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lbenac · 03-22-2009, 06:41 PM

I was so smitten with the FA31mm that I purchased a few weeks ago, that I decided to buy the FA77mm to keep it company and keep the same look and feel across a larger focal range. I ended up ordering a FA43 also before the price increase take hold but that is a different story...
When I put the 31mm on my K20D it was love at the first sight - a few tests shots to get acquainted and then a few keepers. I assumed it would be the same with the 77mm. That is not the case. I do not get the same "connection" that I had immediately with the 31mm (and with the 50-135 before). I am not sure yet if it is just the focal lens or the personality of the lens. After just a couple of days I would say that I prefer my DA70 over the FA77. The exception might be portraits.
Hopefully I get used to the lens and manage to get the most out of it like everybody but the dog (and me) have been doing according to all comments I have read.
It is still early days and this is probably a demanding lens...

Cheers,

Luc

k100d · 03-22-2009, 06:52 PM

what is it in the DA70 that you're not seeing in the FA77?

lbenac · 03-22-2009, 07:01 PM

First thing that I think is different is the color rendering.
As a landscape lens, I might get a better result with the DA70.
Nothing striking just an impression. I am not one to go and make 36 shots of the same item with each lens to compare inch by inch so it is just a gut feeling.
As I said it is just early days and my expectations were very high after the 31mm which I found could just take pictures "all by itself" :-).
I am sure that after some more usage I will get to like the lens a lot. But I am also sure that it will not replace the 31mm as my favourite lens - neither would the DA70.

Cheers,

Luc

k100d · 03-22-2009, 07:05 PM

cuz of your post i went and looked at some of my old pix from the FA77 and i have no complaints. but the DA70 from all accounts seems to be a mighty fine lens anyways.

there are a few DA70 vs FA77 comparisons around the web, but i find the discussion around it more interesting. google and search

edit: you can see my Cambridge Photos for some FA77 landscape style samples

Last edited by k100d; 03-22-2009 at 07:27 PM.

huqedato · 03-22-2009, 07:25 PM

FA 77 is not a difficult lens but a difficult focal on APS-C sensor cameras.
In fact, FA 77 is in the line of those three legendary Limiteds, designed for 35mm film cameras:
- the perfect normal : 43mm (an not 50mm)
- the perfect wide angle : 31mm (and not 35mm)
- the perfect portrait lens : 77mm (and not 85mm)
I constantly work this lens on my LX and I am completely satisfied of its FOV: an ideal lens for portraiture and more.
On KxxD cameras they are all cropped and give a false mutilated FoV.
When Pentax launch the FF camera, we'll have back the real FA Limiteds as they were conceived.

lbenac · 03-22-2009, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by huqedato

When Pentax launch the FF camera, we'll have back the real FA Limiteds as they were conceived.

Amen to that - one of the reason I bought the FA77 and FA43 "just in case".

Luc

lbenac · 03-22-2009, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by k100d

cuz of your post i went and looked at some of my old pix from the FA77 and i have no complaints. but the DA70 from all accounts seems to be a mighty fine lens anyways.

there are a few DA70 vs FA77 comparisons around the web, but i find the discussion around it more interesting. Google and search

edit: you can see my Cambridge Photos for some FA77 landscape style samples

Yes I have read a few of these and frankly my intention is not to raise another thread FA77 versus DA70 - it would be kind of pointless - a little bit like comparing Manchester United and Manchester City (rules

)
It was just a first impression comment after receiving first the FA31 and then the FA77.
I agree with the other post the focal length might need some getting used to.

Cheers,

Luc

k100d · 03-22-2009, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by lbenac

Manchester United and Manchester City (rules

)

well the FA77 and the DA70 are close ... United and Citeh are

legacyb4 · 03-22-2009, 08:43 PM

Well, if you *ever* need a second opinion, please feel free to ask me; I'm more than willing to test out the pair!

Originally posted by lbenac

It was just a first impression comment after receiving first the FA31 and then the FA77.
I agree with the other post the focal length might need some getting used to.

