The Pentax 77mm f/1.8 lens, the brainchild of Japanese lens designer Jun Hirakawa, stands out with its unusual focal length of 77mm and f-stop value of 1.8.
These specifications diverge from more traditional choices like 50mm, 80mm, or 85mm, and apertures such as f/1.4 or f/2.0, clearly showing Hirakawa’s unique approach.
Compatibility
Interestingly, the 77mm, launched in 1999, is a full-frame compatible lens long before Pentax introduced their first full-frame digital camera, the Pentax K1, in April 2016.
For more than a decade, the 77mm f/1.8 was my go-to lens on the Pentax K5.
For a while, it was my only lens and proved surprisingly versatile, even some it wasn’t specifically designed for. For example, I successfully used it for ‘pseudo’ macro photography of food and wine, despite its 70-centimeter minimum focusing distance, and for capturing the ambiance in restaurant settings.
The Greatest Pentax Lens of All Time?
Some objects just feel right the moment you touch them, and the 77mm f/1.8 is one of them. Once mounted on the camera, it feels like a natural extension of your body, almost disappearing, allowing you to focus purely on your creative intent.
Used 77mm f/1.8 lenses can be found at reasonable prices.”
To my knowledge, all versions of the 77mm 1.8 have been produced in Japan.
In 2024, I made a significant change, moving from my Pentax K5 to a Nikon D3. Even so, I know I’ll still grab the Pentax 77mm f/1.8 now and again.
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Shooting with a Pentax K10D & Pentax K1
In October 2024, I started using Pentax equipment again. Eager to experience and experiment with CCD sensors, I picked up a cheap Pentax K10D on eBay.
My latest acquisition is a Pentax SMCA 50mm f/1.2 lens, which is reportedly Pentax’s fastest lens to date (even faster than the 77mm).
Specifications
Brand: Pentax
Designer: Jun Hirokawa
Current producer: Ricoh
Country of origin/production: Japan
Launch year: 1999
Aperture: 1.8
Filter diameter: 49mm
Max diameter: 64mm
Mount: Pentax KAF
Color: Black or silver
Auto focus: yes
Manual focus: yes
Number of groups: 6
Number of blades: 9
Weight: 270 grams
Full-frame coverage: yes
Weather-sealed construction: no
The 77mm 1.8 at work at restaurant noma 2011
For years, the 77mm 1.8 (along with the 35mm 2.8 macro limited) was pretty much the only lens I used.
I stuck with it even in situations where it wasn’t exactly a perfect fit, like my 2011 review of noma, where the shots ended up being more about “ambience” than actual sharpness, to put it mildly.
Looking back on that visit, it was a total joy to experience such a radically different approach to cooking (this was long before New Nordic cuisine really hit the mainstream). In the long run, it was also what you might call a transformative experience, discovering a new way to enjoy gourmet dining without relying on classic French principles, ingredients, or traditional wine pairings.