Originally posted by repaap One more thing different with FA 77 and DFA *85 is that with 77 you won't ge that 'fast' 85 mm 'look'. Every one who has shot with fast 85 does know this. This is why DFA*85 is -still- on my shopping list.
FA 77 is great I love mine. Small compact and great for what it is. But it is not fast 85, and definetly it is not in class of DFA* lenses.
The fast 85 look does get tired pretty quickly. My first few sessions with the new 85mm were done at f1.4 just because I could. Honestly though, f2 or f2.8 is a better aperture to be at just to get that little bit extra in focus. The 77 at f2.8 is very usable.
---------- Post added Aug 19th, 2022 at 09:46 AM ----------
Originally posted by mbukal why, why don't you compare two of the same length with the same apertures, FA 85/1.4 vs DFA 85/1.4, as if you are comparing a car with 1100 cubic meters and 150 horses with a car with 1600 cubic meters and 110 horses, I don't see the logic in comparing FA77/ 1.4 vs DFA 85/1.4 the only thing is that both are Pentax lenses with original Pentax design,77/1.8 vs 85/1.4 do not even belong to the same lens class, i.e. * class ,no, they are by no glasses for a parallel comparison of the same characteristic qualities
They are both available new. This goes a long way towards a valid comparison when one is trying to decide what to purchase new. The lens that comes closest to optical comparability with the DFA*85/1.4 is the A*85/1.4, and it is a unicorn of a lens that gives up autofocus. Good luck finding one.
When I was shopping for a new truck several years ago I was comparing the Dodge Ram 6.7 diesel to the Nissan Titan 5.0 diesel. They aren't anywhere near being in the same class, the Ram has something like 50% more horsepower and torque than the smaller Cummins engine.
I decided that for my needs, the smaller engine in the better built truck was sufficient and I ended up with the Nissan.
In the same way, a person might decide that the DFA*85/1.4 is way more lens than they need, and that the FA77/1.8 might fit the bill quite nicely.