| Author: | | Junior Member Registered: December, 2011 Location: Los Angeles,CA. Posts: 30
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 27, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | amazing image quality, renders beautifully, gorgeous looking lens and build, everything is amazing about the lens. | | Cons: | I wish it wasn't as much as it is but I was very happy to spend that money. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-01
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After talking with Ned Bunnel about the difference between a MIJ V.S. a AIV, I quickly went out and tried to hunt one down. I found an amazing condition MIJ for $700 and instantly snatched it up. Though, if I found an AIV for the same price, I would have bought that one too.
This is an amazing lens. I shoot a majority of my work at f/1.8 and it is incredible at that aperture. It is always sharp and delivers great image quality. I have been using it for the last few months so I'm sure I will continue to discover more things about it but for now I am very happy. I've been using my D800 with a 85mm 1.8d and was hoping to find a smaller camera/lens combo.On top of that, I really wanted something that gave a very different look then that combo. And this is really a great new combo I have going on( K-01 and 77mm ).
Everyone has chimed in already about this lens but my take is this….
As a portrait shooter, finding a lens that works well with my style has always been important. I find that I constantly look for the individual character of any given lens, its ability to produce sharp images, and its size/build quality. The 77mm Ltd fills that criteria. All of those things, are done to such an umpteenth on this lens. But I'm sure you want to really hear what I love ….so here goes.
I really love the rendering of this lens. The lens creates a feel and look that is completely its own signature. I really feel that the lens has an ability to separate the subject from background supremely well. It does this by pulling out the subject and then rendering it differently then the background. I have seen this but only with my Leica lenses. There is a very definite pop to the subject.
It is as sharp as everyone says it is. Be very careful about what your focus point is because it will be the point of focus for the viewers eyes. Just know it will be sharp.
I know this is silly but as a lens physically….it is gorgeous. It was made with care. The materials used, the way it was designed, and the craftsmanship is superb. I simply love the sheen and feel of the lens.
I hope this helps. You'll love the lens. I know I spent $700 for a used lens when I have bought new lenses at a lesser price in the same range( i.e. nikon 85mm 1.8 ) but I don't regret it one bit.
| | | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 4,854
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 24, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small & Lightweight, produce perfect pictures | | Cons: | Too expensive | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3
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Hello everybody !
Edit:I still use that lense extensively. The quality is always here, the rendering is fantastic. Done some weddings shoots with it (as amateur) and everybody loved the results! For one of the weddings, there was sort of challenge to get the best pictures. That was done because they didn't want to pay a photograph and wanted to motivate their guests to make a few photos. I liked it because none of us had the presure to photograph everything. There were 3 prices, for the 3 best photos. It was anonymous and many guests had DSLR. I got the 3 best photos and all where from the FA77. It is that good.
So I brought that lens not long ago after months and months of thinking of it. I was not really pleased with FA50 bellow f/2.8 and wanted something longer for architectural detail, portraiture and maybe the occasionnal close-up.
You have to understand that this lens is small, very small. It is smaller than the kit lens, smaller than most prime (non pentax) you could find. It is all metal. The hood is build in and extend when you want to use it. That really nice. You are sure to never forget it and it doesn't need any room.
But you know all of that if you are accustomed to ltds.
This lens give good images from f/1.8. Thoses are not perfect, could be a little more sharp and can exhibit purple frigging. Still you can get some very nice shoot at that setting. f/2.8 is already near perfect and f/4+ this is perfect. You do not often see something as pleasing as this !
At all appertures, the bokeh is very nice, very smooth, un-obtrusive. Colors are fantastic and subtle. Contrast is very good, and there details in all tones.
If you don't like post processing, this lens is for you: it is produce perfect images out of the box. You might want to touch maybe a bit a f/1.8, but that would be all.
My only complain really is the price !
Edit: added examples
Perfect for landscape: Sharp corners to corners. It give you reach, the perspective compression you need and can be cropped quite a bit. Colors are great.
