Which 85 mm lens?

zzeitg · 03-26-2015, 01:12 AM

After some research there are 3 lenses I'm considering...
- Samyang 85/1.4
- Pentax M 85/2
- Pentax K 85/1.8

It seems like both M and K are hard to find and it's even harder to find a decent copy (which is normal considering it's age) - that's probably the reason why the prices are a little... spoiled.
On the other hand price of new Samyang seems not bad. But what's the IQ of Samyang compared with M/K Pentax?

Or is there another 85 mm lens (K-mount only...) I should consider instead?

Adam · 03-26-2015, 02:18 AM

Go for the Samyang IMO. It's a bit bigger than the other two, but its IQ is up there with modern AF lenses. We have a review of the Vivitar re-badge on the homepage:

Vivitar (Samyang) 85mm F1.4 Review - Review | PentaxForums.com Reviews

quh86 · 03-26-2015, 02:58 AM

I bought the k85/1.8 last fall and i couldnt really play with it during winter because it was so very dull outside. but now with spring coming it gave me some beautiful pictures. from the pictures i have seen i like the rendering of the pentax better compared to the samyang. however I am not sure if I really like the focal length. its a bit too long for me i guess.

zzeitg · 03-26-2015, 03:16 AM

Originally posted by quh86

I bought the k85/1.8 last fall and i couldnt really play with it during winter because it was so very dull outside. but now with spring coming it gave me some beautiful pictures. from the pictures i have seen i like the rendering of the pentax better compared to the samyang. however I am not sure if I really like the focal length. its a bit too long for me i guess.

Hmm... so if you'd decide to let it go, just drop me a (good

) price.
I have to agree about the focal length. That's why I stopped thinking about the FA*/A* version or Zeiss, because I couldn't justify to invest so much money into a focal length which I maybe won't use that much.

zzeitg · 03-26-2015, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

I have/had the 85/2, 85/1.8, FA 85/1.4 and DA 55/1.4.

Get the DA*55/1.4 (35mm eq=82.5mm) and don't look back!

Cheers... M

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.

normhead · 03-26-2015, 06:42 AM

There's the Sigma 85 ƒ1.4 but the Pentax solution at present would be the FA 77 1.8. 85mm and 77mm just aren't all that different.

But if you're an old film person, Michelin is right.

antipattern · 03-26-2015, 02:42 PM

I have to confess I have a secret crush on the M85/2. Out of the lenses mentioned, it's probably the least exciting from a technical perspective. But looking at the images I can't help but think I want one. It's just got this pixie dust that makes photos look like they've been taken with film. I can't describe it.

I already have the DA70/2.4 which comes close in focal length and aperture, and I love the DA to bits. So I can't really justify shelling out those £200+ that the M85 currently costs on ebay. Still, I have a crush...

**clackers** · 03-26-2015, 07:54 PM

The Samyang's inexpensive and good, a bit like my mother-in-law! :-)

Sagitta · 03-26-2015, 09:44 PM

I picked up the Samyang 85mm. If you don't mind losing autofocus, go for it.

This is near MFD, stopped down to f/2

vrrattko · 03-26-2015, 10:45 PM

if you dont mind manual...go for K85/1.8.....i compared it to FA77 and DA70 and its better than both in terms of colour, bokeh and sharpness. DA70 wins in chromatic aberations and size, though.

yusuf · 03-27-2015, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Go for the Samyang IMO. It's a bit bigger than the other two, but its IQ is up there with modern AF lenses. We have a review of the Vivitar re-badge on the homepage:

+1, Samyang is amazing lens for the price. The only downside is the size and for that reason only, most of the time I ended up picking K85.

I recently compared Samyanf & K85 on FF - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/289532-k85-...mparision.html

Class A · 03-29-2015, 05:10 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Go for the Samyang IMO. It's a bit bigger than the other two, but its IQ is up there with modern AF lenses.

+1

Excellent lens and a true bargain.

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-29-2015, 05:26 AM

Originally posted by zzeitg

After some research there are 3 lenses I'm considering...
- Samyang 85/1.4
- Pentax M 85/2
- Pentax K 85/1.8

It seems like both M and K are hard to find and it's even harder to find a decent copy (which is normal considering it's age) - that's probably the reason why the prices are a little... spoiled.
On the other hand price of new Samyang seems not bad. But what's the IQ of Samyang compared with M/K Pentax?

Or is there another 85 mm lens (K-mount only...) I should consider instead?

Take the samyang

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/213014-samy...mm-f1-4-a.html

**Kerrowdown** · 03-29-2015, 05:50 AM

Originally posted by zzeitg

Or is there another 85 mm lens (K-mount only...) I should consider instead?

I would also recommend my “Sweetheart” the SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4 as a possible candidate too for your short list.

zzeitg · 03-29-2015, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

I would also recommend my “Sweetheart” the SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4 as a possible candidate too for your short list.

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.

