HD Pentax-D FA★ 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW first review

Austro-Diesel · 07-04-2020, 03:15 AM

The machine generated and translated german subtitles are very ... "interesting"

The picture of the industrial building with the D-FA* 50 is mis-focused.

As owner of both lenses I can follow his comparison and think both are more or the less on par. At 85 mm the optical complication is far greater, so the performance is really impressive.

zapp · 07-04-2020, 04:33 AM

The 50 vs 85 comparison could revive the apsc vs ff discussion.

Sandy Hancock · 07-04-2020, 04:49 AM

Originally posted by zapp

The 50 vs 85 comparison could revive the apsc vs ff discussion.

How so?

**Serkevan** · 07-04-2020, 08:11 AM

I guess it makes sense to compare the 50 on APS-C with the 85 on FF - sure, there will be DOF differences, but the FOV is quite similar.

Austro-Diesel · 07-04-2020, 08:49 AM

You can compare everything. Everyone has to decide whether it makes sense or not.

The D-FA* 50/1.4 on APS-C will take pictures approx. like the D-FA* 85/1.4 at f/2 on FF cameras. The quality is top with both lenses, but at f/2 the D-FA* 85 is better than at D-FA* 50/1.4 at f/1.4: less CAs and round light circles from corner to corner of the whole picture. Stopped down (e.g. f/2.8 vs. f/4) you won't see a large difference in this constellation.

As the japanese photographer tells in the linked video, the most significant difference is primarily the amount of visible background in the resulting picture and the resulting different look when using both lenses with the same camera.

For my own, the D-FA* 50/1.4 is the more versatile lens for "everyday use". I made a few city trips only with this lens and was very satisfied. The D-FA* 85/1.4 lacks a bit of magnification too, the minimum focussing distance ist relatively large.

Both lenses show very nice bokeh without any "onion rings", only moderate longitudinal CAs, are focussing quickly and safely. Contrast-AF.S and manual focussing works very well too.

SSGGeezer · 07-04-2020, 09:05 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Austro-Diesel

Nice lens ... got mine today.

Some shots here, hires-files attached too: DigitalFotoNetz.de :: Thema anzeigen - HD PENTAX-D FA 85mm f/1.4 lens + Pentax KP Custom

Lovely! The heat smushed cat at f/2 really jumped at me for balance of DOF and bokeh. Very usable at wide open. I wish my divorce lawyer didn't charge me a DFA* 85 and a FA 31 Limited this month.

Maybe next year!

gatorguy · 07-04-2020, 09:06 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Serkevan

I guess it makes sense to compare the 50 on APS-C with the 85 on FF - sure, there will be DOF differences, but the FOV is quite similar.

You know the DA*55 is intended to be the crop version of the full-frame FA*85. If I didn't have the latter I'd definitely be saving for the far newer D FA85. I'm seeing some impressive images being posted

pschlute · 07-04-2020, 09:18 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by zapp

The 50 vs 85 comparison could revive the apsc vs ff discussion.

Please no.

beholder3 · 07-05-2020, 01:19 AM

Equivalence. Boo.

Class A · 07-05-2020, 09:30 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Serkevan

I'd say "crispness"?

Very good!

"Knackizität" is not a proper German word, though; it is made up and thus has a somewhat light-hearted connotation.

"Knackig" is a proper German adjective and can mean "crisp" (here "extra crisp") among other things.

Turning the adjective into the noun "Knackizität" is done via applying a common transformation, as in transforming "elastic" to "elasticity". Since it is a common transformation everyone knows what it is supposed to mean, but it has a jovial character as it does not exist as an official German word.

Austro-Diesel · 07-05-2020, 09:32 AM

Yessss, perfectly explained!!! It's a running joke at my home photo forum.

"Knackizität" means crisp reproduction with high micro contrast ("clarity" in LightRoom). It's the opposite of aspherical aberrations with it's "Hamilton look".

