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07-03-2017, 07:31 PM - 8 Likes   #16
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The 77 used to be my favorite lens and I have extensive experience using it on both the K-01 and the K-3. Of the three options you have listed I would definitely choose the 77. I will link my 77 album on Flickr and share a few examples as well.

FA77 | Flickr



















I mostly use the K-1 with the FA 85 and I'd like to think my editing skills are better now but hopefully these samples will give you a taste of what the 77 is capable of.

You can usually find a used 77 for around $700.

07-03-2017, 07:54 PM   #17
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The DA*55 is a classic 85mm FOV on FF. So this is a much desired 85 FOV on your APS-C a classic portrait focal length with all the exotic pixie dust, bokeh, silent focusing and WR and what not. DA*55 is an absolute no brainer albeit expensive and I have had no focusing horrors that people have mentioned or you have heard about. Any lens at wide open (typically faster ones @1.2 or @1.4) is temperamental and causes focus to hunt at times or can be a focus miss. Blame it on the lens but it is usually a user error cos the DOF only becomes unforgiving. I have owned this lens and adored it and relished images from this lens. Each time I use it, it amazes me. Works on K-1 too in case you grow out of APS-C.

I don't own an FA77 but this is another classic that people have raved about. I would own this if I did not already have the FA*85 or if I give in to the LBA disease. I would rule out DA70 at this point as it is not a huge advantage over FA77 size or weight wise for what it offers let alone not a FF designated optic.

---------- Post added 07-03-17 at 10:57 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by LeRolls Quote
The 77 used to be my favorite lens and I have extensive experience using it on both the K-01 and the K-3. Of the three options you have listed I would definitely choose the 77. I will link my 77 album on Flickr and share a few examples as well
Ok. Avoid posting images of these sorts because It only worsens the LBA disease.
Superb images btw.
07-03-2017, 08:04 PM - 4 Likes   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by shardulm Quote
Ok. Avoid posting images of these sorts because It only worsens the LBA disease.
Superb images btw.
LOL! Thanks BTW.

A few more samples from the archives.









07-03-2017, 11:26 PM - 1 Like   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by LeRolls Quote
LOL! Thanks BTW.

A few more samples from the archives.
Stop it ! :-)
But in all fairness, this is not only the lens speaking, this is a lot of the photographer speaking.
I'm pretty sure if i gave you my da70 or m85, you'd get stunning results as well.
Although the rendering and bokeh is out of this world.

I 'm enjoying to see how you play with model & background lines..
real nice.

07-03-2017, 11:27 PM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by ddbarchitect Quote
I am considering buying a new portrait lens to pair with my K-3ii. I currently own the M50mm f1.7 and the M85mm f2. I find both of these difficult to focus without using live view. Also, I don't like the hexagonal highlight bokeh of the 50mm f1.7 when stopped down.

I think the DA*55 would be a nice focal length, but I have heard reports about inconsistent and slow auto focus.

The DA70 is appealing in it's size, focal length, and cool limited factor, but I am wondering if f2.4 is a limitation. I haven't seen many examples from this lens that have a really soft background.

The 77mm is a lens that I have always lusted after, but now I am wondering if it is a little long, and also too expensive.

I would love to hear peoples thoughts and see any example photos.

F2.4 is not a limitation for portrait work.


Give in to your lust for the FA77. You will have a long-term love affair with it.


70mm to 85mm are very versatile lengths for portrait work, ranging from head-and-shoulders to full-length. Those focal lengths will flatter most people's features, whereas at 50mm, you need to think about landscape orientation and/or not filling the frame.


I have attached two pics with the FA43mm and one with the FA77mm. The two with Arielle are both with the FA43 if I remember correctly (Otherwise one is with the Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art). The one with Geoff is definitely with the FA77.
Attached Images
 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-3 II  Photo   
07-04-2017, 12:16 AM - 1 Like   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by ddbarchitect Quote
I am considering buying a new portrait lens to pair with my K-3ii. I currently own the M50mm f1.7 and the M85mm f2. I find both of these difficult to focus without using live view. Also, I don't like the hexagonal highlight bokeh of the 50mm f1.7 when stopped down.

I think the DA*55 would be a nice focal length, but I have heard reports about inconsistent and slow auto focus.

