-28-2012, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

Funny, I remember reading a post that mentioned an article that, to make a long story short, said that the FA 31 Limited was the greatest prime lens ever. Based on what you are also reporting, I am calling BS on these stories.

back in the film days had their top three primes of all time - the Nikon 50 macro, the 12mm (on film) Voigtlander Heliar, and the 31mm Pentax Limited. Later, another article (Luminous Landscapes?) mentioned the then new Pentax 35mm Macro Limited possibly was the greatest prime of all time.

Cheers,
Cameron

Blue · 09-28-2012, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor

I got mine shipped for $199 too, but then I used the $20 rebate. Blue may have too - he just mentioned the retail price.

I believe I did get a rebate on it. The $199 shipped was the going price at BH and Ador at the time.

09-28-2012, 09:39 AM	#41
Christian V. New Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 5	Do A Comparison You can debate what is best all day. Do a comparison between different systems, then choose what is best for you at the price you are willing to pay. After doing a head-to-head, my friends ended up selling their gear and getting a Pentax. The FA Limiteds are a cut above the rest. It's at the top of my extensive collection of vintage and modern Zeiss, Pentax and Meyer-Optiks right now. It is that good. The proof is in the pudding (in this case, Bread Pudding)! Attached Images Last edited by Christian V.; 09-28-2012 at 09:51 AM.

09-28-2012, 09:53 AM	#43
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I love my FA 77 for any type of photography. It's the sharpest lens wide open I own. Its bokeh is the nicest of any lens I own. It really does have a special look to it. The tones it produces are just very natural. For some reason, the AF has become faster and more accurate since I got my K-30, so a former "weakness" isn't even a weakness any more. The only negative I can say is it doesn't handle flare that well and you do have to deal with CA in certain situations. I have gone back and forth between the FA 77 and the DA55 as my favorite lens, but right now I have to say it's the FA77. Why not rent it and see what the fuss is about? If you don't like it, you've not spent $800. Last edited by loco; 09-28-2012 at 11:46 AM.*

09-28-2012, 10:26 AM	#44
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Pop photo article.... Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor Funny, I remember reading a post that mentioned an article that, to make a long story short, said that the FA 31 Limited was the greatest prime lens ever. Based on what you are also reporting, I am calling BS on these stories. back in the film days had their top three primes of all time - the Nikon 50 macro, the 12mm (on film) Voigtlander Heliar, and the 31mm Pentax Limited. Later, another article (Luminous Landscapes?) mentioned the then new Pentax 35mm Macro Limited possibly was the greatest prime of all time. Cheers, Cameron

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09-28-2012, 12:07 AM	#31
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by Isnwm I read an article online today that compared a bunch of prime lenses, and to make a long story short, the end conclusion was him saying the 77 limited was the greatest prime lens EVER. Funny, I remember reading a post that mentioned an article that, to make a long story short, said that the FA 31 Limited was the greatest prime lens ever. Based on what you are also reporting, I am calling BS on these stories.

09-28-2012, 12:19 AM	#32
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719	Originally posted by tuco I can't argue that. But like all lens manufactures, not every lens they make is the sharpest knife in the drawer. This slrgear.com test of the Leica 50mm ƒ/1.4 Summilux does not look too impressive, number wise, for the price. I had this particular lens and at f/1.4 was very sharp. Sharper that anything else at f/1.4. Actually the site you quoted confirm the same: "Unfortunately, for a $4,000 lens, results are somewhat soft when used wide open at ƒ/1.4; however, if you look across the field of offerings produced by Canon, Nikon and Carl Zeiss, you'll note that it produces the sharpest results between them all at this aperture." The M 50mm Summilux ASPH is still the best 50mm lens ever made. Absolute great sharpness and the best bokeh.

09-28-2012, 01:11 AM	#33
gtl Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 349	But there is the new crazy expensive Summicron 50mm to contend with.....

09-28-2012, 01:17 AM	#34
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	Originally posted by Voe I had this particular lens and at f/1.4 was very sharp. Sharper that anything else at f/1.4. Actually the site you quoted confirm the same: "Unfortunately, for a $4,000 lens, results are somewhat soft when used wide open at ƒ/1.4; however, if you look across the field of offerings produced by Canon, Nikon and Carl Zeiss, you'll note that it produces the sharpest results between them all at this aperture." The M 50mm Summilux ASPH is still the best 50mm lens ever made. Absolute great sharpness and the best bokeh. Yes, I agree. What f1.4 lens is at its best wide open. I was thinking more as you start stopping down according to their test. It never is really gets flat across the frame compared to many other lenses I've seen there. Some of Nikon's zooms show to be more consistant.

09-28-2012, 05:59 AM - 1 Like	#35
RubyT Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: TN Photos: Gallery Posts: 621	I love the FA 77 every time I use it for a portrait. There is just something about the way it takes pictures of people. Now I'll be honest--I mostly don't read all those math charts, because I don't really care. How does it look? It's not my favorite lens for landscapes or flowers, but for portraits I love it on film and on digital. This is just a quick shot of two of the kids who wait for the school bus with my kids. Nothing formal or planned. This is on the K-5, at f/4, 160. And on film. Portra 160, PZ-1, f/4.

09-28-2012, 06:47 AM	#36
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by selar You actually want LR 4.1 for one click PF removal. It works very well for the FA77 Excellent, thanks!

09-28-2012, 08:26 AM	#37
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by vrrattko Let's just hope that Mike Johnston have tested thoroughly all the AUTOFOCUS PRIMES before he claimed FA77 is the best I think he has but the article was written in 2002 so there are now many many lenses that weren't around then. I think the best that can be stated is: "The best autofocus lens around in 2002" Even then he also mentions the other 2 FA ltd's and to Contax lenses (IIRC) original article can be found: here NaCl(even with all those caveats it's still a damn good lens, and one of my favs)H2O Last edited by NaClH2O; 09-28-2012 at 08:33 AM.

09-28-2012, 08:41 AM	#38
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Rondec Contrast is a lot better on the DA *55 giving much better photos at f2. My FA 50 didn't sharpen up till after f2.8, while I get good results from my DA 55 at f1.8. Wide open is a little soft. The FA 50/1.4 was the best new $199 shipped lens I have.

09-28-2012, 08:54 AM	#39
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by Blue The FA 50/1.4 was the best new $199 shipped lens I have. My copy was 185 dollars. Still, I just never connected with it. Might have helped if I put on a hood, as it seemed pretty prone to flare, but it just felt soft below f2.8. Anyway, it's a little off topic...

09-28-2012, 09:25 AM	#40
Laurentiu Cristofor Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: WA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Originally posted by Rondec My copy was 185 dollars. Still, I just never connected with it. Might have helped if I put on a hood, as it seemed pretty prone to flare, but it just felt soft below f2.8. Anyway, it's a little off topic... I got mine shipped for $199 too, but then I used the $20 rebate. Blue may have too - he just mentioned the retail price.

09-28-2012, 09:49 AM	#42
clem Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Southern New Mexico Photos: Gallery Posts: 119	Who can say which lens is the best? I shoot macro and wide-angle photos. The DA 15 and 35 limited are good enough for me.

09-28-2012, 10:43 AM	#45
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Laurentiu Cristofor I got mine shipped for $199 too, but then I used the $20 rebate. Blue may have too - he just mentioned the retail price. I believe I did get a rebate on it. The $199 shipped was the going price at BH and Ador at the time.