Pentax smc FA 77mm 1.8 Limited vs Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS

Lens to replace

Change

Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L

Telephoto Prime | Pentax KAF

CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Change

Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS

Perspective Control Prime | Pentax KAF

CHECK PRICE

BUY from B&H PHOTO

Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L vs Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L for the KAF Mount is a Telephoto Prime lens with a 77mm focal range and a max aperture of F1.8 whereas the Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS for the KAF Mount is a Perspective Control Prime lens with a 80mm focal range and max aperture of F2.8.

We will start by looking briefly at the main specs of these two lenses, and in the next section, we will start analyzing them in more detail and listing the pros and cons of each lens.

Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L Key Specs

77mm Focal Range

F1.8 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 49mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Pentax KAF Mount

Weight: 270g.

Diameter: 64mm

Length: 48mm

Min Focus Distance: 0.7m

Max Magnification: 0.14x

Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS Key Specs

80mm Focal Range

F2.8 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 72mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Pentax KAF Mount

Weight: 850g.

Diameter: mm

Length: mm

Min Focus Distance: 0.64m

What type of photography are the Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L and Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L and the Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type	Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L	Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS
Bird/Wildlife	Average	Fair
Sports	Good	Fair
Portrait	Excellent	Fair
Travel	Fair	Fair
Street	Average	Poor
Wedding	Very Good	Fair
Walk Around	Fair	Poor
Vlogging	Average	Poor
Landscape	Fair	Fair

Size and Weight Comparison

The weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L weighs 270g, which means it is 580g (68%) lighter than the Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS which has a weight of 850g.

Lens Mounts

Both the Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L and the Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS has the same Pentax KAF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Pentax KAF lenses are Pentax KF, Pentax K-3 III and Pentax K-1 II.

Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS is also available in Canon EF , Sony Alpha and Nikon F (FX) mounts.

Focal Range

Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 77mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 115.5mm.
Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS is a prime lens with fixed focal lenght of 80mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides a 35mm (FF) equivalent of 120mm.

Reasons to choose Pentax smc FA 77mm 1.8 Limited over Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS

Focal Length - Wide	77mm vs 80mm	3mm Wider coverage
Max Aperture - Wide	1.8 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	1.8 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at tele end
Diaphgragm Blades	9 vs	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Autofocus	Yes vs No	Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Weight	270g vs 850g	580g lighter
Filter Thread	49mm vs 72mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Max Magnification	0.14x vs x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS over Pentax smc FA 77mm 1.8 Limited

Focal Length - Tele	80mm vs 77mm	3mm more Tele coverage
Diameter	mm vs 64mm	64mm smaller in diameter
Length	mm vs 48mm	48mm shorter
Minimum Focus Distance	0.64m vs 0.7m	can focus closer to the subject

Common Strengths of Pentax smc FA 77mm 1.8 Limited and Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS

Autofocus	Yes vs Yes	Easier, faster and more accurate focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale	Yes vs Yes	Depth of Field scale to assist focusing
Aperture Ring	Yes vs Yes	able to adjust the aperture on the lens

Common Weaknesses of Pentax smc FA 77mm 1.8 Limited and Hartblei Superrotator 80mm F2.8 IF TS

Image Stabilization	No vs No	Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing	No vs No	not safe under rain and dust

**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pentax FA 77mm 1.8 L vs Hartblei 80mm F2.8 IF TS Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General
Brand	Pentax	Hartblei
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Telephoto Prime	Perspective Control Prime
Lens Mount	Pentax KAF	Pentax KAF
Max Format	35mm FF	35mm FF
Focal Range	77mm	80mm
Image Stabilization	No	No
Colour	Black or silver	-
Zoom Method	No Zoom	No Zoom
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F1.8	F2.8
Min Aperture	F22.0	F22.0
Aperture Ring	Yes	Yes
Diaphragm Blades	9	-
Optics
Optical Elements	7	7
Optical Groups	6	5
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.7m	0.64m
Max Magnification	0.14X	-
Autofocus	Yes	No
AF Motor Type	Screw drive from camera	None
Full Time Manual		N/A
Focus Method	Extending front	-
Distance Scale	-	Yes
DoF Scale	Yes	Yes
Distance Scale	-	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	No	No
Physical Specs
Weight	270g	850g
Diameter	64mm	-
Length	48mm	-
Materials	Metal barrel, metal mount	metal barrel, metal mount
Weather Sealing	No	No
Filter Thread	49mm	72mm
Filter Notes	-	does not rotate on focus
Hood Supplied	Yes	-
Tripod Collar	No	Yes
	Report a Correction