DA 17-70f4 vs DA 70f2.4

[istDeS]

I've considered this but I'd really like to see if DA17-70 is usable for portraits. It seems not a lot of people bought this lens

My thinking is if i can't get the convenience from DA17-70 (wide to usable portraits), i'll keep my 16-45 and get DA70 2.4

for portraits, I don't see why not at the 70mm tele end of DA17-70. For how well it performs will have to let those who have experience with the lens to answer.:bsmilie:

update, not sure you have seen this http://www.pbase.com/wolfeye/k20d

 

[flowerpot]

77mm else 50mm...

 

[matchkk]

DA17-70 and DA70 are just different.

If I were you, I would probably take both...

DA17-70@70mm is not that bad, I have just revisited the shoots I taken two weeks back.

All the pictures below were taken with DA17-70.
http://picasaweb.google.com.hk/matchz/090705HairForHope

And the one below was taken at 70mm, large size can see via my album...

If you can only pick either one of them, you need to decide if you just want a portrait lens or a travel lens.

 

[cromdeg]

DA17-70 and DA70 are just different.

If I were you, I would probably take both...

DA17-70@70mm is not that bad, I have just revisited the shoots I taken two weeks back.

All the pictures below were taken with DA17-70.
http://picasaweb.google.com.hk/matchz/090705HairForHope

And the one below was taken at 70mm, large size can see via my album...

If you can only pick either one of them, you need to decide if you just want a portrait lens or a travel lens.

Many thanks for the sample pictures... I think this "nailed" it for me I read reviews that 70mm end is soft.. but this looks plenty sharp to me (maybe not Ltd 70mm sharp or 77mm colors but i'm leaning more into convenience.. )

For purely portraiture outings, I think FA50 1.4 will do for now.. or my Takumar 135mm f2.5 (manual and not so good with flare but with right conditions, it makes some amazing bokeh)... cheers.

 

[cromdeg]

77mm else 50mm...

Looks like 50mm for now..

 

[pinholecam]

Why not the Vivitar/Samyang/Bower 85/1.4
seems pretty good based on the reviews : http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/showproduct.php?product=483&cat=85


Jupiter 9 85/2 ~S$280
Cheap, Frustrating and nice at the same time.
Soft wide open and really softens up blemishes. Very sharp from f5.6 onwards.
The long focal length of 85mm + large aperture gives it an edge for subject isolation.

Shot at f2.8

 

[alanswan]

Actually in terms of color, I find the DA limiteds render to my liking. A bit cool yet very refreshing feel. FA77 renders with a kind of "soft-feel" which some refer to as the magic. Construction wise, the FA77 is very solid and tight while the DA70 feels a little filmsy in comparison. The thing is they are not quite readily available in retail. In fact I don't think you can get the DA70 locally as yet. Both are very good lens - if someone ask me to choose only one, i'll ask the person to go fly kite. lol...

Actually, I think I saw the DA70 recently at either TK or CP.
Sometime last week or the week before.

 

[istDeS]

Actually, I think I saw the DA70 recently at either TK or CP.
Sometime last week or the week before.

It is all the while available in CP, always see it.

 

[scorpioh]

It is all the while available in CP, always see it.

Pardon my ignorance. Come think of it, I had almost not gotten my lenses from retail locally, except my DA21 from Orientphoto.

 

[istDeS]

Pardon my ignorance. Come think of it, I had almost not gotten my lenses from retail locally, except my DA21 from Orientphoto.

My 70mm is not bought locally also. After it was launched, I contacted the local distributor to order and bring in the lens but they say no. So after laising with them for a while, I gave up and buy from overseas.:bsmilie: They only bought in the lens a year later.:bsmilie:

 

[cromdeg]

Many Thanks to everyone for your input. Everyone's take on this has been varied and very helpful. I'm currently in Bangkok so will be scouting for lens prices this weekend cheers...

