Are there two slightly different versions of the FA*85/1.4?

dgaies · 08-25-2010, 07:09 PM - **1 Like**

So long story short, I bought an FA*85 that didn't come with its original hood. I looked around for one but didn't have any luck finding one. So in a moment of pure LBA, I bought another FA*85 that included the hood. Whether or not I need serious help for such a purchase is a topic for another thread

Anyway, I was testing the second copy out this evening and while swapping the two lenses back and forth I mixed them up and attempted to put the hood on the original copy. To my surprise, it wouldn't fit. So I tried again, no luck. I took it off completely and examined the bayonet mount on the two lenses and noticed that my two copies of the FA*85 were actually a little bit different. Not drastically different, but certainly different hood mounts.

So I was wondering if anyone knew anything about there being two slightly different versions of the FA*85?

Phil1 · 08-25-2010, 08:17 PM

This is most likely redundant but my copy #3014937 is identical to your #303. Perhaps the CE above the #373 identifies a modified hood mount.

The hood for my apparantly early version works fine both forward and reversed. It clears the flash protrusion on a K20 just fine though it is close. No issues with the hood in my experience that would prompt a modification at least with an LX and a K20 body.

I noticed a late appearing 85 for sale at:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/112172-sale-p...m-f1-4-us.html

The hood for this is a bit differant on the outside smaller diameter where a change evidently was made. Mine does not have the line or seam around the small end. Looking closely at the lens itself, it appears that the mounting slot is more substancial than on my copy. The picture does not show the serial # and the CE sticker if it has one.

dgaies · 08-25-2010, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by Phil1

This is most likely redundant but my copy #3014937 is identical to your #303. Perhaps the CE above the #373 identifies a modified hood mount.

The hood for my apparantly early version works fine both forward and reversed. It clears the flash protrusion on a K20 just fine though it is close. No issues with the hood in my experience that would prompt a modification at least with an LX and a K20 body.

Looks like the CE mark is some kind of European compliance symbol. I assume this copy was probably sold in Europe originally.

The hood that came with my newer FA85 only seems to fit the that version (it reverses as well). I guess I should take a picture of the hood too to see how it compares to an "older" hood that you have. I guess I'm just glad I didn't spend too much time (or money) hunting down a hood for my original FA85 only to find out it might not have fit (assuming I was able to find and buy one of the newer hoods).

wlachan · 08-26-2010, 12:06 AM

There were 2 versions that I am aware of, and the plastic rings that lock the hoods on the lenses look different. The older version was more prone to breakage due to stress afaik.

Asahiflex · 08-26-2010, 04:42 AM

Again: there are indeed two versions of the FA* 85/1.4. The smaller one is the oldest. I actually had a chance to compare them side by side, but I forgot to take pictures of the hoods

What I did notice was that the old FA* 85 hood "slides" into place while turning until it gently locks (there is a drag while sliding). The new FA* 85 hood just slides into place without drag and locks a little more aggressively.

By the way: sorry for the lens porn. I realize that this is probably the only topic anywhere on the web with pictures of FIVE (!!!) different FA* 85's!

Zav · 08-26-2010, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by dgaies

Looks like the CE mark is some kind of European compliance symbol. I assume this copy was probably sold in Europe originally.

CE mark is indeed a European compliance symbol. I am aware that some Pentax lenses used lead and had to be modified before being sold in Europe. Maybe this is the reason why there are two versions of the FA* 85.

Originally posted by Asahiflex

By the way: sorry for the lens porn. I realize that this is probably the only topic anywhere on the web with pictures of FOUR (!!!) different FA* 85's

I see five of them

bdery · 08-26-2010, 04:54 AM

CE is a norm meaning that the device is not affected by electric emissions. It basically means that you can use a cell phone next to it and it will keep working. Basically everything electronic nowadays is CE compliant. NOT your cell phone, though, since it emits radiations of its own (by design). The battery would be CE however.