Greatings to the opposite side of the world from Austria.

LennyBloke · 07-05-2020, 09:50 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by beholder3

Equivalence. Boo.

Can someone explain Equivalence in detail please

**acoufap** · 07-05-2020, 10:01 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by LennyBloke

Can someone explain Equivalence in detail please

Reeeeally funny!

**Serkevan** · 07-05-2020, 10:17 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Class A

Very good!

"Knackizität" is not a proper German word, though; it is made up and thus has a somewhat light-hearted connotation.

"Knackig" is a proper German adjective and can mean "crisp" (here "extra crisp") among other things.

Turning the adjective into the noun "Knackizität" is done via applying a common transformation, as in transforming "elastic" to "elasticity". Since it is a common transformation everyone knows what it is supposed to mean, but it has a jovial character as it does not exist as an official German word.

Yep, that was my logic as well, I had to do a double take about the word because my first thought was "that's a perfectly cromulent word"

.

For the record, Deepl gets it right (DeepL Translate), machines are taking over

Parallax · 07-05-2020, 10:36 AM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by LennyBloke

Can someone explain Equivalence in detail please

Sure.
It's a fabricated concept intended to confuse and frustrate those who are new to any format other than 24x36 to the point that they give up and sell their equipment cheap to those savvy enough to ignore the premise.

How's that?

07-04-2020, 08:49 AM	#80
Austro-Diesel Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 78	You can compare everything. Everyone has to decide whether it makes sense or not. The D-FA* 50/1.4 on APS-C will take pictures approx. like the D-FA* 85/1.4 at f/2 on FF cameras. The quality is top with both lenses, but at f/2 the D-FA* 85 is better than at D-FA* 50/1.4 at f/1.4: less CAs and round light circles from corner to corner of the whole picture. Stopped down (e.g. f/2.8 vs. f/4) you won't see a large difference in this constellation. As the japanese photographer tells in the linked video, the most significant difference is primarily the amount of visible background in the resulting picture and the resulting different look when using both lenses with the same camera. For my own, the D-FA* 50/1.4 is the more versatile lens for "everyday use". I made a few city trips only with this lens and was very satisfied. The D-FA* 85/1.4 lacks a bit of magnification too, the minimum focussing distance ist relatively large. Both lenses show very nice bokeh without any "onion rings", only moderate longitudinal CAs, are focussing quickly and safely. Contrast-AF.S and manual focussing works very well too. Last edited by Austro-Diesel; 07-04-2020 at 09:17 AM.

07-05-2020, 09:32 AM	#86
Austro-Diesel Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 78	Yessss, perfectly explained!!! It's a running joke at my home photo forum. "Knackizität" means crisp reproduction with high micro contrast ("clarity" in LightRoom). It's the opposite of aspherical aberrations with it's "Hamilton look". Greatings to the opposite side of the world from Austria. Last edited by Austro-Diesel; 07-05-2020 at 09:40 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HD Pentax-D FA★ 85mm f/1.4 SDM AW	midnightvisions	Pentax News and Rumors	1078	06-25-2020 10:32 AM
HD PENTAX-D FA★ 85mm F1.4 SDM AW officially announced on European Ricoh Imaging sites	Madaboutpix	Pentax News and Rumors	6	03-25-2020 05:45 AM
RICOH ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF HD PENTAX-D FA★50mm F1.4 SDM AW STAR-SERIES LENS	OoKU	Pentax News and Rumors	1144	01-19-2020 08:46 PM
Photo Life News letter - HD PENTAX-DA★11-18mmF2.8ED DC AW and the HD PENTAX-FA35mmF2	jpzk	Photographic Industry and Professionals	4	02-04-2019 08:15 AM
★★NOW IN STOCK★★Pentax K-5 Limited Edition★★	Chuck-B&H	Ask B&H Photo!	11	03-31-2011 05:29 AM

07-04-2020, 03:15 AM	#76
Austro-Diesel Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 78	The machine generated and translated german subtitles are very ... "interesting" The picture of the industrial building with the D-FA* 50 is mis-focused. As owner of both lenses I can follow his comparison and think both are more or the less on par. At 85 mm the optical complication is far greater, so the performance is really impressive.

