Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

peterjcb · 06-12-2014, 05:40 PM

what is the difference between the two?

Adam · 06-12-2014, 05:44 PM

None, the P stands for Pentax. Some sites choose to abbreviate the lens name because of its length.

peterjcb · 06-12-2014, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by Adam

None, the P stands for Pentax. Some sites choose to abbreviate the lens name because of its length.

Thanks Adam, that's good to know.
I sold my DA70 limited, my K-7 and a K20D and the cash was burning a hole in my pocket. After happening onto a FA77 limited sample thread here, I succumbed to my LBA again.
My FA77 limited will be arriving on Monday...

normhead · 06-12-2014, 06:12 PM

Sounds like a plan.... are there going to be pictures?

peterjcb · 06-12-2014, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Sounds like a plan.... are there going to be pictures?

LOTS Norm!

I actually didn't see any sub-par photos in the whole FA77 sample thread and lots of incredibly sharp ones. It actually appears to be even sharper than the FA 31 if that's possible.

kafenio · 06-14-2014, 02:28 AM

Originally posted by peterjcb

It actually appears to be even sharper than the FA 31 if that's possible.

It is not. unless you have a bad FA31. but it's pure portrait power with the sharpness at a perfect level for this task.

Enjoy!

Driline · 06-14-2014, 04:44 AM

Isn't the FA 43 the sharpest of the 3 limiteds ?

peterjcb · 06-14-2014, 06:44 AM

Originally posted by kafenio

It is not. unless you have a bad FA31. but it's pure portrait power with the sharpness at a perfect level for this task.

Enjoy!

I'm by no means an expert on Pentax lenses and I own 2 of the 3 limited FA's now. FWIW it appears that the consensus said the 77 was the sharpest....
Users rate the 77 at 9.9, the 43 @ 9.7 and the 31 @ 9.5 sharpness
Pentax FA Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Fedex actually delivered it yesterday and I took a couple of shots late in the afternnoon...I am very impressed so far and I haven't even had a chance to learn how to shoot with it. First two shots are wide open @ f1.8

normhead · 06-14-2014, 08:13 AM

I love that first one... if you haven't discovered the bokeh club yet, there's always room for more contributors.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/26-mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/93...ml#post2849442

kafenio · 06-14-2014, 08:25 AM

center sharpness of the fa77 is quite good from open aperture onwards. To achieve excellent corner perfomance you will need to stop down considerably.

The fa43 i owned was weak wide open and was getting better when stopped down. I do know of fa43 with excellent sharpness figures from 2.8 onwards though.

The fa31 really is my sharpest pentax lens if sharpness throughout the image frame is important.

I don't give much on user ratings but look at mtf results for sharpness comparisons.

06-12-2014, 05:40 PM	#1
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	SMC / SMCP FA 77 limited what is the difference between the two?

06-12-2014, 05:44 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	None, the P stands for Pentax. Some sites choose to abbreviate the lens name because of its length. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

06-14-2014, 06:44 AM	#8
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468 Original Poster	Originally posted by kafenio It is not. unless you have a bad FA31. but it's pure portrait power with the sharpness at a perfect level for this task. Enjoy! I'm by no means an expert on Pentax lenses and I own 2 of the 3 limited FA's now. FWIW it appears that the consensus said the 77 was the sharpest.... Users rate the 77 at 9.9, the 43 @ 9.7 and the 31 @ 9.5 sharpness Pentax FA Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Fedex actually delivered it yesterday and I took a couple of shots late in the afternnoon...I am very impressed so far and I haven't even had a chance to learn how to shoot with it. First two shots are wide open @ f1.8 Last edited by peterjcb; 06-14-2014 at 07:12 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FA 77 limited / Manual Focus Smoothness	Kaiowas	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	06-09-2013 09:11 PM
For Sale - Sold: FA 77/1.8 Limited, Black, Made in Japan	ryan s	Sold Items	4	03-17-2013 04:43 PM
For Sale - Sold: SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited	ataunton	Sold Items	3	08-28-2012 03:39 PM
SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited vs. 35mm f/2.0 SMCP-FA AL	Kestrel1029	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	12-15-2011 01:39 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax SMC FA 77 mm f/1.8 limited	mz-3	Sold Items	2	05-18-2010 03:13 PM

06-12-2014, 05:54 PM	#3
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam None, the P stands for Pentax. Some sites choose to abbreviate the lens name because of its length. Thanks Adam, that's good to know. I sold my DA70 limited, my K-7 and a K20D and the cash was burning a hole in my pocket. After happening onto a FA77 limited sample thread here, I succumbed to my LBA again. My FA77 limited will be arriving on Monday...

06-12-2014, 06:12 PM	#4
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Sounds like a plan.... are there going to be pictures?

06-12-2014, 06:29 PM	#5
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead Sounds like a plan.... are there going to be pictures? LOTS Norm! I actually didn't see any sub-par photos in the whole FA77 sample thread and lots of incredibly sharp ones. It actually appears to be even sharper than the FA 31 if that's possible.

06-14-2014, 02:28 AM	#6
kafenio New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Munich Posts: 10	Originally posted by peterjcb It actually appears to be even sharper than the FA 31 if that's possible. It is not. unless you have a bad FA31. but it's pure portrait power with the sharpness at a perfect level for this task. Enjoy!

06-14-2014, 04:44 AM	#7
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,708	Isn't the FA 43 the sharpest of the 3 limiteds ?

06-14-2014, 08:13 AM	#9
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I love that first one... if you haven't discovered the bokeh club yet, there's always room for more contributors. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/26-mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/93...ml#post2849442

06-14-2014, 08:25 AM	#10
kafenio New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Munich Posts: 10	center sharpness of the fa77 is quite good from open aperture onwards. To achieve excellent corner perfomance you will need to stop down considerably. The fa43 i owned was weak wide open and was getting better when stopped down. I do know of fa43 with excellent sharpness figures from 2.8 onwards though. The fa31 really is my sharpest pentax lens if sharpness throughout the image frame is important. I don't give much on user ratings but look at mtf results for sharpness comparisons.

SMC / SMCP FA 77 limited

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!