Cheers,

Luc

kcmadr · 03-22-2009, 09:06 PM

I discovered that the FA 77mm f1.8 Limited is like Calculus, once you "get it", WOW!!!

lbenac · 03-22-2009, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by kcmadr

I discovered that the FA 77mm f1.8 Limited is like Calculus, once you "get it", WOW!!!

That is what I suspect - I don't get it (yet) but will...

Cheers,

lbenac · 03-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by k100d

well the FA77 and the DA70 are close ... United and Citeh are

Sorry assumed you were a soccer fan because of "Arsenal"....

sharko · 03-22-2009, 10:26 PM

I always did think it was an odd focal length for digital so I stuck with ~50mm lenses for portraits. I recently wound up getting a Takumar 85mm f/1.9 for a portrait lens on film as it was much cheaper alternative than the 77mm limited.

lbenac · 03-28-2009, 06:56 PM

A few quick shots of dog and friends...

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/v8/p465688578.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/v8/p302176072.jpg

http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/v5/p382120769.jpg

All with the 77mm on a sunny day with harsh light.

Cheers,

Luc

**Digitalis** · 03-28-2009, 09:17 PM

how long have you had the FA77 LTD?

I took to the FA77 like a duck to water, I loved lenses in the 105-135mm range on my LX and on 1.5X reduced-frame DSLRs the FA77 is 115mm - just right for my kind of work...and on my Pentax LX I treat it like a longer 50...though my mother took one look through it on the LX with the FA77 LTD on it and after a few minuites she asked me " what the hell is this lens for?" - she doesn't get the 77 either, you're not alone.

she got the FA31mm limited though, my mother, who is an old school ex-professional photojournalist has a bias towards wide angle lenses.

03-22-2009, 06:41 PM	#1
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313	FA77mm a difficult lens.. I was so smitten with the FA31mm that I purchased a few weeks ago, that I decided to buy the FA77mm to keep it company and keep the same look and feel across a larger focal range. I ended up ordering a FA43 also before the price increase take hold but that is a different story... When I put the 31mm on my K20D it was love at the first sight - a few tests shots to get acquainted and then a few keepers. I assumed it would be the same with the 77mm. That is not the case. I do not get the same "connection" that I had immediately with the 31mm (and with the 50-135 before). I am not sure yet if it is just the focal lens or the personality of the lens. After just a couple of days I would say that I prefer my DA70 over the FA77. The exception might be portraits. Hopefully I get used to the lens and manage to get the most out of it like everybody but the dog (and me) have been doing according to all comments I have read. It is still early days and this is probably a demanding lens... Cheers, Luc

03-28-2009, 06:56 PM	#14
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313 Original Poster	Now I feel better ! A few quick shots of dog and friends... http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/v8/p465688578.jpg http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/v8/p302176072.jpg http://www.lucbenacphoto.com/img/v5/p382120769.jpg All with the 77mm on a sunny day with harsh light. Cheers, Luc Last edited by lbenac; 08-10-2009 at 07:42 PM.

03-28-2009, 09:17 PM	#15
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	how long have you had the FA77 LTD? I took to the FA77 like a duck to water, I loved lenses in the 105-135mm range on my LX and on 1.5X reduced-frame DSLRs the FA77 is 115mm - just right for my kind of work...and on my Pentax LX I treat it like a longer 50...though my mother took one look through it on the LX with the FA77 LTD on it and after a few minuites she asked me " what the hell is this lens for?" - she doesn't get the 77 either, you're not alone. she got the FA31mm limited though, my mother, who is an old school ex-professional photojournalist has a bias towards wide angle lenses. Last edited by Digitalis; 03-28-2009 at 10:16 PM.

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03-22-2009, 06:52 PM	#2
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	what is it in the DA70 that you're not seeing in the FA77?

