Pentax fa 77mm limited vs Samyang 85mm f1.4

zburatoru · 12-21-2019, 11:04 PM

Hello everybody! I have one question for you: Should I keep my Samyang or should I sell it and buy 77mm limited?
The main reason will be that Samyang it's very hard to focus, especially at big apertures and my eyes are not getting younger. As I can see, Samyang it's got a better smoother bokeh but not that special rendering... So, what do you think?

zapp · 12-21-2019, 11:16 PM - **1 Like**

Pentax cameras deserve a Pentax glass. The 77 has very nice and smooth bokeh, AF (loud but working ok), and it is really small and non obstrusive. Go for it.

zburatoru · 12-21-2019, 11:20 PM

Originally posted by zapp

Pentax cameras deserve a Pentax glass. The 77 has very nice and smooth bokeh, AF (loud but working ok), and it is really small and non obstrusive. Go for it.

Thank you! Very expensive advice!

)

**PJ1** · 12-21-2019, 11:57 PM

I don't have the Pentax but I do have the Samyang. My understanding is that they are quite different lenses, both very sharp but I believe they have qualitatively different rendering. There is a reason that people love the 77mm. No one raves about the Samyang the same way. It does a good job - only in a different way. Maybe someone who has both will help out.

biz-engineer · 12-22-2019, 12:15 AM

Originally posted by zburatoru

Hello everybody! I have one question for you: Should I keep my Samyang or should I sell it and buy 77mm limited?

Wait for the D-FA* 85 1.4 . I've got the Samyang 85 , no so good IMO, not only is manual focus, but even when perfectly focused it isn't that good optically. Waiting for the D-FA 85 1.4 is the best option IMO: first, avoid spending money into a 77ltd lens that's obsolete, and force Ricoh to release that damn 85mm prime. We should block all purchases of old lens and send a letter to ricoh saying that all Pentax costomers stop buying anything from Ricoh until they release the 85mm 1.4 and 20mm 1.8 . We have to hold Ricoh accountable.

dcpropilot · 12-22-2019, 12:20 AM - **1 Like**

For the price, the 77 is worth it for the autofocus and that it's native Pentax glass. As far as waiting for the new 85, I think if you need extreme optical correction with a significant size, weight, and price difference, then wait for it. But the 77 it is lighter and a highly capable piece of glass.

hcc · 12-22-2019, 01:45 AM

I think that the OP's question is like comparing apple and orange. I have both the F77mm f1.8 and a CZ 85mm f1.4 (MF). Very different lenses for very different purpose.

The FA77mm is AF, with outstanding colour rendering, superb for portrait and landscape. The lens is also very small and easy to carry. In contrast, the 85mm f1.4 is a heavier lens, MF (I like but not for all occasions), and quite a dedicated purpose lens. Overall I use more my FA77mm than my CZ85mm f1.4.

Simply the FA77mm is an unique lens, that I would not compare to most 85 mm f1.4 lens. It is also well worth its price IMHO.

My 5 cents, hoping that it will help.

**BarryE** · 12-22-2019, 01:51 AM

I love my 77mm. In combination with a K-1 it manages to find focus in low light quickly. Makes it very useful to me ...

Wasp · 12-22-2019, 02:27 AM - **1 Like**

I have the Rokinon version. It is a wonderful thing but I also find manual focus a challenge. Live view with magnification on my K-x does the job - at a leisurely pace. The focus peaking that my Samsung NX1 works better. I find that I can work just a little faster when I combine it with the EVF.

I would say get the 77mm Limited. You lose about a stop of aperture but gain autofocus and legendary Pentax optics. Seems like a good trade. I would have done it myself if I had the funds.

zburatoru · 12-22-2019, 02:43 AM - **1 Like**

Thank you all for your answers! I will go for 77 when I'm gonna have the chance! The new Pentax 85mm will be for sure very expensive!

**yucatanPentax** · 12-22-2019, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by zburatoru

Thank you all for your answers! I will go for 77 when I'm gonna have the chance! The new Pentax 85mm will be for sure very expensive!

I agree about the usefulness and the special rendering of the 77mm Ltd. I think you'll find it costs 1/2 to 1/3 of what the 85mm Pentax does, when that lens eventually arrives. If you need the focal length or whatever characteristics it turns out to have at the time, you can plan toward that purchase. Meanwhile, you can enjoy shooting a fantastic Limited.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!

Sandy Hancock · 12-22-2019, 03:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

avoid spending money into a 77ltd lens that's obsolete

Your posts have been hilarious of late, but this is one of your best yet!

"Obsolete", as in it still works on all modern bodies, it's more compact than just about any comparable lens imaginable, and it has image quality and rendering that is highly regarded by a large proportion of Pentaxians.