 

[LancerEX]

+1 on this advice from the master...
FA 77mm the best... forget the rest... :bsmilie:

I have had the Sigma 17-70, FA50 f1.4, FA77 Ltd, now DA35Ltd ... IMO just get 77mm lah

 

[felixcat8888]

I have had the Sigma 17-70, FA50 f1.4, FA77 Ltd, now DA35Ltd ... IMO just get 77mm lah

Bro, this lens in this colour is very THE poisonous leh . . . ;p you evil . . . :devil:

 

[knyghtfall81]

Since we're on the topic of the FA 77 Ltd... just to share, there's an interesting article (some of you may have already come across it) that the FA 77 Ltd is 'related' to the legendary A* 85 /1.4 - counter-intuitively, the optical designs for the FA 77 Ltd and A*85 are very similar, while the FA* 85mm / 1.4 's design is different from the A* one. The article is quite informative on other lens design facts as well.

The article also notes that the FA 77, A* 85 and FA 50/1.4 share similar optical design as well.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1036&message=16538995

 

[fengwei]

Get the DA70, it's value for money

I've used them all, to be honest, I can't see much difference w/ my untrained eyes between the DA70/FA77/FA*85/A*85. Yes, the difference is there, but can be ignored in most cases. DA70 is cheaper, smaller, AF faster (well, faster than FA77 at least). If you got the money to burn, get the FA77 or FA*85 if you can find one.

 

[nik34]

I have had the Sigma 17-70, FA50 f1.4, FA77 Ltd, now DA35Ltd ... IMO just get 77mm lah

Kenny you...:flame:

 

[le petit prince]

Get the DA70, it's value for money

I've used them all, to be honest, I can't see much difference w/ my untrained eyes between the DA70/FA77/FA*85/A*85. Yes, the difference is there, but can be ignored in most cases. DA70 is cheaper, smaller, AF faster (well, faster than FA77 at least). If you got the money to burn, get the FA77 or FA*85 if you can find one.

I'll chip in to say, in general, that if you are also a connoisseur of lenses (and good quality things), in addition to caring about image quality, get the 77mm. Of course, having the financial means help!

Else DA70, like FW says, is pretty sweet already. It doesn't lose out in terms of IQ, just speed, and just different rendering.

 

[cromdeg]

It's great to hear from more experienced pentax users sharing their views on this. As I go through pages and pages of reviews (you all know what i'm talking about ), i'm getting more convinced to invest in primes. During my early months using my DSLR i was a "quick trigger" when it comes to lens (i have since bought and sold D18-55, Sigma 24-70 2.8 and Tamron 28-75 2.8 - all 2nd hand so didnt really lose money ).. so now i'm being more carefull with my purchase.. i currently have the following lens:

FA35 f2.0
DA16-45 f4
SMC-M 50 f1.4
Takumar 135 f2.5
SMC-A 70-210 f4

Now i'm tempted to get the DA70.. though there's constant nagging in my mind that i'll eventually want a 77mm someday.. i think this will be a last minute decision, while comparing both lenses at the shop.. and a green light from my wife of course

 

[creampuff]

cromdeg, I know you're facing a tough decision but I'm sure your wife will relent when you photograph her with that FA 77mm Limited... just superb bokeh... like this example of my kid

and hey, it comes in a choice of colours too...

but seriously all this LBA poisoning aside, if you're prepared to invest in a FA 77mm, you ought to consider the DA* 50-135mm as a flexible alternative. Decisions, decisions.. :bsmilie:

 

[cromdeg]

cromdeg, I know you're facing a tough decision but I'm sure your wife will relent when you photograph her with that FA 77mm Limited... just superb bokeh... like this example of my kid

and hey, it comes in a choice of colours too...

but seriously all this LBA poisoning aside, if you're prepared to invest in a FA 77mm, you ought to consider the DA* 50-135mm as a flexible alternative. Decisions, decisions.. :bsmilie:

You're killing me with this lol nice picture of your kid BTW...