What is your take on the Da 70 vs Fa77 or the upstart Samyang 85?

LeRolls · 12-24-2013, 05:53 AM

Lots of great comments so far. I own the 70, 77, the Samyang 85 (mines got the Rokinon badge), and the DFA100 WR. They are all quite good and even though I have had it for the least amount of time I greatly prefer the 77 over the other lenses. A super classy lens in almost every way with renderings full of unique character and spark (something I find the Sigmas are missing). If anything I will most likely be looking to sell both the 70 and 85 sometime in the near future because I just simply do not use them anymore.

Sandy Hancock · 12-24-2013, 06:28 AM

And there's so much pretty glass....

Gray · 12-24-2013, 07:03 AM - **3 Likes**

As promised here are some quick comparison shots at maximum aperture to show the bokeh. In all photos, focus is on the green lid, ISO 160 with varying shutter speed to match exposure brightness.
No surprises really.

For interest I've also included two good zooms at 70mm (the Sigma 17-70 "C" and DA 18-135) + the excellent Sony RX100II at 67mm equivalent.

Vivitar (Samyang) 85 f1.4

FA 77 Limited f1.8

DA 70 Limited f2.4

Sigma 17-70 "C" 70mm f4.0

DA 18-135 WR 68mm f4.5

Sony RX100II, 37mm (67mm APS-C equivalent) f4.9

Canmannac · 12-24-2013, 07:33 AM

Hey! Great images here to compare!!! This is really helpful. I am still leaning towards the 77mm, only if the Samyang wasn't MF, for me competition!
But my main aim is to do portraiture, so this is most critical. Thanks again for the fab input!!!

Gray · 12-28-2013, 11:45 AM - **1 Like**

I was out and about briefly this afternoon with my Vivitar 85 and FA 77. I've never used them together in a garden before. Both are fine lenses, and here are some examples of what they can give in the field. I do prefer the FA 77's AF, particularly for portraiture. Unfortunately, I don't have any portraits to hand that I can display in public, but the last image should give you a good idea of what the 77 is capable of.

Vivitar 85 f1.4

FA 77 Limited f1.8

Vivitar 85 f1.7

FA 77 Limited f2.0

FA 77 Limited f2.0

FA 77 Limited f1.8

formercanuck · 12-28-2013, 12:59 PM

I've found that (and it shows above) that the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 has a really nice bokeh. This may be due to the slight difference above due to the different focal lengths and aperture settings.

Canmannac · 01-01-2014, 03:01 PM

Well I am happy I put up this question on the forum...I am sure it will come round again in the future. You guys provided the thread with some great info for comparison - so thanks to all!

I thought it over a great deal, and in the end I will own the 77mm. Simply I found a great deal on it and couldn't pass up on it. Seems to me that the 77mm will offer more flexibility to my needs, and I think when you combine reliability, performance and needs you get your answer. Now I got a good price on the 77mm so that also helps. I will stop back in with some impressions once it comes.

But to all who responded, thanks!

Drew

**nater** · 01-02-2014, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by formercanuck

I've found that (and it shows above) that the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 has a really nice bokeh. This may be due to the slight difference above due to the different focal lengths and aperture settings.

Agreed on the quality of the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 bokeh. Aperture settings on a given lens can impact how bokeh is rendered, however when comparing two different lenses keep in mind that the type of optical design and how that design corrects for spherical aberration at different focus distances has a big impact on the quality and character of foreground and background bokeh. For details on this, I suggest this for reading:

On Bokeh

formercanuck · 01-03-2014, 09:58 AM

Great article on bokeh!
What I was getting at (more specifically) was the 'flower' on the desk (bottom right next to the water bottle). The flower sticks out 'more' with the bokeh due to the circular pattern it creates (especially with the Sony / DA 18-135 and Sigma 17-70 C). The 70 and 77mm are mostly blurred out, and the 85mm is completely softened.

yorik · 01-03-2014, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by Gray

As promised here are some quick comparison shots at maximum aperture to show the bokeh. In all photos, focus is on the green lid, ISO 160 with varying shutter speed to match exposure brightness.
No surprises really.

For interest I've also included two good zooms at 70mm (the Sigma 17-70 "C" and DA 18-135) + the excellent Sony RX100II at 67mm equivalent.

