Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
04-16-2018, 03:30 PM   #1
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
mwilky55's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southeastern Connecticut
Photos: Albums
Posts: 816
FA *85 or FA 77 Limited?

Hi, I could use some perspectives/opinions.

I have an FA*85 and an FA 77 LTD. I know the right answer is both, and this is not a bad problem to have......

But if you had these two lenses and could only keep one, which would you keep and why?

Appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

mwilky55

04-16-2018, 03:33 PM   #2
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
Keep the one you like best. If you don't know, then perhaps both should go. (Sorry, could not resist!)


Steve

(...or neither...)
04-16-2018, 03:33 PM   #3
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
twilhelm's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Florida
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,369
I would probably keep the 85 if it's in great working condition. The 77 can be purchased at any time (for now) new or used. The 85 will only become harder to come by.

Of course, I have the 77 and not the 85, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
04-16-2018, 03:42 PM   #4
Pentaxian
Paul the Sunman's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Melbourne
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 4,836
In the time you have owned both, how many shots have you taken with each? That may answer your question.

04-16-2018, 03:47 PM   #5
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Tokyo
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,041
I second @twilhelm
04-16-2018, 03:57 PM   #6
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 107
Where do you want use the lens? Do you want it to use or as a collectors item?

The 85mm is rare and would be had to replace if it was damaged or stolen. It stands out and is big.

The 77mm is smaller and can be replaced if damaged.

If I had an 85mm, I might be worried to take it on trips. But then again I have the FA 80-200 f2.8 and the 24mm f2, I do love the way they look, just not the kind of lens I can replace, they usually stay close to home.
04-16-2018, 04:02 PM   #7
hcc
Pentaxian
hcc's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,999
A D FA★ 85mm f1.4 is on the road map for 2019:
2018 Pentax K-Mount Lens Roadmap - CP+ 2018 | PentaxForums.com

This may change the status of the legendary FA*85mm f1.4.

Personally I have the FA77mm Ltd and I was pondering to get a FA*85mm. I will wait for the D-FA*85mm.

My 5 cents.

04-16-2018, 04:04 PM   #8
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,182
My 2 cents. I love my FA 77. I owned the A* 85 which is the sibling/cousin of the FA 77. I sold the A* to buy the FA 77 and other items.

The FA* 85 is what @LeRolls prefers for his beauty shots. He has used both and can offer a perspective on what he values over the FA 77.
04-16-2018, 04:27 PM   #9
Pentaxian
LeRolls's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PSL, FL
Posts: 4,501
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
My 2 cents. I love my FA 77. I owned the A* 85 which is the sibling/cousin of the FA 77. I sold the A* to buy the FA 77 and other items.

The FA* 85 is what @LeRolls prefers for his beauty shots. He has used both and can offer a perspective on what he values over the FA 77.
Yes, I own both and love both but hardly use the 77 anymore except on certain jobs where the smaller weight and size is nice. For my K-1 I find the focus to be more accurate with the 85 (more keepers when shooting with a shallow depth of field). I also prefer the bokeh and the overall rendering from the 85. When shooting between f1.4-2.5 the way it handles skin is more pleasing to my eyes than the 77 from f1.8-2.5. Helps cut down on my editing time.

I partially held on to the 77 in hopes that Pentax would eventually try their hand at a mirrorless FF. Having a smaller body with that lens would be a killer combo for portraits on the go. I am interested in the new 85 they are working on but I will still hold onto my current FA 85 as a backup or in the event that I actually don't like the new version as much.
04-16-2018, 04:35 PM   #10
Veteran Member




Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 543
The 85 is a fantastic lens but I find that it's a bit softer wide open than the 77. That makes it perfect for portraits but a bit less ideal as a general lens. I also find the 77 complements the KP a lot better in my lighter APS-C kit bag where I would probably not want to carry my 85.

I'm looking to sell my 85 with the knowledge that I won't be able to match the IQ with the 77. That's my input on the matter - if you're a serious photographer then you can make use of the 85. If not, the 77 is in my opinion a better general purpose lens.
04-16-2018, 05:57 PM   #11
BWG
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter




Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Monterey County, California
Posts: 165
I recently purchased the 77 and love it, I don’t have the 85 so here is my solution. Send yours to me and let me test it for the next few years so I can give you an informed opinion.
Seriously, like others are saying, keep the 85 because it’s rare and would be hard to replace. The 77s are still available.
04-16-2018, 06:11 PM - 2 Likes   #12
Moderator
Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Sandy Hancock's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,254
I have both (and it's going to stay that way!), but if I had to let one go it would be the FA*85

It's much bigger and heavier, and the hood is huge and clunky. Sure, it's half a stop faster, and maybe has a bit more magic, but there's not much in it. I don't make a living out of this game, so the extra 5% is not a deal breaker.

When it comes to packing for a day's photography, the FA77 finds its way into the bag every time.
04-16-2018, 06:47 PM   #13
Veteran Member




Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southeastern Michigan
Posts: 4,509
It does, as always, depend on what uses you have in mind. The FA* 85 might perhaps be better for doing portraits under controlled conditions with your K-1, while the FA 77mm LTD can be a better candidate for doing portraits with an APS-C body, as well as useful for other applications, as Sandy has indicated. I shoot with APS-C bodies- the KP, K-5 IIs, and K-S2, and also occasional film use. For me, the FA 77 LTD has been a very useful, very versatile, and very unique little gem. And its bokeh is wonderful. Nothing else quite like it is offered by anyone else.
04-16-2018, 07:02 PM   #14
Senior Member




Join Date: Mar 2010
Photos: Albums
Posts: 231
my two cents - I love both. they both take sharp pics with pixie dust, even both wide open. Like everyone says, the 77 is smaller and most likely to be packed. I owned the 77 before the 85, and I basically obtained the 85 because I know they are a rarer item, and I got it at a good price/condition. If I had not bought the 85, I would be more than happy with my portraits with the 77, and vice versa, if I owned the 85 before the 77. I'm not sure the price difference means better performance, for me its more of a collector issue. If you can get a great deal on the fa 85, I wouldn't hesitate to get that because its just more rare.
04-17-2018, 03:42 PM - 1 Like   #15
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
mwilky55's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southeastern Connecticut
Photos: Albums
Posts: 816
Original Poster
Hi everyone, just wanted to say thank you for the real thoughtful posts.....

Now I think I'll exercise my decision-making technique...it's called inertia

I probably don't use either as much as I should. But since @LeRolls weighed in on this thread, I have to give him some props. His portraits with the FA*85 are testament to the lens (and its handler).
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
fa, k-mount, pentax lens, slr lens
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax fa*85, a*85, fa*43, fa*31, fa*200, fa*28-70 chirocanonpan Sold Items 35 03-15-2013 11:25 PM
k5 or FA 77 and FA 31 or FA 77 and FA 43 kaibil1 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 22 10-13-2010 10:26 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax FA* 200 macro, FA* 85, FA* 24, FA 31 LTD, FA 77 LTD, A 50/1.2, VL 125 M aegisphan Sold Items 86 09-03-2009 02:37 PM
Takumar 85 1.8 vs 77 limited OrenMc Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 12 08-21-2008 09:17 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:27 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top