Is the FA 77 worth the price?

SteveM · 02-11-2009, 11:14 PM

I have a FA 43...and want the FA 31...is the FA77 worth the extra compared to the DA 70?

kathyk · 02-11-2009, 11:40 PM

Depends on the demands I think, the 77 is quite a bit faster than the 70, the image quality is very excellent from both (I have the 77, but IQ for the 70 looks super from what I've seen).

Pricing is about $150 more the 77 I think?

sharko · 02-11-2009, 11:43 PM

I have the FA31 and thought about the FA77 for a little while but I'm just not a fan of the focal length on digital. Now it may be different for your but I just find it too long for anything except tight headshots of people...I think a ~50-58mm lens works better for that on digital because of the smaller FOV. I'm sure optically it's wonderful like the other FA limiteds but I just don't find the focal length that useful except on a full frame film camera...I have my Tamron 28-75mm if I want to go near that focal length...not as pretty nor as fast but it gets the job done

ll_coffee_lP · 02-12-2009, 04:53 AM

The 77 is the best lens I've ever used for Pentax.

As the poster above noted, focal length should play an important role, especially when the DA70 is actually a 68mm f2.8 lens, versus the FA77 being a 77mm f1.8 lens.

Both are excellent lenses. With the DA70 you get a slightly smaller lens, quick shift focusing that's optimized for digital sensors, and it costs a few bucks less. With the FA77 you pay a bit more, but you get an aperture ring, slightly better MF tension, it's significantly faster (f1.8 vrs f2.8), it's full frame compatible, and it's images are truly magic.

I chose the FA77 myself over the DA70. I personally love the focal length (yes, it can be tight indoors sometimes), and love the feel of it. The extra money meant that I didn't choose the excellent DA70 (great sharpness and contrast), but went for the ultimate FA77 (best colour rendition for skin, blistering sharp, 3D pop to images). I don't regret it one bit.

I hope this helps.

c[_]

netuser · 02-12-2009, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by smc

I have a FA 43...and want the FA 31...is the FA77 worth the extra compared to the DA 70?

For me, it's

Have one already and looking for FA31

**dadipentak** · 02-12-2009, 05:32 AM

"Is the FA 77 worth the price?"

Yes.

Next question? ;~)

nulla · 02-12-2009, 09:47 AM

Yes, Yes and yes

Neil

nostatic · 02-12-2009, 10:12 AM

Yes

So is the 31.

farfisa · 02-12-2009, 10:39 AM

In ten characters or more? Yes it really is.

jsherman999 · 02-12-2009, 12:27 PM

Yes.

.

legacyb4 · 02-12-2009, 12:43 PM

Nope, won't and can't click your link; the LAST time I did that, I ended up buying the DA* 50-135...

Originally posted by jsherman999

Yes.

.

axl · 02-12-2009, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by nostatic

Yes

So is the 31.

as much as I'd like to disagree (the price is just very high) I simply CAN'T. 31 is superb!!!
and if 77 is anything like it, then yes it is! It's only problem is that it has direct competition from DA70 (31 has nothing to go against).
BR

SteveM · 02-12-2009, 01:20 PM

I wish people could be a little more clear (kidding). Thanks everyone!

jsherman999 · 02-12-2009, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by legacyb4

Nope, won't and can't click your link; the LAST time I did that, I ended up buying the DA* 50-135...

Ok... Just click This Link, then.

It's a link to some free stuff, or something.

.

redpigeons · 02-12-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

Ok... Just click This Link, then.

It's a link to some free stuff, or something.

.

jsherman999!!! dear god!! the bokeh on the bee one looks like angels came down with a brush and painted your frame
Pentax should use this picture as a commercial

02-11-2009, 11:14 PM	#1
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	Is the FA 77 worth the price? I have a FA 43...and want the FA 31...is the FA77 worth the extra compared to the DA 70?

02-12-2009, 12:27 PM	#10
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	o yeah Yes. .

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02-11-2009, 11:40 PM	#2
kathyk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan/USA Posts: 173	Depends on the demands I think, the 77 is quite a bit faster than the 70, the image quality is very excellent from both (I have the 77, but IQ for the 70 looks super from what I've seen). Pricing is about $150 more the 77 I think?

02-11-2009, 11:43 PM	#3
sharko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: City of Angels Photos: Gallery Posts: 278	I have the FA31 and thought about the FA77 for a little while but I'm just not a fan of the focal length on digital. Now it may be different for your but I just find it too long for anything except tight headshots of people...I think a ~50-58mm lens works better for that on digital because of the smaller FOV. I'm sure optically it's wonderful like the other FA limiteds but I just don't find the focal length that useful except on a full frame film camera...I have my Tamron 28-75mm if I want to go near that focal length...not as pretty nor as fast but it gets the job done

02-12-2009, 04:53 AM	#4
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	The 77 is the best lens I've ever used for Pentax. As the poster above noted, focal length should play an important role, especially when the DA70 is actually a 68mm f2.8 lens, versus the FA77 being a 77mm f1.8 lens. Both are excellent lenses. With the DA70 you get a slightly smaller lens, quick shift focusing that's optimized for digital sensors, and it costs a few bucks less. With the FA77 you pay a bit more, but you get an aperture ring, slightly better MF tension, it's significantly faster (f1.8 vrs f2.8), it's full frame compatible, and it's images are truly magic. I chose the FA77 myself over the DA70. I personally love the focal length (yes, it can be tight indoors sometimes), and love the feel of it. The extra money meant that I didn't choose the excellent DA70 (great sharpness and contrast), but went for the ultimate FA77 (best colour rendition for skin, blistering sharp, 3D pop to images). I don't regret it one bit. I hope this helps. c[_]

02-12-2009, 05:24 AM	#5
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Originally posted by smc I have a FA 43...and want the FA 31...is the FA77 worth the extra compared to the DA 70? For me, it's Have one already and looking for FA31

02-12-2009, 05:32 AM	#6
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	"Is the FA 77 worth the price?" Yes. Next question? ;~)

02-12-2009, 09:47 AM	#7
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Yes, Yes and yes Neil

02-12-2009, 10:12 AM	#8
nostatic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: socal Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,575	Yes So is the 31.

02-12-2009, 10:39 AM	#9
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	In ten characters or more? Yes it really is.

02-12-2009, 12:43 PM	#11
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Nope, won't and can't click your link; the LAST time I did that, I ended up buying the DA* 50-135... Originally posted by jsherman999 Yes. .

02-12-2009, 12:48 PM	#12
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by nostatic Yes So is the 31. as much as I'd like to disagree (the price is just very high) I simply CAN'T. 31 is superb!!! and if 77 is anything like it, then yes it is! It's only problem is that it has direct competition from DA70 (31 has nothing to go against). BR

02-12-2009, 01:20 PM	#13
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294 Original Poster	I wish people could be a little more clear (kidding). Thanks everyone!

02-12-2009, 01:36 PM	#14
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by legacyb4 Nope, won't and can't click your link; the LAST time I did that, I ended up buying the DA* 50-135... Ok... Just click This Link, then. It's a link to some free stuff, or something. .

02-12-2009, 01:52 PM	#15
redpigeons Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 943	Originally posted by jsherman999 Ok... Just click This Link, then. It's a link to some free stuff, or something. . jsherman999!!! dear god!! the bokeh on the bee one looks like angels came down with a brush and painted your frame Pentax should use this picture as a commercial