Samyang 85mm f/1.4 or SMC Pentax M 85mm f/2?

ddbarchitect · 09-29-2017, 05:44 PM - **5 Likes**

I only have one 85mm prime, the M85 f2. I must say that I use it more for landscape than portraiture. On the K3 it is very sharp edge to edge to that use. Color and contrast does not match the DA limiteds, but I never hesitate to grap this lens if it is the right focal length.

Last edited by ddbarchitect; 09-17-2018 at 09:07 PM.

yusuf · 10-01-2017, 01:59 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You might want to add a review for your copy on this site. It will be the only one out of 42 reviews reporting element separation.

Steve

Some more reports from a quick google search here, you'll rarely find this issue reported with other vintage pentax lenses.

SMC M 85/2 cement separation - fixable? - PentaxForums.com
What happened to my M85/f2? - PentaxForums.com

stevebrot · 10-01-2017, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by yusuf

Some more reports from a quick google search here, you'll rarely find this issue reported with other vintage pentax lenses.

SMC M 85/2 cement separation - fixable? - PentaxForums.com
What happened to my M85/f2? - PentaxForums.com

Yep...you and one other person on those two threads. I still think you should add a review calling out your experience with this problem. As for rarity, separation is not unknown. We probably see a half dozen examples per year on this site involving a wide range of lenses. I have had a couple come through my hands as part of various purchases. It is common enough that most repair technicians are able to do the repair for a reasonable cost. The ones I had, I gave in trade for other stuff with my local repair guy and he fixed them for resale.

Steve

yusuf · 10-04-2017, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

..It is common enough that most repair technicians are able to do the repair for a reasonable cost..

I doubt if re-cementing is so trivial to fix.

Wasp · 07-26-2018, 12:46 PM - **1 Like**

Reviving an old(ish) thread, but I did start it, hehehe.

I have finally pulled the trigger on a Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. A sweet deal for about $140. The extra stop of aperture and all the bokeh goodness it brings swung the balance in its favor over the Pentax. The ability to shoot in auto mode, including P-TTL flash, sealed the deal. A few choices had to be made along the way. Earlier this year, I passed up on a Takumar 85mm f/1.8. Yes, it is a legend but operating an M42 lens on a DSLR is a bit of an art. I kept the funds in the piggy bank. I was about to order a new lens when a really sweet deal on a Samsung NX1 kit came my way.

It arrived yesterday. I was excited and could not wait to try it out. At this point I have to confess that my Pentaxes have been sitting in the bag for a while. The K-x went out for a couple of short trips but apart from that it did not see a lot of use. That "new" Samsung NX1 was used the rest of the time. Anyway, karma (and neglect of my Pentaxes) caught up with me and I only got a couple of shots off on the K-x before the batteries died. The K200D wouldn't even turn on. Pretty much all my double A's turned out to be dead. This meant that I had to abandon further shooting in order to charge them up again.

Here is an early effort, shot tonight. Unfortunately, it was dark by the time I got home and proper shooting will have to wait for the weekend. I just love the extreme depth of field. Or the lack of it, to be correct. This going to be fun! I can't wait.

Finally, in one of life's ironies, I can get an M 85mm f/2 for about $200 right now. I think I will pass up on that. Or maybe I should...

AtitG · 07-27-2018, 09:26 AM

next step is to buy a pentax k to nx adapter.ü

Wasp · 07-28-2018, 01:09 AM

A Samsung NX to Pentax K adapter has indeed been on my shopping list for a long time.

There are some nice looking cheap ones on fleabay. The only trouble is the shipping arrangements. Your package gets put on a slow boat from China (literally). Even so, if I had been more proactive I could have had it by now.

There was no hurry before. The Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-x are quite similar in IQ et al. If I want to take a picture with a K mount lens, I use a Pentax camera - Q.E.D.

My recent acquisition of NX1 and this lens changes the picture (literally). Time to do some shopping. I will probably use the rainbow forest website, or one of large US photographic retailers. While I am shelling out for shipping, I might as well stock up on 72mm ~~UV filters~~ lens protectors. My Samsung 16-50 and 50-150 lenses also take this size. Walking around with naked lenses is a bit of a risk.

Many years ago, my camera bag took a heavy tumble and I lost the 77mm filter on the front of my 400mm. That left convinced me of the need for an additional piece of glass on a lens ever since. At present it feels like I am living dangerously.

stillshot2 · 08-08-2018, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I got my FA 77/1.8 Limited new for less than that.

Less than $600 new?! Where might I ask?

**clackers** · 08-08-2018, 05:42 PM

Originally posted by Wasp

Reviving an old(ish) thread, but I did start it, hehehe.