FA77, f/8, 1/250, iso 100
 IMGP2779 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
Focal length and wide apperture allow to isolate big subjects.
FA77, f/2.8, 1/2000 iso 100
IMGP4883 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
FA77, f/2.8, 1/3200, iso 100
 IMGP5539 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
It is fantastic for portraiture... Maybe better outdoor due to the focal length
FA77, f/4.5, 1/800
IMGP4814 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
FA77, f/2, 1/320
 IMGP1054 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
FA77, f/2.8, 1/400
IMGP6076 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
Indoor, for events itt make a fantastic work due to focal length and apperture. Reach is great. Might not fit tight interiors through.
IMGP3165 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
FA77, f/1.8 1/250s
 IMGP5993 by Nicolas, sur Flickr
All in all, this a perfect walkarround lense, general purpose tele, in combination with a wide angle (like DA21).... You could likely take almost anything with DA21 + FA77.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: November, 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 4,005
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 25, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $670.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ, Solidity, Compact design | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-7
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I bought the FA77mm f1.8 comparatively late. I bought the FA31mm f1.8 much earlier and I regard it as the reference lens. At some stages, I was intrigued by many positive comments about the FA77mm and I read this article describing the FA77mm as 'the Best (Autofocus) Lenses Money Can Buy' (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/columns/sm-02-05-02.shtml) across all brands.
When I got the FA77mm I was slow to use it. I tended to shoot mostly between 30 and 60 mm, using especially my FA31mm and Voigtlander Nokton 58mm. It took me nearly 6 months before I learned to use the FA77mm and I love it now.
The IQ of the lens is definitely its major asset. The lens is sturdy, well built and the AF is fast on the K-7. It is even faster on the K-3. The FA77 is also comparatively a small lens and its compactness is an asset IMO.
The lens is also fast and works wonders in low light.
Altogether, the lens is highly recommended. And you do need to learn to respect the FA77 mm f1.8 Ltd.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 16, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $780.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp & nice bokeh. Great focal length on film. | | Cons: | Hood, cap, distance scale and manual focusing capabilities. | | New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K Series film bodies (K1000, KM, KX, K2, K2DMD)
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I only shoot film and mainly picked up the FA77/1.8 as a second short telephoto lens to go along with my K85/1.8. I found a nice MIJ early s/n (0000xxx) silver FA77 on eBay to add to my collection. It also came with the original box, green pouch and silver lens hood.
Optics/Bokeh:
The FA77 is very sharp, has a nice bokeh and there are no PF/CA issues that I found shooting film. Excellent optics overall.
Focal length:
On film 77mm is a short portrait/telephoto or even a long normal/standard focal length. The 77mm FL is versatile enough to be used for many other things than just portrait work. It’s also different enough from 85mm to justify having both, though I do like the 85mm FL a bit better for portrait work. On APS-C you get just get a portrait/telephoto and loose some of the FA77’s versatility.
Handling/Mechanics:
The only issues I have with the FA77 are handling/usage related:
- The manual focus and aperture ring are a bit small, so it’s not the best for manual focusing and manually setting the aperture.
- The distance/aperture scale is too compact and hard to use.
- The built-in hood does not work well with a polarizer filter and would have been better if it were screw-in like the FA43.
- The lens cap is terrible and keeps falling off.
I don’t have a camera body that supports AF, so I can’t comment on that feature of the FA77.
Speed:
F/1.8 is fine for this focal length, though in a perfect world it would be a FA77/1.4. I’m sure than would have added a few hundred dollars to the already high price!
The FA77/1.8 vs the K85/1.8:
Compared to my next closest short telephoto prime the K85/1.8, the FA77 would come in second. Both lenses have similar optics, are close to the same physical size and have almost the same minimum focusing distance. However if I had to choose between the two I would take the older K85/1.8, as it’s better built and is way easier to manual focus. The FA77’s compact size makes it cumbersome to use.
Overall the FA77/1.8 is another classic Pentax lens, though I wish it was slightly bigger and easier to use.
