[lawsonstone]

Other than price and the half(?) stop aperture difference, what would be the reasons you would suggest for choosing between the FA 77mm f/1.8 Ltd and the DA 70 f/2.4 Ltd?

[and]

price, ff compability/aperture ring, some would say size (imo the 77 is not a big lens anyway).
maybe af speed?

they are both nice, its up to you.
if they cost the same I would get the 77. they dont so you need to decide if you want to pay more.

I got the 77 fwiw

[kthung]

According to photozone, the 70 has more even resolution across all apertures while the 77 has better peak performance around f/4. If you still shoot film or really believe that Pentax will go FF in the near future, the 77 would make more sense. But because of the price I would go with the 70

btw, I think it is a full stop difference betwee f/1.8 and f/2.4

[nulla]

FA77 limited

Neil

[Cosmo]

77 faster, both sharp wide open. 77 can be used on film, which would sell it for me.

[8540tomg]

I own the DA 70 and think it is a fine lens. I haven't used the FA 77 but Photozone tests seem to indicate there isn't much to choose between the two lenses save speed and a significant difference in price. How much is that extra stop worth to you? Your personal situation and photographic needs will determine your answer to this question.

Tom G

[tybeck]

The FA 77mm Limited comes with a bag of pixie dust.

In all seriousness from the tests I've seen the two lens seems to be very similar in quality. The 77mm seems to be slightly better, at least that's the predominating opinion in the community. The extra stop does come in handy sometimes. I have the 77mm and you would not be disappointed with it's performance. Honestly though I don't think it really matters unless you start splitting pixels.

[stevebrot]

The FA 77mm Limited comes with a bag of pixie dust.

I can confirm tybeck's observation.

Note too that Prodigital 2000 has had some pretty good prices as of late. I offered $525 for mine...

Steve

(Use my 77 on both digital and film...)

[nah]

I just received a 10% off coupon from Paypal so I'm looking at either the FA 43 ltd, 77 ltd, and DA70 ltd from Prodigital.

[pasipasi]

The difference is 0.83 stops

[felix68]

77 faster, both sharp wide open. 77 can be used on film, which would sell it for me.

My DA70 works just fine on my PZ-1p and will also work with a couple of other film bodies that can control aperture. A more accurate statement would be that the DA70 is limited to film bodies that can control aperture on the body.

Also, Pasipasi is correct that the difference between 1.8 and 2.4 is less than a stop.

Photozone.de results indicate that the DA70 is just as sharp at f2.8 in the center and better in the borders than the FA77 at f2.8

[deadwolfbones]

I love my DA 70 to death... haven't tried the FA 77.

[ll_coffee_lP]

Ah...the debate continues.

I've used both and tested both...I went for the FA77.

The DA is actually closer to 68mm and f2.8. It has quick shift (nice) and is small and focusses quicker than the 77 (slightly). It's build quality is quite nice. It's very sharp and produces images that are sharp across the frame.

The FA has an aperture ring, is a bit larger (perfect size), and manually focusses like butter. It's build quality is simply steller. It's sharp and is usable right from f1.8 (oh yeah!).

Your mileage (kilometrage in my case) may vary, but as noted above the FA77's images are distinct and full of "Pixie Dust". I found the images of the 70 to be very good, but compared to the 77mm (in my eyes and on my computer) the choice was easy to make.

Again...the 70mm may be your bag, but I would wholeheartedly recommend the 77 over the 70 anyday.

c[_]

[kcmadr]

I know I don't own the DA70mm Ltd, and I am dead certain it's a fantastic lens.

But what I DO know from owning the FA 77mm Ltd is that it adds magic to the image. It's very difficult to explain, but it performs marvels with light.

My experiences with the DA 35mm Ltd, and the DA 40mm Ltd is that they're just a bit too sterile. They record an image and it's good. They don't take anything away from it. But unfortunately, they also add absolutely nothing to it.

The 77mm adds magic.

[nah]

I know I don't own the DA70mm Ltd, and I am dead certain it's a fantastic lens.

But what I DO know from owning the FA 77mm Ltd is that it adds magic to the image. It's very difficult to explain, but it performs marvels with light.

My experiences with the DA 35mm Ltd, and the DA 40mm Ltd is that they're just a bit too sterile. They record an image and it's good. They don't take anything away from it. But unfortunately, they also add absolutely nothing to it.

The 77mm adds magic.

I think this post just sold me! I love magic!