FA77mm vs DA70mm Limiteds - recommendations?

eastman · 06-05-2010, 03:41 PM

I am looking for a good prime for portrait use. The two choices that really stand out are the DA70 Limited and the FA77 Limited. The 77 has the advantages of focal length and lens speed (I already have a FA50/1.4). I'm looking for some feedback from people who have used both to determine if that outweighs the size and cost advantages of the DA70.

A few other details that may have an impact on recommendations -
This lens will be used for portraits with an AlienBees ABR800 Ringflash. The camera used most frequently is my *istD, so an SDM-only lens (like the DA*55) is not an option. When the camera is mounted to the Ringflash, there is very limited access to the focus or zoom rings, so an autofocus prime really helps avoid any focal length creep with a zoom.

thanks!

Marc Sabatella · 06-05-2010, 04:30 PM

I'd suggest searching/browsing the forum for the *dozens* of exisitng threads discussing and comparing these two lenses.

**Clinton** · 06-05-2010, 05:43 PM

I'd suggest the FA* 85/1.4 instead.

Urkeldaedalus · 06-05-2010, 07:11 PM

Since you're using it with a flash primarily I suggest the DA70. It's the cheaper of the two, and if you're using an aperture at f/4 or higher this nullifies a lot of the FA77's advantages.

eastman · 06-05-2010, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by Marc Sabatella

I'd suggest searching/browsing the forum for the *dozens* of exisitng threads discussing and comparing these two lenses.

Trying to search on FA 77 or FA77 didn't bring up results, so I went to a new post before trying alternative search methods.

Of course since it also gets good reviews, I will also have to consider the Tamron 90mm/2.8 (my Tamron 28-105 is by far my most used lens in the studio).

Blue · 06-05-2010, 09:53 PM

Here's a recent thread for you.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/101291-fa-77mm...m-limited.html

Marc Sabatella · 06-06-2010, 12:37 PM

Try using Google for searches, also simply browsing the list of topics. I'm not saying this to be dismissive; I'm saying it because there is a *ton* already written on the topic, and you'll get answers *far* faster by simply looking for the existing posts. Most people who have an opinion have expressed it so many times in these threads ove the years that they aren't as likely to be jumping at the chance to do so again.

eastman · 06-06-2010, 07:39 PM

farfisa · 06-07-2010, 07:08 AM

Good job with the google search--I think there should be a sticky about all these most popular recurring questions!
DA70 vs. FA77
DA40 vs. FA43
FA35 vs. FA31
...

ll_coffee_lP · 06-07-2010, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by farfisa

Good job with the google search--I think there should be a sticky about all these most popular recurring questions!
DA70 vs. FA77
DA40 vs. FA43
FA35 vs. FA31
...

Agreed.

As Marc posted above...I'm not planning to participate in any more 70vrs77 threads, and I suspect others aren't as well. So a google search is going to be far more effective.

c[_]

eastman · 06-07-2010, 07:01 PM

This isn't the only forum I'm on where there can be problems with the site's search engine. Model Mayhem is even worse. A sticky with the google results would be helpful since this is a recurring question with recurring advice to search deeper since everything that needs to be said already has been and won't be repeated.

If this site isn't blocked when I'm working at a national lab this weekend, I'll do a similar compilation for the 40/43 and 31/35 comparisons. After all, I'll have my 77 by then, so I will need to look for the next lens to buy.

hinman · 06-12-2010, 12:04 AM - **1 Like**

LBA leads me to have both. I got the 77mm first and when I got my K-x with 40mm pancake, I couldn't resist the temptation of 70mm in small form factor to go with K-x.

Now I am torn with two outstanding lens that are only used infrequently. I wish I am a photog who can justify keeping both. They are precious prime lens for portraits.

For best value with cheaper cost, the 70mm is a no brain-er to get. If you are tight in budget and that you have the K-x, get the 70mm as f/2.4 is plenty to work with the higher ISO in K-x. If you have the K20D/K7D and that you wants the best in color, get the 77mm. Sharpness to me are outstanding in both of them. I have yet to use more to tell one over the other. In terms of color and contrast, the 77mm wins and it has that magical color rendition in both outdoor and indoor. AF is better in the 70mm and the quick shift focus in the 70mm is a handy plus over the 77mm especially in tricky scene needing manual control.

