Honestly, all this talk of "it depends on what you need" really confuses me... at least taking my own photography into context. I understand that there are a lot of people who have found their niches already when it comes to talking pictures; so in that aspect, they know what lenses they need. Me on the other hand, I'm still in the "I love shooting anything" phase.
I've owned a DSLR for only half a year now (I used a P&S for a year or two before that); and I skipped the kit lens to use the DA40 instead as my first lens. I find that I'm more in the habit of letting the lens choose what and how I shoot rather than the other way around. I suppose letting the lens dictate your shots doesn't sound quite right, but it works for me for now... I'm happy with my shots... and I love my DA40.
I guess that's why I'm hung up on the "price-for-performance" aspect of these limiteds. I found the DA40 to pack a mean value for its price, which is why I definitely want my next lens to be a prime and I definitely want it to be a limited. However, at this financial state in my life; and considering the fact that "the lens dictates me", I want that lens to be one that packs a mean value for its price.
So far, I'm leaning towards the FA77.
I heard that it can be had somewhere in HK for the equivalent of around $580? That's cheap for the FA77 right?