I own the 77, and I would suggest you would not be disappointed with it in any respect. I only have one 85mm lens to compare it to - an 85mm F1.8 AF Nikkor, and it takes in approximately the same field of view. The Nikkor is a rear focusing design, so I don't know if that affects the focal length at short distances like internal focusing does - I don't think it should. So my guess is that the 77 is indeed a little longer than advertised - maybe in the low 80s.
Thanks, Ed http://lightandsilver.com > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Brian Walsh > Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2001 3:18 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: 77/18 Ltd.vs. FA* 85/1.4(Was Re: Pentax SMC-FA* > 85mm/1.4 IF on E-bay) > > > At "portrait" distances (say 4 to 6 feet) or at mid-range say > 10 feet), > just how different is the angle of view of the subject > lenses? I've seen > test reports that suggest that the "77" is actually a bit > longer than that, > and the 85 is not quite that (at least close in, due to the > IF), so they > seem like they might be virtually identical in focal length > at such focus > distances. > > Since I use my 85/1.4 essentially only at 10 feet and closer, but I > sometimes _carry_ the lens long distances, the lighter-weight > Limited lens > seems quite attractive. Because the 85/1.4 is--really--the bulk of my > "family" kit, I carry it sometimes when I'm hiking with > medium format gear > (my "I will Create Art" kit), even though, on those > occasions, I also often > carry one member of the family. My four year-old daughter is > unlikely to > grow lighter; I wonder if my "family" kit should. > > I enjoyed the linked photos, but I still can't decide to sell > an excellent > lens and buy another excellent (lighter, but shorter?) lens, > especially if > the focal length is significantly shorter than the length > (and what length > is that?) that works for me. I'm sorta-kinda leaning towards > self-enablement. Should somebody stop me? > - > This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To > unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the > directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery > at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
