Pentax 77 vs. Fuji 90 mm

[mike lix]

Hi guys,

before Fuji I used to shoot with Pentax and I still am a Pentax fan. I really liked he 77mm f/1.8 Limited, now I really like the XF 90/2. This thread is not supposed to tell which lens is better. The shots are not even shot in the same light, same location, also the output from camera lead me to different postprocessing... Instead, I would like to see what overall rendering style you like more, what you find more pleasing or distracting. I find both lenses great in what they can do. Yes, the Fujinon has less optical flaws and is sharper, but optical flaws are not a dealbreaker for the 77mm either. It´s just more about the overall rendering of the lenses that I would like to read your opinion about

First, here comes the shots from Pentax 77 Limited















And here are the shots from Fuji XF 90















Hope you like the shots, no matter the camera or lens

mike



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[zakaria]

Iam a former user of both lenses.

I sold the XF 90 because it was heavy and not balanced well with my xe2s. Also sold the the 77mm because I have 100mm macro which give both macro and portrait value.

Regarding the BQ both are great .

Both are rendering the color at high levels but I like the pentax because it gives a mixed between sharpness and softness. The XF 90 is very sharp but needs a steady hands or a tripod. For a 90mm lens it is huge and heavy but it has a good drive focus though it needs a SR.

Btw beautiful series and the bokeh is amazing for both.

 

[Plakanina]

I must say the 77mm photos seem richer and almost medium format looking with a nice smooth transition between tones.

 

[Rahto]

I have no dog in this fight (no pun intended) but looking at the photos I think the Pentax ones look more natural. Some of the Fuji ones look a little over cooked to me.

Bob

 

[Willgo]

Fuji photos look superb, very smooth blurring of background. And I've just bought into Pentax with the original K1, yikes!

 

[miles green]

First, the 77 is a FF lens, so here it's only used to half of its potential. It really shines on the K1. It's also half the weight of the fuji...

Both are excellent lenses, the fiji has very smoooth bokeh, the Pentax more playful and lively. I know some people that would be happy keeping both... Ehem.. The A 50/1.2 has even more playful bokeh (but the 77 and fuji 90 are obviously better corrected)

We can't compare, but the shots with the fuji shot into the light have a hazy look, which works well with the images, but maybe the 77 would retain more contrast, I'm not sure.

 

[miles green]

PS: I love your model, he's quite a poser! (or very well trained)

Mine won't stay still for a second..

 

[Oiche]

The 2nd fuji lens photo is the best one, I seen the Pentax ones before, nothing to do with the lenses but the photographer.

The 77mm ones probably do look better on average.

 

[nimo_or]

I have not owned the Fuji 90 and Pentax 77. But, I have shot with Fuji 60 macro and Pentax 70 f2.4 Limited. With many portraits shot taken with both Fuji and Pentax lenses, I have been a big fan of the rendering style of Pentax lenses. Your shots here add value to my points and own likings.

Though the Fuji 90 shots look great, I feel there is more “life” ( I know this is highly subjective but still...) in the Pentax 77 rendering style.

 

[Oiche]

I have not owned the Fuji 90 and Pentax 77. But, I have shot with Fuji 60 macro and Pentax 70 f2.4 Limited. With many portraits shot taken with both Fuji and Pentax lenses, I have been a big fan of the rendering style of Pentax lenses. Your shots here add value to my points and own likings.

Though the Fuji 90 shots look great, I feel there is more “life” ( I know this is highly subjective but still...) in the Pentax 77 rendering style.

I agree 100%, I feel that lab tests, people complaining about sharpness in corners etc. is all 'BBN' or Banal Bloody Nonsense!

Pentax created the magic pixie dust in the Limited line, both FA and DA.

 

[ozdean]

77 is more true to life.

 

[gaddigad]

Not even close imho. The old smc FA 77mm beats the fuji by a mile. Micro contrast is stupendous and the colors just spot on. I love the bouquet and out of focus, 3d rendering and shallow DOF of the 77 too. Thanks for the comparison

 

[DougOB]

Not even close imho. The old smc FA 77mm beats the fuji by a mile. Micro contrast is stupendous and the colors just spot on. I love the bouquet and out of focus, 3d rendering and shallow DOF of the 77 too. Thanks for the comparison

It begs the question of if/when Ricoh will release new versions of the 3 amigos. HD & SP coatings up front, anti-reflective coatings at the rear, rounded aperture blades, WR. Don't make them SDM as that will simple double their size.

Doug

 

[Joseph Tainter]

Both produce nice images, but I wonder if your FA 77 is front focusing just a little.

Joe

 

[DHAPhotography]

I owned the Pentax and sold it as an old 50mm F1:1.4 gave similar bokeh and sharper images. With respect to your collage, I find both sets very well done with excellent bokeh and colors. There is no clear winner. I now shoot both Fuji and Pentax and both have their strengths. I like Fuji for street and landscape, and Pentax for BIF, macros and black and white renderings. I love the Fuji Jpegs and only shoot Fuji in Jpeg. No need for RAW. With Pentax I shoot only RAW as I find I do need to make color, hilite, and shadow tweets to pull the photo. I do find that my best camera is the one I have in hand. Best. Don

 

[mike lix]

Iam a former user of both lenses.

I sold the XF 90 because it was heavy and not balanced well with my xe2s. Also sold the the 77mm because I have 100mm macro which give both macro and portrait value.

Regarding the BQ both are great .

Both are rendering the color at high levels but I like the pentax because it gives a mixed between sharpness and softness. The XF 90 is very sharp but needs a steady hands or a tripod. For a 90mm lens it is huge and heavy but it has a good drive focus though it needs a SR.

Btw beautiful series and the bokeh is amazing for both.

Thank you

You are so right with the steady hands and the XF 90 The sharpness even wide open is so high that I almost never go under 1/250s handheld but recently I learned to calm down enough to be able to shoot even at 1/200s :-D

I like both lenses´ rendering, it´s just completely different

 

[mike lix]

I must say the 77mm photos seem richer and almost medium format looking with a nice smooth transition between tones.

Yes, the photos from the FA 77 look very 3D-like. When printed big, one has even the feeling that it is possible to touch the subject

 

[mike lix]

I have no dog in this fight (no pun intended) but looking at the photos I think the Pentax ones look more natural. Some of the Fuji ones look a little over cooked to me.

Bob

Yes, it is possible that with some of them I went a bit over the edge of natural look

 

[mike lix]

Fuji photos look superb, very smooth blurring of background. And I've just bought into Pentax with the original K1, yikes!

I agree, the strengths of the Fuji is the smoothness and fineness, combined with ultimate sharpness. In some photos it can be more boring than the FA 77, in other photos it can be more pleasing than the harsher rendering of the FA 77.

 

[mike lix]

First, the 77 is a FF lens, so here it's only used to half of its potential. It really shines on the K1. It's also half the weight of the fuji...

Both are excellent lenses, the fiji has very smoooth bokeh, the Pentax more playful and lively. I know some people that would be happy keeping both... Ehem.. The A 50/1.2 has even more playful bokeh (but the 77 and fuji 90 are obviously better corrected)

We can't compare, but the shots with the fuji shot into the light have a hazy look, which works well with the images, but maybe the 77 would retain more contrast, I'm not sure.

Right, it is a fullframe lens and much smaller and lighter. But I personally like the look of a bit longer FLs. I like FF 135mm lenses more than DD 85mm ones (when used on FF). It´s just my personal preference

I agree, FA 77 has much more character, whereas the XF 90 look much more refined. To me it´s like comparing a new V6 BMW 3 with an old V8 Mustang You can´t say which is better, it´s just matter of taste