Quote:

Whether or not I need serious help for such a purchase is a topic for another thread

Give one to me and you'll feel better :P

I can hardly find the budget to buy ONE of these, let alone two!

Asahiflex · 08-26-2010, 04:55 AM

Originally posted by Zav

CE mark is indeed a European compliance symbol. I am aware that some Pentax lenses used lead and had to be modified before being sold in Europe. Maybe this is the reason why there are two versions of the FA* 85.

This is incorrect. The ROHs regulations specifically exclude lens elements; so lens elements may contain traces of lead. Even today.

Quote:

I see five of them

Damn, my eyes are getting worse!

Zav · 08-26-2010, 05:06 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

This is incorrect. The ROHs regulations specifically exclude lens elements; so lens elements may contain traces of lead. Even today.

Lead for welding not glass I have been told

dgaies · 08-26-2010, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Again: there are indeed two versions of the FA* 85/1.4. The smaller one is the oldest. I actually had a chance to compare them side by side, but I forgot to take pictures of the hoods

What I did notice was that the old FA* 85 hood "slides" into place while turning until it gently locks (there is a drag while sliding). The new FA* 85 hood just slides into place without drag and locks a little more aggressively.

By the way: sorry for the lens porn. I realize that this is probably the only topic anywhere on the web with pictures of FIVE (!!!) different FA* 85's!

I knew I had seen a picture on here with multiple FA*85 lenses together, and I could have sworn that someone mentioned there was a slgiht variation between two of them... now it's all coming back to me. Thanks for posting the picture to remind me

Obviously I can't comment on the older hood since I don't have one, but your description of the new hood matches my experience. The newer style hood slides into places very easily and then snaps into place with a fairly agressive lock.

Originally posted by bdery

Give one to me and you'll feel better :P

I can hardly find the budget to buy ONE of these, let alone two!

Who said anything about having the budget to buy two

This was a case of wanting a hood for my hoodless FA*85 and getting a bit too impulsive when I came across a hooded FA*85. I will at some point soon I'll need to shed one of the two... I'll just have to figure out if it's actaully worth "spending" the extra money to keep the one with the hood.

Phil1 · 08-26-2010, 07:57 AM

I guess the next question would be if anyone has found a suitable hood replacement for the earlier FA85s and maybe the later issue as well?

dgaies · 08-26-2010, 08:29 AM

Originally posted by Phil1

I guess the next question would be if anyone has found a suitable hood replacement for the earlier FA85s and maybe the later issue as well?

I haven't come across anything (yet). I know my 67mm hood from the 50-135 and 60-250 doesn't fit on the older FA*85.

Right now I'm using a rubber hood on the older FA*85, which works ok. Unlike the FA*28-70, where a rubber hood and the rotating threads on the front element don't mix well. For that one I was actually able to come up with a hood solution that works pretty well.

RonHendriks1966 · 08-26-2010, 12:44 PM

I'm the owner of the right lens in the 3 picture FA*85mm lenses. Mine is the different one. Also the oldes one. It's from the netherlands, but it was a gift from a Pentax manager coming direct from Japan to visit the FUJI film plant in the Netherlands. So it's not a lens to be sold in Europe, and that might hold on to the story.

RonHendriks1966 · 08-26-2010, 01:13 PM

So now back to the mistery. I took some pics of my lens and hood. Lookt back on the pics here: guess what: There are at least 3 versions of the FA*85mm.

Look at the difference of my lens, at the bottom where there is de little markt for the aperture. On my lens it has no (how do I say it) second level it just rounds down to the black aperture-ring.

From my copy, as you can see has the oldest number I know that it is pprobably a first badge lens that was a present for a manager from pentax.

