Comparitive images from 77mm and 50-135mm?

jfsavage · 02-06-2009, 01:22 PM

Does anyone know of any images from the 77mm and the 50-135 that could be compared?

beaumont · 02-06-2009, 04:43 PM

There have been a few threads comparing the two lenses. I'll see if I can find one of the threads for you...

Edit: This one might help?...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/38709-77ltd-vs...-thoughts.html

nostatic · 02-06-2009, 07:07 PM

I have both and I can say that they are very close in iq. The 50-135* is a stunningly sharp zoom with great color. The 77 actually might be a tad softer but it has a special magic.

If you held a gun to my head I'd give up the 50-135* before the 77. But they are very close. If you can live without the "magic", the 50-135* is certainly more versatile. But it also is bigger and heavier.

ll_coffee_lP · 02-06-2009, 07:14 PM

The 77 owns all others...

c[_]

**ManuH** · 02-06-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by jfsavage

Does anyone know of any images from the 77mm and the 50-135 that could be compared?

I should do that once... the FA77 maybe sharper and have a better bokeh and contrast but it has one nasty "feature" IMHO. Purple fringing and bokeh CA. I'm thinking of selling it for this reason. Any highlight will have nice purple halos that is not that easy to remove.

OTOH the 50-135 is much much bigger, with the hood it looks like a bazooka. And it's one stop slower of course.

ll_coffee_lP · 02-07-2009, 05:45 AM

That is very true. The purple fringing on the 77 is brutal - and very difficult to get rid of. Once you learn how to avoid it though the magic-ness of the lense shines through.

Nothing is perfect, but this lens is damn close.

c[_]

jfsavage · 02-07-2009, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by beaumont

There have been a few threads comparing the two lenses. I'll see if I can find one of the threads for you...

Edit: This one might help?...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/38709-77ltd-vs...-thoughts.html

That is a great thread, and very helpful. I found two images that were very similar, but that is all for comparison. Has anyone with both taken any images with both lenses?

jsherman999 · 02-07-2009, 09:43 AM

.

The 50-135 is more versatile, but enormous compared to the 77ltd, and the
77ltd has the speed for really good indoor shooting.

But you're right to make the comparison in one way - the 50-135 is the only
zoom, IMO, that you can compare to a limited prime.

I have shots of the same subject by both, but not on the same day in exactly
the same lighting conditions, exactly same distance, etc, so it's not really
worthwhile to compare that way. I will show shots of one of my typical test
targets from oth lenses, maybe you can see some rendering characteristics
that you'll find useful.

77ltd, f/1.8, 1/125s, ISO 400

50-135 at 135mm, f/2.8, 1/90s, ISO 400

77ltd, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 100 (he's sitting on a bright blue blanket, thus the cast)

50-135 at 135mm, f/3.5, ISO 200:

77ltd, f/2, 1/1000s, ISO 200:

50-135 at 135mm, f/2.8, 1/2000s, ISO 200:

Again, maybe not particularly useful.

.

jfsavage · 02-07-2009, 10:20 AM

jsherman999 - that was remarkably useful - many thanks!

**ManuH** · 02-07-2009, 10:35 AM

Interesting samples, the bokeh seems to be in favor of the 77 although the compositions are differents. When I have the time I'll test mine to see if I sell or keep the 77.

**Eaglerapids** · 02-07-2009, 12:02 PM

To my eyes the bokeh of the 77 Ltd in these examples just blow away the zoom and this is the reason I've concentrated my lens purchases on the primes, great shots Jay.

nostatic · 02-07-2009, 12:39 PM

everybody has their own eyes and bias, but those images sum it up nicely. The 50-135* is amazing and about as close to a prime as you'll get. But the 77 is magic.

jsherman999 · 02-07-2009, 09:59 PM

.

People often put these two lenses up as an 'either-or', in fact I did that myself
last year with the same type of thread. Then I ended up with both, and they really
do compliment each other - in fact, when I don't mind carrying the weight and
I don't really know what I'll be shooting that day, I sometimes bring them both as a kit.

