Originally posted by gofour3 The 85mm focal length on a film camera is like a “super standard” lens with a maximum aperture the same as a 50mm lens. (Example a K85/1.8 and a K55/1.8)
Pentax however marketed the 85mm as a telephoto, ideal for portraiture. (An 85mm is not much of “telephoto” lens, as it would not be your fist choice to shoot wildlife from a distance)
As a result the 85mm was more of a specialty lens and also had a higher MSRP due to the faster speed and special optics. Most non professionals SLR consumers would have opted for a 135mm, which is a decent telephoto focal length on a film camera and can also be used as a portrait lens.
Sales of the 85mm would also be much lower than the 135mm, so they are more expensive today on the used market.
Interestingly, I recently stretched the limits a bit with my Jupiter-9 85/2 and used it along with my Vivitar 135/2.8 for a couple of wakeboarding shots on film. As you note, the 135 gave the extra reach that made the difference for that subject. I was surprised, though, that the J-9 actually did a fairly credible job of delivering the traditional telephoto perspective and focus isolation. I can see that it might be useful for all kinds of subjects where you want the cropped perspective of a tele but are hindered by a close working space and/or need a more compact package with low light capability. Things that come to mind are small to medium stage productions and music venues, basketball, racketball, entertainment clubs, and such when shooting film.
On APS-C, an 85 suddenly becomes a fast medium tele, great for all kinds of subjects in all kinds of light. Woo! Hoo!
Steve
(Here are the
wakeboarding shots if anyone is interested...)