On UK eBay - FA 85 1.4 se - anodized finish instead of silver paint

**dkpentax** · 11-14-2021, 06:00 AM

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SMC Pentax FA f/1.4 85mm Lens Pentax | eBay

can't find any reference to this anywhere but seems to be real, anyone seen this before?

Attached Images

**Pål Jensen** · 11-14-2021, 06:55 AM

Someone have removed the paint. Don't think it is anodized. It is plastic after all...

No wonder as the silver paint is very prone to scratches.

**pepperberry farm** · 11-14-2021, 07:02 AM

looks like a custom job - up to the seller/buyer if it actually adds to the value of the lens....

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-14-2021, 09:02 AM

You can see where they missed a little silver by the badge. I did not know there was an "se" version, what was the difference?

stevebrot · 11-14-2021, 09:56 AM

The description says it is seller refurbished. The "anodizing" looks pretty rough and I not sure why the aperture ring lettering would be gray. I would pass.

Steve

**Pål Jensen** · 11-14-2021, 09:59 AM

The "Auto Focus" text above the focus window is gone with the paint.
Not anodized. It is the black plastic underneath the paint that's exposed. The value of the lens is halved - at least....

shyrsio · 11-14-2021, 04:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

The "Auto Focus" text above the focus window is gone with the paint.
Not anodized. It is the black plastic underneath the paint that's exposed. The value of the lens is halved - at least....

Plastic underneath the paint?!
The 85/1.4 has a metal barrel, not plastic (at least my copy does).

**Pål Jensen** · 11-14-2021, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by shyrsio

Plastic underneath the paint?!
The 85/1.4 has a metal barrel, not plastic (at least my copy does).

Mine was plastic. The lens tubes are metal but the outer lens body is painted black plastic.

**luftfluss** · 11-14-2021, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by ramseybuckeye

I did not know there was an "se" version, what was the difference?

The "se" was put there by the individual you refinished the lens, perhaps.

pschlute · 11-15-2021, 02:58 AM

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

Not all FA* 85mm had the text autofocus above the window

All FA*85 did have the autofocus text. The focus ring would be pushed forward to reveal the text when in the AF mode. For manual focus you pull the focus ring back, hiding the text.

The FA* 24mm f2 has the same operation.

stevebrot · 11-15-2021, 03:02 AM

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

Not all FA* 85mm had the text autofocus above the window. See this picture https://i.pinimg.com/originals/03/b3/3a/03b33aea8907c05f689ab03ab3770149.jpg or https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/fengwei/Misc/FA85_1_zpsl9l1nayb.jpg.
Funny thing is that the rear cap looks "anodized" too. And as you cannot anodize plastic, I am lead to believe, it must be paint. And anodizing the barrel means that the lens must be taken apart completely and then inside and outside will be treated. But how does it all fit together after the treatment when all the gear and lenses inside are usually a tight fit and should be smooth? Although this version of the lens should have autofocus above the window, because this is the version that has room between the window and the focus ring for the text.

Do you have any insight in regards to the SE label?

Steve

pschlute · 11-15-2021, 03:45 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

Mine was plastic. The lens tubes are metal but the outer lens body is painted black plastic.

My FA* 85mm is made of metal. Every silver bit of the lens is aluminium, including the hood.

I cannot be 100% certain there was never a SE black version produced, but if there was I have never seen one. This one looks like a poor refurb.

**Pål Jensen** · 11-15-2021, 03:50 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

The FA* 85mm is made of metal. Every silver bit of the lens is aluminium, including the hood.

I cannot be 100% certain there was never a SE black version produced, but if there was I have never seen one. This one looks like a poor refurb.

Well, mine wasn't. All FA* lenses I've owned had plastic outer bodies (28-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 200/4, 600/4) and plastic hoods (maybe the 85mm is an exception. Don't own it any longer but the name of the hood will tell; is it labeled MH or PH?) except for the 600mm. Only the FA* 600/4 was an exception but only partly - the part with the focus window is plastic.

stevebrot · 11-15-2021, 09:09 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

My FA* 85mm is made of metal. Every silver bit of the lens is aluminium, including the hood.

I cannot be 100% certain there was never a SE black version produced, but if there was I have never seen one. This one looks like a poor refurb.

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

Well, mine wasn't. All FA* lenses I've owned had plastic outer bodies (28-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 200/4, 600/4) and plastic hoods (maybe the 85mm is an exception. Don't own it any longer but the name of the hood will tell; is it labeled MH or PH?) except for the 600mm. Only the FA* 600/4 was an exception but only partly - the part with the focus window is plastic.

Given the generous weight of the lens and the lack of comments regarding broken plastic parts, the claim of all metal bears credence.

Steve

**Pål Jensen** · 11-15-2021, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Given the generous weight of the lens and the lack of comments regarding broken plastic parts, the claim of all metal bears credence.

Steve

The weight comes from the metal lens tubes and mechanisms (exception is the 28-70 where the front lens tubes are plastic). The metal tube can be seen in front of the focus ring on the image that includes the hood bayonet mount. The focus ring and the part the focus window is glued to is plastic on all FA* lenses I've seen....