Vivitar (Samyang) 85 f1.4

FA 77 Limited f1.8

DA 70 Limited f2.4

Sigma 17-70 "C" 70mm f4.0

DA 18-135 WR 68mm f4.5

Sony RX100II, 37mm (67mm APS-C equivalent) f4.9

Great comparison. But the real question: is there a Peets coffee in Cape Town?

Gray · 01-03-2014, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by yorik

Great comparison. But the real question: is there a Peets coffee in Cape Town?

Unfortunately not yet - the mug is a relic from my student days in the mid-90s in Berkeley, home of the original Peets, opened in 1966 and still operating - corner Vine & Walnut streets.
Peets in Vine St was a haven and mandatory stop every Saturday morning after my regular morning run in neighbouring Tilden Park.

Canon G11 (June 2011)

**dadipentak** · 01-03-2014, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by Canmannac

in the end I will own the 77mm.

Good. I have no experience with the other two candidates but the 77 is my 'go to' for portraits.

ChopperCharles · 01-03-2014, 11:52 AM

What it really comes down to, is do you need autofocus? If not, run, don't walk, and buy yourself a Rokinon/Samiyang/Vivitar/Bower 85mm f/1.4

For the price, there is no better lens in that range. None.

If autofocus is an absolute requirement, then go with one of the other two lenses.

I really like my Bower 85mm f/1.4, it's an amazingly sharp lens, even wide open. I paid $230 for it and still considered that a bit steep for a manual-focus lens.... but way, way less than any of the other options in that range. So I jumped on it. It's absolutely wonderful to use on film, very very bright and easy to focus with a split prism in my ME Super or my Dakota.

Note, that if what you're wanting this for is low light performance, you'll be disappointed with the Bower. Focus peaking is great in decent light, but in very low light it's still rather useless. For portraiture it's a wonderful lens, so long as you have a camera with peaking.

Charles.

12-24-2013, 07:03 AM - 3 Likes	#18
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	DA 70 vs FA 77 vs Vivitar (Samyang) 85 As promised here are some quick comparison shots at maximum aperture to show the bokeh. In all photos, focus is on the green lid, ISO 160 with varying shutter speed to match exposure brightness. No surprises really. For interest I've also included two good zooms at 70mm (the Sigma 17-70 "C" and DA 18-135) + the excellent Sony RX100II at 67mm equivalent. Vivitar (Samyang) 85 f1.4 FA 77 Limited f1.8 DA 70 Limited f2.4 Sigma 17-70 "C" 70mm f4.0 DA 18-135 WR 68mm f4.5 Sony RX100II, 37mm (67mm APS-C equivalent) f4.9 Last edited by Gray; 12-31-2013 at 04:51 AM. Reason: Added Sony RX100II at approx. 70mm equivalent and widest aperture.

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12-24-2013, 05:53 AM	#16
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Lots of great comments so far. I own the 70, 77, the Samyang 85 (mines got the Rokinon badge), and the DFA100 WR. They are all quite good and even though I have had it for the least amount of time I greatly prefer the 77 over the other lenses. A super classy lens in almost every way with renderings full of unique character and spark (something I find the Sigmas are missing). If anything I will most likely be looking to sell both the 70 and 85 sometime in the near future because I just simply do not use them anymore.

12-24-2013, 06:28 AM	#17
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	And there's so much pretty glass....

12-24-2013, 07:33 AM	#19
Canmannac Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Prague Photos: Albums Posts: 272 Original Poster	Hey! Great images here to compare!!! This is really helpful. I am still leaning towards the 77mm, only if the Samyang wasn't MF, for me competition! But my main aim is to do portraiture, so this is most critical. Thanks again for the fab input!!!

12-28-2013, 11:45 AM - 1 Like	#20
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	I was out and about briefly this afternoon with my Vivitar 85 and FA 77. I've never used them together in a garden before. Both are fine lenses, and here are some examples of what they can give in the field. I do prefer the FA 77's AF, particularly for portraiture. Unfortunately, I don't have any portraits to hand that I can display in public, but the last image should give you a good idea of what the 77 is capable of. Vivitar 85 f1.4 FA 77 Limited f1.8 Vivitar 85 f1.7 FA 77 Limited f2.0 FA 77 Limited f2.0 FA 77 Limited f1.8

12-28-2013, 12:59 PM	#21
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	I've found that (and it shows above) that the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 has a really nice bokeh. This may be due to the slight difference above due to the different focal lengths and aperture settings.

