Pentax FA* 85mm f/1.4 samples

pid · 07-01-2016, 05:23 AM

Originally posted by LeRolls

Hmm... a lot of PF members have been asking me this question lately both on the forums and through private message. I've only had the FA 85 for a little over 2 weeks now but I've used it exclusively on 6 shoots trying to get a good feel for it. I am not a lens/camera expert with decades of experience the way Digitalis is but based off of my limited time I would say the following about the 85 over the 77:

-Faster and more accurate AF (higher keeper rate)
-Sharper at equivalent apertures
-Slightly more nuanced/subtle rendering and character to the images (a different kind of pixie dust that I find to be slightly more sophisticated which I understand is somewhat subjective)
-Softer and slightly more appealing bokeh (again somewhat subjective)
-Skin tones are rendered in such a way as not to require as much post-processing as the 77 while still maintaining good sharpness/detail
-The lens coatings seem better too as there is less flaring and better contrast when the subject is backlit

The main negatives are that it is much bigger, heavier, more expensive, and considerably harder to find than the 77. Took me months to find a good working copy on eBay and even then I had to thoroughly clean the contacts with alcohol.

I do consider the 77 to be a marvel of lens engineering and it was my favorite lens for quite some time. There really is nothing else available quite like it from any other manufacturer. I will most definitely be keeping my copy for future use on the K-1 but for now I am going through the honeymoon phase with the 85 and I am loving every minute.

Thank you for your opinion. By the way '26 No.1: wonderfull!

jake14mw · 07-01-2016, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by LeRolls

You guys are much too kind! Much appreciated.

...
When everything is said and done though I mostly just do what feels right in the moment.

Thanks for the reply. Be thankful that your feelings work! There are many of us out there that just don't see and feel things the way people like you do. Please keep posting your work here.

LeRolls · 07-01-2016, 10:49 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by jake14mw

Thanks for the reply. Be thankful that your feelings work! There are many of us out there that just don't see and feel things the way people like you do. Please keep posting your work here.

You are quite welcome and yes I am grateful for my own natural abilities. I will.

LeRolls · 07-03-2016, 03:06 PM - **6 Likes**

Last edited by LeRolls; 07-03-2016 at 10:00 PM.

LeRolls · 07-05-2016, 09:21 PM

LeRolls · 11-06-2016, 12:20 PM - **5 Likes**

Nguyen Nam · 11-20-2016, 08:29 PM - **3 Likes**

sweet November, on Flickr

maverickh · 11-30-2016, 07:30 PM

ranchy · 12-18-2016, 07:32 PM

LeRolls · 12-21-2016, 06:13 AM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by Nguyen Nam

sweet November, on Flickr

sweet November, on Flickr

Lovely shots and nice examples of what this lens is capable of.

Nice to see others posting their shots as well.

maverickh · 01-18-2017, 08:14 AM

Nice setting sun.

SBeck · 02-23-2017, 01:39 PM

LeRolls · 11-07-2017, 09:56 PM - **2 Likes**

Sandy Hancock · 11-07-2017, 10:47 PM - **6 Likes**

LeRolls · 11-08-2017, 09:46 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I see you doing your thing with the FA 85.

07-01-2016, 10:49 PM - 2 Likes	#33
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Originally posted by jake14mw Thanks for the reply. Be thankful that your feelings work! There are many of us out there that just don't see and feel things the way people like you do. Please keep posting your work here. You are quite welcome and yes I am grateful for my own natural abilities. I will. Last edited by LeRolls; 11-06-2016 at 11:49 AM.

07-05-2016, 09:21 PM	#35
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Last edited by LeRolls; 11-06-2016 at 11:49 AM.

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07-01-2016, 05:23 AM	#31
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	Originally posted by LeRolls Hmm... a lot of PF members have been asking me this question lately both on the forums and through private message. I've only had the FA 85 for a little over 2 weeks now but I've used it exclusively on 6 shoots trying to get a good feel for it. I am not a lens/camera expert with decades of experience the way Digitalis is but based off of my limited time I would say the following about the 85 over the 77: -Faster and more accurate AF (higher keeper rate) -Sharper at equivalent apertures -Slightly more nuanced/subtle rendering and character to the images (a different kind of pixie dust that I find to be slightly more sophisticated which I understand is somewhat subjective) -Softer and slightly more appealing bokeh (again somewhat subjective) -Skin tones are rendered in such a way as not to require as much post-processing as the 77 while still maintaining good sharpness/detail -The lens coatings seem better too as there is less flaring and better contrast when the subject is backlit The main negatives are that it is much bigger, heavier, more expensive, and considerably harder to find than the 77. Took me months to find a good working copy on eBay and even then I had to thoroughly clean the contacts with alcohol. I do consider the 77 to be a marvel of lens engineering and it was my favorite lens for quite some time. There really is nothing else available quite like it from any other manufacturer. I will most definitely be keeping my copy for future use on the K-1 but for now I am going through the honeymoon phase with the 85 and I am loving every minute. Thank you for your opinion. By the way '26 No.1: wonderfull!

07-01-2016, 08:02 PM	#32
jake14mw Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 977	Originally posted by LeRolls You guys are much too kind! Much appreciated. ... When everything is said and done though I mostly just do what feels right in the moment. Thanks for the reply. Be thankful that your feelings work! There are many of us out there that just don't see and feel things the way people like you do. Please keep posting your work here.

07-03-2016, 03:06 PM - 6 Likes	#34
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Last edited by LeRolls; 07-03-2016 at 10:00 PM.

11-06-2016, 12:20 PM - 5 Likes	#36
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504

11-20-2016, 08:29 PM - 3 Likes	#37
Nguyen Nam Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hanoi Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 213	sweet November, on Flickr sweet November, on Flickr

11-30-2016, 07:30 PM	#38
maverickh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: singapore Posts: 467

12-18-2016, 07:32 PM	#39
ranchy Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 570

12-21-2016, 06:13 AM - 5 Likes	#40
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Originally posted by Nguyen Nam sweet November, on Flickr sweet November, on Flickr Lovely shots and nice examples of what this lens is capable of. Nice to see others posting their shots as well.

01-18-2017, 08:14 AM	#41
maverickh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: singapore Posts: 467	Nice setting sun.

02-23-2017, 01:39 PM	#42
SBeck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 113

11-07-2017, 10:47 PM - 6 Likes	#44
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275

11-07-2017, 09:56 PM - 2 Likes	#43
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504

11-08-2017, 09:46 AM	#45
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I see you doing your thing with the FA 85.