So yeah, I guess you're right

**volley** · 12-22-2019, 03:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Wait for the D-FA* 85 1.4 . I've got the Samyang 85 , no so good IMO, not only is manual focus, but even when perfectly focused it isn't that good optically. Waiting for the D-FA 85 1.4 is the best option IMO: first, avoid spending money into a 77ltd lens that's obsolete, and force Ricoh to release that damn 85mm prime. We should block all purchases of old lens and send a letter to ricoh saying that all Pentax costomers stop buying anything from Ricoh until they release the 85mm 1.4 and 20mm 1.8 . We have to hold Ricoh accountable.

Seems your miserable November mood isn't over yet ... hopefully Santa will bring some stuff to cheer you up!

To the OP: just look at what pictures are taken with the 77 limited. For me it is without any doubt superior to the Samyang 85 mm, but the rendering is very different and personal priorities are different.
If you think that the 77 is limiting you in any way ( ... I have heard from an expert it's obsolete

) than you might want to wait for the D-FA* 85.

But once it's out I'm sure there will be a lot of complaints about how heavy that lens is ...

biz-engineer · 12-22-2019, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

So yeah, I guess you're right

I'm having my communication under control

---------- Post added 22-12-19 at 13:11 ----------

Regarding portrait lenses, I made the ridiculous decision to sell my DFA100 macro and buy the Samyang 85 1.4. Why ridiculous? It is very difficult to nail focus manually on the Samy 85. The right purchase would have been 85 1.4 with AF and 100 macro manual focus. With Pentax currently no offering an AF 85 1.4, I'd not even get the 77 ltd, or the Samy, I'd get the 100 macro much more versatile and WR.

**nitehntr** · 12-22-2019, 05:22 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by zburatoru

Hello everybody! I have one question for you: Should I keep my Samyang or should I sell it and buy 77mm limited?
The main reason will be that Samyang it's very hard to focus, especially at big apertures and my eyes are not getting younger. As I can see, Samyang it's got a better smoother bokeh but not that special rendering... So, what do you think?

in my personal opinion the 77 is by far the best piece of glass i own followed by the 31. both expensive but well worth the money

12-21-2019, 11:04 PM	#1
zburatoru Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266	Pentax fa 77mm limited vs Samyang 85mm f1.4 Hello everybody! I have one question for you: Should I keep my Samyang or should I sell it and buy 77mm limited? The main reason will be that Samyang it's very hard to focus, especially at big apertures and my eyes are not getting younger. As I can see, Samyang it's got a better smoother bokeh but not that special rendering... So, what do you think?

12-21-2019, 11:20 PM	#3
zburatoru Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266 Original Poster	Originally posted by zapp Pentax cameras deserve a Pentax glass. The 77 has very nice and smooth bokeh, AF (loud but working ok), and it is really small and non obstrusive. Go for it. Thank you! Very expensive advice!)

12-22-2019, 03:39 AM - 1 Like	#13
volley Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Springe Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,693	Originally posted by biz-engineer Wait for the D-FA* 85 1.4 . I've got the Samyang 85 , no so good IMO, not only is manual focus, but even when perfectly focused it isn't that good optically. Waiting for the D-FA 85 1.4 is the best option IMO: first, avoid spending money into a 77ltd lens that's obsolete, and force Ricoh to release that damn 85mm prime. We should block all purchases of old lens and send a letter to ricoh saying that all Pentax costomers stop buying anything from Ricoh until they release the 85mm 1.4 and 20mm 1.8 . We have to hold Ricoh accountable. Seems your miserable November mood isn't over yet ... hopefully Santa will bring some stuff to cheer you up! To the OP: just look at what pictures are taken with the 77 limited. For me it is without any doubt superior to the Samyang 85 mm, but the rendering is very different and personal priorities are different. If you think that the 77 is limiting you in any way ( ... I have heard from an expert it's obsolete) than you might want to wait for the D-FA* 85. But once it's out I'm sure there will be a lot of complaints about how heavy that lens is ...

12-22-2019, 04:49 AM	#14
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock So yeah, I guess you're right I'm having my communication under control ---------- Post added 22-12-19 at 13:11 ---------- Regarding portrait lenses, I made the ridiculous decision to sell my DFA100 macro and buy the Samyang 85 1.4. Why ridiculous? It is very difficult to nail focus manually on the Samy 85. The right purchase would have been 85 1.4 with AF and 100 macro manual focus. With Pentax currently no offering an AF 85 1.4, I'd not even get the 77 ltd, or the Samy, I'd get the 100 macro much more versatile and WR. Last edited by biz-engineer; 12-22-2019 at 05:12 AM.

