| Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2015 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 820
12 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 16, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $440.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Dreamy, delicious image quality and, despite the cliche, definitely touched with "Pixie Dust." | | Cons: | Fussy lens cap, built-in lens hood of limited value. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5 ii S
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Based on the many superior reviews written by my betters here on the Pentax Forum, and especially by the sample images posted both here and on pbase.com (https://pbase.com/cameras/pentax/smc_pfa_77_18_limited), I knew I would love this lens and just waited for an opportunity to buy one that had been lovingly used at a price I could reasonably justify to myself. It is truly everything I had hoped for.
I am primarily an elderly Nikon shooter who enjoys a longer perspective for portraiture than most. One of my favorite lenses in the Nikon line is the 180mm f2.8D EDIF, a $600 lens that has a similar "pixie dust" quality to it. On my Pentax K-5 ii-S crop-sensor body, the Pentax 77mm Limited assumes the perspective of a 115.5mm lens, which suits me perfectly. At one point I had bought a new Nikon 85mm f1.8D and disliked it so much that I sold it on right away -- I never was able to produce a single satisfactory photograph with it, which I'm sure was due to my lack of vision and skill, as this lens is still often a recommended purchase for new Nikon shooters.
I also dabble in Canon, mainly because I coveted the 85mm f1.2 L II, a fun lens to have and use, but it is large and heavy. Here again, the diminutive Pentax 77mm Limited provides a similar spectacular quality in a much smaller package. Why did I wind up with a Pentax body with a battery grip and several lenses when I already have Nikon and Canon systems? This forum! Here is an international collection of people who generously donate their time and efforts in a friendly and supportive environment, a delightful administrator, and an opportunity to interact with some of the best photographers in the world! If we lost the Pentax Forums, I don't know what I would do. The Nikon and Canon forums are relatively impenetrable, full of essentially professional-level Adobe Photoshoppers who will always know more than I will, leaving me with nothing to contribute. Here at least I can offer encouragement and gratitude and praise. And my sincere thanks for introducing me to the magic of Pentax and this marvelous little lens. Thank you all.
With kind regards,
Mark H.
Eureka, California
| | | | | | | Custom User Title Registered: January, 2016 Location: Alberta Posts: 6,806
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 6, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Character, colours, size (compact) | | Cons: | none really; loud screw drive focus, no quickshift ?? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-70
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Such an incredible, characterful, beautiful lens.
It's hard to fault the lens anywhere. Screw drive AF and no quickshift? Those features came much after this lens was released.
It's an older lens, designed for film cameras, but the beautiful images this lens produces easily allow it to compete in the modern digital world.
Wide-open, centre-sharp portraits are jaw droppingly beautiful.
Images render in an almost painterly fashion, but upon inspection incredible detail and sharpness are found.
Just an incredible lens - every Pentaxian should pursue a copy  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 8, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Build, Size, High quality glass. AF, Fast enough at F1.8. Sharp even wide open | | Cons: | A little CA/PF wide open, expensive (but worth it) third party are faster and cheaper. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-1
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Sometimes a lens appears in the market that has a "legend" moniker put against it. Leica, Zeiss and the Pentax Limiteds. To be honest they are deserved.
The 77mm is one of those lenses.
Personally, I have wanted one of the 77mm Limiteds for at least 10 years, but for various reasons, I never got to the point of owning one, until now.
I am very glad I waited. It was not like "never meet your heroes", more of a case of "I have known you for years, and you are exceeding my expectations".
From the point of opening the box, I just knew it was special. It is a tactile delight, metal body, smooth as silk focus ring and precise aperture ring. It harks back to those wonderful SMC-K and M lenses, and indeed Takumars, in operation. It is that feeling of something more than just a lens.
In operation? There is a lack of AF override but when it comes to the K-1 and 33 AF points, does that matter?
AF noise with the Screw focus is not really an issue.
Wide open it is just superb, sharpness and contrast is what you get, and the lack of "dreaminess" you get with the FA50 at F1.4 to F2. Well worth using wide open.
Stopped down it just gets better all the way to F8-F11. So as a studio lens it is perfect.
