Own Both a 50/55mm and 77mm Lens?

cali92rs · 08-21-2015, 10:27 AM

I have a 77mm LTD, which I am not getting rid of.
But I lust after an A 50mm f1.2.

For those that own both a 50/55mm lens AND 77mm, are the focal lengths so similar that you hardly use one or the other. Or are they different enough that both get sufficient usage without one collecting dust?

**pearsaab** · 08-21-2015, 10:52 AM

I have the 77,55 and 50 f 1.7. I don't use the 50 but the 55 is weather resistent and i really like the colors it creates so maybe personal preference more than anything

**savoche** · 08-21-2015, 10:57 AM

Depends. I have far more lenses than I need (focal length wise), but use them as I fancy, pick the one I think best suits the situation.

I could get by just fine without a 50, yet I have 7 (or 8?) of them. And a 43, 55, 58, 70,...

Btw, the 50/1.2 is a beautiful lens

I have the K version - difficult to focus wide open, but sweet when you nail it.

loco · 08-21-2015, 11:03 AM

I have both the 77 and DA*55. I probably reach for the 77 more often, but I love the 55 in some situations (it's weather sealed as mentioned above and is faster). Sometimes I just grab a lens and shoot with it for fun.

I also have a Helios 58mm and an A 50/1.7. The A never gets used, but I do occasionally use the Helios because of the different rendering/bokeh.

Last edited by loco; 08-21-2015 at 11:38 AM. Reason: because the Helios is a 58mm, not 55!

condor27596 · 08-21-2015, 11:33 AM

I have the radioactive 50 and the plastic 50 1.8 as well as the fa77. If you recall the adjustment factor for aps is 1.5. That gives 75 and 115. Assuming I understand that right.

But to answer the question I think you are interested in - they are no where close to interchangeable. I've not even picked up a 50 since getting the 77 for anything more than experimental shots.

stevebrot · 08-21-2015, 11:35 AM

Originally posted by cali92rs

For those that own both a 50/55mm lens AND 77mm, are the focal lengths so similar that you hardly use one or the other.

The FOV is significantly different (32° vs. 21°) resulting in very different framing for a given subject distance. Here is a comparison from a series of "unfair pairs" I did a few years ago.

Unfair Pair #1, Pentax FA 77/1.8 Limited

Unfair Pair #2, KMZ Helios 44M 58/2

Unfortunately, the two were not taken from an identical tripod position, but the actual position was close. Neither image was cropped. I suppose I could go out in the yard and do a second comparison. How does the DA 50/1.8 vs. the FA 77/1.8 sound?

Steve

condor27596 · 08-21-2015, 12:17 PM - **2 Likes**

The people on this forum are SO cool. I could not even get a spark plug model number in the Mazda forum lol.

stevebrot · 08-21-2015, 12:35 PM

Originally posted by condor27596

The people on this forum are SO cool. I could not even get a spark plug model number in the Mazda forum lol.

But wait! There's more!

Here is a direct comparison, FA 77/1.8 and DA 50/1.8 on the same tripod with the same subject.

FA 77/1.8

DA 50/1.8

Both f/5.6, 1/8s, ISO 200, point of focus on the tip of the maple seed wing

Steve

hcc · 08-21-2015, 01:09 PM

Day and night!
I have the FA77mm, A50mm f1.2, FA50mm f1.7 and VL58mm f1.4.

First the focal length is very different between 77 mm and 50 mm. With the 77m, it is like if you take a 50mm shot and crop it....

Second the rendering is very different. I love the FA77mm, especially for portrait and landscape. The VL58mm f1.4 is also very different and special, but in a different way. My third fav is the A50mm f1.2, teh fastest Pentax lens .... (Honestly I do not use much the FA50mm f1.7.)

