[kinkindoll]

Hi all,

long time Pentaxian but only few post in this forum. Recently I would like to purchase a lens for my Pentax collection, thinking of getting the new HDA 70-210 F4 or FA85 f1.4 (old gem), I don't have any good tele zoom lens but I rarely shoot animals or sports. I don't know why I want to get this lens for but one of the reason is the weight, also I want to support Pentax. These few days the FA85 F1.4 came up in my mind, I already have limited 31, 43 and 77, the 85mm may overlap with 77mm but the image from 85 is very pleasing too, i cannot afford above lenses, should i get the HDA70-210 or FA85 f1.4 (used) ?

Thanks

[aslyfox]

why not consider renting equipment and doing your test before buying

Information on Businesses that offer cameras and lenses for rent - Page 2 - PentaxForums.com


savings available at LensRental - PentaxForums.com

even if you can't rent both lenses, you can find out how you like the newer one

[Unregistered User 8]

Recently I would like to purchase a lens for my Pentax collection,

Is your lens collection used on cameras, or are they on a shelf to be looked at ?
If on a camera, which one of these very different lenses suits your style of photography more.
If on the shelf, which one would you prefer to see................................

[Reed]

If you are happy with you FA77, 85 will not be a very big leap above that what you already have. I have FA85 and 70-200/2.8 Tamron but that new DFA 70-200/4 is very tempting. On FF I found myself to be using zooms more often than 85.

[Sandy Hancock]

Your FA 77/1.8 Limited is 90% of the FA* 85/1.4 in a much smaller package.

The DFA 70-210 gives you a completely different set of capabilities and might open up new horizons for you.

I'd go for the zoom If I were you.

Hi all,

long time Pentaxian but only few post in this forum. Recently I would like to purchase a lens for my Pentax collection, thinking of getting the new HDA 70-210 F4 or FA85 f1.4 (old gem), I don't have any good tele zoom lens but I rarely shoot animals or sports. I don't know why I want to get this lens for but one of the reason is the weight, also I want to support Pentax. These few days the FA85 F1.4 came up in my mind, I already have limited 31, 43 and 77, the 85mm may overlap with 77mm but the image from 85 is very pleasing too, i cannot afford above lenses, should i get the HDA70-210 or FA85 f1.4 (used) ?

Thanks

I do not know what you are aiming at in your message: you close off with stating that you can not afford above lenses, if that is true, why bother supporting Pentax, which by the way is just a name on a Ricoh camera. I own a manual version of the 85mm F1.4 and it does not give me much pleasure. If I were you I'd buy the new 70-210, because a good zoom opens a new world of taking pictures. The 85mm is very expensive and used about the same price of a new 70-210.

[aslyfox]

i don't claim any special expertise, I just tend to post too much

but to me

the question of zoom vs. prime

- depends on the quality of the zoom - modern zooms are considered by many as much better than most of what was available in the film era

- convenience of not changing out lenses

- weight and size

I find that if I am going on a trip where I hesitate to change out lenses I carry a zoom

if I think I will have the time to change out lenses, I carry some primes

the only film era zoom I own is primarily for my SLR cameras - a Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm F2.8-4 Version 3 (komine)


all my other zooms are digital era lenses

I own many film era primes

---

Last edited by aslyfox; 03-18-2020 at 05:23 AM.

[Sandy Hancock]

I do not know what you are aiming at in your message: you close off with stating that you can not afford above lenses

I suspect "above" is meant to be "both". A simple typo

[bdery]

These few days the FA85 F1.4 came up in my mind, I already have limited 31, 43 and 77, the 85mm may overlap with 77mm but the image from 85 is very pleasing too

I see absolutely no reason to go with the 85 if you have the 77, except if you find something wrong with the 77. Heck, I have the 77 and 100 macro WR and sometimes the overlap makes me wonder which lens to use.

The 70-210 will give you different possibilities.

[cmohr]

I agree with the above, if you have the 77, you already have a stellar lens, I can attest, the FA*85 is wonderful, if you were thinking of selling your 77 and replacing it with the 85, make sure you are getting a good, slightly used version, but seriously, not sure you would be achieving much. I can't comment on the new 70-210/f4, but, it seems most that have it, are happy, other than that, I can only ask, what your preferred lens is, a zoom or prime. For over 15 years my main lenses on film, then digital, FA*85/1.4 and FA*200/2.8. No zooms in that area needed.

[D1N0]

Maybe wait for the HD Pentax D FA* 85mm 1.4 instead. But it seems to me you are trying to choose between lenses you both don't really need. Why not get the HD D FA 150-450mm 1:4.5-5.6 for some serious telephoto work. The main reason why some people don't do a certain type of photography is they don't have the right equipment for it. So the main question is what do you miss right now in your photography?

