FA* 85mm f/1.4 vs. Limited 77mm f/1.8

Jonas B · 02-21-2007, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by FotoPete

Am I the only one that uses Manual Focus in here? (Yes I have AF lenses)

No. (Adding a bit to reach min limit to post)

RiceHigh · 02-21-2007, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by Jonas B

I agree abouth the bokeh (which of course never were perfect with the FA77 either) being marginally better for the FA77 compared to the DA70. Now bokeh is subjective but I think most agree about this when looking very close to pictures. In real life shooting the difference is small. The cool tone is a matter of taste and PP, I can't see that as a problem with either lens.

No CA with the original limiteds? Are you kidding?

"No CA"? Kidding! See it yourself:-

Trees @ f2.4 (for bokeh) photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com

The Old Kings Head photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com

Jonas B · 02-21-2007, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by RiceHigh

"No CA"? Kidding! See it yourself:-

Trees @ f2.4 (for bokeh) photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com

The Old Kings Head photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com

(I have seen Richard's, as well as Pentax official DA70, pictures and I am well aware of the CA.)

I thought you said the original FA77/1.8 Limited doesn't show CA. Did I read you wrong?

roentarre · 02-21-2007, 10:25 PM

Since Jonas had 2 Fa 77 ltd in the past, Jonas knows the bokeh Ca very well. Fa 77 ltd bokeh CA can be really bad

My dream of having a Da70 is dashed after the Da* zoom lenses announcement.

fwcetus · 02-14-2009, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by FotoPete

Am I the only one that uses Manual Focus in here? (Yes I have AF lenses)

Nope.

Although my eyes aren't as good as they used to be (since I'm now getting to be "older than dirt"), I still like to use manual focus for portrait and macro shooting.

However, I am now resigned to using AF for most other shooting (except, of course, when I just want to take one of my old manual focus "cult classics" out for a walk).

jsherman999 · 02-14-2009, 08:42 AM

This wins a resurrection award!

(2/21/2007 ---> today)

Ole · 02-14-2009, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by tranq78

Here's another thought. If the price of the lens is of concern to you and if you have a body with S/R, get the D-FA100mm f2.8 macro lens. It will function as a good short telephoto lens (150mm equivalent). It's not very big so it's fairly discrete.

The D FA is a fine lens optically but it does not provide useable autofocus due to the lack of a focus limiter - it hunts all the way down to 1:1 magnification and out again, pretty much useless for photographing anything in motion unless used in manual focus mode.

fwcetus · 02-14-2009, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by jsherman999

This wins a resurrection award!

(2/21/2007 ---> today)

<g> Well, at least the thread ~still~ isn't quite "older than dirt", even if ~I~ am... <g>

Ben_Edict · 02-14-2009, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by tranq78

I own the FA85 and the 77. From the perspective of just practical normal usage, I must respectfully disagree.

I have been using the FA85 for the last 15 years or so and can only emphasize your oberservations. The special character of the lens will be very obvious wide open and when stopped down it will become a decent, but not-out-this-world lens. It is then "just" sharp and contrasty. I cannot compare it to the 77 Ltd., but the 85 would be a very good choice for concert photography at short and medium distances.

If you stand back in the hall, the thread opener certainly needs a longer focal length (depending on the venues, of course). A standard 70-200/2.8 would be my preferred choice along with the 85/1.4 a 50/1.4 and something like a 24/2.0 for shots at closer distances.

Large concert events often have more than enough light on the stage. There you wouldn't need the extremely fast lenses, but at least if helpd with manual focusing.

Ben

BATMON · 01-06-2014, 12:31 PM

One of these are on my next lens list.
The price difference is swaying my decision.

vjacesslav · 04-03-2014, 04:32 PM

Yes, I ´ve had 77mm limited, but i saw one photo taking wide open at 1.4. For long distance, sunset, Prague Castle, and it was astonishing sharp across the frame (APS-C). From that point I think it is the best lens i ´ve ever saw...
And it has my favourite filter size 67mm

I really would love to get one, but for better price

**Kerrowdown** · 04-03-2014, 04:53 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by FotoPete

Am I the only one that uses Manual Focus in here

No there's at least two of us.

on9ye · 04-04-2014, 12:34 AM - **1 Like**

From what I observed in ebay A 85mm is more expensive than FA 85mm. I wonder why..

**savoche** · 04-04-2014, 02:00 AM

Originally posted by jsherman999

This wins a resurrection award!

(2/21/2007 ---> today)

And this was said 5 (five!) years ago! New round of awards!

**Pål Jensen** · 04-04-2014, 05:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by on9ye

From what I observed in ebay A 85mm is more expensive than FA 85mm. I wonder why..

The FA* is optimized for closer focusing distances (portraiture). The A* is better at infinity. The 77 LImited is also better at infinity than the FA* lens. Both of the latter have FREE elements (fixed rear elements) to boost infinity performance. The FA* has not...