So keep your FA77mm and enjoy your 50mm. Two lenses, for two different uses.

cali92rs · 08-21-2015, 02:38 PM

If there is one certainty in this world, it is that I have you guys to feed my LBA

Thanks for the responses!

aleonx3 · 08-21-2015, 03:23 PM

I have all of them, FA77, Topcor 58f1.4, Tomioka Chinon 55f1.4, K55f1.8, A50f1.4 and various M 50s.
I like the 77, 58 and 55s, but not as much for the 50 (which I prefer the 43 more).

opel3nix · 08-21-2015, 03:38 PM

Got the Takumar 55 1.8 and it is a great lens for low light photographie. Nice colours and high contrast even in difficult lightning situations. The 77 2.4 I use for portraits and landscapes. Very sharp, vera contrasty, one of my best lenses for APSC!

**gofour3** · 08-21-2015, 03:55 PM

Originally posted by cali92rs

For those that own both a 50/55mm lens AND 77mm, are the focal lengths so similar that you hardly use one or the other. Or are they different enough that both get sufficient usage without one collecting dust?

There is enough difference between 77mm & 85mm to justify owing both, let alone between 50/55mm & 77mm.

So yes get a 50/1.2!

Phil.

Sandy Hancock · 08-21-2015, 04:50 PM

You need a 50/1.2 in your life. I did a comparison with the DA*55, and the older lens holds its own exceptionally well.

Bromberger · 08-21-2015, 05:05 PM

I have the 77mm, a M50 1.7 and a Takumar 55 1.8.
My main field is portrait photography.

With the 77, while it is a dream of a lens, i often find myself quite far away from the model, especially if i want to show not only the head but also shoulders or upper body.
When i'm that far away, i feel that the connection between me and the model is not as it should be. A 50 comes closer to the distance i would also have with a person that i'm not taking pictures of but i'm just talking to in a social situation.
Also sometimes, i get the 50 out when i'm bumping into the wall with my back when shooting indoors :-)

I would love to get the upcoming full frame camera, just so that i can use the 77 from as close as i can use a 50 on APSC.

Hope that helps
Bromberger

08-21-2015, 10:57 AM	#3
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Depends. I have far more lenses than I need (focal length wise), but use them as I fancy, pick the one I think best suits the situation. I could get by just fine without a 50, yet I have 7 (or 8?) of them. And a 43, 55, 58, 70,... Btw, the 50/1.2 is a beautiful lens I have the K version - difficult to focus wide open, but sweet when you nail it. Last edited by savoche; 08-21-2015 at 11:16 AM.

08-21-2015, 11:35 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by cali92rs For those that own both a 50/55mm lens AND 77mm, are the focal lengths so similar that you hardly use one or the other. The FOV is significantly different (32° vs. 21°) resulting in very different framing for a given subject distance. Here is a comparison from a series of "unfair pairs" I did a few years ago. Unfair Pair #1, Pentax FA 77/1.8 Limited Unfair Pair #2, KMZ Helios 44M 58/2 Unfortunately, the two were not taken from an identical tripod position, but the actual position was close. Neither image was cropped. I suppose I could go out in the yard and do a second comparison. How does the DA 50/1.8 vs. the FA 77/1.8 sound? Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 08-21-2015 at 01:01 PM.

08-21-2015, 12:35 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by condor27596 The people on this forum are SO cool. I could not even get a spark plug model number in the Mazda forum lol. But wait! There's more! Here is a direct comparison, FA 77/1.8 and DA 50/1.8 on the same tripod with the same subject. FA 77/1.8 DA 50/1.8 Both f/5.6, 1/8s, ISO 200, point of focus on the tip of the maple seed wing Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 08-21-2015 at 12:48 PM.

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08-21-2015, 10:27 AM	#1
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Own Both a 50/55mm and 77mm Lens? I have a 77mm LTD, which I am not getting rid of. But I lust after an A 50mm f1.2. For those that own both a 50/55mm lens AND 77mm, are the focal lengths so similar that you hardly use one or the other. Or are they different enough that both get sufficient usage without one collecting dust?