Sample shots taken with the FA77/1.8LTD. Photos are medium resolution scans from original negatives or slides.
Camera: K2DMD Film: Ilford Delta 100 ISO: 100
Camera: K2DMD Film: Fuji Sensia 100 ISO: 100
 | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: September, 2013 Location: München Posts: 311 | | Review Date: March 6, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | everything | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5 IIs
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This lens is simply breathtaking. Sharpness, course of sharpness, Colours, bokeh, 3D impression... to say nothing of the build quality. And I never experienced any CAs from my (AIV) copy, or maybe I just didn't care.
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 426 | | Review Date: January 23, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Best lens I have ever used | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: LX, K-01
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Absolutely gorgeous on film. A tiny bit of CA on digital sensors is really the only thing wrong. Love the built in hood. This think is glued to my LX.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2012 Location: Wiesbaden Posts: 283 | | Review Date: October 16, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $710.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Perfectly sharp, fully working f/1.8, an incredible figure, great bokeh, colorful, great in control! The legendary lens! | | Cons: | No! No! No! | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
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My lens is a silver version. I'm very satisfied! Gorgeous, fabulous and favorite lens!
If possible, add photo examples!
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2011 Location: Skåne, Sweden Posts: 482
15 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $860.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Rendering, build quality, handling, sharpness | | Cons: | Aberrations | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-3, K-5
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This review is for a mint condition 'Made in Japan' FA77 bought second-hand in Sweden, serial nr in the 0014xxx-range.
PROS- Rendering (transitions)
- Compact size (great handling on Pentax DSLRs)
- Build quality
- Very sharp already at wide apertures
- Autofocus speed
- Full-frame compatible, aperture ring
CONS- Slight aberrations (longitudinal and lateral)
- Showing age in some areas (no quick-shift, aberrations)
- A bit pricey
I USE IT FOR- Portraits (full body, half-body, headshots)
- Weddings (indoor, outdoor)
- Sports (may be too short for some situations)
The first Limited I got was the DA40, and soon I started to buy them as mint second-hand samples came on the market. After a couple of years I got all the DA Limiteds and I was pretty well covered (I don't shoot much longer telephoto). There was something mythical about the FA Limiteds though, so after a while I started to look for them as well. The DA70 was my favorite of the DA Limiteds, working great for portraits, sharp wide open and so very small. I have read about the 'pixie dust' of the FA77, and it is also faster, full frame / film compatible (I use a ME Super sometimes), has an aperture ring and is a bit faster.
I don't like big lenses, so I use the FA77 (and the DA70) as general purpose short tele/tele lenses. The main use for me is portraits (works for both full body, half and head), events and weddings. Since I have compared it a lot to the DA70 I will use that lens for comparison in this review, and maybe it can help someone choosing which one to buy.
To go trough the basics first. The lens is VERY sharp. Like all lenses it is slightly softer wide open, but I wouldn't call it soft. It gradually builds up and I have used it mostly at F2.2 - F2.8. If you want a model in full focus F1.8 might give too shallow DoF, but that up to you what kind of look you want. With nine apertures blades it the bokeh stays nice at most apertures, so you don't need worry about stopping down with respect to that. The bokeh is very pleasing, but it certainly has a character. A few of the many 85/1.4 lenses around that I've inspected images from has a super clean and almost to perfect bokeh. I love some distinction in the halos and a bit of swirlyness  One of the drawbacks of the lens is various aberrations. I think it is a combination of the age of the lens (designed for film) and the large aperture. All lenses struggle in backlit situations, but I would say that the FA77 fares a bit worse than average. Lateral CA is easy to correct in Lightroom 4, but longitudinal is more difficult. As long as you stop down a bit in these difficult situations you would fare pretty well.
