[normhead]

The images are what they are, and given that he isn't working in a lighted studio or in any kind of dramatic light, the images are an example of what the lens does with flat lighting in normal everyday non-professional circumstances. I don't see anything wrong with the lens.

I'm personally eager to see results from the lens in every environment and circumstance. This post certainly adds to that data, and I see no reason to criticize it or the lens.

As such, I'm happy he posted them and grateful he did.

I opened a few from the google drive, and they seem to be very sharp.

Some people can't tell the difference between not sharp/bad lens and flat lighting with extremely narrow DoF apparently.

---

Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 06-22-2020 at 02:45 PM.

[repaap]

Curious - what is the problem with the images? I opened a few from the google drive, and they seem to be very sharp.

Problem is that there is no problem. I'd say it is up to anyone to put 2000€ in one lens, or not. Who think it is okay, I believe it is the one who buys it.

Some people are just waiting to let their frustration out.

To me even from these not full size pictures it is obvious that it is sharp, and focused where it should. Loving that smooth thing falling deeper with in centimter(even lesss?) towards the cheek. So controlled. no sign of any problems. i'll do the same with my Sigma 85/1.4 EX and @1,6 it is nowhere as contrasty and sharp.

[robbiec]

Normally I'm not active here, but I want to share some shots I was able to take with the DFA* 85 1.4 and thought it might be of interest for some of you too. Normally I'm active in the PENTAXIANS FB group.

FullRes Files can be found here

Thanks for posting these Stephen, appreciated. What are your opinions ref balance on camera, weight, focusing?

[repaap]

Yeah I couldn't understand, he wants the model to be in full focus at 1.4? or he's criticizing the style of photography which is kind of not relevant at all when the lens itself is the subject of the conversation..
I personally really like the image on color background, it's tack sharp, and has a nice mood to it.

---------- Post added 06-22-20 at 03:12 PM ----------



honestly, these images made me reconsider I keep telling myself that I don't shoot enough portraits to justify 2 grand, but it's creeping up on me)

I have had this lens on my to buy list when it came. I also want more images(I had money for it, but covid took care of that). I have Sigma 85/1,4 EX and I know what I like from it, but also what I don't. Not only the image quality is what I want. So far what I have seen it relly does tick all of those boxes. Wide open sharpness(sure, it is difficult to nail the bokeh at there), good contrast and colour(this exeeds that), reasonable fast focusing(seems to be the case at there too) my Sigma is good in great optimum light, but lack of contrast, it hunt in for example where my FA 77 nails the shot, with out problem. CA/PF at wide aperture, this exells at there too. Sigma is not so bad, either was Rokinon(8 aperture blades was yuck). Also nice bokeh even stopped down.


Someone asked what is it compared to those lenses I have 77, sigma 85, and have had Samyang 85. They can't touch this. even at lores photos, it is that obvious. Dunno about FA*85...looking forward to get back on my feet, and to buy this beast.

[pepperberry farm]

FA 77 vs FA* 85 vs sigma 85 vs Rokinon 85 vs DFA 85

Not interested in knowing the winner, but curious about the resulting images.

add in the Zeiss Planar 85/1.4 ZK T*.....

[Ben-G]

This new lens is "magic" ?
I don't know, ... seems near, in terms of image quality, to HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW ...
I prefer the "old" SMC Pentax-FA* 85mm F1.4 [IF] ...


The "princess", smc FA 77mm Limited, ... is absolutely untouchable ! 😊

Ps. : "Magic" ... What does mean "magic"?

For someone is an ancestral and oniric power, for others is a precise and purely technical question of aberration, again for others is an opportunity to capture a section of the real in a critical and creative manner...

Sharpness ?

An "old question" with an "old answer" :

Sharpness is a Bourgeois Concept | Yatesweb

Best regards from Italy,
Ben

http://www.nadir.it/ob-fot/pentax_85-77/pentax.htm

http://www.marcocavina.com/articoli_fotografici/Pentax_85_1,4_star/00_pag.htm

[BarryE]

Thanks for Drive/Full res images Stephen and for taking the time. The detail is impressive and the (predictable) DOF wafer thin.

With time, comparisons with other lenses in the range will be most interesting, especially the FA 77.

[Sandy Hancock]

This thread is fast derailing into a potential train wreck. Please refrain from nastiness and pettiness and concentrate on the subject of the thread.

At this stage I have just deleted the excess baggage, but infractions and/or thread bans will ensue if this nonsense continues.

[Wheatfield]

This thread is fast derailing into a potential train wreck. Please refrain from nastiness and pettiness and concentrate on the subject of the thread.

At this stage I have just deleted the excess baggage, but infractions and/or thread bans will ensue if this nonsense continues.

Thank you.

[bedisaab]

I am very happy with the natural look the lens produces. I am waiting for something like outside portraits without any accessories like flash etc.

[awscreo]

Chris Rankin must be interested in picking one up

[jmacias]

Thanks for posting StephenObermeier. The level of detail and sharpness in some of the pictures is amazing.
Looking forward to seeing more samples.

[StephenObermeier]

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for sharing the photos. Also I am very curious how the results of the night shots will look like. How about your experiences with the weight balance of the K-1 and the 85mm attached to it?

Kind regards,

Ron

This is a heavy gun - coming from the 77 it feels like you have 3 times the weight in the hand. The camera with grip and lens is about 2770 grams. But the weight still feels well distributed.

---------- Post added 06-23-20 at 12:07 AM ----------

Thanks for posting these Stephen, appreciated. What are your opinions ref balance on camera, weight, focusing?

About the focusing - due to the shallow DOF I wished the K1 center AF point would be half the size or eye AF which is in dreamland - to focus on the iris for example is hard.

[StephenObermeier]

Some more samples - short drive-by shooting on the way to the agency. DNG loaded into LR and straight exported. Full Res Files can be found here

---------- Post added 06-23-20 at 12:27 AM ----------

Thanks for posting these! I understand that these photos have been made in your taste. Besides of couple obvious ones, how much did you process them? Dunno about others, but bokeh seems nice and the 3-D pop is nice. I quite like natural feel in these.

The shots 6487 and the BnW are edited in LR - all other shots are straight out of cam (loaded into lightroom and then simply exported)

[beholder3]

That is nice rendering, very similar to what the DFA* 50 can do.