The DA70 is appealing in it's size, focal length, and cool limited factor, but I am wondering if f2.4 is a limitation. I haven't seen many examples from this lens that have a really soft background.

The 77mm is a lens that I have always lusted after, but now I am wondering if it is a little long, and also too expensive.

I would love to hear peoples thoughts and see any example photos.
Of the 3, and I had all three until I bought my K1, I liked the 70mm the best.
07-04-2017, 06:57 AM   #22
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FWIW, the FA 77mm is an incredible lens, and it is a bit more compact that an 85mm, so I use it as a walking around lens as well.
I purchased my copy used here on PF, for less than $700.

I've used the 70mm, and if compact size and high performance is your main need, that's the lens to get.

07-05-2017, 12:38 AM   #23
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DA 70 at CROP, all wide open/2,4

I wanted FA77 but when I saw a reasonable cheap 70 at Ebay...I don't regret but I would like to try FA77

and the size compared to 70-200/2,8 zooms haha but it's long so it's better for outdoor/planned shootings











---------- Post added 07-05-17 at 12:48 AM ----------

how does it look..a small combo


Last edited by AldaCZ; 07-05-2017 at 12:49 AM.
07-05-2017, 09:32 AM   #24
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Well, I sprung for a used DA*55 f1.4 for $350, which seems consistent for the completed sales price on Ebay right now. I will get it in a week, and I will post some shots then.

Thank you everybody for the advise and superb images.

-David

Last edited by ddbarchitect; 07-05-2017 at 09:39 AM.
07-05-2017, 09:44 AM - 1 Like   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by Wheatfield Quote
Of the 3, and I had all three until I bought my K1, I liked the 70mm the best.
Here's a few samples from the DA70. As far as I am concerned, it's an APS-C version of the 77mmLTD.

Last edited by Wheatfield; 03-09-2018 at 09:44 AM.
07-06-2017, 05:13 AM - 1 Like   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by ddbarchitect Quote
I am considering buying a new portrait lens to pair with my K-3ii. I currently own the M50mm f1.7 and the M85mm f2. I find both of these difficult to focus without using live view. Also, I don't like the hexagonal highlight bokeh of the 50mm f1.7 when stopped down.

I think the DA*55 would be a nice focal length, but I have heard reports about inconsistent and slow auto focus.

The DA70 is appealing in it's size, focal length, and cool limited factor, but I am wondering if f2.4 is a limitation. I haven't seen many examples from this lens that have a really soft background.

The 77mm is a lens that I have always lusted after, but now I am wondering if it is a little long, and also too expensive.

I would love to hear peoples thoughts and see any example photos.
I may be late to the show, but here's my take:

except if you own a studio or want to shoot outside where you have a lot of room, the 77 is not a good choice on the K-3 ii. Too tight. Even 50/55mm is too tight in many situations. I a realistic home studio environment, I find that 40mm is ideal for a portrait lens on APS-C. With my K-3, the DA40 limited was my most used prime by far, ni and out of the studio. Even outside, I used it a lot. I did not own a 50mm lens at the end.

Now I have a K-1 also, and don't use the 40 a lot. It's still a very good lens, but I find myself using 50 more, and the 77 has been added to my kit and is used very often. It's still a bit narrow inside, except for closely framed portraits.
07-06-2017, 05:31 AM   #27
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On crop, the FA77 is unequalled for headshots and the DA*55 is perfect for longer portraiture. One lens is not enough
07-08-2017, 01:47 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sandy Hancock Quote
........ One lens is not enough
Did you really just say that on PentaxForums......

.....as if all these poor LBA sufferers didn't know
07-08-2017, 08:06 AM   #29
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According to my extensive statistics, I use the DA*55 about 50% of my shots and the FA77 about 35-40%. Here's a few of my recent faves (ok, kinda chosen randomly....) with the FA77:









And a few with the DA*55:







And here's albums of it all:

FA77: https://www.flickr.com/gp/madmathmind/Y9y904
DA55: https://www.flickr.com/gp/madmathmind/72H1CV
07-08-2017, 03:50 PM   #30
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Obviously both lenses will turn any photographer into a chick magnet. You can't lose
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