Thanks,
Hin

theperception2008 · 06-13-2010, 01:55 PM

Sweet pics of your DA 70 and FA 77 Hinman! I was going through this debacle as well until I saw an silver FA 77 for a great price in the marketplace and bought it. I have no regrets as it is my main lens and definate goto lens for portraits :-) I love being able to use it fully on my Pentax Super Program as well!

Blue · 06-13-2010, 02:18 PM

I do not think there are many lenses Hinman hasn't tried out!

eastman · 06-14-2010, 02:21 AM

Originally posted by hinman

LBA leads me to have both. I got the 77mm first and when I got my K-x with 40mm pancake, I couldn't resist the temptation of 70mm in small form factor to go with K-x.

Now I am torn with two outstanding lens that are only used infrequently. I wish I am a photog who can justify keeping both. They are precious prime lens for portraits.

For best value with cheaper cost, the 70mm is a no brain-er to get. If you are tight in budget and that you have the K-x, get the 70mm as f/2.4 is plenty to work with the higher ISO in K-x. If you have the K20D/K7D and that you wants the best in color, get the 77mm. Sharpness to me are outstanding in both of them. I have yet to use more to tell one over the other. In terms of color and contrast, the 77mm wins and it has that magical color rendition in both outdoor and indoor. AF is better in the 70mm and the quick shift focus in the 70mm is a handy plus over the 77mm especially in tricky scene needing manual control.

Thanks,
Hin

Those pictures are absolute lens-porn (all they need is the bad soundtrack music - boomchicawaawaa ).

I won't be able to duplicate those pictures, but I have the 77, and I'll have a DA40 Ltd in the next couple of days (and hopefully some time to play with my new toys when I'm not working nightshift).

06-05-2010, 03:41 PM	#1
eastman Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland Photos: Gallery Posts: 83	FA77mm vs DA70mm Limiteds - recommendations? I am looking for a good prime for portrait use. The two choices that really stand out are the DA70 Limited and the FA77 Limited. The 77 has the advantages of focal length and lens speed (I already have a FA50/1.4). I'm looking for some feedback from people who have used both to determine if that outweighs the size and cost advantages of the DA70. A few other details that may have an impact on recommendations - This lens will be used for portraits with an AlienBees ABR800 Ringflash. The camera used most frequently is my istD, so an SDM-only lens (like the DA55) is not an option. When the camera is mounted to the Ringflash, there is very limited access to the focus or zoom rings, so an autofocus prime really helps avoid any focal length creep with a zoom. thanks!

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06-05-2010, 04:30 PM	#2
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	I'd suggest searching/browsing the forum for the dozens of exisitng threads discussing and comparing these two lenses.

06-05-2010, 05:43 PM	#3
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	I'd suggest the FA* 85/1.4 instead.

06-05-2010, 07:11 PM	#4
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	Since you're using it with a flash primarily I suggest the DA70. It's the cheaper of the two, and if you're using an aperture at f/4 or higher this nullifies a lot of the FA77's advantages.

06-05-2010, 09:47 PM	#5
eastman Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland Photos: Gallery Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by Marc Sabatella I'd suggest searching/browsing the forum for the dozens of exisitng threads discussing and comparing these two lenses. Trying to search on FA 77 or FA77 didn't bring up results, so I went to a new post before trying alternative search methods. Of course since it also gets good reviews, I will also have to consider the Tamron 90mm/2.8 (my Tamron 28-105 is by far my most used lens in the studio).

06-05-2010, 09:53 PM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Here's a recent thread for you. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/101291-fa-77mm...m-limited.html

06-06-2010, 12:37 PM	#7
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Try using Google for searches, also simply browsing the list of topics. I'm not saying this to be dismissive; I'm saying it because there is a ton already written on the topic, and you'll get answers far faster by simply looking for the existing posts. Most people who have an opinion have expressed it so many times in these threads ove the years that they aren't as likely to be jumping at the chance to do so again.

06-06-2010, 07:39 PM	#8
eastman Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland Photos: Gallery Posts: 83 Original Poster	The Google method worked better than browsing the last month of forums posts. Here is the list of existing topics I found for those who ask this same question next: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/60607-fa77-da7...et-see-em.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/42366-da35-vs-...ng-advice.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/25242-tamron-2...7-da-70-a.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/101291-fa-77mm...m-limited.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/5621-77mm-limi...m-limited.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/22597-change-f...m-limited.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/26475-super-mu...me-league.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/63129-fa-77mm-...-70mm-ltd.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/91650-fa-77mm-...cus-speed.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/71743-fa77mm-da70mm-da35mm.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/22425-i-know-i-get-sued.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/94668-da-70mm-...ly-f2-8-a.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/55242-fa-77mm-...ndid-k20d.html So overall the two lens have a lot of capability overlap, but the FA 77 will be a better match for the entire range of uses I could put it through (especially on the ME Super). Now to find the best price (Amazon and B&H are currently showing the lowest prices).

