[yusuf]

I was curiously comparing both the lenses on A7, not scientific test though, my observations:

1) Both are great lenses - the only disadvantage of Samyang is that it's bulky (72mm filter). K85 really feels small in comparison & just right with small cameras.
2) Samyang is definitely sharper at the same apertures. K85 is not much behind though & keeps up well for the age.
3) Samyang is amazing at wide open. In comparison, K85 can show some busy bokeh especially when shooting larges subjects in busy background.
4) Samyang is a bit warmer. Both looks pretty close when I matched the white-balance (third column).
5) Both have well controlled CA (compared to FA77)
6) Samyang is cheaper. K85 is difficult to find and expensive.

Let me know what you think. The order of pictures are: quick comparison, K85 f1.8, Sam f1.4, K85 f2, Sam f2, K85 f2.8 & Sam f2.8 p

Attached Images

 

[gylfimag]

Nice comparison. Both lenses seem to perform very well. I don't have the Samyang lens but I do have the K85 1.8. It is by far my favorite portrait lens. I find it quite sharp even if a good modern lens will probably have slightly higher resolution. It is certainly usable wide-open but I usually stop down to something close to f4 and then it performs even better. It is designed as a portrait lens and certainly renders portraits beautifully. No noticeable aberrations. Relatively compact and very well built as well. For a lens that is 40 years it holds up extremely well.

[hoopsontoast]

I love my K85, the main reason its its so compact for a fast Portrait Lens, and as mentioned good flare/CA control. I keep looking at the FA77 and Samyang 85mm (FA*85 and A*85 are silly prices) but not seen anything over possibly having AF on some that would sway me to change.

The Build is amazing, even for its age now, still rock solid. Better, dare I say than the Voigtlander 90mm APO which is saying something!

One of my favs from last year on film:

[yusuf]

I love my K85, the main reason its its so compact for a fast Portrait Lens, and as mentioned good flare/CA control. I keep looking at the FA77 and Samyang 85mm (FA*85 and A*85 are silly prices) but not seen anything over possibly having AF on some that would sway me to change.

I agree, I will always pick K85 over FA77 except for AF. The FA77 is slightly sharper compared to K85 but badly suffers from CA. Also, IMO K85 renders background better. Unfortunately K85 is a difficult to find and Samyang really comes handy with great IQ at half the price.

[ChristianRock]

Both are fantastic lenses, I'm sure. But I'm glad that you can pick up a lens made today that is as good as that old legend Samyang is doing a great job!

[clackers]

It's good for the K-mount to have small, well-made expensive primes sold by Pentax and large, sharp, cheap ones by Samyang.

I have a very good 85mm f1.4 and a 24mm f1.4 is on the way - hoping it's a good copy. :-)

[gylfimag]

Here we have some photos taken with the K85 f1.8.

This one is taken on a K-01

And this one is from a full frame (!) Pentax camera, the LX

[ScooterMaxi Jim]

I have the Samyang, and find the results in low light absolutely excellent with warm rendering you don't find often in the third-party lenses. The lens is especially good at f/2-2.8. Fine for portraits (about 7 feet away on crop), it isn't quite as good at very close focusing - and the aperture gets slightly oblong past about f/5.6. As such, in brighter lighting the lens has some harshness to it. However, that isn't a situation where you're likely to be using this lens much. Sharpness and CAs are never an issue, though.