[aslyfox]

if looking for a fast lens

would the OP considered this ?

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/hd-pentax-d-fa-70-200mm-f28-ed-dc-aw.html

yes, it is big, expensive unless you can find it " experienced " or on sale and heavy

but it is a star lens

it is fast - F2.8 throughout

and gives you a range up to a moderate telephoto

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW
Introduction
In order to cater to professional photographers, a manufacturer must meet several requirements. In addition to a full frame body, a 70-200mm F2.8 telephoto lens is very high on the list. It is thus not very surprising that Pentax released its own version of that lens just prior to the launch of the Pentax K-1 itself.

The new Pentax 70-200mm lens

The HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW lens was launched alongside the 15-30mm F2.8 and 24-70mm F2.8 to create a trio of fast zooms able to cover most photographer's needs. Unlike the other two lenses, which are a repackaging of a comparable Tamron lenses (otherwise unavailable for Pentax), the 70-200mm appears to be a brand new in-house design. The 70-200mm's launch was delayed after the initial announcement, to allow the engineers more time to perfect their design.

A 70-200mm lens serves many purposes, especially on full frame. It can be used for portraits (both outside and in a studio), sports, weddings, photojournalism, wildlife, concerts and shows. Such a lens also comes with high expectations. Photographers will expect a high level of optical performance, fast AF, and high reliability.

Pentax APS-C users have long had access to the DA* 50-135mm F2.8 lens, which covers approximately the same field of view as a 70-200mm on FF, and to the DA* 60-250mm F4 which has a slower aperture, but is lighter and covers a longer range. The only direct competitor to the new D FA* 70-200mm is the Tamron 70-200mm F2.8, which is an older design (a newer version was released in 2012, and is not available for Pentax) but nevertheless one that we will be examining closely. Canon, Nikon and Sony users of course have access to equivalent lenses in their respective mounts.

Pentax used almost every optical technology available to it in this 70-200mm lens. From the premium HD and Aerobright II coatings, to Super Protect on the front element, silent DC focusing, internal focusing and zooming, extra-low dispersion glass and of course weather sealing, this member of the star (*) line is intended as an advanced, professional tool with no half-measures. . . .

Conclusion

As Pentax's first digital-era full-frame star (pro series) lens, it is superbly built, meeting or exceeding the quality of crop star-series lenses. The body is made entirely of metal, with textured rings and nice accents on the body. The buttons are well positioned and operate well. The tripod collar is ergonomically designed, with a clever system to remove the foot. The lens hood does not match the premium look (and heft) of the body and hides most of the zoom ring when reversed. . . .

Read more at: HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[blackcloudbrew]

I have both of those lenses, and personally, I would each of them for different purposes. They just aren't equivalent (for use) in my opinion. I've been having fun getting acquainted with the new DFA 70-210. It's light(er), a WR lens, really nice to hike with and I'm hoping to travel (when we can do stuff like that again...) with it. The 85, equally good for sure, and actually, I prefer it over the FA77 Limited (probably heresy to say that) but me. I note you didn't indicated what camera you were intending either of these to be used on. That might make a difference (APS-c or FF) here for us or you.

All in all, it just comes down to, what will either lens allow you to do with your photography that you can't do now?

[Wheatfield]

Hi all,

long time Pentaxian but only few post in this forum. Recently I would like to purchase a lens for my Pentax collection, thinking of getting the new HDA 70-210 F4 or FA85 f1.4 (old gem), I don't have any good tele zoom lens but I rarely shoot animals or sports. I don't know why I want to get this lens for but one of the reason is the weight, also I want to support Pentax. These few days the FA85 F1.4 came up in my mind, I already have limited 31, 43 and 77, the 85mm may overlap with 77mm but the image from 85 is very pleasing too, i cannot afford above lenses, should i get the HDA70-210 or FA85 f1.4 (used) ?

Thanks

If you aren't in any rush, there is a distinct possibility that we will see a D FA* 85/1.4 in the near future. If you don't see much use for a 70-210, and want a good 85mm, consider putting off purchasing anything for a little while.

[normhead]

I see absolutely no reason to go with the 85 if you have the 77, except if you find something wrong with the 77. Heck, I have the 77 and 100 macro WR and sometimes the overlap makes me wonder which lens to use.

The 70-210 will give you different possibilities.

It's funny, years ago I bought the Sigma 70 macro 2.8 which is a very good lens (and my favourite portrait lens on FF.) So I was never tempted by either the 77 or the 85, so I'm in the same boat. Why duplicate capabilities you already have when there are capabilities you don't have?