Asahiflex · 08-26-2010, 01:37 PM

Indeed, there seem to be at least three versions. That's quite unexpected; I would imagine that Pentax sold not many FA* 85's so there would be no real need to update the design. Unless the first designs have inherent flaws, in which case I'm happy to own the most recent one

08-25-2010, 07:09 PM - 1 Like	#1
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	*Are there two slightly different versions of the FA85/1.4?** So long story short, I bought an FA85 that didn't come with its original hood. I looked around for one but didn't have any luck finding one. So in a moment of pure LBA, I bought another FA85 that included the hood. Whether or not I need serious help for such a purchase is a topic for another thread Anyway, I was testing the second copy out this evening and while swapping the two lenses back and forth I mixed them up and attempted to put the hood on the original copy. To my surprise, it wouldn't fit. So I tried again, no luck. I took it off completely and examined the bayonet mount on the two lenses and noticed that my two copies of the FA85 were actually a little bit different. Not drastically different, but certainly different hood mounts. *So I was wondering if anyone knew anything about there being two slightly different versions of the FA85?***

08-25-2010, 08:17 PM	#2
Phil1 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,292	This is most likely redundant but my copy #3014937 is identical to your #303. Perhaps the CE above the #373 identifies a modified hood mount. The hood for my apparantly early version works fine both forward and reversed. It clears the flash protrusion on a K20 just fine though it is close. No issues with the hood in my experience that would prompt a modification at least with an LX and a K20 body. I noticed a late appearing 85 for sale at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/photographic-equipment-sale/112172-sale-p...m-f1-4-us.html The hood for this is a bit differant on the outside smaller diameter where a change evidently was made. Mine does not have the line or seam around the small end. Looking closely at the lens itself, it appears that the mounting slot is more substancial than on my copy. The picture does not show the serial # and the CE sticker if it has one. Last edited by Phil1; 08-25-2010 at 08:36 PM.

08-26-2010, 04:42 AM	#5
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Again: there are indeed two versions of the FA* 85/1.4. The smaller one is the oldest. I actually had a chance to compare them side by side, but I forgot to take pictures of the hoods What I did notice was that the old FA* 85 hood "slides" into place while turning until it gently locks (there is a drag while sliding). The new FA* 85 hood just slides into place without drag and locks a little more aggressively. By the way: sorry for the lens porn. I realize that this is probably the only topic anywhere on the web with pictures of FIVE (!!!) different FA* 85's! Last edited by Asahiflex; 08-26-2010 at 04:53 AM.

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08-25-2010, 08:34 PM	#3
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917 Original Poster	Originally posted by Phil1 This is most likely redundant but my copy #3014937 is identical to your #303. Perhaps the CE above the #373 identifies a modified hood mount. The hood for my apparantly early version works fine both forward and reversed. It clears the flash protrusion on a K20 just fine though it is close. No issues with the hood in my experience that would prompt a modification at least with an LX and a K20 body. Looks like the CE mark is some kind of European compliance symbol. I assume this copy was probably sold in Europe originally. The hood that came with my newer FA85 only seems to fit the that version (it reverses as well). I guess I should take a picture of the hood too to see how it compares to an "older" hood that you have. I guess I'm just glad I didn't spend too much time (or money) hunting down a hood for my original FA85 only to find out it might not have fit (assuming I was able to find and buy one of the newer hoods).

08-26-2010, 12:06 AM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	There were 2 versions that I am aware of, and the plastic rings that lock the hoods on the lenses look different. The older version was more prone to breakage due to stress afaik.

08-26-2010, 04:49 AM	#6
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Originally posted by dgaies Looks like the CE mark is some kind of European compliance symbol. I assume this copy was probably sold in Europe originally. CE mark is indeed a European compliance symbol. I am aware that some Pentax lenses used lead and had to be modified before being sold in Europe. Maybe this is the reason why there are two versions of the FA* 85. Originally posted by Asahiflex By the way: sorry for the lens porn. I realize that this is probably the only topic anywhere on the web with pictures of FOUR (!!!) different FA* 85's I see five of them

08-26-2010, 04:54 AM	#7
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	CE is a norm meaning that the device is not affected by electric emissions. It basically means that you can use a cell phone next to it and it will keep working. Basically everything electronic nowadays is CE compliant. NOT your cell phone, though, since it emits radiations of its own (by design). The battery would be CE however. Quote: Whether or not I need serious help for such a purchase is a topic for another thread Give one to me and you'll feel better :P I can hardly find the budget to buy ONE of these, let alone two!

