[ZombieArmy]

I’ve tried the Tak Bayonet and it’s really not great wide open. Even stopped down it can be a challenge to use, but perhaps like the fa 50 f1.4 the dreamy look wide open is exactly what you are interested in?

I think it could be copy variation. My Tak bayonet at f4/5.6 is better than my m75-150, and I think my 75-150 is a very good copy of the lens.

Both are capable but if I was strictly doing portraits I'd prefer the lower contrast and better sharpness of the Tak bayonet, while having the option for a dreamier (but still detailed) f2.8.
It offers more latitude in post and more options when shooting.










But to be honest you could get both for less than half the price of a tamron 90mm so I mean you could just do that.

[bilybianca]

My take on the subject:
You want something longer than the FA 77mm. Budget alternative would be the F 70-210 f4-5.6. Ugly, but probably the best IQ/dollar out there. It delivers!
Not as cheap, but no doubt my best manual focus lens is the A* 200 mm f2.8. My best outdoor portrait lens, where you have some space and can keep some distance.
And just a bit longer than the FA77, the A* 85mm f1.4. Harder to focus than the 200mm, but this is the king in Pentax lens land. For me it gets less use after I bought the FA 77. And it's expensive as h*ll if you find a used one at all. I'm glad I bought mine new in 1986.

Kjell

[UncleVanya]

And just a bit longer than the FA77, the A* 85mm f1.4. Harder to focus than the 200mm, but this is the king in Pentax lens land. For me it gets less use after I bought the FA 77. And it's expensive as h*ll if you find a used one at all. I'm glad I bought mine new in 1986.

Fantastic lens - I sold mine several years ago after owning it since the 90’s. The FA 77 I replaced it with has gotten a lot more use. The A* is excellent. It is a better lens optically but hard to focus on a dslr reliably for me.

[Wheatfield]

Fantastic lens - I sold mine several years ago after owning it since the 90’s. The FA 77 I replaced it with has gotten a lot more use. The A* is excellent. It is a better lens optically but hard to focus on a dslr reliably for me.

The A*85/1.4 is a superb lens. the DFA*85/1.4 is a better lens, but probably three times the price.
In the longer than 100 range, I'm very fond of the K105/2.8 and the little M150/3.5. The 150 is quite a sleeper.

[UncleVanya]

The A*85/1.4 is a superb lens. the DFA*85/1.4 is a better lens, but probably three times the price.
In the longer than 100 range, I'm very fond of the K105/2.8 and the little M150/3.5. The 150 is quite a sleeper.

Closer to 2x price at the most in the USA. And that’s used vs new. A mint A* 85 is between $850 and $1300 these days. The b&h price on the dfa with warranty is $1900.