Now CA/PF. Yes it has some, but in CameraRaw the processing of it as so small, you need not worry.
Cost? Well that is subjective. It is NOT a cheap lens. and from a pure price point against rivals (Samyang 85mm F1.4 or CaNikon 85mm F1.8 models) it could be considered expensive, but that is not the whole story. What you get is images that, from a personal point of view, better rendition, colour, "3D" and more natural than the latest digital designed optics that are far more clinical in their look, and lack an almost "emotional" level.
It is deserving of the legend status that has been given to it. Think of it as a small emotional, rather than a large clinical lens.
Finally, yes it is expensive, but against say any Leica and Zeiss lens it is very cheap, and it should be comparable to them. Against the mainstream brands, it is a "cut Above" even though rivals can be faster.
Small, fast, well made, special. What more do you want?
[IMG] Howarth Steam Punk Weekend 2019 by Iain, on Flickr[/IMG]
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 796
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 6, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $780.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small, fast, sharp | | Cons: | Lens cap, not WR | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: KP, K-30, PZ-1p
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This lens is near to perfect, very sharp from wide open. The lens cap can fall down sometimes and it has some CA, more than what I would like, but it can be handled easily in postprocess. It has a 49mm filter thread wich makes easy to share filters with DA15, FA43, DFA100 macro, and DA50, DA35.
Here are some examples:
 IMG180414_0014 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG180422_0018 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG171008_0010 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG170923_0235 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG180505_0005 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG180428_0254 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG180428_0090 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
 IMG180505_0041 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
And a Brenizer effect:
 IMG180505_0047 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2018 Location: Paris Posts: 8
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 26, 2018 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Even better with k1 | | Cons: | Price can be forgotten the quality stays | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1 k5
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After years using it on my k5, I can say this rocks with K1. Finding it easier to use it and catch the focus at F.1.8 with much better IQ. Was using it often at 2,8 or above with k5 .
Fov/Dov different with K1 of course but learning is quick (took me months with k5 to tame this beast...)
36Mp does not afraid it at all
PROS
IQ
COLOR RENDERING 3D pop
Blue tones lovely
I can say the picture took with it among 100 others pics.
CONS
Take time to learn it
You must check the micro setting AF adjustment within your camera ( thanks Vietnam QC  : this is a sharp lens at all apertures including at PO although you don’t have to be drunk to achieve the right focus.
This is a smile lens : when you watch it, you take it In your hands, you shoot with it, and when you watch the pics
I own others good gems (k135 2.5, lester a dine macro 105 2.8, FA 50 1,7, F*300 4.5, czj Sonnar 135 3.5, and some others goodies...) but this one is my babe! A unique mix of IQ, contrast and color rendering and build./size.
A must in Pentax land if you can afford it
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2013 Posts: 7
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 21, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $580.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ, looks great, light sucker | | Cons: | No Quick Shift. No WR | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: k30
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Bought this in anticipation of moving to FF soon. Just fired off a few test shots on my k30. FL feels long on APSC, but not as limiting as the my other recent pre FF purchase, the DFA100. I feel that both lenses will be more useful on the k1.
Very punchy. The transition from in focus to out of focus is very unobtrusive, giving a fantastically natural sense of 3D depth. This might be the 'pixie dust' people talk of. What I immediately noticed was that you can see the plain of focus very clearly when shooting wide apertures, which means the wide aperture sharpness is awesome. If it's not sharp its more likely the focus than the optics!
The bokeh is smooth but not bland. It has some texture to it but it seems sympathetic. The colours are quite warm.
The weather has been very grey here recently. I haven't seen much CA yet, but conditions haven't been too challenging. Will prob do an update later.
I love the way the thing looks like a light hoover, with it's large rear element. It's definitely good for low light shooting, as it positively encourages you to open it up.
They say that equipment doesn't make you a better photographer, but even after a few shots with a lens like this, you start to think differently. The more you see those transitions, the more you want to really use and encourage that depth. I can't see how I could go back. If you look at the prices of Zeiss, or the Canikon 85mm portrait lenses etc which by all accounts can offer this level of creative palette, for the Ł476 I paid, so far it looks an absolute bargain.