08-26-2010, 04:55 AM	#8
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by Zav CE mark is indeed a European compliance symbol. I am aware that some Pentax lenses used lead and had to be modified before being sold in Europe. Maybe this is the reason why there are two versions of the FA* 85. This is incorrect. The ROHs regulations specifically exclude lens elements; so lens elements may contain traces of lead. Even today. Quote: I see five of them Damn, my eyes are getting worse!

08-26-2010, 05:06 AM	#9
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Originally posted by Asahiflex This is incorrect. The ROHs regulations specifically exclude lens elements; so lens elements may contain traces of lead. Even today. Lead for welding not glass I have been told

08-26-2010, 05:35 AM	#10
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917 Original Poster	Originally posted by Asahiflex Again: there are indeed two versions of the FA* 85/1.4. The smaller one is the oldest. I actually had a chance to compare them side by side, but I forgot to take pictures of the hoods What I did notice was that the old FA* 85 hood "slides" into place while turning until it gently locks (there is a drag while sliding). The new FA* 85 hood just slides into place without drag and locks a little more aggressively. By the way: sorry for the lens porn. I realize that this is probably the only topic anywhere on the web with pictures of FIVE (!!!) different FA* 85's! I knew I had seen a picture on here with multiple FA85 lenses together, and I could have sworn that someone mentioned there was a slgiht variation between two of them... now it's all coming back to me. Thanks for posting the picture to remind me Obviously I can't comment on the older hood since I don't have one, but your description of the new hood matches my experience. The newer style hood slides into places very easily and then snaps into place with a fairly agressive lock. Originally posted by bdery Give one to me and you'll feel better :P I can hardly find the budget to buy ONE of these, let alone two! Who said anything about having the budget to buy two This was a case of wanting a hood for my hoodless FA85 and getting a bit too impulsive when I came across a hooded FA*85. I will at some point soon I'll need to shed one of the two... I'll just have to figure out if it's actaully worth "spending" the extra money to keep the one with the hood.

08-26-2010, 07:57 AM	#11
Phil1 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,292	I guess the next question would be if anyone has found a suitable hood replacement for the earlier FA85s and maybe the later issue as well?

08-26-2010, 08:29 AM	#12
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917 Original Poster	Originally posted by Phil1 I guess the next question would be if anyone has found a suitable hood replacement for the earlier FA85s and maybe the later issue as well? I haven't come across anything (yet). I know my 67mm hood from the 50-135 and 60-250 doesn't fit on the older FA85. Right now I'm using a rubber hood on the older FA85, which works ok. Unlike the FA*28-70, where a rubber hood and the rotating threads on the front element don't mix well. For that one I was actually able to come up with a hood solution that works pretty well.

08-26-2010, 12:44 PM	#13
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I'm the owner of the right lens in the 3 picture FA*85mm lenses. Mine is the different one. Also the oldes one. It's from the netherlands, but it was a gift from a Pentax manager coming direct from Japan to visit the FUJI film plant in the Netherlands. So it's not a lens to be sold in Europe, and that might hold on to the story.

08-26-2010, 01:13 PM	#14
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	So now back to the mistery. I took some pics of my lens and hood. Lookt back on the pics here: guess what: There are at least 3 versions of the FA*85mm. Look at the difference of my lens, at the bottom where there is de little markt for the aperture. On my lens it has no (how do I say it) second level it just rounds down to the black aperture-ring. From my copy, as you can see has the oldest number I know that it is pprobably a first badge lens that was a present for a manager from pentax.

08-26-2010, 01:37 PM	#15
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Indeed, there seem to be at least three versions. That's quite unexpected; I would imagine that Pentax sold not many FA* 85's so there would be no real need to update the design. Unless the first designs have inherent flaws, in which case I'm happy to own the most recent one