I have finally pulled the trigger on a Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. A sweet deal for about $140.

I've got both the Samyang 85mm and M85 f2 … nice bokeh on both, but neither are sharp lenses, I'm afraid.

awscreo · 08-08-2018, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by stillshot2

Less than $600 new?! Where might I ask?

Maybe annual rebate and discounts

stevebrot · 08-10-2018, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by stillshot2

Less than $600 new?! Where might I ask?

Originally posted by awscreo

Maybe annual rebate and discounts

When Ritz/Kits Camera folded a few years ago, their inventory was apparently ~~bought~~ sold at lot as part of inventory liquidation. Part of that inventory was a goodly number of Pentax lenses and cameras. A few months later, Prodigital2000, an eBay storefront, featured a good selection of Pentax stuff. Included were several Pentax-A 77/1.8 Limited in black. I believe the asking price was $789 BIN or "Make Offer". On a lark, I offered $500 and it was accepted. The lens was brand-new with N. America warranty and included 3-year Mac contract and a very nice Cokin skylight filter.

Steve

(...unbelievably lucky, eh?)

stillshot2 · 08-11-2018, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I offered $500 and it was accepted.

Nice! I recently got an offer for my 77mm I put on that offerup app at your same price. The guy asked if it was MIJ or AIV so I'm pretty sure he knew he was lowballing me! Seriously, if I wanted to get rid of it within minutes I would put it on here for $500 haha

---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 01:55 PM ----------

Originally posted by clackers

I've got both the Samyang 85mm and M85 f2

Whats the focus throw like on these lenses, might I ask? I had to get rid of my Super Tak 85mm 1.9 because as a walk around lens it felt like it took days to get from one end to the next!

**Scorpio71GR** · 08-11-2018, 02:21 PM

I have the Rokinon 85mm and it is plenty sharp for me even wide open.

On the K-1wide open. The one thing I do not like about this lens is the minimum focus distance.

pinholecam · 08-11-2018, 07:19 PM

The M85/2 is unique in that its very small and in the context of comparing with the Samyang, its also sharp at f8-11 for landscapes.
So overall, its a portable and versatile 85mm lens.
I find that a bigger 85mm lens like the FA*85 is a more specialized lens because of its size/weight and I'd only use it for portrait work.

Samples with the M85/2

awscreo · 08-11-2018, 07:28 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

When Ritz/Kits Camera folded a few years ago, their inventory was apparently bought at lot as part of inventory liquidation. Part of that inventory was a goodly number of Pentax lenses and cameras. A few months later, Prodigital2000, an eBay storefront featured a good selection of Pentax stuff. Included were several Pentax-A 77/1.8 Limited in black. I believe the asking price was $789 BIN or "Make Offer". On a lark, I offered $500 and it was accepted. The lens was brand-new with N. America warranty and included 3-year Mac contract and a very nice Cokin skylight filter.

Steve

(...unbelievably lucky, eh?)

Wow. you should've immediately purchased few lottery tickets, you'd be living on your own island now

(maybe you are, who knows!!!!)

08-10-2018, 10:49 AM	#71
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stillshot2 Less than $600 new?! Where might I ask? Originally posted by awscreo Maybe annual rebate and discounts When Ritz/Kits Camera folded a few years ago, their inventory was apparently ~~bought~~ sold at lot as part of inventory liquidation. Part of that inventory was a goodly number of Pentax lenses and cameras. A few months later, Prodigital2000, an eBay storefront, featured a good selection of Pentax stuff. Included were several Pentax-A 77/1.8 Limited in black. I believe the asking price was $789 BIN or "Make Offer". On a lark, I offered $500 and it was accepted. The lens was brand-new with N. America warranty and included 3-year Mac contract and a very nice Cokin skylight filter. Steve (...unbelievably lucky, eh?) Last edited by stevebrot; 08-12-2018 at 06:03 PM. Reason: clarification

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09-29-2017, 05:44 PM - 5 Likes	#61
ddbarchitect Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 142	I only have one 85mm prime, the M85 f2. I must say that I use it more for landscape than portraiture. On the K3 it is very sharp edge to edge to that use. Color and contrast does not match the DA limiteds, but I never hesitate to grap this lens if it is the right focal length. Last edited by ddbarchitect; 09-17-2018 at 09:07 PM.