06-07-2010, 07:08 AM	#9
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Good job with the google search--I think there should be a sticky about all these most popular recurring questions! DA70 vs. FA77 DA40 vs. FA43 FA35 vs. FA31 ...

06-07-2010, 02:54 PM	#10
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by farfisa Good job with the google search--I think there should be a sticky about all these most popular recurring questions! DA70 vs. FA77 DA40 vs. FA43 FA35 vs. FA31 ... Agreed. As Marc posted above...I'm not planning to participate in any more 70vrs77 threads, and I suspect others aren't as well. So a google search is going to be far more effective. c[_]

06-07-2010, 07:01 PM	#11
eastman Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland Photos: Gallery Posts: 83 Original Poster	This isn't the only forum I'm on where there can be problems with the site's search engine. Model Mayhem is even worse. A sticky with the google results would be helpful since this is a recurring question with recurring advice to search deeper since everything that needs to be said already has been and won't be repeated. If this site isn't blocked when I'm working at a national lab this weekend, I'll do a similar compilation for the 40/43 and 31/35 comparisons. After all, I'll have my 77 by then, so I will need to look for the next lens to buy.

06-12-2010, 12:04 AM - 1 Like	#12
hinman Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fremont, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,473	LBA leads me to have both. I got the 77mm first and when I got my K-x with 40mm pancake, I couldn't resist the temptation of 70mm in small form factor to go with K-x. Now I am torn with two outstanding lens that are only used infrequently. I wish I am a photog who can justify keeping both. They are precious prime lens for portraits. For best value with cheaper cost, the 70mm is a no brain-er to get. If you are tight in budget and that you have the K-x, get the 70mm as f/2.4 is plenty to work with the higher ISO in K-x. If you have the K20D/K7D and that you wants the best in color, get the 77mm. Sharpness to me are outstanding in both of them. I have yet to use more to tell one over the other. In terms of color and contrast, the 77mm wins and it has that magical color rendition in both outdoor and indoor. AF is better in the 70mm and the quick shift focus in the 70mm is a handy plus over the 77mm especially in tricky scene needing manual control. Thanks, Hin

06-13-2010, 01:55 PM	#13
theperception2008 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Łódź, Poland and Riverside, California, U.S.A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 488	Sweet pics of your DA 70 and FA 77 Hinman! I was going through this debacle as well until I saw an silver FA 77 for a great price in the marketplace and bought it. I have no regrets as it is my main lens and definate goto lens for portraits :-) I love being able to use it fully on my Pentax Super Program as well!

06-13-2010, 02:18 PM	#14
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	I do not think there are many lenses Hinman hasn't tried out!

06-14-2010, 02:21 AM	#15
eastman Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Chicagoland Photos: Gallery Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by hinman LBA leads me to have both. I got the 77mm first and when I got my K-x with 40mm pancake, I couldn't resist the temptation of 70mm in small form factor to go with K-x. Now I am torn with two outstanding lens that are only used infrequently. I wish I am a photog who can justify keeping both. They are precious prime lens for portraits. For best value with cheaper cost, the 70mm is a no brain-er to get. If you are tight in budget and that you have the K-x, get the 70mm as f/2.4 is plenty to work with the higher ISO in K-x. If you have the K20D/K7D and that you wants the best in color, get the 77mm. Sharpness to me are outstanding in both of them. I have yet to use more to tell one over the other. In terms of color and contrast, the 77mm wins and it has that magical color rendition in both outdoor and indoor. AF is better in the 70mm and the quick shift focus in the 70mm is a handy plus over the 77mm especially in tricky scene needing manual control. Thanks, Hin Those pictures are absolute lens-porn (all they need is the bad soundtrack music - boomchicawaawaa ). I won't be able to duplicate those pictures, but I have the 77, and I'll have a DA40 Ltd in the next couple of days (and hopefully some time to play with my new toys when I'm not working nightshift).