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zzeitg · 04-07-2015, 01:00 PM - **1 Like**

So that was the Beauty (M85 f2)... and now the Beast (Sigma 85mm f1.4) which got home today:

normhead · 04-07-2015, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by zzeitg

Yes, this sweetheart would be my natural favorite, but the cheapest one I'm able to find on eBay is USD 1,900... You can buy two FA*85 for this money...

Anyway... decision taken. Devil (=LBA) was stronger once again and I've ordered M85/2 and Sigma 85/1.4.

Thanks to everyone for opinions and recommendations.

Ya, two FA 85 ƒ2.8s collect the same amount of light as one A 85 ƒ1.4.

zzeitg · 04-07-2015, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Ya, two FA 85 ƒ2.8s collect the same amount of light as one A 85 ƒ1.4.

The question is where lies the value. Is FA85 worse lens than A85? Common verdict is that FA85 is a little softer and can't focus to infinity... well that's not so terrible disqualification for a "portrait" lens. The up-to-date price level of A85... isn't that exorbiant? 2,000 USD + in my case approx. 660 USD extra (VAT, customs)... 2.660 USD for used manual lens, that's a lot.

normhead · 04-07-2015, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by zzeitg

The question is where lies the value. Is FA85 worse lens than A85? Common verdict is that FA85 is a little softer and can't focus to infinity... well that's not so terrible disqualification for a "portrait" lens. The up-to-date price level of A85... isn't that exorbiant? 2,000 USD + in my case approx. 660 USD extra (VAT, customs)... 2.660 USD for used manual lens, that's a lot.

Lenses like that are just dreams for me, if I was going for an 85 it would be the Sigma 85 1.4.

**RobA_Oz** · 04-07-2015, 07:59 PM

Originally posted by noelpolar

I have a 77..... and nobody I know lets me take pictures of them!

There must be lots of people you don't know, though...

Interesting that you kept the FA77. Every time I look at an 85 of any denomination or age, I stop myself by asking what I could do with it that I can't do with the 77, which cost me a lot less even than the Sigma 85 (things have probably changed since then).

Stagnant · 04-08-2015, 03:53 AM

I wonder if any Sigma 85 1.4 users could post some full size sample shots at F1.4 ? I think of buying this lens for my K-3.

**UncleVanya** · 04-08-2015, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by noelpolar

Just listed my K 85 1.8.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/292214-sal...-85-1-8-a.html

Did you withdraw it?

noelpolar · 04-08-2015, 06:10 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Did you withdraw it?

Yes I did...... I'm using it this month in the monthly challenge and had second thoughts about selling it......just bought a K50 1.2 ..... so I don't know whats happening....!

I've been using it on my K5II and finally got around to shimming the "s" focus screen accurately, and I'm quite enjoying it.....

by Noelpolar, on Flickr

hoopsontoast · 04-08-2015, 07:41 AM

I love my little K85. I have briefly compared it to an FA85 and the real main advantage of the K85 is size, its tiny for a fast 85mm.
The FA85 is probably sharper wide open and around f2, and of course has AF but is a lot harder to find, and of course a lot more expensive.

I would like to try the Sigma 85mm f1.4 but the lack of aperture ring puts me off for my film work.

The K85 compared to the tiny FA43 and the relatively small FA20-35

K85

zzeitg · 04-08-2015, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by hoopsontoast

I would like to try the Sigma 85mm f1.4 but the lack of aperture ring puts me off for my film work.

Sigma is not a small baby... No aperture ring, that's true. What makes me more worried is the fact that it's KAF3 only (= no screwdrive), so once the HSM is dead, I'll have an expensive manual lens... Well, I knew it when I was ordering it.

formercanuck · 04-09-2015, 09:53 PM

Well... Sigma might actually be a bit lighter than the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. Its affordable, but a beast. Shooting manual at 85mm with f/1.4 is not easy, and worse with a heavy lens, and the sad part.... the Sigma is actually about 200g heavier at over 700g
I have been spoiled shooting with an old SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 - which is only 235g!

Stavri · 04-09-2015, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by Stagnant

I wonder if any Sigma 85 1.4 users could post some full size sample shots at F1.4 ? I think of buying this lens for my K-3.

shot @ f1.4 on K5

crop:

@f3.2

crop:

Stagnant · 04-10-2015, 04:28 PM

@Stavri, thanks ! The image quality seems to be damn good based on these shots.

Stavri · 04-10-2015, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by Stagnant

@Stavri, thanks ! The image quality seems to be damn good based on these shots.

I bought the Ex 85, as a replacement for the Da 74 ltd, If you're familiar with the Ex 50/f1.4 Hsm consider the 85 its bigger brother, almost identical in terms of IQ. It's a great lens for those who need it, looks and acts the part...

zapp · 04-11-2015, 03:57 AM

Originally posted by zzeitg

Yeah... DA*55/1.4 is already in my arsenal and I like it. But as I plan to buy the FF (well, at least until I see the crazy price), 85 mm sneaked in my thoughts.

Wait for the ff camera and check out what Pentax will present with it. No reason to use old lenses on camera that will be intorduced in the future. Even Sigma may be coming up with a new 1.4/85 soon.

