[Mr. Ed]

Considering the price difference, and except for the FF compatibility, why purchase the 77 when the 70 is half the cost?

[pathdoc]

Compatible with all K mount film and digital bodies is the other objective criterion. All the rest is in the eye of the beholder. I personally bought the DA 70 even though I am a firm believer in cross platform compatibility. The extra cost was not justifiable given that there were higher priorities at the time.

[Imp]

No reason at all! Well... maybe some reasons. There are a couple advantages and disadvantages to both, but considering the price, t he HD DA 70 ltd. is a no brainer.

Here is the complete Pentax Forums review comparison of the two lenses. Keep in mind they're comparing the 77 with the smc 70 version, so the hd 70 is probably a tad bit better.
DA 70mm vs FA 77mm Limited Review - Comparison: Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Good Luck!

[MadMathMind]

The FA Limiteds have a unique way of rendering textures. The 77 especially has this smooth, silky feel to the photos. They say "pixie dust" around here but there's really something different about the images. They just look...gorgeous.

[luftfluss]

Considering the price difference, and except for the FF compatibility, why purchase the 77 when the 70 is half the cost?

The FA77 has an aperture ring, which the DA70 lacks. The fact that the FA77 is both longer and faster means that there is potential for greater subject/background separation. Some FA77 users will tell you that it has pixie dust - I can't say personally, because I own only the DA70.

Often in photography - as in some other pursuits - you have to pay a lot more to get that little bit extra. It's subjective, not objective, value.

[clackers]

The DA70 is full frame compatible.


In the comparison listed by Imp, they ended up tying on points.

[aleonx3]

As many have already suggested, you don't get it unless you have it in your hand and try it. That's not to say the DA 70 is less by comparison, it is just different, especially in image rendering of the 77 and it is slightly faster which I prefer. In the end, it is just a personal preference IMHO.

[LeRolls]

I own both and while I think the 70 is a fine lens for the price I can honestly say that I prefer the 77 in almost every way that matters to me. I'd even go as far as to say that it is probably my favorite lens that I happen to own. Someday I'd like to get my hands on the 85 1.4 to see how it compares.

There is most definitely a difference in the rendering between the 70 and the 77 especially when it comes to portraits.

[monochrome]

Look at the FA Limited lens club thread (especially LeRolls' 77 portraits). The FA77 is just different. Whether the difference is worth hundreds of dollars to you is a personal choice - a decision - but it isn't a rational competition one lens or the other can win.

[GeneV]

I have them both as well. I greatly prefer the FA77 for people. There is no other lens like it, especially at around f/2.5, not even my beloved DA*50-135, for portraits.

OTOH, for buildings, landscapes, and traveling light, the DA70 rules. It renders detail a bit better and the overall feel of the shot for subjects other than portraits is more to my liking, though when we discuss relative strengths between the two lenses we are talking about subtleties.

[Digitalis]

In a nutshell: the FA77 is faster, has an aperture ring*, can cover full frame and also on a subjective note has exceptionally good rendering.


Pentax K5IIs - SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited ISO 160 f/2.8 @ 1/60th


Pentax K5IIs - SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited @ f/4 ISO 400 1/250th


Pentax K5IIs - SMCP-FA77mm f/1.8 Limited @ f/4 ISO800 1/400th + 25mm extension tube used.

The DA70 is full frame compatible.

I suppose that depends on how much cropping you are willing to put up with.. From what I have seen: on full format @ f/2.4 the DA70 performs worse than the FA77 does @ f/1.8 on full format.

When you stop them both down you would be hard pressed to tell the difference - it is when they are used at wider apertures the differences become more apparent. While the DA70mm f/2.4 may be a technically superior lens, the FA77 has more character.

*which means it is easier to work with flash and also has the ability to be used with manual extension tubes.

[Sandy Hancock]

I'm with LeRolls and Digitalis.
I had both for a while; I still have the FA77. There's a reason for that. In fact, there are several.

[Rondec]

I think they are both good lenses. The 77 is a faster lens which means that with portraits you get shallower depth of field/better subject isolation. It also can have really amazing rendering of out of focus areas.

The DA 70 is a little smaller -- particularly if you shoot without the hood. It is a little more flare resistant and probably has a little sharper borders. Out of focus rendering is smooth, but not usually stellar. It is usable on full frame, but will have dark corners wide open.

DA 70 shot.





FA 77 shots.





(last one shot on film).

[DevKom]

Considering the price difference, and except for the FF compatibility, why purchase the 77 when the 70 is half the cost?

I agonised over this question back in the day as well. Given that I process all my pictures, the 'pixie dust' aspect is less an issue than it might have been in the film days. In the end I went for the 70 as being the more versatile of the two with the quick shift focus ability being an important feature for me. Curiously, I found 70mm 'too long' for my more intimate style of portraiture, which was my original motivation for buying the lens. Then I got the 55 1.4 which fills that bill perfectly so I am more than happy with my decision and haven't looked back.

[Sandy Hancock]

Given that I process all my pictures, the 'pixie dust' aspect is less an issue than it might have been in the film days.

[fight!]Pixie dust is an optical effect. It can be enhanced in post processing, but it can not be created there[/fight!]