[heatherslightbox]

Now that I've gotten a M28/2.8 to go with my 43Ltd., I'd like to get another small prime in the 70-100mm range that would work on both my K10D and K1000 bodies. I'm considering the 77, M85/2, and M100/2.8. Realizing that the M85 and 100 are both significantly less expensive than the 77, I could get them sooner, but if the poll consensus is that I should get the 77 instead, I'll wait to save up $500-$600 and pick up a gently used one.

I'm also open to other ideas.

Thanks!
Heather

[aegisphan]

You can try out the either the Helios 85 or the Jupiter 85. Those are also two nice alternatives.

[regken]

I like what you are doing. Think about swaping your 28mm/2.8 for the 28/3.5. I think it's sharper. The 77 is just to much money for my tastes. Spend the money on the 100/2.8 and an A or M 200/4. Might want to consider swapping the F70-210 for an A 70-210/4 just because of the speed at the long end. I love the 100/2.8, it is so sharp and small. I can't comment on the 85/2 because I've never used it.
My main kit is the 28/3.5, 43/1.9, 100/2.8, and the 200/4. Still haven't come up with a solution for wide yet.

best of luck,
Ken

[nostatic]

I'm a fan of doing things right the first time. If you think you want the 77, then you should get the 77. I find it to be a "magic" lens. People say the 70mm is "just as good" but at least from a build standpoint I don't buy it. I will admit that I haven't shot with it though...I do know that just holding the 77 makes me all giddy. The 70 doesn't.

[ftpaddict]

The poll is staggeringly biased towards the limited. Hint hint.

[selar]

The poll is staggeringly biased towards the limited. Hint hint.

That poll is staggeringly staggered by how many forum members own each lens. The FA77 is still in production, the other two aren't which neans they are dificult to get.

[nostatic]

I always try to buy things I can get. If I can't then I won't.

my head hurts

buy the 77

[roentarre]

Go for 77mm ltd.

I know Voe who recently posted the thread of 77mm vs Jupitor 85 being not that all different from each other. But most photographers do know the beauty of fa 77 ltd that you could not really put on a piece of paper with descriptive terms.

Some people said its AF is slow and hunting in low light which is what I felt as well. But there are street photographers I know that just simply loved 77mm and captured wonderful photos each day!

After all, AF is still useful and you paid a price for its quality. It is not something you bought and tried to make a profit when you sell. The lens has a classic look to it with a metal cap. It is small and compact. Almost boutique I would say.

As all lenses have their own pros and cons, this fa limited is quite special and even its cons are what make the lens really cute. (I might need some professional psychological help but it enrich my life every time I use the lens)





Fa 77 limited shots

[selar]

The splosdb rates FA* 77 as ** (Very Good) and FA* 85 as ! "Excellent". M85 is - (Poor). I suspect DA70 LTD would be ! (Excellent). I am staggeringly staggered towards the DA70 because I own it. :-P

[heatherslightbox]

Wow--I didn't realize that the poll would lean so much towards the 77 so soon. I have to admit that I'm the most impressed with the IQ of the 77. Assuming that I do decide to go for it, it's going to be a hard next few months saving up for it. I guess I'll need to stay off of Fleabay or at least not click the "Bid" button. Perhaps I should have an accountability partner that I can contact if cheap lens LBA gets too bad who will bring me back to my senses ("Heather, step away from that computer and nobody will get hurt." ).

I've already got a little bit in my Paypal account from a couple of sales on Fleabay, plus I have some more stuff that will be coming down tomorrow night, so that will be a nice start of at least $100 (hopefully more by tomorrow night) already towards it, which I will stuff into my ING Direct Orange Savings Account where I can't get at it too easily and not touch it until I'm actually ready to buy. If I don't have the money saved up by my birthday towards the end of July, I usually get $200 in birthday money which should allow me to get it then as a very nice birthday present to myself.

In the meantime, I've also got to buy a plane ticket for a trip to my parents' in Tennessee in May, so I've got to consider that, as well.

Another thought on the 77--assuming that Pentax stops producing it sometime down the road, it could very well go up in value...not that I'd want to get rid of it anytime soon, but it would be nice to own something other than my house that might actually go up in value--and I wouldn't have to take out a mortgage to buy it either.

Heather

[metalfab]

I voted for the M85 f/2. Yes, because I have one Not only that, I can't justify the FA77 price. My M85 is mint, worth the $250 Canadian. If the FA77's image is "that" much better and you want AF and you can afford it, then why not?!

[nostatic]

Everybody is different, but I am not in the "buy a bunch of different lenses" camp. I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter. I'd rather have one really amazing lens that three "good" lenses. With the 77 and 50-135, I don't feel compelled to buy any other primes in that range. I'm hoping that the 35macro is good enough that I'll say the same thing about that lens and the 16-45.

That being said I aspire to rarely mount the zooms, so I can see buying one or two more primes. But not any more zooms. I can feel the desire for the 15mm ltd on the wide end and maybe the 55*. But it totally depends on how you shoot.

[ricosuave]

there's a silver 77 in the marketplace.

[Torphoto]

+1 for the 7Da 70mm, superb lens.

[heatherslightbox]

I'm beginning to wonder if I should get a Sigma 105mm dedicated macro instead. I finally got my Vivitar 2x macro teleconverter yesterday and had a chance to play with it a little this afternoon and I don't know if that setup is going to work out, as I didn't realize just how much putting a teleconverter with my 43 darkened my viewfinder and not only did I find it hard to see, I had to set my shutter speed to ridiculously slow speeds just to get anything to show up--never mind it was dark most of the time. I was shooting in the late afternoon.

I figure if I can get a 2.8 aperture and a 1:1 ratio on the 105, it might make more sense to pick that one up, plus I know where I can get one for a really good price.

I still wouldn't mind having the 77, too.

Heather