04-08-2015, 06:10 AM	#38
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by UncleVanya Did you withdraw it? Yes I did...... I'm using it this month in the monthly challenge and had second thoughts about selling it......just bought a K50 1.2 ..... so I don't know whats happening....! I've been using it on my K5II and finally got around to shimming the "s" focus screen accurately, and I'm quite enjoying it..... by Noelpolar, on Flickr by Noelpolar, on Flickr by Noelpolar, on Flickr Last edited by noelpolar; 04-08-2015 at 06:26 AM.

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04-07-2015, 01:00 PM - 1 Like	#31
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017 Original Poster	So that was the Beauty (M85 f2)... and now the Beast (Sigma 85mm f1.4) which got home today:

04-07-2015, 01:42 PM	#32
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by zzeitg Yes, this sweetheart would be my natural favorite, but the cheapest one I'm able to find on eBay is USD 1,900... You can buy two FA*85 for this money... Anyway... decision taken. Devil (=LBA) was stronger once again and I've ordered M85/2 and Sigma 85/1.4. Thanks to everyone for opinions and recommendations. Ya, two FA 85 ƒ2.8s collect the same amount of light as one A 85 ƒ1.4.

04-07-2015, 02:07 PM	#33
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead Ya, two FA 85 ƒ2.8s collect the same amount of light as one A 85 ƒ1.4. The question is where lies the value. Is FA85 worse lens than A85? Common verdict is that FA85 is a little softer and can't focus to infinity... well that's not so terrible disqualification for a "portrait" lens. The up-to-date price level of A85... isn't that exorbiant? 2,000 USD + in my case approx. 660 USD extra (VAT, customs)... 2.660 USD for used manual lens, that's a lot.

04-07-2015, 06:32 PM	#34
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by zzeitg The question is where lies the value. Is FA85 worse lens than A85? Common verdict is that FA85 is a little softer and can't focus to infinity... well that's not so terrible disqualification for a "portrait" lens. The up-to-date price level of A85... isn't that exorbiant? 2,000 USD + in my case approx. 660 USD extra (VAT, customs)... 2.660 USD for used manual lens, that's a lot. Lenses like that are just dreams for me, if I was going for an 85 it would be the Sigma 85 1.4.

04-07-2015, 07:59 PM	#35
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,209	Originally posted by noelpolar I have a 77..... and nobody I know lets me take pictures of them! There must be lots of people you don't know, though... Interesting that you kept the FA77. Every time I look at an 85 of any denomination or age, I stop myself by asking what I could do with it that I can't do with the 77, which cost me a lot less even than the Sigma 85 (things have probably changed since then).

04-08-2015, 03:53 AM	#36
Stagnant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	I wonder if any Sigma 85 1.4 users could post some full size sample shots at F1.4 ? I think of buying this lens for my K-3.

04-08-2015, 05:59 AM	#37
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by noelpolar Just listed my K 85 1.8. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/24-photographic-equipment-sale/292214-sal...-85-1-8-a.html Did you withdraw it?

04-08-2015, 07:41 AM	#39
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861	I love my little K85. I have briefly compared it to an FA85 and the real main advantage of the K85 is size, its tiny for a fast 85mm. The FA85 is probably sharper wide open and around f2, and of course has AF but is a lot harder to find, and of course a lot more expensive. I would like to try the Sigma 85mm f1.4 but the lack of aperture ring puts me off for my film work. The K85 compared to the tiny FA43 and the relatively small FA20-35 K85

04-08-2015, 10:40 AM	#40
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017 Original Poster	Originally posted by hoopsontoast I would like to try the Sigma 85mm f1.4 but the lack of aperture ring puts me off for my film work. Sigma is not a small baby... No aperture ring, that's true. What makes me more worried is the fact that it's KAF3 only (= no screwdrive), so once the HSM is dead, I'll have an expensive manual lens... Well, I knew it when I was ordering it.

04-09-2015, 09:53 PM	#41
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	Well... Sigma might actually be a bit lighter than the Samyang/Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. Its affordable, but a beast. Shooting manual at 85mm with f/1.4 is not easy, and worse with a heavy lens, and the sad part.... the Sigma is actually about 200g heavier at over 700g I have been spoiled shooting with an old SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 - which is only 235g!

04-09-2015, 10:09 PM	#42
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by Stagnant I wonder if any Sigma 85 1.4 users could post some full size sample shots at F1.4 ? I think of buying this lens for my K-3. shot @ f1.4 on K5 crop: @f3.2 crop:

04-10-2015, 04:28 PM	#43
Stagnant Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	@Stavri, thanks ! The image quality seems to be damn good based on these shots.

04-10-2015, 04:48 PM	#44
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by Stagnant @Stavri, thanks ! The image quality seems to be damn good based on these shots. I bought the Ex 85, as a replacement for the Da 74 ltd, If you're familiar with the Ex 50/f1.4 Hsm consider the 85 its bigger brother, almost identical in terms of IQ. It's a great lens for those who need it, looks and acts the part...

04-11-2015, 03:57 AM	#45
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,389	Originally posted by zzeitg Yeah... DA*55/1.4 is already in my arsenal and I like it. But as I plan to buy the FF (well, at least until I see the crazy price), 85 mm sneaked in my thoughts. Wait for the ff camera and check out what Pentax will present with it. No reason to use old lenses on camera that will be intorduced in the future. Even Sigma may be coming up with a new 1.4/85 soon.

Which 85 mm lens?

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