Originally posted by Asahiflex Interestingly, just *one day* before this news I got myself a nice FA* 85/1.4, with box, papers and case.
I could not care less about the Sigma, but it's great that we now have more options than just the Samyang 85/1.4 or Zeiss ZK 85/1.4. Sigma is indeed a great company if you want lenses that Pentax simply does not offer (like extreme-telephotos, that's why I have the 500/4.5 from them) but at the same time I never was overly impressed with their optical performance. Because there's so much more than sharpness and besides, can you name just one legendary Sigma lens?
By the way: "extreme rarity" is an overstatement IMHO with regards to the availability of the FA* 85. There's always one or two on the marketplace, so if you want one you could have one in your hands in a few days. The FA* 200/4 macro, on the other hand (just like its older brother the A*) I regard as extremely rare indeed.
I believe the term "legendary" only applies to lenses that are discontinued or hard to find. I can't say or vouch for the older Sigmas since I myself was unimpressed with the older ones. however, some of the newer models are making a great impression and built a great reputation as well. unless they become rare and discontinued, then they can be considered as legendary.
maybe it is easier in Netherlands to acquire a copy of the FA*85. if I had only known that it would be easy to get 1 or 2 for $800 after a few days, I would had own one probably by now. but since I still haven't gotten myself a copy for a year now, simply tells that it is not that easy that you might think for us here in North America,thus making the lens extremely rare for us to find. unless 5 people in the marketplace would be able to get a copy in a month, then the lens wouldn't qualify as something extremely rare. as far as I know, there had only been 3 or 4 copies of the FA*85 that had been sold in the marketplace in a year and I don't think that those are different copies but rather a change in ownership among Pentax members.
anyway, it is good that Sigma made an 85mm. this would possibly affect the market value of the Pentax FA*85, regardless of it's legendary status. this would however depend on the performance of the new lens. so I'm hopeful that the Sigma 85 does perform great inorder for that to materialize.
I do feel that the prices of some of the older lenses are pretty much overpriced, even for a used copy. not because that the new lenses aren't any better, but the misconception that being labeled as legendary would make the lens untouchable or doesn't have an equal. some can be true, and some aren't. so it's up to the owner to notice which lens are which. I don't believe that lens and optical design are going backwards but more leaning towards getting better, affordable and available. I believe this is also what we are leaning towards what we want as well.