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avirut · 03-16-2013, 02:10 AM

This seems not reasonable to me. anyone know why?

siamthai · 03-16-2013, 02:37 AM

Originally posted by avirut

This seems not reasonable to me. anyone know why?

Are you shure it is? And if that is the case it's probably only because Pentax smc A* 85/1.4 is more rare than FA85 f1.4. I have seen quite a few FA85 but I've never seen a A*85 f1.4.

**Digitalis** · 03-16-2013, 02:40 AM

The reason the A*85mm f/1.4 is more expensive is because of its relative rarity, superb optical and physical construction quality. Both lenses are excellent, though I consider the A* and FA*85mm f/1.4 as two of the greatest portrait lenses of the 20th century. I know Canon photographers who have butchered pentax 85's so they can use them on their full frame canon cameras because they got sick of the corner softness from the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L.

sparkston · 03-16-2013, 03:51 AM

The FA* is less sharp than the A*, which is probably deliberate- the FA* is an excellent, dedicated portrait lens, where maximum sharpness can be unflattering. I have the A*, and it is my sharpest lens- I can get more detail by cropping an image from the A*85 than from uncropped images from several of my longer lenses.

Check out this review where the A*85 out resolves the famous Canon 85mm 1.2 L: Canon 85mm f1.2 L v Pentax SMC 85mm f1.4

Of course these are both film era lenses, but in this day and age when flattering softness can be added as desired in post processing, it may be preferable to have the sharpest available lens even for portraiture, which may explain the premium often paid for the A* lens.

Sparkston

**Kerrowdown** · 03-16-2013, 05:14 AM

Originally posted by avirut

why the Pentax smc A* 85/1.4 is more expensive than pentax FA 85/1.4

It's all down to the levels of pixie dust, I love mine to bits and just echo the thoughts of Digitalis earlier in this thread.

**StigVidar** · 03-16-2013, 12:09 PM

Not a huge difference between FA*85 and A*85. But if you are looking for a good lens, why not DA*50-135 :-)

85mm review

Tom S. · 03-16-2013, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by StigVidar

Not a huge difference between FA*85 and A*85. But if you are looking for a good lens, why not DA*50-135 :-)

[ur://translate.google.no/translate?hstu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monuniverspentax.com%2Ftest_85mm_pentax.html]85mm review[/url]

I don't think that link was the one you trying to post.

This one works.

Last edited by Tom S.; 03-16-2013 at 05:18 PM.

hoanpham · 03-16-2013, 02:02 PM

A* also more expensive than Carl Zeiss CY and newer.

JinDesu · 03-16-2013, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by StigVidar

Not a huge difference between FA*85 and A*85. But if you are looking for a good lens, why not DA*50-135 :-)

85mm review

I dunno - in that review, the A*85 definitely performs better in sharpness at F1.4. That Leica performs fantastic in CA in the review.

**Pål Jensen** · 03-20-2013, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by avirut

This seems not reasonable to me. anyone know why?

Because it is a better lens!

**Kerrowdown** · 03-20-2013, 05:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

Because it is a better lens!

You may have just poked the beast with a pointy stick.

03-16-2013, 02:10 AM	#1
avirut Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 5	*why the Pentax smc A 85/1.4 is more expensive than pentax FA 85/1.4** This seems not reasonable to me. anyone know why?

03-16-2013, 02:40 AM	#3
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	The reason the A85mm f/1.4 is more expensive is because of its relative rarity, superb optical and physical construction quality. Both lenses are excellent, though I consider the A and FA85mm f/1.4 as two of the greatest portrait lenses of the 20th century. I know Canon photographers who have butchered pentax 85's so they can use them on their full frame canon cameras because they got sick of the corner softness from the Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L. Last edited by Digitalis; 03-16-2013 at 05:10 AM.*

03-16-2013, 12:09 PM	#6
StigVidar Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 705	Not a huge difference between FA85 and A85. But if you are looking for a good lens, why not DA50-135 :-) 85mm review Last edited by StigVidar; 03-17-2013 at 03:00 AM.*

03-20-2013, 05:28 PM - 1 Like	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by Pål Jensen Because it is a better lens! You may have just poked the beast with a pointy stick. Last edited by Kerrowdown; 03-21-2013 at 03:29 AM.

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03-16-2013, 02:37 AM	#2
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	Originally posted by avirut This seems not reasonable to me. anyone know why? Are you shure it is? And if that is the case it's probably only because *Pentax smc A 85/1.4** is more rare than FA85 f1.4. I have seen quite a few FA85 but I've never seen a A*85 f1.4.

03-16-2013, 03:51 AM	#4
sparkston Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cote D'Azur, France Photos: Albums Posts: 34	The FA* is less sharp than the A, which is probably deliberate- the FA is an excellent, dedicated portrait lens, where maximum sharpness can be unflattering. I have the A, and it is my sharpest lens- I can get more detail by cropping an image from the A85 than from uncropped images from several of my longer lenses. Check out this review where the A85 out resolves the famous Canon 85mm 1.2 L: Canon 85mm f1.2 L v Pentax SMC 85mm f1.4 Of course these are both film era lenses, but in this day and age when flattering softness can be added as desired in post processing, it may be preferable to have the sharpest available lens even for portraiture, which may explain the premium often paid for the A lens. Sparkston

03-16-2013, 05:14 AM	#5
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by avirut why the Pentax smc A* 85/1.4 is more expensive than pentax FA 85/1.4 It's all down to the levels of pixie dust, I love mine to bits and just echo the thoughts of Digitalis earlier in this thread.

03-16-2013, 01:22 PM	#7
Tom S. Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 4,317	Originally posted by StigVidar Not a huge difference between FA85 and A85. But if you are looking for a good lens, why not DA50-135 :-) [ur://translate.google.no/translate?hstu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monuniverspentax.com%2Ftest_85mm_pentax.html]85mm review[/url] I don't think that link was the one you trying to post. This one works. Last edited by Tom S.; 03-16-2013 at 05:18 PM.*

03-16-2013, 02:02 PM	#8
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	A* also more expensive than Carl Zeiss CY and newer.

03-16-2013, 02:13 PM	#9
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by StigVidar Not a huge difference between FA85 and A85. But if you are looking for a good lens, why not DA50-135 :-) 85mm review I dunno - in that review, the A85 definitely performs better in sharpness at F1.4. That Leica performs fantastic in CA in the review.

03-20-2013, 04:13 PM	#10
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by avirut This seems not reasonable to me. anyone know why? Because it is a better lens!