Advice Wanted: Pentax 70mm f/2.4 or the SMCP-FA 77mm f/1.8 or ? for BEST PORTRAITS?

CeciProAm · 02-03-2015, 08:44 PM

I want to thank everyone of you for your insightful & sometimes hilarious input.

I have pulled the proverbial trigger & bought the DA*55 AND the DA* 50-135 &
no, in my book they do not duplicate each other. I will use the zoom for live
shows & the 55 for studio portraits.

I am looking forward to making enough money to buy the beloved FA77 and
you guys better be right about it or else lol~!

Last edited by CeciProAm; 02-04-2015 at 10:35 AM.

**Rondec** · 02-04-2015, 03:36 AM - **1 Like**

I think you'll be pleased with your new glass. Good luck!

zbrueningsen · 02-04-2015, 08:06 AM - **1 Like**

That is a great combo. I have the da 55 and tamron 70-200. I just picked up an untested fa 77 (MIJ) for $365! Super pumped to see how it is.

Driline · 02-04-2015, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by zbrueningsen

That is a great combo. I have the da 55 and tamron 70-200. I just picked up an untested fa 77 (MIJ) for $365! Super pumped to see how it is.

Now that's a great price for the 77. I hope it operates ok for you.

**arv** · 02-04-2015, 12:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CeciProAm

I want to thank everyone of you for your insightful & sometimes hilarious input.

I have pulled the proverbial trigger & bought the DA*55 AND the DA* 50-135 &
no, in my book they do not duplicate each other. I will use the zoom for live
shows & the 55 for studio portraits.

I am looking forward to making enough money to buy the beloved FA77 and
you guys better be right about it or else lol~!

Yeap...Spending fellows money and feeding LBA is still a national sport here, in Pentaxland....
You will not regret your choice, but one day an idea, like obsession, "If I would have bought FA77..." will come... or is it here already?
And of course, you know well whom to ask for the help...

zbrueningsen · 02-04-2015, 12:40 PM

I owned the 77 before, but never shot it enough to get a good feel. I had one picture that missed focus just a hint, but it certainly showed its colors and bokeh really well. It is sharp wide open.

CeciProAm · 02-05-2015, 05:22 PM

Originally posted by arv

Spending fellows money and feeding LBA

Nothing more satisfying in the world than spending OTHER people's $!

I thought I understood LBA, but now I am puzzled....Lens ? Addiction?

twitch · 02-05-2015, 05:50 PM

I owned the DA70 and FA77 at the same time. The DA70 is very good but the FA77 is simply better in every way that matters. Better IQ, sharper, better bokeh, faster, has an aperture ring and is FF compatible.

zbrueningsen · 02-05-2015, 07:21 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CeciProAm

Nothing more satisfying in the world than spending OTHER people's $!

I thought I understood LBA, but now I am puzzled....Lens ? Addiction?

Lens Buying Addiction.

For those curious, I received the FA 77 today. The focus doesn't work properly so I have emailed Henderson for an estimate. The body and glass are perfect. Distance scale spins but doesn't adjust the focus. O well.

**Digitalis** · 02-06-2015, 12:31 AM

the FA*85mm f/1.4 is also an alternative to either lens, but since it is out of production I would have to say the SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited gets my vote, it renders images very well and though it does have issues with chromatic aberrations and on FX format they won't be exacerbated as badly, which will make it a worthy contender for one of the best AF portraiture lenses ever made*

Pentax K5IIs - SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited

* the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 is superior optically - but the OTUS lenses are strictly manual focus.

**arv** · 02-06-2015, 04:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CeciProAm

Nothing more satisfying in the world than spending OTHER people's $!

I thought I understood LBA, but now I am puzzled....Lens ? Addiction?

Yes, as zbrueningsen wrote, it is Lens Buying Addiction. It is very costly bipolar disorder when periods of wishing and buying a new lens alternate with periods of compunction...