Autofocus is fast, but not as fast as the DA Limiteds. I don't mind the screw-drive noise, but in these SDM-days it is worth mentioning. I have used the DA*50-135 for a while and even though it has SDM it was much slower than the Limited-lenses. Also I wouldn't think that I should miss quick-shift from my DA Limiteds, but I guess that I use it more than I thought. It can be small situations like when you are about to put the camera in the bag, you want to retract the lens (focus to infinity), and then you have to fiddle with the AF/MF-switch on the camera. Small things, but I think it is worth mentioning. Build quality is otherwise on par with the DA Limiteds, which is to say very good - tight tolerances, nice materials. The aperture ring has a very slight play though, but as does my FA31 and FA43, so I think it is supposed to be like that. The leather case of the FA Limiteds are a bit sturdier than the DA Limiteds, also the cap has a nice green felt The size of the lens is pretty amazing, having in mind that it is full-frame, fast and feature autofocus as well as a proper aperture ring. There are not many like this around for other mounts. I mean, even the Olympus 75/1.8 for micro4/3 is larger and heavier! Size and weight is perfect for the small Pentax DSLR-bodies like the K-5, well balanced and still large enough to support the lens/camera with both hands.
How does it compare to my old favorite then, the DA70? Well, it is sharper at the same apertures, but both are sufficiently sharp. Bokeh is both smoother and has more character than the DA70, but again - both are good. The FA77 has definitely more problems with abberations, you might want to be a bit cautions in some situations, where the DA70 can handle pretty much everything. The DA70 is also smaller and focuses faster, but both are fast and small compared to the competition. Now comes the big thing speaking for the FA77.. the mythical 'pixie dust'. I would say that it is mostly how the in-focus to out-of-focus transition is handled, which makes the subject almost pop out of the background. Combined with a certain character of the bokeh (and pretty lots of it being a fast lens) and good contrast at larger aperture will combined create the sought-after dust
I have not yet decided on which one to keep, the DA70 or the FA77. Both has their advantages, and has any major weakness either. The FA77 is pretty expensive, but it also is pretty unique. Just don't expect perfection (super sharp and no aberrations wide open). Compact, high quality, short telephoto primes is an area where we Pentaxians are spoiled! 
Pentax K-5, SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited. 1/160 sec at f/2.2, ISO 400.
Pentax K-5, SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited. 1/125 sec at f/2.5, ISO 1600.
Pentax K-5, SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited. 1/125 sec at f/2.5, ISO 100.
Pentax K-3, SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited. 1/200 sec at f/2.5, ISO 200.
Pentax K-3, SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited. 1/125 sec at f/2.5, ISO 400.
My pictures on flickr with this lens | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Posts: 18,076
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 31, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, bokeh, build, transitions, size, hood, 49mm filter ... ... | | Cons: | No Quickshift, some PF, AF hunt & noise ... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5, K-r
| |
Bonjour,
This the 69th review of this great lens ... so what can be said which already has not been said?!
I have been shooting this lens for about a month and most of the reviews are correct in that it is a superlative piece of equipment and an absolute pleasure to use. It's now my "go to" portrait lens, hands down, and I think that over time it will become my favorite.
I like the addition FL over the 35's & 50/55/58's that I normally use, and it's shorter than my current favorite lens, the D FA 100/2.8 Macro WR. The FA 77/1.8 would be nearly perfect if one could add Quickshift and WR to it ... it would never come off my K-5!
Yes, it will PF and hunt AF at times, but that's no biggie. The bokeh is great and transitions can be sublime. From what I have seen thus far, I can only rate this lens as a "10" ... glad that I made the investment in this lens, because I am confident that it will pay off in the long run ... easy.
Salut, John le Frog
Wide open ... K-5, PP minor crop, ISO 200, 1/50s
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,915
9 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 6, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Tonal and OOF transitions, bokeh, sharpness, size, build quality, built-in lens hood | | Cons: | sometimes unpredictable, purple fringing | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-7, K-5
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The FA77 has a reputation for being a bit of a diva, alternately showing you magic vs crap. For me, the learned truth is that this lens is a bit temperamental -- but when it shines, it outclasses any lens I have ever used. You may have heard it said that this lens has magic in it, and sometimes I think that's true.
