Which Lens?

Okay, I am thinking of a great portrait lens, in addition to my 50-135 DA*
Now there are two lenses that interest me, and I want your opinion on them, especially if you have both.
Now which would you go for?

70mm F2.4 DA Limited
77mm F1.8 FA Limited

Now I do have film Pentax as well, but don't let that cloud your judgment.
Which of these lenses is better optically? I would be using them in a studio envirioment, so wide open is not possible, more like F8-F14, so they will be equal on aperture.

Does anyone have both? and which do they prefer?

I haven't used either, but I know of a brilliant man called Klaus who has thoroughly tested both:

http://www.photozone.de/pentax

The 77, it just produces image that has something that the 70 lacks... it's hard to discribe what but the 77 gives you more of a wow effect then the 70... but the price difference right.

I borrowed the 77 for a couple of hours and it's a sheer delight
The engineering is sublime and the image quality stunning.

However, I wonder just how much different it would be to the 50-135 (which I understand is stunning as well!). Certainly more compact, but personally I think I would rather have the 50-135.

Matt

Some very good examples of the 77mm at this site : link

Plus a really crappy Canon shot of some leaves on grass

Unbelievable bokeh on the 77mm.

shim

The 77 is indeed rather special, but stopped down to f8 and smaller I'd doubt you'd see much (if any) difference between it, the DA70 or the DA*50-135. My 77 tends to get used mainly between f2-f2.8 where it positively sparkles.

There you go, that just saved you a few hundred quid!

No contest for me, the 77 has a touch of magic

As Hefty says, you have to use it close to wide-open to benefit from it's sublime properties.

I sold my A*85/1.4, when I got the 77 because I couldn't imagine ever using it again. That proved a rather foolish decision though, as the price of them has doubled since

The DA70 is not full frame either - see this thorough test on the other Pentax forum.

R

I'm happy usinf my 100 mm macro for portraits

Sorry for asking Iain, but why not?
I also shoot around the f/8 because the flashungs wouldn't go lower but I've bought a ND filter now because I wanted some bokeh sometimes.

Buy the 70mm if you are happy not to have one of the world's very best lenses on your camera.

G

Ugh. There must be a better way.

G

well it's a B&W, haven't use it yet but hopefully it will preform though
If you have a better way then please tell me George, it would be very helpfull

There is one thing though, I can't alter the flash in anyway since they arent mine so camera or lens stuff only.