02-04-2015, 12:21 PM - 1 Like	#80
arv Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 413	Originally posted by CeciProAm I want to thank everyone of you for your insightful & sometimes hilarious input. I have pulled the proverbial trigger & bought the DA55 AND the DA 50-135 & no, in my book they do not duplicate each other. I will use the zoom for live shows & the 55 for studio portraits. I am looking forward to making enough money to buy the beloved FA77 and you guys better be right about it or else lol~! Yeap...Spending fellows money and feeding LBA is still a national sport here, in Pentaxland.... You will not regret your choice, but one day an idea, like obsession, "If I would have bought FA77..." will come... or is it here already? And of course, you know well whom to ask for the help... Last edited by arv; 02-04-2015 at 12:27 PM.

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02-03-2015, 08:44 PM	#76
CeciProAm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 698 Original Poster	I want to thank everyone of you for your insightful & sometimes hilarious input. I have pulled the proverbial trigger & bought the DA55 AND the DA 50-135 & no, in my book they do not duplicate each other. I will use the zoom for live shows & the 55 for studio portraits. I am looking forward to making enough money to buy the beloved FA77 and you guys better be right about it or else lol~! Last edited by CeciProAm; 02-04-2015 at 10:35 AM.

02-04-2015, 03:36 AM - 1 Like	#77
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	I think you'll be pleased with your new glass. Good luck!

02-04-2015, 08:06 AM - 1 Like	#78
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	That is a great combo. I have the da 55 and tamron 70-200. I just picked up an untested fa 77 (MIJ) for $365! Super pumped to see how it is.

02-04-2015, 08:50 AM	#79
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697	Originally posted by zbrueningsen That is a great combo. I have the da 55 and tamron 70-200. I just picked up an untested fa 77 (MIJ) for $365! Super pumped to see how it is. Now that's a great price for the 77. I hope it operates ok for you.

02-04-2015, 12:40 PM	#81
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	I owned the 77 before, but never shot it enough to get a good feel. I had one picture that missed focus just a hint, but it certainly showed its colors and bokeh really well. It is sharp wide open.

02-05-2015, 05:22 PM	#82
CeciProAm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 698 Original Poster	Originally posted by arv Spending fellows money and feeding LBA Nothing more satisfying in the world than spending OTHER people's $! I thought I understood LBA, but now I am puzzled....Lens ? Addiction?

02-05-2015, 05:50 PM	#83
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I owned the DA70 and FA77 at the same time. The DA70 is very good but the FA77 is simply better in every way that matters. Better IQ, sharper, better bokeh, faster, has an aperture ring and is FF compatible.

02-05-2015, 07:21 PM - 1 Like	#84
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	Originally posted by CeciProAm Nothing more satisfying in the world than spending OTHER people's $! I thought I understood LBA, but now I am puzzled....Lens ? Addiction? Lens Buying Addiction. For those curious, I received the FA 77 today. The focus doesn't work properly so I have emailed Henderson for an estimate. The body and glass are perfect. Distance scale spins but doesn't adjust the focus. O well.

02-06-2015, 12:31 AM	#85
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	the FA85mm f/1.4 is also an alternative to either lens, but since it is out of production I would have to say the SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited gets my vote, it renders images very well and though it does have issues with chromatic aberrations and on FX format they won't be exacerbated as badly, which will make it a worthy contender for one of the best AF portraiture lenses ever made Pentax K5IIs - SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited * the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 is superior optically - but the OTUS lenses are strictly manual focus.

02-06-2015, 04:18 AM - 1 Like	#86
arv Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 413	Originally posted by CeciProAm Nothing more satisfying in the world than spending OTHER people's $! I thought I understood LBA, but now I am puzzled....Lens ? Addiction? Yes, as zbrueningsen wrote, it is Lens Buying Addiction. It is very costly bipolar disorder when periods of wishing and buying a new lens alternate with periods of compunction...