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02-21-2007, 11:08 AM	#31
Jonas B Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Posts: 810	Originally posted by FotoPete Am I the only one that uses Manual Focus in here? (Yes I have AF lenses) No. (Adding a bit to reach min limit to post)

02-21-2007, 09:05 PM	#32
RiceHigh Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,934	Originally posted by Jonas B I agree abouth the bokeh (which of course never were perfect with the FA77 either) being marginally better for the FA77 compared to the DA70. Now bokeh is subjective but I think most agree about this when looking very close to pictures. In real life shooting the difference is small. The cool tone is a matter of taste and PP, I can't see that as a problem with either lens. No CA with the original limiteds? Are you kidding? "No CA"? Kidding! See it yourself:- Trees @ f2.4 (for bokeh) photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com The Old Kings Head photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com

02-21-2007, 09:27 PM	#33
Jonas B Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Göteborg, Sweden Posts: 810	Originally posted by RiceHigh "No CA"? Kidding! See it yourself:- Trees @ f2.4 (for bokeh) photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com The Old Kings Head photo - Richard Day photos at pbase.com (I have seen Richard's, as well as Pentax official DA70, pictures and I am well aware of the CA.) I thought you said the original FA77/1.8 Limited doesn't show CA. Did I read you wrong?

02-21-2007, 10:25 PM	#34
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Since Jonas had 2 Fa 77 ltd in the past, Jonas knows the bokeh Ca very well. Fa 77 ltd bokeh CA can be really bad My dream of having a Da70 is dashed after the Da* zoom lenses announcement.

02-14-2009, 07:25 AM	#35
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by FotoPete Am I the only one that uses Manual Focus in here? (Yes I have AF lenses) Nope. Although my eyes aren't as good as they used to be (since I'm now getting to be "older than dirt"), I still like to use manual focus for portrait and macro shooting. However, I am now resigned to using AF for most other shooting (except, of course, when I just want to take one of my old manual focus "cult classics" out for a walk).

02-14-2009, 08:42 AM	#36
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	This wins a resurrection award! (2/21/2007 ---> today)

02-14-2009, 08:50 AM	#37
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Originally posted by tranq78 Here's another thought. If the price of the lens is of concern to you and if you have a body with S/R, get the D-FA100mm f2.8 macro lens. It will function as a good short telephoto lens (150mm equivalent). It's not very big so it's fairly discrete. The D FA is a fine lens optically but it does not provide useable autofocus due to the lack of a focus limiter - it hunts all the way down to 1:1 magnification and out again, pretty much useless for photographing anything in motion unless used in manual focus mode.

02-14-2009, 08:55 AM	#38
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by jsherman999 This wins a resurrection award! (2/21/2007 ---> today) <g> Well, at least the thread ~still~ isn't quite "older than dirt", even if ~I~ am... <g>

02-14-2009, 09:00 AM	#39
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by tranq78 I own the FA85 and the 77. From the perspective of just practical normal usage, I must respectfully disagree. I have been using the FA85 for the last 15 years or so and can only emphasize your oberservations. The special character of the lens will be very obvious wide open and when stopped down it will become a decent, but not-out-this-world lens. It is then "just" sharp and contrasty. I cannot compare it to the 77 Ltd., but the 85 would be a very good choice for concert photography at short and medium distances. If you stand back in the hall, the thread opener certainly needs a longer focal length (depending on the venues, of course). A standard 70-200/2.8 would be my preferred choice along with the 85/1.4 a 50/1.4 and something like a 24/2.0 for shots at closer distances. Large concert events often have more than enough light on the stage. There you wouldn't need the extremely fast lenses, but at least if helpd with manual focusing. Ben

01-06-2014, 12:31 PM	#40
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207	One of these are on my next lens list. The price difference is swaying my decision.

04-03-2014, 04:32 PM	#41
vjacesslav Marketplace Reseller Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Košice, Czechoslovakia, Europe Union Photos: Gallery Posts: 366	Yes, I ´ve had 77mm limited, but i saw one photo taking wide open at 1.4. For long distance, sunset, Prague Castle, and it was astonishing sharp across the frame (APS-C). From that point I think it is the best lens i ´ve ever saw... And it has my favourite filter size 67mm I really would love to get one, but for better price

04-03-2014, 04:53 PM - 1 Like	#42
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by FotoPete Am I the only one that uses Manual Focus in here No there's at least two of us.

04-04-2014, 12:34 AM - 1 Like	#43
on9ye Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 40	From what I observed in ebay A 85mm is more expensive than FA 85mm. I wonder why..

04-04-2014, 02:00 AM	#44
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by jsherman999 This wins a resurrection award! (2/21/2007 ---> today) And this was said 5 (five!) years ago! New round of awards!

04-04-2014, 05:40 AM - 1 Like	#45
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by on9ye From what I observed in ebay A 85mm is more expensive than FA 85mm. I wonder why.. The FA* is optimized for closer focusing distances (portraiture). The A* is better at infinity. The 77 LImited is also better at infinity than the FA* lens. Both of the latter have FREE elements (fixed rear elements) to boost infinity performance. The FA* has not...