Originally posted by IgorZ I have both and if you have a test in mind, I can send you some photos. Bookshelf? Brick wall? Or would you prefer some flowers?
Just took a couple of photos of dahlias. Will post later tonight
Don't worry, I took the plunge and ordered the FA77
Originally posted by Sandy Hancock FA77 wide open. This is the Droid you're looking for @BruceBanner
Stopped all the way down to f/2.0
....and f/2.5
f/2.8
And a portraity one with the FA43 to finish off:
You really need them both
I knew I could count on you Sandy, excellent work and excellent demonstration of it's ability. For some reason my google and flickr searches didn't come up with many shooting wide with it, or even around the f2 mark. Quite a few f4's etc (that were nice) but that didn't really help me get an idea (as I wanted to compare it to the pop of the Samyang 85/1.4).
I think flickr needs to improve, when doing searches for things like FA 77 or FA77 I think its only retrieving tags or some mention of it in the description, I'm doubtful it's using EXIF information at all to assist... :/
I think overall I am liking the 85/1.4 shots more (or of course the new DFA 50) however it's size and compactness is very attractive indeed.
Now that you've had some time with the DFA 50, are you put off my its size for what it is (ie a prime), I mean most pentax primes are teeny tiny
Originally posted by mikesbike I don't know why he was having such AF difficulty with the FA 77mm in his video presentation. That has not been my experience at all. Perhaps he was using multiple AF points in AFC mode, which I've not done with this lens. I also have the FA 43mm, but not the FA 31mm. I first shot with both these lenses on film, and experienced no AF issue with either. My very first shot with the FA 77mm was a very quick portrait of a young friend while walking in a woodsy area, using a Pentax ZX-5n in "P" mode. I saw the settings the camera chose were fine so I grabbed his expression before it could change, and he said it was the best photo anyone ever took of him, even over a professional studio shot. Bokeh with the FA 77mm is outstanding. Later, with DSLR APS-C use, I got shots of a bee going flower to flower and had to nail a shot the second it would land before it could again take off. Very successful, and that with a K100D.
Yeah I'm seeing some mixed reviews on AF. The official (most recent) review of the FA77 by Pentax Forums said they felt AF worked great, no problems, however a comment in the comment section alerted to the fact that it too can hunt about when shooting flowers in a bit of mild wind etc... Hmm... guess I'll have to see, certainly mixed reviews on that front.
Originally posted by stillshot2 The FA77 is very sharp wide open as others have said, but purple fringing in high contrast shots has ruined a few shots I was really counting on to come out better...
In your opinion does it improve at all if stopping down even just slightly (f 2 and 2.2/2.5 etc?).
Originally posted by BWG I have the triplets and all are incredible. The 77 has a little more pop, but is less useful (at least the way I generally shoot) as a walk around lens. I can go all day with the 43 on, and not feel I need to change lenses. The 77 leaves me wishing I had something wider. YMMV. Whichever you decide, you’ll have magic. Have fun!
I can understand that statement, I have the Samyang 85/1.4 and whilst ignoring lack of AF for a moment, it's focal length does lend itself to just one task and one task only, portraits. Luckily I have the HD DA 35/2.8 Macro as well which I find a lovely all rounder.
I have to say the 43 probably appeals to me the least, I am really impressed by some of the 31 shots I've seen...