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11-27-2013, 10:54 PM   #1
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FA* 85mm 1.4

Hoping someone might give me some advice. Im looking at buying an 85mm 1.4 and found a few listed . Prices are between $1200 and $1500 US, is this around the right mark,With our weaker Aussie dollar id be lookng at another 10% or more.
Other than this I looked at the Pentax 77mm, any comparison.
John

11-27-2013, 11:24 PM   #2
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The 85mm is about as sharp but has a bit more fringing than the 77. You do get over half a stop more light wide open with the 85, though, which is nice.

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11-28-2013, 12:55 AM   #3
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Thanks Adam.
Any idea about the price of the 85.?

John
11-28-2013, 01:20 AM   #4
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Don't forget the sheer size of a lens too!

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-Heie

11-28-2013, 01:54 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Heie Quote
Don't forget the sheer size of a lens too!

Attachment 196621

-Heie
Size doesnt worry me but Im not interested in the Sigma. I my regular lenses are a FA* 28-70 and FA*-80-200. I recently got rid of a Sigma 10-20 and replaced with a Pentax 15mm prime. More interested in the Pentax FA*85mm but not sure of what is a reasonable price.

John
11-28-2013, 02:05 AM   #6
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The FA*85 is not an especially big lens, but it's much bigger than the surprisingly small FA77.

The FA*85 should probably be in the US$1150-1300 range. I paid somewhere around $1200 for mine from KEH over a year ago, in great condition. There weren't many to be found at the time, so I was happy about it. It replaced my FA77.

In retrospect the FA77 was super impressive, being one of very few lenses that shoots great photos wide open. Like the FA31, there's virtually no IQ difference among f/1.8, f/2, and f/2.2 shots. And then when you consider the small size it's even more amazing.


But the FA*85 has fast AF performance, and it's one of my most used lenses. It has near-optimal IQ down to f/1.8 or f/1.6, and can be shot wide open if necessary (though I seldom do). Right now I depend on the FA*85 so much, it's hard to even imagine having the FA77 any more - even as good as that lens is.

The FA77 is so good I don't think you'd go wrong with it, but I'd suggest getting the FA*85 instead, if you've found a good copy for the right price. It's really nice to have its combination of focal length, AF performance, IQ, and low light performance.


QuoteOriginally posted by campdog Quote
Size doesnt worry me but Im not interested in the Sigma. I my regular lenses are a FA* 28-70 and FA*-80-200. I recently got rid of a Sigma 10-20 and replaced with a Pentax 15mm prime. More interested in the Pentax FA*85mm but not sure of what is a reasonable price.

John
Just saw your reply. Your other lens choices show you have similar tastes in IQ to mine. I think you'll be happier with the FA*85.

Last edited by DSims; 11-28-2013 at 02:11 AM.
11-28-2013, 02:09 AM - 1 Like   #7
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Ahh, my apologies. Reading too quickly

I've seen nothing less than $1300, so if you find one in the range you posted above, you aren't being ripped off from what I've seen (I don't own the lens though...check the database here for historical prices and user reviews).

Good luck!

-Heie

11-28-2013, 02:17 AM   #8
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Thanks Dsims. Much appreciated. I habe found a good FA* 85 in Japan at $1350 US plus freight.Brings it up near $1500 Australian so a bit to expensive at the moment.They all seem to be 1150 upwards. I also have the 31mm so hoping the 85 might fit in just nicely.

Thanks again
John
11-28-2013, 02:32 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by campdog Quote
I also have the 31mm so hoping the 85 might fit in just nicely.
Yes, I think it will. You probably don't need much else unless you want a fisheye or a *300. Well, except that I do find that for some reason I'm using my FA*24 more than my FA31 and DA15 combined. I guess I've always liked the 24mm FL on APS-C, and I enjoy being able to use it at f/2.2. The FA*85 and FA*24 are most likely to stay in the bag; everything else depends on the occasion.
11-28-2013, 02:46 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by DSims Quote
Yes, I think it will. You probably don't need much else unless you want a fisheye or a *300. Well, except that I do find that for some reason I'm using my FA*24 more than my FA31 and DA15 combined. I guess I've always liked the 24mm FL on APS-C, and I enjoy being able to use it at f/2.2. The FA*85 and FA*24 are most likely to stay in the bag; everything else depends on the occasion.
My kit is a K5iis.FA15mm, FA 31, FA* 28-70, FA* 80-200 f/2.8. FA 100mm Macro and a Sigma 150-500. I have been isunf the 31 mm for panoramics using a pano head.So sharp. I thing the FA*85 mm will complete the kit.(for now).All my lenses will be ready for the FUll frame when it eventuates.

John
11-28-2013, 05:34 AM   #11
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I have both.

FA*85 has a bit shallower DOF obviously.
Very nice bokeh.
Nice as nice f1.4 85mm go, but sometimes I think the 77ltd gives that bit something else more often.
The biggest downside to me is its size and weight for travels.

77ltd, is a fantastic lens.
Almost the same functionality as a fast 85mm at the size of a 50/1.4; So very portable.
Very bold drawing of subject (in some situations) + contrasty o/p + high sharpness makes it give that extra oomph a bit more often than the FA*85 imho.
Better working distance on aps-c too (mho).
Most importantly, it highly portable as said before and not something offered by any other dslr maker.

A fast 85mm can give a shallower DOF look for more than half body shots, so thats to its advantage over the 77ltd.


If you can, get the FA*85 first, then add the 77ltd.
Else, I'd suggest the 77ltd for easy availability and lower price.
11-28-2013, 09:30 AM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Heie Quote
Don't forget the sheer size of a lens too!
Come on Heie, we all know biggest is bestest.
11-28-2013, 11:23 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by pinholecam Quote
I have both.

FA*85 has a bit shallower DOF obviously.
Very nice bokeh.
Nice as nice f1.4 85mm go, but sometimes I think the 77ltd gives that bit something else more often.
The biggest downside to me is its size and weight for travels.

77ltd, is a fantastic lens.
Almost the same functionality as a fast 85mm at the size of a 50/1.4; So very portable.
Very bold drawing of subject (in some situations) + contrasty o/p + high sharpness makes it give that extra oomph a bit more often than the FA*85 imho.
Better working distance on aps-c too (mho).
Most importantly, it highly portable as said before and not something offered by any other dslr maker.

A fast 85mm can give a shallower DOF look for more than half body shots, so thats to its advantage over the 77ltd.


If you can, get the FA*85 first, then add the 77ltd.
Else, I'd suggest the 77ltd for easy availability and lower price.
Thanks for your reply. I think I have decided on the FA*85mm so just waiting for the right one to come along.

John
11-29-2013, 10:50 PM - 1 Like   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by campdog Quote
Thanks for your reply. I think I have decided on the FA*85mm so just waiting for the right one to come along.

John
Great!
No wrong choice between the two.

Here are some samples.

FA*85









FA77ltd




11-30-2013, 11:34 AM   #15
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As mentioned, you can't go wrong with either lens. However, your intended use of the lens has not been discussed yet. If you are just planning on portraits, get the 85. If you plan on including panoramic shots, as with your 31, get the 77. Both are great portrait lenses, but the 77 is better with landscapes.
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