01-01-2014, 03:01 PM	#22
Canmannac Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Prague Photos: Albums Posts: 272 Original Poster	Well I am happy I put up this question on the forum...I am sure it will come round again in the future. You guys provided the thread with some great info for comparison - so thanks to all! I thought it over a great deal, and in the end I will own the 77mm. Simply I found a great deal on it and couldn't pass up on it. Seems to me that the 77mm will offer more flexibility to my needs, and I think when you combine reliability, performance and needs you get your answer. Now I got a good price on the 77mm so that also helps. I will stop back in with some impressions once it comes. But to all who responded, thanks! Drew

01-02-2014, 10:37 PM	#23
nater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New England Photos: Albums Posts: 706	Originally posted by formercanuck I've found that (and it shows above) that the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4 has a really nice bokeh. This may be due to the slight difference above due to the different focal lengths and aperture settings. Agreed on the quality of the Samyang 85mm f/1.4 bokeh. Aperture settings on a given lens can impact how bokeh is rendered, however when comparing two different lenses keep in mind that the type of optical design and how that design corrects for spherical aberration at different focus distances has a big impact on the quality and character of foreground and background bokeh. For details on this, I suggest this for reading: On Bokeh

01-03-2014, 09:58 AM	#24
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	Great article on bokeh! What I was getting at (more specifically) was the 'flower' on the desk (bottom right next to the water bottle). The flower sticks out 'more' with the bokeh due to the circular pattern it creates (especially with the Sony / DA 18-135 and Sigma 17-70 C). The 70 and 77mm are mostly blurred out, and the 85mm is completely softened.

01-03-2014, 10:53 AM	#25
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Originally posted by Gray As promised here are some quick comparison shots at maximum aperture to show the bokeh. In all photos, focus is on the green lid, ISO 160 with varying shutter speed to match exposure brightness. No surprises really. For interest I've also included two good zooms at 70mm (the Sigma 17-70 "C" and DA 18-135) + the excellent Sony RX100II at 67mm equivalent. Vivitar (Samyang) 85 f1.4 FA 77 Limited f1.8 DA 70 Limited f2.4 Sigma 17-70 "C" 70mm f4.0 DA 18-135 WR 68mm f4.5 Sony RX100II, 37mm (67mm APS-C equivalent) f4.9 Great comparison. But the real question: is there a Peets coffee in Cape Town?

01-03-2014, 11:38 AM	#26
Gray Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Town Photos: Gallery Posts: 536	Originally posted by yorik Great comparison. But the real question: is there a Peets coffee in Cape Town? Unfortunately not yet - the mug is a relic from my student days in the mid-90s in Berkeley, home of the original Peets, opened in 1966 and still operating - corner Vine & Walnut streets. Peets in Vine St was a haven and mandatory stop every Saturday morning after my regular morning run in neighbouring Tilden Park. Canon G11 (June 2011)

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01-03-2014, 11:42 AM	#27
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	Originally posted by Canmannac in the end I will own the 77mm. Good. I have no experience with the other two candidates but the 77 is my 'go to' for portraits.

01-03-2014, 11:52 AM	#28
ChopperCharles Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Durham, nc Photos: Albums Posts: 953	What it really comes down to, is do you need autofocus? If not, run, don't walk, and buy yourself a Rokinon/Samiyang/Vivitar/Bower 85mm f/1.4 For the price, there is no better lens in that range. None. If autofocus is an absolute requirement, then go with one of the other two lenses. I really like my Bower 85mm f/1.4, it's an amazingly sharp lens, even wide open. I paid $230 for it and still considered that a bit steep for a manual-focus lens.... but way, way less than any of the other options in that range. So I jumped on it. It's absolutely wonderful to use on film, very very bright and easy to focus with a split prism in my ME Super or my Dakota. Note, that if what you're wanting this for is low light performance, you'll be disappointed with the Bower. Focus peaking is great in decent light, but in very low light it's still rather useless. For portraiture it's a wonderful lens, so long as you have a camera with peaking. Charles.