77mm Limited Problem

Thanks Kim. Too bad it's back-ordered. By the time they have it the rebate might be over. I think I should go ahead and order black one while I still can.

I came aross these websites today and it make me really wonder about the quality of the 77mm. It seem to me that the 77mm has much less detail than all 85mm lenses. Some how it also looks like pics from 77mm are brighter and less saturated. If someone has different opinion about the 77mm could you please share it with me?

http://www.physnet.uni-hamburg.de/hp/stark/pentax85/Portrait/portrait.htm
http://www.physnet.uni-hamburg.de/hp/stark/pentax85/Portrait/portraitdetail.htm

http://www.nadir.it/ob-fot_piccolo/pentax_85-77/pentax.htm

PS. Should i create a new topic for this one?

aka

The 85 1.4 is a superb lens, but bigger, heavier, and more expensive than the 77. As far as optical quality is concerned, any sensible person would be happy with either.

Tests conducted on tripods on the same digital camera in a studio with studio lights would yield a more objective test thn the ones you have linked to, which IMO are completely worthless. The pictures were taken hand-held on film in daylight, then scanned. Far too many variables were involved to be able to form any judgements.

Plus, the images are tiny.

G

Hiya,

"I came aross these websites today and it make me really wonder about the quality of the 77mm. It seem to me that the 77mm has much less detail than all 85mm lenses. Some how it also looks like pics from 77mm are brighter and less saturated. If someone has different opinion about the 77mm could you please share it with me?"

Please learn...just because someone puts something on a website does not make it true or valid. It frankly does my head in, the number of people who choose lenses based on totally incompetent lens test websites...this one takes the biscuit..judging lenses by hand-held shots..who are they kidding?

The absolute WORST way in the world to try to compare photos is on a PC monitor..they are just nowhere near good enough in image quality. The only way is to compare professional standard large prints side by side in daylight, with shots taken on a solid tripod by someone who actually knows what they are doing...not some so-called website lens tester who quite clearly does not have the faintest clue how to do lens testing.....so, IGNORE INTERNET LENS TESTERS...they are usually hopeless.

This is good advice from G : "The 85 1.4 is a superb lens, but bigger, heavier, and more expensive than the 77. As far as optical quality is concerned, any sensible person would be happy with either"

The real truth is that both these lenses are better than most photographers ability to use them. The lens will not be the weak link in the image chain, YOUR own ability (or lack of it) will be the weak link usually. Unless you ALWAYS use a tripod AND use slow film AND produce large pro quality prints every time, then there is no point whatsoever anguishing about which to buy.

cheers Steve.

I would never judge a lens by "online" samples. As G says, they are next to useless. About the only online reviews I "trust" are the comments on Stan site here: http://stans-photography.info/ Much of it still needs interpretation as many of the comments are on the harsh side and even the lenses described there as poor are better than many others.

Kim

Thanks guys. I ordered a black one from beach camera yesterday and it's already on it's way. I'll see the quality with my own eyes soon. Too bad I can't get a silver one that I want.

Right, I completely agree and that's one of the reason I always buy the best lens my bank account allows, so that I don't have any excuse when I take bad pictures.

Congratulations. I don't think you will be unhappy.

G

Slightly OT but Christmas arrived early today. The postman just delivered my 31 and 43 in lovely black. Now all I need to do is pick up the K10D next week and think about putting the silver versions up on "that" place.

Kim