Although tremendously sharp and demonstrating a pleasant degree of contrast, the true quality of this lens comes in the character of its rendering -- it is the master of natural, sometimes dreamlike tonal gradients. The bokeh is superb -- unlike the generic softness that many more modern lenses attempt to accomplish, the FA77's bokeh is smooth but retains what I can only describe as a degree of "interestingness" or structure. In particular, the transition from the focal plane to OOF regions can produce a sense of three-dimensionality that I have seldom seen elsewhere.
It is not a perfect lens though, and sometimes it makes you work for your results. I have found it to be somewhat prone to flare, and in particular on the K-5, it shows some nasty ghosting when there are bright light sources in view. People complain about the purple fringing, which is real, but largely correctable. In the end, this lens is not appropriate for every situation, but when conditions align, the hefty price tag justifies itself with a laugh.
As mentioned, this lens is very sharp, especially at and after f/5.6. However, it is still respectably sharp wide open at f/1.8. In the past year or so I have primarily used it as a landscape lens. Although it performs respectably in this capacity, it is most at home capturing the spirit of people, animals, and other more intimate scenes. Consequently the lens is slightly awkward to recommend without caveat -- although it can be used for many applications, it shines brightest in a few, and that should weigh in any decision to spend so much money on a single lens.
Those who know what they're buying will find a lens worthy of its legendary reputation; beautifully engineered, a pleasure to handle, and a magic eye through which to capture the world.
Some samples:
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: April, 2011 Posts: 92
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $985.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Rendering, sharpness, build | | Cons: | Purple fringeing, no quick-shit | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 5
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: k5
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After living with this lens for 6 months I feel I'm somewhere close to giving it a decent review. It's that contradiction that many of the great lenses display, unbelievable sharp and fabulous images but boy can it be hard to use. Firstly coming from always using a 35 or 50mm I realise how poor my camera handling had been, the extra focal length slaps you with camera blur if you are not on top of your game. My new best friend is a tripod.
And the fringing, oh it's very noticeable in situations that encourage it and ruins many shots, especially at anything below F4.
So it's prone to wobble, unusable outdoors in high contrast at wide apertures and has no quick shift. How on earth can I give it a 9 ???
Because operated with care it is hands down the best lens I know. It is the only lens I've ever used or seen where on a good number of occasions I can't think of anything I can do to the RAW to make it better. It is that fantastic. Sharp, contrasty, fabulous colours and due to it's focal length great bokeh even at smaller apertures.
Looking back at half a year of images it is clear I get my best results with it as a portrait lens. Which is great as these are the most frequent jobs I get and this lens has paid for itself already. Above 3.2 it is perfectly sharp and in the studio at f8 it is spellbinding, Though it does create extra work in Photoshop due to it's intense rendering. I mean, if it exists in the frame the 77 will find it. Stray hairs, specs of dust, what you ate for breakfast.
I love my da35 and fa50 but this thing, used correctly and with care, blows them out of the water.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: Manila Posts: 2,185
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 24, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $682.93
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | deadly sharpness, fantastic build quality, incredible bokeh, zippy AF, | | Cons: | huh? ok, prolly the cap.. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5 IIs
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First week of use:
So far, it's the only lens worthy of being mounted on my K-5 IIs. It's just an unbelievably good prime. It made me realize I don't really need f1.4 for this focal length - not that I want hair-thin DoF for portraits anyway. It has this 3D pop-up effect in nice ambient lighting, I don't know if it's the color or the contrast or a combination. It also has a DoF scale, perfect for mounting it on my really old K2.
Sharpness-wise, it's a no-brainer: the FA77 takes out even my DA35 or M 50 f1.4 hands-down.
CA, haven't seen it yet, or at least never obvious: just a lingering purple/green lining on stupidly contrasty shots I shouldn't have clicked anyway (wrong exposure setting so my bad, not the camera+lens).
