85mm FF comparison

Kim Coxon · 10-09-2018, 10:05 AM - **3 Likes**

Having just got the Pentax 85/1.4 A*, I thought I would do a quick comparison with the Zeiss. And while I was at it thought to include the 85/1.8 SMC and as maybe a quick check against an AF lens, the 77 ltd. K1 mounted on a tripod. All photos taken within a few minutes of each other. Manual exposure and all at F1.8. All straight out the camera. Each photo reduced to 1/5 and then a crop of the flower at "lifesize".

Just for fun I won't disclose which 85 is which for about a week. I would be interested to know how people rate them in order before I do.

First the 77ltd

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Kim Coxon · 10-09-2018, 10:06 AM - **1 Like**

85mm lens "A"

Kim Coxon · 10-09-2018, 10:07 AM

Lens "B"

Kim Coxon · 10-09-2018, 10:12 AM

Lens "C"

Attached Images

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IgorZ · 10-09-2018, 11:11 AM

Hmm, I can venture a guess, but could be way off, of course. Well, here it is: C - Zeiss, B - A*, A - SMC.

**grahame** · 10-09-2018, 11:20 AM

I will guess "B" is Zeiss, rendering red color very nicely. Bokeh is familiar.
"C" is probably K? A little low contrast, color is K style.
Then I leave "A" as A*? Sorry to find A* is ranked 3rd on my list. Maybe the light became stronger and harsher? overexposed and CA is strong.

**kernos** · 10-09-2018, 11:26 AM

A is A*85mm 1.4 (similar to the FA77 design), B is the Zeiss (because of the nice round bubble bokeh toward the edges) and C is the K 85mm Overall the A* is showing more color differentiation so number one, and the Zeiss is number two. But really, why not just go with the FA77 and save a bundle.

Last edited by kernos; 10-09-2018 at 07:29 PM.

leekil · 10-09-2018, 01:26 PM

The differences in color are surprising. Is this only due to the lens, or is there some sort of exposure/camera processing difference?

Kim Coxon · 10-09-2018, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by leekil

The differences in color are surprising. Is this only due to the lens, or is there some sort of exposure/camera processing difference?

Nope, All taken in the same light with the same camera settings. As you may have noticed, others are trying the match the pics to the lenses by their "character". It is perhaps not so noticeable in many lens "tests" but it is when you try them side by side.

**shardulm** · 10-09-2018, 04:48 PM

I see the exif information. SO what is the guess work all about?

Kim Coxon · 10-09-2018, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by shardulm

I see the exif information. SO what is the guess work all about?

Well it does show which is the 85/1.8. lol

torashi · 10-09-2018, 05:28 PM

I think it's a nice test, and very interesting, but should be reshot with a controlled light source. Sunlight varies constantly in intensity, even if our eyes can't see it, specially with clouds and at sunset when the light has to cross a lot of atmosphere. Test "A" seems burnt and overexposed.

pinholecam · 10-09-2018, 05:55 PM

C = K (OOF highlights and sharpness)
B = A (color is similar to the K)
A = Zeiss (diff color and based on a Rollei 50/1.8 I have which is a Zeiss and has the same type highlight/color handling wide open )

**clickclick** · 10-09-2018, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by shardulm

I see the exif information. SO what is the guess work all about?

You weren't supposed to peak!

**kernos** · 10-09-2018, 07:29 PM

It would be really nice to see all three lenses on a portrait study with really good natural light, that's the intended use of this type of lens. It is really hard to like one over the other based on this particular scene.

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10-09-2018, 11:11 AM	#5
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Hmm, I can venture a guess, but could be way off, of course. Well, here it is: C - Zeiss, B - A*, A - SMC.

10-09-2018, 11:20 AM	#6
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	I will guess "B" is Zeiss, rendering red color very nicely. Bokeh is familiar. "C" is probably K? A little low contrast, color is K style. Then I leave "A" as A? Sorry to find A is ranked 3rd on my list. Maybe the light became stronger and harsher? overexposed and CA is strong.

10-09-2018, 11:26 AM	#7
kernos Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 456	A is A85mm 1.4 (similar to the FA77 design), B is the Zeiss (because of the nice round bubble bokeh toward the edges) and C is the K 85mm Overall the A is showing more color differentiation so number one, and the Zeiss is number two. But really, why not just go with the FA77 and save a bundle. Last edited by kernos; 10-09-2018 at 07:29 PM.

10-09-2018, 01:26 PM	#8
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	The differences in color are surprising. Is this only due to the lens, or is there some sort of exposure/camera processing difference?

10-09-2018, 01:36 PM	#9
Kim Coxon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 135 Original Poster	Originally posted by leekil The differences in color are surprising. Is this only due to the lens, or is there some sort of exposure/camera processing difference? Nope, All taken in the same light with the same camera settings. As you may have noticed, others are trying the match the pics to the lenses by their "character". It is perhaps not so noticeable in many lens "tests" but it is when you try them side by side.

10-09-2018, 04:48 PM	#10
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	I see the exif information. SO what is the guess work all about?

10-09-2018, 05:00 PM	#11
Kim Coxon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 135 Original Poster	Originally posted by shardulm I see the exif information. SO what is the guess work all about? Well it does show which is the 85/1.8. lol

10-09-2018, 05:28 PM	#12
torashi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322	I think it's a nice test, and very interesting, but should be reshot with a controlled light source. Sunlight varies constantly in intensity, even if our eyes can't see it, specially with clouds and at sunset when the light has to cross a lot of atmosphere. Test "A" seems burnt and overexposed.

10-09-2018, 05:55 PM	#13
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	C = K (OOF highlights and sharpness) B = A (color is similar to the K) A = Zeiss (diff color and based on a Rollei 50/1.8 I have which is a Zeiss and has the same type highlight/color handling wide open )

10-09-2018, 06:57 PM	#14
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	Originally posted by shardulm I see the exif information. SO what is the guess work all about? You weren't supposed to peak!

10-09-2018, 07:29 PM	#15
kernos Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 456	It would be really nice to see all three lenses on a portrait study with really good natural light, that's the intended use of this type of lens. It is really hard to like one over the other based on this particular scene.