03-22-2009, 07:01 PM	#3
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313 Original Poster	First thing that I think is different is the color rendering. As a landscape lens, I might get a better result with the DA70. Nothing striking just an impression. I am not one to go and make 36 shots of the same item with each lens to compare inch by inch so it is just a gut feeling. As I said it is just early days and my expectations were very high after the 31mm which I found could just take pictures "all by itself" :-). I am sure that after some more usage I will get to like the lens a lot. But I am also sure that it will not replace the 31mm as my favourite lens - neither would the DA70. Cheers, Luc

03-22-2009, 07:05 PM	#4
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	cuz of your post i went and looked at some of my old pix from the FA77 and i have no complaints. but the DA70 from all accounts seems to be a mighty fine lens anyways. there are a few DA70 vs FA77 comparisons around the web, but i find the discussion around it more interesting. google and search edit: you can see my Cambridge Photos for some FA77 landscape style samples Last edited by k100d; 03-22-2009 at 07:27 PM.

03-22-2009, 07:25 PM	#5
huqedato Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: France, EU Posts: 97	FA 77 is not a difficult lens but a difficult focal on APS-C sensor cameras. In fact, FA 77 is in the line of those three legendary Limiteds, designed for 35mm film cameras: - the perfect normal : 43mm (an not 50mm) - the perfect wide angle : 31mm (and not 35mm) - the perfect portrait lens : 77mm (and not 85mm) I constantly work this lens on my LX and I am completely satisfied of its FOV: an ideal lens for portraiture and more. On KxxD cameras they are all cropped and give a false mutilated FoV. When Pentax launch the FF camera, we'll have back the real FA Limiteds as they were conceived.

03-22-2009, 07:59 PM	#6
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313 Original Poster	Originally posted by huqedato When Pentax launch the FF camera, we'll have back the real FA Limiteds as they were conceived. Amen to that - one of the reason I bought the FA77 and FA43 "just in case". Luc

03-22-2009, 08:04 PM	#7
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313 Original Poster	Originally posted by k100d cuz of your post i went and looked at some of my old pix from the FA77 and i have no complaints. but the DA70 from all accounts seems to be a mighty fine lens anyways. there are a few DA70 vs FA77 comparisons around the web, but i find the discussion around it more interesting. Google and search edit: you can see my Cambridge Photos for some FA77 landscape style samples Yes I have read a few of these and frankly my intention is not to raise another thread FA77 versus DA70 - it would be kind of pointless - a little bit like comparing Manchester United and Manchester City (rules ) It was just a first impression comment after receiving first the FA31 and then the FA77. I agree with the other post the focal length might need some getting used to. Cheers, Luc

03-22-2009, 08:16 PM	#8
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Originally posted by lbenac Manchester United and Manchester City (rules ) well the FA77 and the DA70 are close ... United and Citeh are

03-22-2009, 08:43 PM	#9
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Well, if you ever need a second opinion, please feel free to ask me; I'm more than willing to test out the pair! Originally posted by lbenac It was just a first impression comment after receiving first the FA31 and then the FA77. I agree with the other post the focal length might need some getting used to. Cheers, Luc

03-22-2009, 09:06 PM	#10
kcmadr Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 614	I discovered that the FA 77mm f1.8 Limited is like Calculus, once you "get it", WOW!!!

03-22-2009, 09:27 PM	#11
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313 Original Poster	Originally posted by kcmadr I discovered that the FA 77mm f1.8 Limited is like Calculus, once you "get it", WOW!!! That is what I suspect - I don't get it (yet) but will... Cheers,

03-22-2009, 09:28 PM	#12
lbenac Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Burnaby, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,313 Original Poster	Originally posted by k100d well the FA77 and the DA70 are close ... United and Citeh are Sorry assumed you were a soccer fan because of "Arsenal"....

03-22-2009, 10:26 PM	#13
sharko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: City of Angels Photos: Gallery Posts: 278	I always did think it was an odd focal length for digital so I stuck with ~50mm lenses for portraits. I recently wound up getting a Takumar 85mm f/1.9 for a portrait lens on film as it was much cheaper alternative than the 77mm limited.

FA77mm a difficult lens..

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