[Alfisti]

It's a bloody farce frankly. Canon can do an excellent 1.8 for $400. Though knowing Canon it's probably about 2KG and the size of a scud missile.

What kills me is that Pentax release the DA35 macro when we already have the 50 macro, the FA35/2, the FA31. An 85/1.8 would seel so fast, i dunno, they seem misdirected at times.

Frankly the best bet is just get an FA 77, at least it's super small and light to carry.

[egordon99]

LOL, not quite that big. Definetly bigger than the FA 35/50mms I used to own (especially once you put the hood on), but it balances nicely on my 40D. It is a great lens though, compares favorably with the 77mm Limited.

Canon can do an excellent 1.8 for $400. Though knowing Canon it's probably about 2KG and the size of a scud missile.

[Peter Zack]

I agree that the prices are high and a Pentax A* is tough to find for less than $1000. But if I had the money, I'd buy one without thinking twice. I had a chance to shoot with one and frankly it's an astonishing lens. The 77mm Ltd is a great lens in all rspects but the 85 1.4 is soooo much better. It's like audio gear. You can get a good amp under $500 and to get a better overall performer you have to pay 4x as much. Same here.

See my earlier thread on this lens.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/13562-i-touche...y-one-thm.html

[frank]

Have the FA*85/1.4 and had the A*85/1.4, both are excellent lenses. Sold the A*85 after I got the FA* one, but kinda regret. If had the extra cash, I'd love to get the A*85 back.

Actually these two 85s weren't very expensive several years back, at least not as expensive as they are now. The FA*85 was probably about half of its current price 5 years back on the second hand market.

Don't use the FA*85/1.4 much nowadays, but don't think I'd let it go as long as I'm w/ Pentax

[Alfisti]

The 77mm Ltd is a great lens in all rspects but the 85 1.4 is soooo much better.

That's a big statement.

[Avantphoto]

I owned a 77mm Limited but ended up returning it I just wish it focused closer, I wish Pentax would have forgone the 35mm Macro for something like a 80mm F1.8 Macro Limited, I'd buy that in a flash!

[jsherman999]

.

This side-by-side comparison test with with Canon 85 1.2 is pretty nice --> here.

...That is an immensely impressive capture by the Pentax SMC A – wide open, against the Canon half a stop down. You'll have to excuse me while I go a bit purple here, because that is the sharpest 'corner' I ever seen any lens produce at this aperture (f1.4). Just stunning.

[Mechan1k]

So far though ... I have the M42 Super Takumar 85mm f/1.9 ... and is a stellar lens indeed ... I am thoroughly impressed with it ... and thank Jay for selling it to me.

Was around the $300 mark ... I think ... then again ... I did note the price down in the Len Review Database on this site ... so you will find it there.

Will I sell this lens ... NO WAY IN HELL.
"Cold dead hands" comes to mind.

[Ben_Edict]

As far as I know, Pentax has currently two lenses with diffferent price tags in the vicinity of 80mm: the Limited 77mm and the DA 70mm. Another manufacturer would have branded the 77mm as an 80mm lens and we wouldn't see this discussion.

The choice is here.

Ben

[suro]

Helios 40-2 (85mm /1.5) is best of 85mm lens

For examply (all photos made by Tigra Girl):







*NWS* http://t.foto.radikal.ru/0705/f1/740032e2d360.jpg





*NWS* http://m.foto.radikal.ru/0705/ea/4ef93a95638f.jpg



P.S. Photos get's from here: Ãåëèîñ 40-2 85/1.5 è äðóãèå ëó÷øèå ïîðòðåòíûå îáúåêòèâû âñåõ âðåìåí è íàðîäîâ :: Ôîðóì :: Êëóá Foto.ru

[séamuis]

the last photo is lovely, thank you for sharing.

[suro]

the last photo is lovely, thank you for sharing.

You're welcome! Here is my own photos by Helios 40-2:

[kenyee]

suro:
What did you do to the bokeh in the first photo? It looks almost like the camera was rotated but the front flowers should be more blurred.
Nice models BTW ;-)

[Jewelltrail]

Stevebrot: The main issues with the Jupiter-9 have to do with handling and dealing with the pre-set aperture setup. The aperture actually is easier to use than most M-42 lenses, though it does take some getting used to.

Take a look at the reviews on the third-party lens database on this forum:

Jupiter-9 Reviews

Thank you for your post; I benefited immensely from this one. I had next to no knowledge of this lens until this post. Also, your shot in your review of the leaves is breathtaking!

Regards,

Ernest

[suro]

suro:
What did you do to the bokeh in the first photo? It looks almost like the camera was rotated but the front flowers should be more blurred.
Nice models BTW ;-)

All this photos resized from camera JPEG without any correction Helios 40-2 is great lens, especially on f1.5 - f2.0. Bokeh on the f1.5 - f2.0 rotated by lens