[yeatzee]

Im hoping its around or under FA 77mm ltd. price range... or I doubt I'll buy it

[Pentaxor]

Any idea in US$ this lens will debut for? If it's around 800-1000...I'll stick with a manual lens from Pentax which is probably better overall anyway.

Jason

how can you say it's better overall because of pricing? you haven't tried the lens yet. and it's an AF lens that would rival the manual focus Pentax 85's price range.

[Clinton]

I finally caved and picked up a FA* 85mm/1.4 and I have to say, the lens is amazing. I was going to wait for the Sigma to hit the market, however reading a review from Adam in the lens review section pushed me over the edge.

Even if it's only $800 (and I predict $950) for ~$300 more you could own the Pentax FA* which is simply an awesome lens.

[Pentaxor]

I finally caved and picked up a FA* 85mm/1.4 and I have to say, the lens is amazing. I was going to wait for the Sigma to hit the market, however reading a review from Adam in the lens review section pushed me over the edge.

Even if it's only $800 (and I predict $950) for ~$300 more you could own the Pentax FA* which is simply an awesome lens.

$800 is pretty good to me.

[Russell-Evans]

Even if it's only $800 (and I predict $950) for ~$300 more you could own the Pentax FA* which is simply an awesome lens.

Three year extended warranty plus one year standard warranty. It is just is a lot of money for me to spend without a safety net.

I hope it hits the market soon, not that I will be buying right away, just that that is when the clock starts ticking to the time the street price stabilizes. The Sigma 50mm f1.4 is around $500 now, I expect the 85mm f1.4 to be around that at some point.

Thank you
Russell

[MrCynical]

do you guys things it will be worth the cash?

Depends greatly on how much cash is involved! :P

On a more serious note, the Sigma 50 f1.4 is a great lens and if the 85 is of similar optical quality (perhaps with slightly better QC) and offers a similar price advantage over the Pentax equivalent then it could be fabulous. Probably still not in my price range though!

[Blue]

Sigma should be posting a price on the 85mm f1.4 in the next few weeks.

85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM - Standard Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

It doesn't have the aperture ring so Sigma says it nor the Nikon version will support bodies that can't electronically control aperture. It is also HSM only so nonHSM Pentax and Nikon bodies will be mf only.

What is strange is they say SF bodies won't work with it, but they describe it as an aps-c lens. However, it apparently works on ff (film) bodies.

Im hoping its around or under FA 77mm ltd. price range... or I doubt I'll buy it

I wouldn't buy it if it were = in price to the FA 77mm. However, I won't be surprised if the msrp hits $900-1100.

[yeatzee]

Sigma should be posting a price on the 85mm f1.4 in the next few weeks.

85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM - Standard Prime Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

It doesn't have the aperture ring so Sigma says it nor the Nikon version will support bodies that can't electronically control aperture. It is also HSM only so nonHSM Pentax and Nikon bodies will be mf only.

What is strange is they say SF bodies won't work with it, but they describe it as an aps-c lens. However, it apparently works on ff (film) bodies.



I wouldn't buy it if it were = in price to the FA 77mm. However, I won't be surprised if the msrp hits $900-1100.

I don't quite understand the bolded. Does that mean it will be a MF lens on my K-7?

Also, out of curiosity why wouldnt you buy it at that price?

[Blue]

I don't quite understand the bolded. Does that mean it will be a MF lens on my K-7?

Also, out of curiosity why wouldnt you buy it at that price?

Your K-7 is an "HSM" body under Sigma speak since they refer to the SDM and equivalent systems "HSM." In the bolded part is nonHSM bodies will be mf only.

Edit: Its official name is 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM. HSM = Hyper-Sonic motor

[yeatzee]

So what is an example of a non-HSM pentax body?

[Blue]

So what is an example of a non-HSM pentax body?

Basically pre-K10d bodies. Although an earlier K10d may be if it hasn't had its firmware updated. Remember, in Pentax language this is SDM.

Edit: It will work with your K-7 and K200d.

[pinholecam]

I believe that many new Pentax users with limited access/exposure to old lenses will lap this up pretty quick. There has been so many pictures and posts declaring the wondrous qualities of 85mm and f1.4.

Logically though, I would seriously consider a 77ltd or a FA* if the price was near $800-900.

I'm not interested in it atm since I have satisfied LBA for 85mm lenses with a Jupiter, M and FA*

[Pentaxor]

thanks for the clarification Blue.

[Jasvox]

how can you say it's better overall because of pricing? you haven't tried the lens yet. and it's an AF lens that would rival the manual focus Pentax 85's price range.

I said Probably better overall...probably, not definitely. It's an opinion.

Jason

[Pentaxor]

ok. I'm going to bite the bullet on this one and I won't wait for the reviews to come out. I got great confidence on the Sigma 85 would be a powerhouse. now I just got to sell 1 or 2 more lenses to minimize the cost and afford it.