I've often said that if you wanted to save your money for only three good lenses
for Pentax, they should be the 12-24, 50-135 and 77ltd. (or sometimes I think
77ltd <---> 43ltd)

Here's some 'street shooting' on different days, but similar lighting in the MOA
with both the 50-135 & 77ltd:

77ltd, f2.4, ISO 200, pretty tight crop:

77ltd, f2.4, ISO 200

50-135 at 58mm, f/4, ISO 400:

50-135 at 135mm, f/3.5, ISO 400

So as you can see, both excellent for that purpose, and the resolution of the
77ltd allows for cropping even out to a 200mm equiv without too much
IQ dropoff.

But to me, even though the 50-135 is mind-blowing, the 77ltd just does have
that old black magic:

(all 3 f/2)

jfsavage · 02-08-2009, 12:20 PM

FWIW, a 77mm at 10 feet has a DOF of 4.4 inches at f1.8, and 7 inches at f2.8. That's a big difference!

I'm horribly torn. To complicate matters I have a 77mm for sale used, locally for $450 which is a good, but not amazing price. The 50-135mm I can get from Amazon, and have $280 of gift cards to apply to it.

I have a nagging suspicion that I will end up with both, but even so, which would I go for first?

**ManuH** · 02-08-2009, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by jfsavage

I have a nagging suspicion that I will end up with both, but even so, which would I go for first?

Nobody can answer for you. These 2 lenses are different enough that depending on what you shoot one or the other will come out on top.

Me, I would buy the 50-135 first because it's more flexible and is mostly as sharp. It's better for general shooting. It's also weathersealed and quiet (SDM).

But the 77 is one stop faster, much smaller and lighter and has a better bokeh. Its use is more restricted, especially on APS-C where its equivalent to 115mm.

02-06-2009, 01:22 PM	#1
jfsavage Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 211	Comparitive images from 77mm and 50-135mm? Does anyone know of any images from the 77mm and the 50-135 that could be compared?

02-07-2009, 09:43 AM	#8
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. The 50-135 is more versatile, but enormous compared to the 77ltd, and the 77ltd has the speed for really good indoor shooting. But you're right to make the comparison in one way - the 50-135 is the only zoom, IMO, that you can compare to a limited prime. I have shots of the same subject by both, but not on the same day in exactly the same lighting conditions, exactly same distance, etc, so it's not really worthwhile to compare that way. I will show shots of one of my typical test targets from oth lenses, maybe you can see some rendering characteristics that you'll find useful. 77ltd, f/1.8, 1/125s, ISO 400 50-135 at 135mm, f/2.8, 1/90s, ISO 400 77ltd, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 100 (he's sitting on a bright blue blanket, thus the cast) 50-135 at 135mm, f/3.5, ISO 200: 77ltd, f/2, 1/1000s, ISO 200: 50-135 at 135mm, f/2.8, 1/2000s, ISO 200: Again, maybe not particularly useful. . Last edited by jsherman999; 02-07-2009 at 09:54 AM.

02-07-2009, 09:59 PM	#13
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	. People often put these two lenses up as an 'either-or', in fact I did that myself last year with the same type of thread. Then I ended up with both, and they really do compliment each other - in fact, when I don't mind carrying the weight and I don't really know what I'll be shooting that day, I sometimes bring them both as a kit. I've often said that if you wanted to save your money for only three good lenses for Pentax, they should be the 12-24, 50-135 and 77ltd. (or sometimes I think 77ltd <---> 43ltd) Here's some 'street shooting' on different days, but similar lighting in the MOA with both the 50-135 & 77ltd: 77ltd, f2.4, ISO 200, pretty tight crop: 77ltd, f2.4, ISO 200 50-135 at 58mm, f/4, ISO 400: 50-135 at 135mm, f/3.5, ISO 400 So as you can see, both excellent for that purpose, and the resolution of the 77ltd allows for cropping even out to a 200mm equiv without too much IQ dropoff. But to me, even though the 50-135 is mind-blowing, the 77ltd just does have that old black magic: (all 3 f/2) Last edited by jsherman999; 02-07-2009 at 10:06 PM.

