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12-10-2008, 12:01 AM   #1
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DA35/70LTD vs FA31/77LTD

I have the DA35LTD and love and and plan on getting the DA70LTD to compliment it but was thinking of that combination of focal lenths would be best served in the realm of the FA's... what are your thoughts.

12-10-2008, 01:42 AM   #2
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Hard to say. All these are wonderful lenses. I myself keep the 31 and 77 because I'd like to have a full set of the FA Limiteds. If you use the DA35 mostly for closeups, then you'd better keep it. Otherwise the FA31 will serve you as well or even better under low light condition. DA70 vs FA77, optically the difference isn't as big as DA35 vs FA31, so the decision is much easier.
12-10-2008, 01:55 AM   #3
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It is hard to beat Da 35 ltd macro. Ditch Fa 31 ltd.

Da 70 is cheaper and smaller. AF faster than Fa 77 ltd. Go for Da 70 ltd.
12-10-2008, 03:08 AM   #4
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I'm looking for a DA35 to trade for my Voigt 58/1.4 Need the close focusing for my food photography, sometimes I want to focus closer than my DA40 would

12-10-2008, 05:58 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Buddha Jones Quote
I have the DA35LTD and love and and plan on getting the DA70LTD to compliment it...
That's what I did and am very pleased.

My walk around kit is a K20D paired to either the DA 35 Ltd (urban) or DA 55-300 (nature). I added the DA 70 Ltd so I could be a bit more stealthy on the long end in both settings. Since most of my subjects require some reach, the DA 70 Ltd seems to fit my style in a nice way. Also, when the recent generous cashback program came into play, pulling the trigger was a no brainer.

Ciao...

Last edited by Michaelina2; 12-10-2008 at 07:45 AM.
12-10-2008, 07:40 AM   #6
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I like the suggestion; I'm drawn to the 31 but you can get almost 2 or 3 lenses depending on selection for that price!

QuoteOriginally posted by roentarre Quote
It is hard to beat Da 35 ltd macro. Ditch Fa 31 ltd.

Da 70 is cheaper and smaller. AF faster than Fa 77 ltd. Go for Da 70 ltd.
12-10-2008, 08:01 AM   #7
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depends if you feel the need, the need for speed :P

12-10-2008, 08:46 AM   #8
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I have the 35/70 combo as well, along with the 12-24. I have no experience with the FAs you mention, but since all of these lenses have had lavish praise heaped upon them, I think it comes down to just a couple of things:

Price (DAs win)
Size (DAs win)
Speed (FAs win)

Some will argue IQ, but it doesn't seem like there are any noticeable differences in real-world shooting.

Todd
12-10-2008, 08:57 AM   #9
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Thanks for the input everyone. I think that I will stick with the DA lineup and if $$ or need arises I will get the FA's mainly for their speed.
12-10-2008, 09:52 AM   #10
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Another here with the DA35/70 combo and no complaints from me. Yeah, I'd love to have the FA31/77 combo, but consider the price difference in the UK:

FA31/77 - roughly £1200
DA35/70 - I paid £570

Yet there is no compromise in quality
12-10-2008, 10:35 AM   #11
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I had both the DA70/2.4 and FA77/1.8 for a while and the DA70/2.4 is a very lovely lens and I only decide to part with it because I like the speed of the FA77/1.8. How about getting the FA31/1.8 for speed and the normal perspective and the DA70/2.4 for reach and contrast?
12-10-2008, 07:09 PM   #12
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the fa77 is also known to purple fringe where as the da70 should be more clear of this
also note the difference in focal lengths, the da70 is slightly shorter than 70mm making the difference more pronounced
12-10-2008, 07:42 PM   #13
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I had the 31FA/35DA/77FA, but sold the 31 - The 35 was doing double duty as a macro and D-normal. Kinda like a starting quarterback who's also a 65-yard field-goal kicker - you can't trade that guy.

So I'm 35/77. But then I bought the 43 FA ltd because I saw some blow-me-away images from it and found it at Prodigital2000 for a song. Now it might be my favorite limited... at least until I put the 77 back on.

To summarize: Good luck.



.
12-10-2008, 08:37 PM   #14
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LOL.... I think that I am going to get the DA70LTD and then depending on how good business is next year I will invest in the FA combo as well.
12-10-2008, 09:23 PM   #15
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Buddha, consider the price increases if you plan on the FA's in the long term. They are more expensive to begin with and their price will go up even higher than the DA's, comparatively. That's the main reason I pulled the trigger on the FA 77Ltd a couple of weeks ago. Well and the fact I got a killer deal from Prodigital along with the cashback.
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