[condor27596]

My only complaint with the 77. I have to dig it out of the bubble wrap from the bottom of my bag.

[Stavri]

Da 20-40 ltd, all the way...

[Sandy Hancock]

If you're happy with your 15 and 35, a telephoto prime seems the most logical next step.

FA77: colour rendition, bokeh, portraiture, pixie dust
DFA100WR: ultimate sharpness, 1:1 macro, weather sealing

I have both, and use the FA77 much much more. For your situation I would recommend the macro though.
Your call.

[Des]

FA77: colour rendition, bokeh, portraiture, pixie dust DFA100WR: ultimate sharpness, 1:1 macro, weather sealing I have both, and use the FA77 much much more. For your situation I would recommend the macro though.

I also have both, and use them about equally. Each is special in its way, for just the reasons Sandy gives.

Both can be used for portraits, but the 77 is better for this. Each is great for flowers, in its own way - of course you can get much more magnification with the 100, and it's wonderfully sharp; OTOH the colour rendering on the 77 is outstanding. The 100 is very good for insects of course, but even for birds if you are close enough - it's so sharp you can crop heavily too.

The only safe course is to get both. In Sandy's memorable words: buy everything; it takes the worry out of it!

[Sandy Hancock]

In Sandy's memorable words: buy everything; it takes the worry out of it!

It's nice to be remembered for something!

[drypenn]

My only complaint with the 77. I have to dig it out of the bubble wrap from the bottom of my bag.

[audiobomber]

I have the D FA 100mm f2.8 macro (not WR). It is a fantastic lens for macro shooting. Something not often mentioned is that it is extremely useful for detail shots of architecture and landscapes. I find it a bit too honest for portraits, it is not a pixie dusted lens.

I don't have an FA 77, but it's safe to say that if portraiture is a main interest, the FA 77 is clearly better. I would choose the 100 macro for other subjects due to close focus, punchy colour and contrast, very sharp right across the frame, and flat field.

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Last edited by audiobomber; 05-05-2015 at 06:41 AM.

[northcoastgreg]

I would go with the DA 20-40, because it's more of a generalist lens. The FA 77 and the DFA 100 are specialist lenses. Usually, it's better to start out with the generalist lens (because it can be used in more situations), and then get the specialist lenses later on, when finances allow for it. Keep in mind. Just because you get the DA 20-40 now doesn't preclude you from getting the FA 77 and/or the DFA 100 later.

[BigMackCam]

Thanks to everyone for the excellent and useful responses!

I had never considered the FAs - largely because of the prices here in the UK. After all the positive comments, I started reading up on the FA77, but also the DA70. In the end, I went with the DA70, for a number of reasons:

- price difference... with current discounts, the DA70 cost me roughly half what the FA77 would have cost
- based on the comparison here on PentaxForums, and some other online A/B tests, I like the CA performance of the DA70, and the ever-so-slightly wider angle of view
- with my investment in the DA15, and no desire for / likelihood of moving to FF, I liked the idea of adding another DA Limited model to my camera bag
- did I mention the price difference?!?!

Time will tell if I get on with the specific focal length, but from what I've read on the DA70 in terms of performance, it should be a fun piece of kit.

I'd still like the 100 WR macro, and when I've sold my 18-270, 18-55 WR and 50-200 WR, I may well add that to my bag too Then again, I loved ChristianRock's post that suggested I spend the money on a trip somewhere nice, so I can take some beautiful photos

Thanks again, all... This was entertaining and enlightening!

[jimr-pdx]

The DA70 will serve you well. I will replace that in my bag when funds allow.

[ChristianRock]

Congrats on the new lens! DA 70 is in my future plans list. I think a Samyang 16mm f2 (or maybe the DA 21, not sure yet which), the DA 35 2.4 and a DA 70 would make the perfect 3-lens setup that would meet most of my needs.

And yeah, my biggest thing is, I'd rather travel than spend so much on lenses that I can't go anywhere. Next month we're spending a week in Destin, FL.

[BigMackCam]

Congrats on the new lens! DA 70 is in my future plans list. I think a Samyang 16mm f2 (or maybe the DA 21, not sure yet which), the DA 35 2.4 and a DA 70 would make the perfect 3-lens setup that would meet most of my needs.

And yeah, my biggest thing is, I'd rather travel than spend so much on lenses that I can't go anywhere. Next month we're spending a week in Destin, FL.

Thanks

I don't have any of those other lenses... but I can vouch for the DA15. I've used it primarily for architecture, and it's a superb lens. If the DA21 performs about as well, it should be an even more versatile lens...

Enjoy your trip to FL. I'm envious! (raining here in the North East of England... again!).

[ChristianRock]

Thanks

I don't have any of those other lenses... but I can vouch for the DA15. I've used it primarily for architecture, and it's a superb lens. If the DA21 performs about as well, it should be an even more versatile lens...

Enjoy your trip to FL. I'm envious! (raining here in the North East of England... again!).

The rainy weather is actually good for photography. It's the bright sunny days that are pretty useless.

John Kennerdell quotes Carl Weese as once having said: "We've had terrible weather all week—clear bright sunlight, blue skies, puffy white clouds."

You have a beautiful countryside. Embrace the wet

[Bagga_Txips]

The 70 is also magnificent in its own way, one of my most aesthetically pleasing series of shots was with the 70. 3 or 4 keepers in a row, rather than my usual random 1 keeper out of... too many!

Have fun with it!

[yorik]

Thanks to everyone for the excellent and useful responses!

In the end, I went with the DA70, for a number of reasons...

Also an excellent choice... Enjoy!