[Abbazz]

If I were to buy similar focal length lens, I want Zeiss 85. No, it's not worth the extra cash, but it is Zeiss. After getting my 50/1.4 ZK, I am hooked.

What about the Contax 85/1.4 or even the much cheaper 85/2.8? They are better than the modern ZK lenses and can be adapted quite easily on Pentax DSLRs (Leitax...).

Cheers!

Abbazz

What about the Contax 85/1.4 or even the much cheaper 85/2.8? They are better than the modern ZK lenses and can be adapted quite easily on Pentax DSLRs (Leitax...).

Cheers!

Abbazz

Thanks for that. I have been browsing on ebay for a while, and those are a bit hard to come by, I would say. I shall explore . . . . .

[8540tomg]

If you buy the DA70 you will always think about what the FA77 is like - and whether you made the right choice. If you buy the FA77 you will never think about the DA70 again. Ever.

c[_]

Not entirely true. I haven't given it a second thought.

Tom G

[Blue]

In November I had given up on getting one of the Takumar/Pentax 85mm lenses because they are all basically over $300. It came down to the DA 70mm or FA 77mm ltd. Since the price on the 70mm had gone up the year prior more than the 77mm had, the price difference wasn't as large as it once was. I opted for the 77 since: 1) it was closer to the 85mm and shares some characteristics with the 85mm lenses; 2) it has an aperture ring which makes it more user friendly on my MZ-3 and SuperProgram; and 3) it is a little more mf friendly. All that said, you can't go wrong with either one of them.

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

In terms of focusing ring - what is the focusing throw of these lenses? How many degrees do you rotate the focusing ring from closest to infinity?

[Blue]

In terms of focusing ring - what is the focusing throw of these lenses? How many degrees do you rotate the focusing ring from closest to infinity?

This is just an estimate. On my FA 77mm, it is about 180 degrees or about 1/2 a turn. For comparison, on my Tammy 90mm 52B macro is about 360 degrees or 1 full turn. I think the Tammy is the closest lens I have in focal length to the 77mm. I don't know if that answers your question.

[GeneV]

I have both the DA70 and the FA77. I keep taking photos with the DA70 that are sharp and technically fine, but so far they just don't grab me like the FA77. Right now, if I were to give one up, it would be the DA70.

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

On my FA 77mm, it is about 180 degrees or about 1/2 a turn.

Thanks, that's the info I was looking for!

Can someone tell me the same info about the DA70?

I prefer manual focus, so I'm curious how much of the focus throw Pentax has sacrificed in the DA to improve AF speed.

[Rondec]

I bought the DA 70 and haven't second guessed it. To me, there wasn't that much benefit in getting the FA 77 over the DA and I couldn't really afford it any way. Too bad I didn't buy it two or three years ago when it was so cheap, but the DA is a great lens.

Finally, only you can answer the question if the extra stop and sharpness is worth it to you.

[alban]

Hi, I own the DA 70mm limited. The ring rotate 1/3 of a turn to go from 0.7 meter to infinity. To me, focus accuracy is perfectly balanced against finger speed for this range of distance. But I'm far to be a pro ... Maybe it's important to take the range into account to compare manual focus of both lenses.

[GeneV]

Thanks, that's the info I was looking for!

Can someone tell me the same info about the DA70?

I prefer manual focus, so I'm curious how much of the focus throw Pentax has sacrificed in the DA to improve AF speed.

I'd say about 50-55 degrees. Between 1/4 and 1/3 turn.

If it hasn't been asked, the other question is whether one intends to use the lens with film. FA77 is FF and has an aperture ring. To me, both are very sharp to the point where resolution is not a big distinguishing factor for my uses. Size is a bigger difference, and the AF is quicker and more quiet on the 70.

[Marc Sabatella]

I too got the 70 and have no deisre for the 77, and I know of more than one person who had both and preferred the 70. It's a personal decision, although admittedly *most* people who have tried both do prefer the 77 - but that's like saying you prefer a Lamhorgini to a Ferrari - either way, they are both great.

And yes, this has been discussed before, many, many, many. many times. If the forum search doesn't work because the search terms are too short, you can always use Google with the "siteentaxforums" parameter: "fa77 da70 siteentaxforums.com".

[Laurentiu Cristofor]

Hi, I own the DA 70mm limited. The ring rotate 1/3 of a turn to go from 0.7 meter to infinity.

Thanks.

I'd say about 50-55 degrees. Between 1/4 and 1/3 turn.

Wouldn't that correspond to about 90-120 degrees then? I'm assuming by a turn you mean a 360 degree rotation.

[ll_coffee_lP]

Not entirely true. I haven't given it a second thought.

Tom G

Yeah, well...some people like to eat liver and brussel sprouts too - what can I say?!?

c[_]

[ll_coffee_lP]

I too got the 70 and have no deisre for the 77, and I know of more than one person who had both and preferred the 70. It's a personal decision, although admittedly *most* people who have tried both do prefer the 77 - but that's like saying you prefer a Lamhorgini to a Ferrari - either way, they are both great.

So...you agree with me, but in some kind of convoluted way you try to sound like you don't.

c[_]