HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited § 03 Head to head
HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited vs Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2
Pentax 77mm f/1.8 is 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture. Mitakon 85mm f/2 has a longer reach.
The HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited is a 77mm f/1.8 prime, and the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 is an 85mm f/2 prime. On paper the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited comes out ahead, 6 advantages to 2, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited 
Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 01
Key differences
Why is the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited better than the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2?
- 0.3 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2)
- Wider field of view (77mm vs 85mm)
- 100 g lighter (270 g vs 370 g)
- 47 mm shorter (48 mm vs 95 mm long)
- Focuses 15 cm closer (0.7 m vs 0.85 m)
- Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 55 mm)
Why is the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 better than the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited?
- Longer reach (85mm vs 77mm)
- More aperture blades (10 vs 9)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
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Specification
| Specification | HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited | Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 77mm | 85mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8 ◆ | f/2 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Short telephoto prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | Full frame |
| Weight | 270 g (9.5 oz) ◆ | 370 g (13.05 oz) |
| Dimensions | 64 mm (diameter) x 48 mm (length) | 68 x 95 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.7 m (27.6 inches) ◆ | 0.85 m (33.46 inches) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.14x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture blades | 9 (rounded) | 10 ◆ |
| Optical construction | 7 elements in 6 groups | 6 elements / 6 groups |
| Filter size | 49 mm ◆ | 55 mm |
| Lens mount | Pentax K | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sony E, Fujifilm X |
| Released | 1999 | — |
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Size
- A · HD
- B · Mitakon
- 48 × 64 mm
- 95 × 68 mm
The Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 is 47 mm longer and 100 g heavier than the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited.
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Sample frames
HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited or the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2?
- The HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited opens to f/1.8, against f/2 on the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2, 0.3 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited or the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2?
- The HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited weighs 270 g, 100 g less than the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 (370 g).
- Which focuses closer, the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited or the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2?
- The HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited focuses down to 0.7 m, against 0.85 m for the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2.
- Do the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited and the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited or the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
- Is the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited or the Mitakon Creator 85 mm f/2 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the HD Pentax-FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited has the edge: its f/1.8 aperture gathers more light than f/2.
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