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02-06-2009, 04:43 PM	#2
beaumont Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 505	There have been a few threads comparing the two lenses. I'll see if I can find one of the threads for you... Edit: This one might help?... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/38709-77ltd-vs...-thoughts.html

02-06-2009, 07:07 PM	#3
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	I have both and I can say that they are very close in iq. The 50-135* is a stunningly sharp zoom with great color. The 77 actually might be a tad softer but it has a special magic. If you held a gun to my head I'd give up the 50-135* before the 77. But they are very close. If you can live without the "magic", the 50-135* is certainly more versatile. But it also is bigger and heavier.

02-06-2009, 07:14 PM	#4
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	The 77 owns all others... c[_]

02-06-2009, 09:41 PM	#5
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by jfsavage Does anyone know of any images from the 77mm and the 50-135 that could be compared? I should do that once... the FA77 maybe sharper and have a better bokeh and contrast but it has one nasty "feature" IMHO. Purple fringing and bokeh CA. I'm thinking of selling it for this reason. Any highlight will have nice purple halos that is not that easy to remove. OTOH the 50-135 is much much bigger, with the hood it looks like a bazooka. And it's one stop slower of course.

02-07-2009, 05:45 AM	#6
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	That is very true. The purple fringing on the 77 is brutal - and very difficult to get rid of. Once you learn how to avoid it though the magic-ness of the lense shines through. Nothing is perfect, but this lens is damn close. c[_]

02-07-2009, 08:46 AM	#7
jfsavage Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 211 Original Poster	Originally posted by beaumont There have been a few threads comparing the two lenses. I'll see if I can find one of the threads for you... Edit: This one might help?... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/38709-77ltd-vs...-thoughts.html That is a great thread, and very helpful. I found two images that were very similar, but that is all for comparison. Has anyone with both taken any images with both lenses?

02-07-2009, 10:20 AM	#9
jfsavage Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 211 Original Poster	jsherman999 - that was remarkably useful - many thanks!

02-07-2009, 10:35 AM	#10
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Interesting samples, the bokeh seems to be in favor of the 77 although the compositions are differents. When I have the time I'll test mine to see if I sell or keep the 77.

02-07-2009, 12:02 PM	#11
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	To my eyes the bokeh of the 77 Ltd in these examples just blow away the zoom and this is the reason I've concentrated my lens purchases on the primes, great shots Jay.

02-07-2009, 12:39 PM	#12
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	everybody has their own eyes and bias, but those images sum it up nicely. The 50-135* is amazing and about as close to a prime as you'll get. But the 77 is magic.

02-08-2009, 12:20 PM	#14
jfsavage Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 211 Original Poster	FWIW, a 77mm at 10 feet has a DOF of 4.4 inches at f1.8, and 7 inches at f2.8. That's a big difference! I'm horribly torn. To complicate matters I have a 77mm for sale used, locally for $450 which is a good, but not amazing price. The 50-135mm I can get from Amazon, and have $280 of gift cards to apply to it. I have a nagging suspicion that I will end up with both, but even so, which would I go for first?

02-08-2009, 06:52 PM	#15
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	Originally posted by jfsavage I have a nagging suspicion that I will end up with both, but even so, which would I go for first? Nobody can answer for you. These 2 lenses are different enough that depending on what you shoot one or the other will come out on top. Me, I would buy the 50-135 first because it's more flexible and is mostly as sharp. It's better for general shooting. It's also weathersealed and quiet (SDM). But the 77 is one stop faster, much smaller and lighter and has a better bokeh. Its use is more restricted, especially on APS-C where its equivalent to 115mm.