The FA* 85mm REALLY controls my mind

xGene · 06-03-2010, 08:08 AM

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Thought I would pitch in a couple pictures taken with the FA* 85... This one is lightly cropped and sharpened. Fill flash used. looks much sharper in original size. This was at 1/180, F7.1, ISO 100. I have similar pcitures taken with the FA77 ltd. To be honnest, I can't really tell a difference between the two, nothing strikes me as very different in the rendering, although I never really did any side by side controlled comparison. It is to the point where I can't really see myself keeping both. I'll probably let the FA* go... I really like the 77's compacteness...

xGene · 06-03-2010, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by xGene

Thought I would pitch in a couple pictures taken with the FA* 85... This one is lightly cropped and sharpened. Fill flash used. looks much sharper in original size. This was at 1/180, F7.1, ISO 100. I have similar pcitures taken with the FA77 ltd. To be honnest, I can't really tell a difference between the two, nothing strikes me as very different in the rendering, although I never really did any side by side controlled comparison. It is to the point where I can't really see myself keeping both. I'll probably let the FA* go... I really like the 77's compacteness...

Here is the promised picture... sorry about that...

xGene · 06-03-2010, 08:14 AM

Here is another one, this time 1/100 @ F2.0 and ISO 100. No fill flash, all natural light. I like the smoothness of the OOF.

xGene · 06-03-2010, 08:19 AM

Another one, this time a candid. Note the severe backlighting, for which the K7 managed to expose properly, I think. I really like the skin tone of this lens. This was shot at 1/320 @ F4.0, ISO100.

Attached Images

farfisa · 06-03-2010, 08:48 AM

Originally posted by xGene

Here is another one, this time 1/100 @ F2.0 and ISO 100. No fill flash, all natural light. I like the smoothness of the OOF.

I like this one!

I always find "attached" images get really compressed by the system and appear softer than they are when you upload them too.

Asahiflex · 06-03-2010, 12:59 PM

I made these during my lunch break, just to see how the FA* 85 performs wide open and in bright sunlight. No contrast enhancements performed, only resized and sharpened with Absolute Sharpening Web.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Asahiflex · 06-04-2010, 02:54 AM

Finally two samples with the FA* 85 on the smallest Asahi Pentax non-auto PK extension tube, with the lens at f/5.6:

1.

2.

LFLee · 06-04-2010, 12:47 PM

OK....

Anyone here wants to sell their FA* 85??

Is it difficult to buy it from Japan?

Lee

Adam · 06-04-2010, 08:01 PM

I love that first shot, Peter...wow!

This lens has been out of production since '04. The only japanese seller I've seen that has it somewhat regularly is matsuiyastore (don't know if I got the spelling right) on eBay.

kiwao · 06-04-2010, 08:25 PM

Originally posted by LFLee

OK....

Anyone here wants to sell their FA* 85??

Is it difficult to buy it from Japan?

Lee

At this moment in time there are 2 of these lenses on ebay. Good luck

slr camera lens items - Get great deals on canon macro lens, used nikon lens items on eBay.com!

Asahiflex · 06-05-2010, 02:01 PM

If you want to keep using APS-C cameras you could also get the the spiritual successor to the FA* 85 like I did today

Asahiflex · 06-06-2010, 02:16 AM

One thing I really like about the FA* is how it renders subtle tonalities, metals and glass. It takes a very good lens to show those materials vibrant and life-like:

JayR · 06-06-2010, 04:06 AM

Originally posted by JayR

Anyone have any comparison with how the FA*85mm at FF sides up next to the newer DA*55mm in digital?

I must admit to being quite ignorant on the differences between various optical designs and so far have tended to pick up lenses based on focal length and how good they are percieved to be (no point wasting time buying 'average' in my book)

I have the 77ltd and FA50 1.4 already to cover these rough focal lengths. im dreading the LBA if i begin to feel i need the others instead of the ones i have now, or even dare i say, as well as.
urgh

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Yes, sort of. The DA* 55/1.4 SDM was designed with the FA* in mind, with a smaller FOV for the APS-C sensor. This was also expressed by the external design of the DA*, especially the oversized hood which has the same shape as the one on the FA*.

As a matter of fact I'm also expecting a DA* 55 soon so I'll soon be able to compare them.

Anyone have a comparison between the FA*85 and DA*55 both in optical design and plain old image output?

Asahiflex · 06-06-2010, 07:42 AM

Originally posted by JayR

Anyone have a comparison between the FA*85 and DA*55 both in optical design and plain old image output?

I'd like to compare them, but how?

Pentaxor · 06-06-2010, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

I'd like to compare them, but how?

to show the difference in rendering tonalities, metal and glass. showing those materials vibrancy and life-likeness.

