[Jonathan Mac]

I already have an "M" 85/2, which I bought for what is probably a bit less than the normal rate. It's a great lens but could b better, especially wide open. The small size means I can go travelling with it, which I wouldn't do with a Samyang.

It's fantastic for landscapes and cityscapes, especially if you like stitching together panoramic shots. An AF lens would bring very little extra to that purpose, though AF would make it better for portraits.

[robbiec]

If you can get one at sub $300 in good condition, rip the sellers hand off. $300 to $400 would be my own estimate. Personally I prefer the rendering on the 85 f/1.9 which is marginally cheaper.

[ultraviolet]

There was one available at KEH (@$500+) but it's gone now.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/222346-super-multi-coa...m-f-1-8-a.html

This was taken with mine @1.8 MFD

[pinholecam]

I voted $300-$400.
Thats buying with the heart all things considered (ie. build quality; smoothness of focusing; takumar heritage; optically good as lenses now)

If buying based on the mind, then it may sit $100-50 lower.
There are a lot of good 85mm out there (some non-Pentax)
The Samyang 85/1.4 is the immediate one that comes up.
Then there are the 85/1.8 by Canon and Nikon.
The EF85/1.8 for example often goes for $300 used.
Its not old style build quality, but its built well by todays standard, AF and auto-aperture, good performer throughout.
Not usable on a Pentax of course, but just a relative comparison to what is being offered elsewhere.

I recently made a choice between a EF85/1.8 or a S.Takumar 85/1.9.
The Takumar was slightly more expensive.
I bought with my heart......

[ultraviolet]

This poll will close on 05-12-13 at 11:42 PM

Here is a full body portrait with this lens

[ultraviolet]

Here are the results of the poll


ONe more with the lens+K-x

[magkelly]

That 85mm is just a fantasy "if I won the lotto" or "stunning find of a lifetime at Goodwill" type stuff for me. I cannot afford $400 Takumars, period. As much as I love my Taks, I'd have to be a lot richer to afford that one. That and the 300mm are the two Taks I really covet but I'm not ever actually counting on owning either. Too much for my wallet, sigh. I have a 100mm Viv and the 105mm Tak. That's about as close as it gets for me and actually I love those so no complaints there. I had an actual dream once where I walked into Goodwill and I found a hard case with a black Asahi SPII, and all the Tak primes in my range from 28mm to 300mm in pristine condition and they only wanted $100 for the whole kit. I woke up just as I handed over the $100. Someday.... :P

[pickles]

I noticed recently that "Kevin" has an example of this lens for $1000.
Cheers, Pickles.

[rayallen]

I stopped longing for an SMC 85/1.8 because their rarity pushed the price beyond my comfort range. So, 11 years ago I settled for a Super-Tak 85/1.9 with case and hood for AU$60.00. It was a good price then and most likely much better today.
I won't be parting with that lens.

[cheekygeek]

I'm not sure what purpose polls like this serve.

On the one hand, I think we can agree that there are more people who can justify spending $250 on (any) lens than there are people who can justify spending $500. Just that simple fact means that an open poll is going to be weighted on the lower end. Secondly, a lot of people who vote on this poll probably don't really understand the reputation of the lens that they are voting on. They only look at the focal length and the maximum aperture. (I'm looking at YOU - people who put the Samyang into the same category as this lens. Seriously?).

I had one of these and sold it for $425 many moons ago. I would suggest that today's prices should generally top $500. This is a lens that, according to more than one reviewer, is optically superior to the FA 77mm f1.8 Limited (unless you enjoy purple fringing). To get that for $500-600 today is a real bargain, in my book. If and when Pentax finally introduces their full frame DSLR, you will see the price on these go to the $750-800 range, I'm guessing.

I've finally found a replacement for my sold K 85mm f1.8 with a kit on the way, and when I sell the other items in the kit, the K85 will have cost me about $200.

[robbiec]

This is a lens that, according to more than one reviewer, is optically superior to the FA 77mm f1.8 Limited (unless you enjoy purple fringing).

They are are (pick as appropriate)
-on drugs,
-delusional,
-wanting to drive the prices of Takumars up to make a profit or minimize their loss when they realize just how good a 77 is

In my humble opinion of course

[utak]

They are are (pick as appropriate) on drugs

Purple haze baby! I don't have a 77mm but do happily own a K85mm 1.8, and I for one don't know what I'm missing, so to speak.....However from what I understand from people on this forum, if a lens has purple fringing issues on a crop sensor these will be exacerbated on a digital FF.....

[robbiec]

Had the both the Super Takumar 85s (f/1.9 & f/1.8), both were gone after the 77 arrived. You'll can get PF on almost any lens if you try hard enough , the 77 just helps you do easier

[vonBaloney]

However from what I understand from people on this forum, if a lens has purple fringing issues on a crop sensor these will be exacerbated on a digital FF.....

I would think the opposite. It would be less magnified on FF if nothing else.

Some of it probably comes from the sensor itself (can't handle the light hitting it at oblique angles), so as sensors get better some lenses that exhibit it may be automatically improved...