To compare it with the DFA100WR, I would say both are super sharp, especially the 100mm which seems to have incredible resolution. Both have 3D pop in abundance. The 100 has a smoother bokeh, although not necessarily more beautiful. I think the 100 has the clarity of a modern lens, but with really lovely rendering. The 77mm on the other hand is better in low light, has a touch of warm vintage character to it, and that extra sense of depth which when you nail your composition and focus, can look magical.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2015 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 1, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $499.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Image Quality, Quality Built | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-50
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Incredible. I marvel at the images that are produced by this lens. I was one of those that did not believe in the pixie dust association but, now I am a believer. Highly recommend if you can get your hands on this lens.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 456 | | Review Date: May 30, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | high keeper rate, sharp enough wide open, smooth bokeh, pixie dust | | Cons: | none that I've discovered for my shooting | | Sharpness: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K5 iis
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I have been looking for a portrait lens for aps-c for some time and tried a number of different approaches - Pentax DFA 50mm 1.8, Porst 55mm 1.2, Tokina atx 90mm macro, Helios 77m, but nothing comes close to what I'm getting out of this lens. There is just a certain extra bit of life that comes out of each picture. My keeper rate is higher than my skill level, which is how I can tell a great lens. The following shots look best opened in flickr with something equivalent to an ipad screen resolution but you sort of get the idea. All were done with natural light, no reflectors, and ISO 200
1.8
 IMGP4767.jpg by David Miley, on Flickr
2.2
 IMGP4737.jpg by David Miley, on Flickr
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 32 | | Review Date: April 28, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $740.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Image Quality, Built Quality | | Cons: | No Quickshift, Balsam separation after ~15 years | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K10D, K30, K70
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This is one of the best, if not THE best Pentax lens!
I.Q. is outstanding:
- Center and Corners: Very Good - Good at 1.8, Excellent - Very good at 2.8+
- Excellent bookeh, colors
- Very little vignetting, flare, distortion.
Excellent built quality, very practical telescopic hood.
The minor minuses are the absence of Quickshift, and a little bit of Purple Fringing at full aperture in front of a light source.
What killed me is that, after 15-20 years, despite a perfect overall condition, two elements became slightly separated, creating a haze and killing the I.Q. I had to sale for a song my beloved lens, and buy a new one!
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2012 Location: Tokyo Posts: 2,821
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 6, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, bokeh, design | | Cons: | Purple fringing at max aperture, AF can hunt | | New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5 IIs, K-01
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I bought this for its field of view on APS-C and all my experience is on APS-C cameras. It works well for me as a compact short telephoto prime. I do use it for portraits, but I also find it generally useful for landscape and architecture in some cases. For what it’s worth, mine is a “Made in Japan” version with a low serial number, bought second hand two years ago.
Good things start to happen when I get this lens out. I often hear that buying gear won’t make you a better photographer, but somehow pictures that I know would look dull with my other lenses look special with this lens. I think it is partly that the field of view is quite restrictive so it makes me think harder about what I’m doing. Also, the sharpness of the in-focus areas and the beautiful nature of the bokeh in front and behind that give the images a special look. The lens itself is very nicely made, and I particularly like the built-in hood that slides out.
One thing to be careful of is purple fringing, which can be quite prominent, but it improves if stopped down just a little, where the bokeh is still nice. The other issue is the autofocus, which seems to be OK with the CDAF on my K-01, but hunts a lot on my K-5 IIs. There are some other modern conveniences that are lacking from this lens, like quick shift, silent focusing and the latest coatings. But I feel like the whole ethos of the limited line is to make beautiful lenses the way they used to be made, so I don’t object to these characteristics too much, and just love the lens for what it excels at.
A year later and my opinion of this lens is unchanged.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2014 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: October 1, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, colour rendition, bouild quality | | Cons: | some CA | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 6
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K10D
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Great bokeh, very good sharpness, beautiful lens. Slow AF, some CA.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 17 | | Review Date: September 1, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Excellent built and image quality | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K3
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This is my first FA limited lens. Its excellent. Just get one. Very sharp and beautiful colors.
| | | | | 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: 4,002
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.
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