11-14-2021, 06:00 AM	#1
dkpentax Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 132	On UK eBay - FA 85 1.4 se - anodized finish instead of silver paint Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. SMC Pentax FA f/1.4 85mm Lens Pentax \| eBay can't find any reference to this anywhere but seems to be real, anyone seen this before? Attached Images

11-15-2021, 02:58 AM	#10
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,216	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II Not all FA* 85mm had the text autofocus above the window All FA85 did* have the autofocus text. The focus ring would be pushed forward to reveal the text when in the AF mode. For manual focus you pull the focus ring back, hiding the text. The FA* 24mm f2 has the same operation. Last edited by pschlute; 11-15-2021 at 03:18 AM.

11-15-2021, 03:50 AM	#13
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by pschlute The FA* 85mm is made of metal. Every silver bit of the lens is aluminium, including the hood. I cannot be 100% certain there was never a SE black version produced, but if there was I have never seen one. This one looks like a poor refurb. Well, mine wasn't. All FA* lenses I've owned had plastic outer bodies (28-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 200/4, 600/4) and plastic hoods (maybe the 85mm is an exception. Don't own it any longer but the name of the hood will tell; is it labeled MH or PH?) except for the 600mm. Only the FA* 600/4 was an exception but only partly - the part with the focus window is plastic. Last edited by Pål Jensen; 11-15-2021 at 03:59 AM.

11-15-2021, 10:00 AM	#15
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by stevebrot Given the generous weight of the lens and the lack of comments regarding broken plastic parts, the claim of all metal bears credence. Steve The weight comes from the metal lens tubes and mechanisms (exception is the 28-70 where the front lens tubes are plastic). The metal tube can be seen in front of the focus ring on the image that includes the hood bayonet mount. The focus ring and the part the focus window is glued to is plastic on all FA* lenses I've seen.... Last edited by Pål Jensen; 11-15-2021 at 10:11 AM.

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11-14-2021, 06:55 AM	#2
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Someone have removed the paint. Don't think it is anodized. It is plastic after all... No wonder as the silver paint is very prone to scratches.

11-14-2021, 07:02 AM	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	looks like a custom job - up to the seller/buyer if it actually adds to the value of the lens....

11-14-2021, 09:02 AM	#4
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,295	You can see where they missed a little silver by the badge. I did not know there was an "se" version, what was the difference?

11-14-2021, 09:56 AM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	The description says it is seller refurbished. The "anodizing" looks pretty rough and I not sure why the aperture ring lettering would be gray. I would pass. Steve

11-14-2021, 09:59 AM	#6
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	The "Auto Focus" text above the focus window is gone with the paint. Not anodized. It is the black plastic underneath the paint that's exposed. The value of the lens is halved - at least....

11-14-2021, 04:06 PM - 1 Like	#7
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	Originally posted by Pål Jensen The "Auto Focus" text above the focus window is gone with the paint. Not anodized. It is the black plastic underneath the paint that's exposed. The value of the lens is halved - at least.... Plastic underneath the paint?! The 85/1.4 has a metal barrel, not plastic (at least my copy does).

11-14-2021, 04:11 PM	#8
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by shyrsio Plastic underneath the paint?! The 85/1.4 has a metal barrel, not plastic (at least my copy does). Mine was plastic. The lens tubes are metal but the outer lens body is painted black plastic.

11-14-2021, 07:52 PM	#9
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,627	Originally posted by ramseybuckeye I did not know there was an "se" version, what was the difference? The "se" was put there by the individual you refinished the lens, perhaps.

11-15-2021, 03:02 AM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II Not all FA* 85mm had the text autofocus above the window. See this picture https://i.pinimg.com/originals/03/b3/3a/03b33aea8907c05f689ab03ab3770149.jpg or https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/fengwei/Misc/FA85_1_zpsl9l1nayb.jpg. Funny thing is that the rear cap looks "anodized" too. And as you cannot anodize plastic, I am lead to believe, it must be paint. And anodizing the barrel means that the lens must be taken apart completely and then inside and outside will be treated. But how does it all fit together after the treatment when all the gear and lenses inside are usually a tight fit and should be smooth? Although this version of the lens should have autofocus above the window, because this is the version that has room between the window and the focus ring for the text. Do you have any insight in regards to the SE label? Steve

11-15-2021, 03:45 AM	#12
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,216	Originally posted by Pål Jensen Mine was plastic. The lens tubes are metal but the outer lens body is painted black plastic. My FA* 85mm is made of metal. Every silver bit of the lens is aluminium, including the hood. I cannot be 100% certain there was never a SE black version produced, but if there was I have never seen one. This one looks like a poor refurb.

11-15-2021, 09:09 AM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pschlute My FA* 85mm is made of metal. Every silver bit of the lens is aluminium, including the hood. I cannot be 100% certain there was never a SE black version produced, but if there was I have never seen one. This one looks like a poor refurb. Originally posted by Pål Jensen Well, mine wasn't. All FA* lenses I've owned had plastic outer bodies (28-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 200/4, 600/4) and plastic hoods (maybe the 85mm is an exception. Don't own it any longer but the name of the hood will tell; is it labeled MH or PH?) except for the 600mm. Only the FA* 600/4 was an exception but only partly - the part with the focus window is plastic. Given the generous weight of the lens and the lack of comments regarding broken plastic parts, the claim of all metal bears credence. Steve