10-01-2017, 01:59 AM	#62
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Originally posted by stevebrot You might want to add a review for your copy on this site. It will be the only one out of 42 reviews reporting element separation. Steve Some more reports from a quick google search here, you'll rarely find this issue reported with other vintage pentax lenses. SMC M 85/2 cement separation - fixable? - PentaxForums.com What happened to my M85/f2? - PentaxForums.com

10-01-2017, 10:00 AM	#63
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by yusuf Some more reports from a quick google search here, you'll rarely find this issue reported with other vintage pentax lenses. SMC M 85/2 cement separation - fixable? - PentaxForums.com What happened to my M85/f2? - PentaxForums.com Yep...you and one other person on those two threads. I still think you should add a review calling out your experience with this problem. As for rarity, separation is not unknown. We probably see a half dozen examples per year on this site involving a wide range of lenses. I have had a couple come through my hands as part of various purchases. It is common enough that most repair technicians are able to do the repair for a reasonable cost. The ones I had, I gave in trade for other stuff with my local repair guy and he fixed them for resale. Steve

10-04-2017, 08:13 PM	#64
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Originally posted by stevebrot ..It is common enough that most repair technicians are able to do the repair for a reasonable cost.. I doubt if re-cementing is so trivial to fix.

07-27-2018, 09:26 AM	#66
AtitG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 269	next step is to buy a pentax k to nx adapter.ü

07-28-2018, 01:09 AM	#67
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661 Original Poster	A Samsung NX to Pentax K adapter has indeed been on my shopping list for a long time. There are some nice looking cheap ones on fleabay. The only trouble is the shipping arrangements. Your package gets put on a slow boat from China (literally). Even so, if I had been more proactive I could have had it by now. There was no hurry before. The Samsung NX100 and Pentax K-x are quite similar in IQ et al. If I want to take a picture with a K mount lens, I use a Pentax camera - Q.E.D. My recent acquisition of NX1 and this lens changes the picture (literally). Time to do some shopping. I will probably use the rainbow forest website, or one of large US photographic retailers. While I am shelling out for shipping, I might as well stock up on 72mm ~~UV filters~~ lens protectors. My Samsung 16-50 and 50-150 lenses also take this size. Walking around with naked lenses is a bit of a risk. Many years ago, my camera bag took a heavy tumble and I lost the 77mm filter on the front of my 400mm. That left convinced me of the need for an additional piece of glass on a lens ever since. At present it feels like I am living dangerously.

08-08-2018, 04:08 PM	#68
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by stevebrot I got my FA 77/1.8 Limited new for less than that. Less than $600 new?! Where might I ask?

08-08-2018, 05:42 PM	#69
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Wasp Reviving an old(ish) thread, but I did start it, hehehe. I have finally pulled the trigger on a Rokinon 85mm f/1.4. A sweet deal for about $140. I've got both the Samyang 85mm and M85 f2 … nice bokeh on both, but neither are sharp lenses, I'm afraid.

08-08-2018, 05:43 PM	#70
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	Originally posted by stillshot2 Less than $600 new?! Where might I ask? Maybe annual rebate and discounts

08-11-2018, 01:54 PM	#72
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by stevebrot I offered $500 and it was accepted. Nice! I recently got an offer for my 77mm I put on that offerup app at your same price. The guy asked if it was MIJ or AIV so I'm pretty sure he knew he was lowballing me! Seriously, if I wanted to get rid of it within minutes I would put it on here for $500 haha ---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 01:55 PM ---------- Originally posted by clackers I've got both the Samyang 85mm and M85 f2 Whats the focus throw like on these lenses, might I ask? I had to get rid of my Super Tak 85mm 1.9 because as a walk around lens it felt like it took days to get from one end to the next!

08-11-2018, 02:21 PM	#73
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	I have the Rokinon 85mm and it is plenty sharp for me even wide open. On the K-1wide open. The one thing I do not like about this lens is the minimum focus distance.

08-11-2018, 07:19 PM	#74
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	The M85/2 is unique in that its very small and in the context of comparing with the Samyang, its also sharp at f8-11 for landscapes. So overall, its a portable and versatile 85mm lens. I find that a bigger 85mm lens like the FA*85 is a more specialized lens because of its size/weight and I'd only use it for portrait work. Samples with the M85/2

08-11-2018, 07:28 PM	#75
awscreo Veteran Member Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,722	Originally posted by stevebrot When Ritz/Kits Camera folded a few years ago, their inventory was apparently bought at lot as part of inventory liquidation. Part of that inventory was a goodly number of Pentax lenses and cameras. A few months later, Prodigital2000, an eBay storefront featured a good selection of Pentax stuff. Included were several Pentax-A 77/1.8 Limited in black. I believe the asking price was $789 BIN or "Make Offer". On a lark, I offered $500 and it was accepted. The lens was brand-new with N. America warranty and included 3-year Mac contract and a very nice Cokin skylight filter. Steve (...unbelievably lucky, eh?) Wow. you should've immediately purchased few lottery tickets, you'd be living on your own island now (maybe you are, who knows!!!!)