06-03-2010, 08:09 AM	#62
xGene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 151	Originally posted by xGene Thought I would pitch in a couple pictures taken with the FA* 85... This one is lightly cropped and sharpened. Fill flash used. looks much sharper in original size. This was at 1/180, F7.1, ISO 100. I have similar pcitures taken with the FA77 ltd. To be honnest, I can't really tell a difference between the two, nothing strikes me as very different in the rendering, although I never really did any side by side controlled comparison. It is to the point where I can't really see myself keeping both. I'll probably let the FA* go... I really like the 77's compacteness... Here is the promised picture... sorry about that... Attached Images

06-03-2010, 08:14 AM	#63
xGene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 151	Here is another one, this time 1/100 @ F2.0 and ISO 100. No fill flash, all natural light. I like the smoothness of the OOF. Attached Images

06-04-2010, 08:01 PM	#69
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595 Original Poster	I love that first shot, Peter...wow! This lens has been out of production since '04. The only japanese seller I've seen that has it somewhat regularly is matsuiyastore (don't know if I got the spelling right) on eBay. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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06-03-2010, 08:08 AM	#61
xGene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 151	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Thought I would pitch in a couple pictures taken with the FA* 85... This one is lightly cropped and sharpened. Fill flash used. looks much sharper in original size. This was at 1/180, F7.1, ISO 100. I have similar pcitures taken with the FA77 ltd. To be honnest, I can't really tell a difference between the two, nothing strikes me as very different in the rendering, although I never really did any side by side controlled comparison. It is to the point where I can't really see myself keeping both. I'll probably let the FA* go... I really like the 77's compacteness...

06-03-2010, 08:19 AM	#64
xGene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 151	Another one, this time a candid. Note the severe backlighting, for which the K7 managed to expose properly, I think. I really like the skin tone of this lens. This was shot at 1/320 @ F4.0, ISO100. Attached Images

06-03-2010, 08:48 AM	#65
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by xGene Here is another one, this time 1/100 @ F2.0 and ISO 100. No fill flash, all natural light. I like the smoothness of the OOF. I like this one! I always find "attached" images get really compressed by the system and appear softer than they are when you upload them too.

06-03-2010, 12:59 PM	#66
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	I made these during my lunch break, just to see how the FA* 85 performs wide open and in bright sunlight. No contrast enhancements performed, only resized and sharpened with Absolute Sharpening Web. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

06-04-2010, 02:54 AM	#67
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Finally two samples with the FA* 85 on the smallest Asahi Pentax non-auto PK extension tube, with the lens at f/5.6: 1. 2.

06-04-2010, 12:47 PM	#68
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	OK.... Anyone here wants to sell their FA* 85?? Is it difficult to buy it from Japan? Lee

06-04-2010, 08:25 PM	#70
kiwao Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: tokyo Posts: 83	Originally posted by LFLee OK.... Anyone here wants to sell their FA* 85?? Is it difficult to buy it from Japan? Lee At this moment in time there are 2 of these lenses on ebay. Good luck slr camera lens items - Get great deals on canon macro lens, used nikon lens items on eBay.com!

06-05-2010, 02:01 PM	#71
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	If you want to keep using APS-C cameras you could also get the the spiritual successor to the FA* 85 like I did today

06-06-2010, 02:16 AM	#72
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	One thing I really like about the FA* is how it renders subtle tonalities, metals and glass. It takes a very good lens to show those materials vibrant and life-like:

06-06-2010, 04:06 AM	#73
JayR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Adelaide, SA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 273	Originally posted by JayR Anyone have any comparison with how the FA85mm at FF sides up next to the newer DA55mm in digital? I must admit to being quite ignorant on the differences between various optical designs and so far have tended to pick up lenses based on focal length and how good they are percieved to be (no point wasting time buying 'average' in my book) I have the 77ltd and FA50 1.4 already to cover these rough focal lengths. im dreading the LBA if i begin to feel i need the others instead of the ones i have now, or even dare i say, as well as. urgh Originally posted by Asahiflex Yes, sort of. The DA* 55/1.4 SDM was designed with the FA* in mind, with a smaller FOV for the APS-C sensor. This was also expressed by the external design of the DA, especially the oversized hood which has the same shape as the one on the FA. As a matter of fact I'm also expecting a DA* 55 soon so I'll soon be able to compare them. Anyone have a comparison between the FA85 and DA55 both in optical design and plain old image output?

06-06-2010, 07:42 AM	#74
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by JayR Anyone have a comparison between the FA85 and DA55 both in optical design and plain old image output? I'd like to compare them, but how?

06-06-2010, 09:06 AM	#75
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Asahiflex I'd like to compare them, but how? to show the difference in rendering tonalities, metal and glass. showing those materials vibrancy and life-likeness.