07-04-2020, 04:33 AM	#77
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	The 50 vs 85 comparison could revive the apsc vs ff discussion.

07-04-2020, 04:49 AM	#78
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by zapp The 50 vs 85 comparison could revive the apsc vs ff discussion. How so?

07-04-2020, 08:11 AM	#79
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	I guess it makes sense to compare the 50 on APS-C with the 85 on FF - sure, there will be DOF differences, but the FOV is quite similar.

07-04-2020, 09:05 AM - 1 Like	#81
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by Austro-Diesel Nice lens ... got mine today. Some shots here, hires-files attached too: DigitalFotoNetz.de :: Thema anzeigen - HD PENTAX-D FA 85mm f/1.4 lens + Pentax KP Custom Lovely! The heat smushed cat at f/2 really jumped at me for balance of DOF and bokeh. Very usable at wide open. I wish my divorce lawyer didn't charge me a DFA* 85 and a FA 31 Limited this month. Maybe next year!

07-04-2020, 09:06 AM - 1 Like	#82
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	Originally posted by Serkevan I guess it makes sense to compare the 50 on APS-C with the 85 on FF - sure, there will be DOF differences, but the FOV is quite similar. You know the DA55 is intended to be the crop version of the full-frame FA85. If I didn't have the latter I'd definitely be saving for the far newer D FA85. I'm seeing some impressive images being posted

07-04-2020, 09:18 AM - 5 Likes	#83
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Originally posted by zapp The 50 vs 85 comparison could revive the apsc vs ff discussion. Please no.

07-05-2020, 01:19 AM	#84
beholder3 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3,112	Equivalence. Boo.

07-05-2020, 09:30 AM - 2 Likes	#85
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by Serkevan I'd say "crispness"? Very good! "Knackizität" is not a proper German word, though; it is made up and thus has a somewhat light-hearted connotation. "Knackig" is a proper German adjective and can mean "crisp" (here "extra crisp") among other things. Turning the adjective into the noun "Knackizität" is done via applying a common transformation, as in transforming "elastic" to "elasticity". Since it is a common transformation everyone knows what it is supposed to mean, but it has a jovial character as it does not exist as an official German word.

07-05-2020, 09:50 AM - 2 Likes	#87
LennyBloke Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	Originally posted by beholder3 Equivalence. Boo. Can someone explain Equivalence in detail please

07-05-2020, 10:01 AM - 2 Likes	#88
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,187	Originally posted by LennyBloke Can someone explain Equivalence in detail please Reeeeally funny!

07-05-2020, 10:17 AM - 2 Likes	#89
Serkevan Site Supporter Join Date: May 2019 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,976	Originally posted by Class A Very good! "Knackizität" is not a proper German word, though; it is made up and thus has a somewhat light-hearted connotation. "Knackig" is a proper German adjective and can mean "crisp" (here "extra crisp") among other things. Turning the adjective into the noun "Knackizität" is done via applying a common transformation, as in transforming "elastic" to "elasticity". Since it is a common transformation everyone knows what it is supposed to mean, but it has a jovial character as it does not exist as an official German word. Yep, that was my logic as well, I had to do a double take about the word because my first thought was "that's a perfectly cromulent word" . For the record, Deepl gets it right (DeepL Translate), machines are taking over

07-05-2020, 10:36 AM - 6 Likes	#90
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	Originally posted by LennyBloke Can someone explain Equivalence in detail please Sure. It's a fabricated concept intended to confuse and frustrate those who are new to any format other than 24x36 to the point that they give up and sell their equipment cheap to those savvy enough to ignore the premise. How's that?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search