08-21-2015, 10:52 AM	#2
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	I have the 77,55 and 50 f 1.7. I don't use the 50 but the 55 is weather resistent and i really like the colors it creates so maybe personal preference more than anything

08-21-2015, 11:03 AM	#4
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	I have both the 77 and DA55. I probably reach for the 77 more often, but I love the 55 in some situations (it's weather sealed as mentioned above and is faster). Sometimes I just grab a lens and shoot with it for fun. I also have a Helios 58mm and an A 50/1.7. The A never gets used, but I do occasionally use the Helios because of the different rendering/bokeh. Last edited by loco; 08-21-2015 at 11:38 AM. Reason: because the Helios is a 58mm, not 55!*

08-21-2015, 11:33 AM	#5
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	I have the radioactive 50 and the plastic 50 1.8 as well as the fa77. If you recall the adjustment factor for aps is 1.5. That gives 75 and 115. Assuming I understand that right. But to answer the question I think you are interested in - they are no where close to interchangeable. I've not even picked up a 50 since getting the 77 for anything more than experimental shots.

08-21-2015, 12:17 PM - 2 Likes	#7
condor27596 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 870	The people on this forum are SO cool. I could not even get a spark plug model number in the Mazda forum lol.

08-21-2015, 01:09 PM	#9
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Day and night! I have the FA77mm, A50mm f1.2, FA50mm f1.7 and VL58mm f1.4. First the focal length is very different between 77 mm and 50 mm. With the 77m, it is like if you take a 50mm shot and crop it.... Second the rendering is very different. I love the FA77mm, especially for portrait and landscape. The VL58mm f1.4 is also very different and special, but in a different way. My third fav is the A50mm f1.2, teh fastest Pentax lens .... (Honestly I do not use much the FA50mm f1.7.) So keep your FA77mm and enjoy your 50mm. Two lenses, for two different uses.

08-21-2015, 02:38 PM	#10
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354 Original Poster	If there is one certainty in this world, it is that I have you guys to feed my LBA Thanks for the responses!

08-21-2015, 03:23 PM	#11
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I have all of them, FA77, Topcor 58f1.4, Tomioka Chinon 55f1.4, K55f1.8, A50f1.4 and various M 50s. I like the 77, 58 and 55s, but not as much for the 50 (which I prefer the 43 more).

08-21-2015, 03:38 PM	#12
opel3nix Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: 48599 Gronau Photos: Albums Posts: 26	Got the Takumar 55 1.8 and it is a great lens for low light photographie. Nice colours and high contrast even in difficult lightning situations. The 77 2.4 I use for portraits and landscapes. Very sharp, vera contrasty, one of my best lenses for APSC!

08-21-2015, 03:55 PM	#13
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,090	Originally posted by cali92rs For those that own both a 50/55mm lens AND 77mm, are the focal lengths so similar that you hardly use one or the other. Or are they different enough that both get sufficient usage without one collecting dust? There is enough difference between 77mm & 85mm to justify owing both, let alone between 50/55mm & 77mm. So yes get a 50/1.2! Phil.

08-21-2015, 04:50 PM	#14
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	You need a 50/1.2 in your life. I did a comparison with the DA*55, and the older lens holds its own exceptionally well.

08-21-2015, 05:05 PM	#15
Bromberger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 186	I have the 77mm, a M50 1.7 and a Takumar 55 1.8. My main field is portrait photography. With the 77, while it is a dream of a lens, i often find myself quite far away from the model, especially if i want to show not only the head but also shoulders or upper body. When i'm that far away, i feel that the connection between me and the model is not as it should be. A 50 comes closer to the distance i would also have with a person that i'm not taking pictures of but i'm just talking to in a social situation. Also sometimes, i get the 50 out when i'm bumping into the wall with my back when shooting indoors :-) I would love to get the upcoming full frame camera, just so that i can use the 77 from as close as i can use a 50 on APSC. Hope that helps Bromberger