03-26-2015, 01:12 AM	#1
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Which 85 mm lens? After some research there are 3 lenses I'm considering... - Samyang 85/1.4 - Pentax M 85/2 - Pentax K 85/1.8 It seems like both M and K are hard to find and it's even harder to find a decent copy (which is normal considering it's age) - that's probably the reason why the prices are a little... spoiled. On the other hand price of new Samyang seems not bad. But what's the IQ of Samyang compared with M/K Pentax? Or is there another 85 mm lens (K-mount only...) I should consider instead?

03-26-2015, 02:18 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Go for the Samyang IMO. It's a bit bigger than the other two, but its IQ is up there with modern AF lenses. We have a review of the Vivitar re-badge on the homepage: Vivitar (Samyang) 85mm F1.4 Review - Review \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Which 300 mm lens is better?	VE2CJW	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	38	05-06-2014 09:14 AM
For Sale - Sold: Rokinon 85 mm f/1.4 lens	Vantage-Point	Sold Items	3	05-22-2013 04:27 PM
For Sale - Sold: Jupiter-9 85 mm f/2 lens	Vantage-Point	Sold Items	5	03-07-2012 02:56 PM

03-26-2015, 02:58 AM	#3
quh86 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 157	I bought the k85/1.8 last fall and i couldnt really play with it during winter because it was so very dull outside. but now with spring coming it gave me some beautiful pictures. from the pictures i have seen i like the rendering of the pentax better compared to the samyang. however I am not sure if I really like the focal length. its a bit too long for me i guess.

03-26-2015, 03:16 AM	#4
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017 Original Poster	Originally posted by quh86 I bought the k85/1.8 last fall and i couldnt really play with it during winter because it was so very dull outside. but now with spring coming it gave me some beautiful pictures. from the pictures i have seen i like the rendering of the pentax better compared to the samyang. however I am not sure if I really like the focal length. its a bit too long for me i guess. Hmm... so if you'd decide to let it go, just drop me a (good ) price. I have to agree about the focal length. That's why I stopped thinking about the FA/A version or Zeiss, because I couldn't justify to invest so much money into a focal length which I maybe won't use that much.

03-26-2015, 06:40 AM	#5
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017 Original Poster	Originally posted by Michaelina2 I have/had the 85/2, 85/1.8, FA 85/1.4 and DA 55/1.4. Get the DA55/1.4 (35mm eq=82.5mm) and don't look back! Cheers... M Yeah... DA55/1.4 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.

03-26-2015, 06:42 AM	#6
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	There's the Sigma 85 ƒ1.4 but the Pentax solution at present would be the FA 77 1.8. 85mm and 77mm just aren't all that different. But if you're an old film person, Michelin is right.

03-26-2015, 02:42 PM	#7
antipattern Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Berlin, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 232	I have to confess I have a secret crush on the M85/2. Out of the lenses mentioned, it's probably the least exciting from a technical perspective. But looking at the images I can't help but think I want one. It's just got this pixie dust that makes photos look like they've been taken with film. I can't describe it. I already have the DA70/2.4 which comes close in focal length and aperture, and I love the DA to bits. So I can't really justify shelling out those £200+ that the M85 currently costs on ebay. Still, I have a crush...

03-26-2015, 07:54 PM	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	The Samyang's inexpensive and good, a bit like my mother-in-law! :-)

03-26-2015, 09:44 PM	#9
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	I picked up the Samyang 85mm. If you don't mind losing autofocus, go for it. This is near MFD, stopped down to f/2

03-26-2015, 10:45 PM	#10
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	if you dont mind manual...go for K85/1.8.....i compared it to FA77 and DA70 and its better than both in terms of colour, bokeh and sharpness. DA70 wins in chromatic aberations and size, though.

03-27-2015, 09:47 PM	#11
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Originally posted by Adam Go for the Samyang IMO. It's a bit bigger than the other two, but its IQ is up there with modern AF lenses. We have a review of the Vivitar re-badge on the homepage: +1, Samyang is amazing lens for the price. The only downside is the size and for that reason only, most of the time I ended up picking K85. I recently compared Samyanf & K85 on FF - https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/289532-k85-...mparision.html

03-29-2015, 05:10 AM	#12
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Adam Go for the Samyang IMO. It's a bit bigger than the other two, but its IQ is up there with modern AF lenses. +1 Excellent lens and a true bargain.

03-29-2015, 05:26 AM	#13
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	Originally posted by zzeitg After some research there are 3 lenses I'm considering... - Samyang 85/1.4 - Pentax M 85/2 - Pentax K 85/1.8 It seems like both M and K are hard to find and it's even harder to find a decent copy (which is normal considering it's age) - that's probably the reason why the prices are a little... spoiled. On the other hand price of new Samyang seems not bad. But what's the IQ of Samyang compared with M/K Pentax? Or is there another 85 mm lens (K-mount only...) I should consider instead? Take the samyang https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/130-lens-sample-photo-archive/213014-samy...mm-f1-4-a.html

03-29-2015, 05:50 AM	#14
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 zzeitg Or is there another 85 mm lens (K-mount only...) I should consider instead? I would also recommend my “Sweetheart” the SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4 as a possible candidate too for your short list.

03-29-2015, 06:45 AM	#15
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017 Original Poster	Originally posted by Kerrowdown I would also recommend my “Sweetheart” the SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4 as a possible candidate too for your short list. 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.