Build is superb - nothing bad against it. It's amazingly small for such a fast lens, and AF to boot - I have no idea how Pentax fit everything in it, let alone being made of metal and glass (try flicking the lever to see how big it is inside - it's like a metal shell with nothing but glass inside).
AF is fast and accurate (thanks to SAFOX X). I somehow miss Quick Shift, but with the K-5 II's pinpoint-accurate AF, never had a problem. Yet.
I am so lucky to have this lens at a great price from a fellow Pentaxian.
Will update when I get to test the lens further.
edit/add: just because it's a Limited made a lot of friends think it has QS... they almost forced the focus ring >_<
also, it does have a nasty tendency to exhibit PF at f1.8 up to f2.2... but still not lowering my rating (yet) as it's easily corrected by PP | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: January, 2012 Location: colorado Posts: 5 | | Review Date: November 4, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $790.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | everything, but specially the contrast | | Cons: | price but worth it | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: New
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Purchased the lens couple months ago and it has been on my k5 ever since.
I own several other Pentax lenses. My photography instructor advised that I buy lightroom so i did. I adjust all the photos i take.Just a bit in most cases. Well, i was quite surprised how contrasty the images turned out with this Lens. Just beautiful.
From now on, i will pushase only the best glass Pentax or third party has to offer. It is worth it. The difference was truly an eye opener.
| | | | | Otis Memorial Pentaxian
Loyal Site Supporter Registered: May, 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 2,900
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 26, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $685.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K5
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This is the second review I have done on this lens. The first one I did a couple of weeks ago and after writing an extensive review something happen on the forum and it was lost in the black hole. This time I am doing it outside the forum.
Now to the lens. I absolutely love this lens. It’s so small that you can take it anywhere. The pictures rarely need any adjustments in color and you don’t realize how much time you spend editing pictures until you don’t have to. I have used this lens for portraits, landscape, macro, sports, pretty much covers any photography you want to do. You can check out the September Single Challenge 2012 because I used the lens for this month. It is so sharp with detail I can do a massive crop of the picture and the detail is awesome. The bokeh is beautiful. The only things I find a little frustrating is the push on hood. I have a uv filter on the lens so pushing the cap on doesn’t always work. The built in hood is great although I have forgotten to pull it out. The other negatives are it’s not WR and the focus can be slow. At times it will focus quickly and other times it seems to struggle and that is even in excellent light conditions. It does has purple fringing at low apertures but I don't think it is any different than alot of other lens. Certain conditons create the fringing and you just need to pay attention. Otherwise there is always lightroom.With these minor negatives it is my favorite len. I bought the FA31 limited because of this lens so will do an evaluation of that in the future. Buy the 77…You will not be disappointed!!! | | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2010 Location: Ivanovo, Russia Posts: 9
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 7, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | contrast & color rendition, near-3D focus transition | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5, MZ-3
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I can be sure, that it is the best lens I ever had. It is worth every cent of its rather high price.
From optical formula to external finish it is a very thoroughly thought out lens.
I gives natural and smooth between in and out-of-focus areas, which produces almost 3D-feel. It maintains very good contrast and thus color rendition even at open aperture, which is a not very common feature. At the same time, it is a sharp lens, even wide open. And it can be successfully used as a macro lens when combined with extension rings, which was a nice surprise for me. Overall, image quality of 77 Limited is associated for me with the word "noble".
I must notice excellent design and build quality. It feels extremely solid and looks very beautiful. Most of my friends say: "Wow, it's so tiny! Is it manual focus?" And they are quite surprised to hear that it is actually an autofocus lens.
Some say that AF speed is slow. I wouldn't object it, but I managed to shoot a concert without concern about speed. Shooting portraits is even less demanding for AF speed. Accuracy became excellent after upgrade to K-5. Some say that CA and purple fringing are high. Yes, in some situations, but, in comparison with FA50/1.4 and M135/3.5, I can say that 77 Limited does not have CA at all.
Some my photos, shot with this lens, both film and digital: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vitaly_baranov/tags/smcpentaxfa7718limited/ | | |
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