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12-21-2019, 11:16 PM - 1 Like	#2
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Pentax cameras deserve a Pentax glass. The 77 has very nice and smooth bokeh, AF (loud but working ok), and it is really small and non obstrusive. Go for it.

12-21-2019, 11:57 PM	#4
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,484	I don't have the Pentax but I do have the Samyang. My understanding is that they are quite different lenses, both very sharp but I believe they have qualitatively different rendering. There is a reason that people love the 77mm. No one raves about the Samyang the same way. It does a good job - only in a different way. Maybe someone who has both will help out.

12-22-2019, 12:15 AM	#5
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,232	Originally posted by zburatoru Hello everybody! I have one question for you: Should I keep my Samyang or should I sell it and buy 77mm limited? Wait for the D-FA* 85 1.4 . I've got the Samyang 85 , no so good IMO, not only is manual focus, but even when perfectly focused it isn't that good optically. Waiting for the D-FA 85 1.4 is the best option IMO: first, avoid spending money into a 77ltd lens that's obsolete, and force Ricoh to release that damn 85mm prime. We should block all purchases of old lens and send a letter to ricoh saying that all Pentax costomers stop buying anything from Ricoh until they release the 85mm 1.4 and 20mm 1.8 . We have to hold Ricoh accountable.

12-22-2019, 12:20 AM - 1 Like	#6
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	For the price, the 77 is worth it for the autofocus and that it's native Pentax glass. As far as waiting for the new 85, I think if you need extreme optical correction with a significant size, weight, and price difference, then wait for it. But the 77 it is lighter and a highly capable piece of glass.

12-22-2019, 01:45 AM	#7
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	I think that the OP's question is like comparing apple and orange. I have both the F77mm f1.8 and a CZ 85mm f1.4 (MF). Very different lenses for very different purpose. The FA77mm is AF, with outstanding colour rendering, superb for portrait and landscape. The lens is also very small and easy to carry. In contrast, the 85mm f1.4 is a heavier lens, MF (I like but not for all occasions), and quite a dedicated purpose lens. Overall I use more my FA77mm than my CZ85mm f1.4. Simply the FA77mm is an unique lens, that I would not compare to most 85 mm f1.4 lens. It is also well worth its price IMHO. My 5 cents, hoping that it will help.

12-22-2019, 01:51 AM	#8
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	I love my 77mm. In combination with a K-1 it manages to find focus in low light quickly. Makes it very useful to me ...

12-22-2019, 02:27 AM - 1 Like	#9
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I have the Rokinon version. It is a wonderful thing but I also find manual focus a challenge. Live view with magnification on my K-x does the job - at a leisurely pace. The focus peaking that my Samsung NX1 works better. I find that I can work just a little faster when I combine it with the EVF. I would say get the 77mm Limited. You lose about a stop of aperture but gain autofocus and legendary Pentax optics. Seems like a good trade. I would have done it myself if I had the funds.

12-22-2019, 02:43 AM - 1 Like	#10
zburatoru Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 266 Original Poster	Thank you all for your answers! I will go for 77 when I'm gonna have the chance! The new Pentax 85mm will be for sure very expensive!

12-22-2019, 02:55 AM	#11
yucatanPentax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Dallas / Yucatan Posts: 1,840	Originally posted by zburatoru Thank you all for your answers! I will go for 77 when I'm gonna have the chance! The new Pentax 85mm will be for sure very expensive! I agree about the usefulness and the special rendering of the 77mm Ltd. I think you'll find it costs 1/2 to 1/3 of what the 85mm Pentax does, when that lens eventually arrives. If you need the focal length or whatever characteristics it turns out to have at the time, you can plan toward that purchase. Meanwhile, you can enjoy shooting a fantastic Limited. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!

12-22-2019, 03:10 AM - 1 Like	#12
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by biz-engineer avoid spending money into a 77ltd lens that's obsolete Your posts have been hilarious of late, but this is one of your best yet! "Obsolete", as in it still works on all modern bodies, it's more compact than just about any comparable lens imaginable, and it has image quality and rendering that is highly regarded by a large proportion of Pentaxians. So yeah, I guess you're right

12-22-2019, 05:22 AM - 2 Likes	#15
nitehntr Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Rivesville West Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 238	Originally posted by zburatoru Hello everybody! I have one question for you: Should I keep my Samyang or should I sell it and buy 77mm limited? The main reason will be that Samyang it's very hard to focus, especially at big apertures and my eyes are not getting younger. As I can see, Samyang it's got a better smoother bokeh but not that special rendering... So, what do you think? in my personal opinion the 77 is by far the best piece of glass i own followed by the 31. both expensive but well worth the money