I personally think the FA* 85 belongs amongst the short tele classics from Pentax. I've never had a problem with its performance at longer than portrait distances.
I don't see how the 77 could be "way superior optically" to the FA* 85. I've never used the 77 but the FA* is nearly as sharp as the A* 85 from my experience, which is quite a feat. It shows a bit more flare than the A* 85, but it also has much less CA, and in my opinion better color rendition. Considering the A* 85 and 77 Ltd have the same optical formula I imagine their optical perfomance is similar.
Anyway, I bet the reason the 77 Ltd is still around while the 85mm is not is because it's cheaper, smaller, and is part of the FA Ltd series which is extremely popular and still being produced. I would be extremely surprised if it had anything to do with optical quality and the FA* 85 is a very good lens.
Originally posted by Pål Jensen Because the 77 Limited is way superior optically to the FA* 85/1.4. It's optical quality is constant regardless of focusing distance something that can not be said about the FA* 85/1.4. In the 90's, when the FA* 85/1.4 was available, lots Pentax users tried to find the superior A* lens instead and paid more for it used than the FA* costed brand new.
The 77 is also cheaper and more compact a sell a LOT better.....
The FA 77 Limited have it's place among Pentax short telephoto classics; the K 85/1.8, A* 85/1.4 and the 77/1.8 Limited. ..