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**pepperberry farm** · 04-05-2020, 06:22 PM - **5 Likes**

I am surprised to find this lens missing from the Archive:

**pepperberry farm** · 04-05-2020, 06:23 PM - **1 Like**

**pres589** · 04-05-2020, 06:39 PM

How long did it take you to find one of these?

**pepperberry farm** · 04-05-2020, 06:43 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pres589

How long did it take you to find one of these?

it wasn't so much finding one (they are rare) but finding one that was a reasonable price....

about six months or so... I flirted with buying a Sigma 85/1.4 EX DG, but they seem to be nearly as much in price, so I figured I'd hold out for the Zeiss...

**pepperberry farm** · 04-05-2020, 06:59 PM - **2 Likes**

**pepperberry farm** · 04-05-2020, 07:04 PM - **2 Likes**

Unregistered User 8 · 04-05-2020, 07:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I am surprised to find this lens missing from the Archive:

Not anymore Dave.

Excellent pix.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-05-2020, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by pjv

Not anymore Dave.

Excellent pix.

thank you - more to come...

zapp · 04-05-2020, 10:46 PM

With the DFA pricing of old glass will become much more reasonable. Sigma 1.4/85 as well as the FA and A 1.4/85 are overrated. They are very nice lenses, but low numbers and no modern design as competition result in very high asking prices. The ZK version will always feel special, but check pricing for a used Canon, Nikon version and you know what it is worth.
What will the DPR article on best portrait lenses for Pentax look like? Get the old 77mm design that is still a great performer, but stuck in an old body. Find a 15 year discontinued 85mm lens in mint condition...wait for the new DFA....

hcc · 04-06-2020, 12:38 AM - **1 Like**

There are 8 user reviews, incl. mine:
Carl Zeiss 85mm F1.4 Planar ZK T* Lens Reviews - Carl Zeiss Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

A great lens IMHO, a bit heavy, but superb IQ and great focus ring sensitivity.

My 5 cents.

Jome · 04-06-2020, 01:17 AM - **1 Like**

@pepperberry farm

Hello,

For the same budget, which of the lens would You have taken:
This lens or the FA* 85/1.4? (I had the two available at the same time but I had only budget for one, so I went for the FA*)
Thank you for the answer.

Kind regards.

J.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-06-2020, 03:45 AM

Originally posted by Jome

@pepperberry farm

Hello,

For the same budget, which of the lens would You have taken:
This lens or the FA* 85/1.4? (I had the two available at the same time but I had only budget for one, so I went for the FA*)
Thank you for the answer.

Kind regards.

J.

AF vs MF is not an issue for me at all, but in comparing photos of both, the Zeiss has a depth that the Pentax does not...

**UncleVanya** · 04-06-2020, 04:23 AM

Originally posted by zapp

With the DFA pricing of old glass will become much more reasonable. Sigma 1.4/85 as well as the FA and A 1.4/85 are overrated. They are very nice lenses, but low numbers and no modern design as competition result in very high asking prices. The ZK version will always feel special, but check pricing for a used Canon, Nikon version and you know what it is worth.
What will the DPR article on best portrait lenses for Pentax look like? Get the old 77mm design that is still a great performer, but stuck in an old body. Find a 15 year discontinued 85mm lens in mint condition...wait for the new DFA....

I used to own the A* and while prices are high, the relative rarity of that lens, the absolutely butter smooth focusing and sharp as a razor image make it a worthwhile lens at the price. In my case poor eyesight made manual focus a challenge. I sold mine and bought the fa 77 (new) and fa 31 (used) - both at fire sale pricing. But even now I miss the feel and look of that lens. My copy was like new and was a joy to behold. However selling it allowed someone else to enjoy it with better eyes for manual focus.

Jome · 04-06-2020, 04:23 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

AF vs MF is not an issue for me at all, but in comparing photos of both, the Zeiss has a depth that the Pentax does not...

Thanks (note for me: damn it!)

**pepperberry farm** · 04-06-2020, 04:39 AM

Originally posted by Jome

Thanks (note for me: damn it!)

that's also just my opinion and according to my eyes...

04-05-2020, 06:22 PM - 5 Likes	#1
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781	Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4 ZK T* I am surprised to find this lens missing from the Archive:

04-05-2020, 10:46 PM	#9
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,389	With the DFA pricing of old glass will become much more reasonable. Sigma 1.4/85 as well as the FA and A 1.4/85 are overrated. They are very nice lenses, but low numbers and no modern design as competition result in very high asking prices. The ZK version will always feel special, but check pricing for a used Canon, Nikon version and you know what it is worth. What will the DPR article on best portrait lenses for Pentax look like? Get the old 77mm design that is still a great performer, but stuck in an old body. Find a 15 year discontinued 85mm lens in mint condition...wait for the new DFA.... Last edited by zapp; 04-05-2020 at 10:52 PM.

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04-05-2020, 06:23 PM - 1 Like	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781 Original Poster

04-05-2020, 06:39 PM	#3
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	How long did it take you to find one of these?

04-05-2020, 06:43 PM - 1 Like	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781 Original Poster	Originally posted by pres589 How long did it take you to find one of these? it wasn't so much finding one (they are rare) but finding one that was a reasonable price.... about six months or so... I flirted with buying a Sigma 85/1.4 EX DG, but they seem to be nearly as much in price, so I figured I'd hold out for the Zeiss...

04-05-2020, 06:59 PM - 2 Likes	#5
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781 Original Poster

04-05-2020, 07:04 PM - 2 Likes	#6
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781 Original Poster

04-05-2020, 07:08 PM - 1 Like	#7
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I am surprised to find this lens missing from the Archive: Not anymore Dave. Excellent pix.

04-05-2020, 07:55 PM	#8
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781 Original Poster	Originally posted by pjv Not anymore Dave. Excellent pix. thank you - more to come...

04-06-2020, 12:38 AM - 1 Like	#10
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	There are 8 user reviews, incl. mine: Carl Zeiss 85mm F1.4 Planar ZK T* Lens Reviews - Carl Zeiss Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database A great lens IMHO, a bit heavy, but superb IQ and great focus ring sensitivity. My 5 cents.

04-06-2020, 01:17 AM - 1 Like	#11
Jome Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 784	@pepperberry farm Hello, For the same budget, which of the lens would You have taken: This lens or the FA* 85/1.4? (I had the two available at the same time but I had only budget for one, so I went for the FA*) Thank you for the answer. Kind regards. J.

04-06-2020, 03:45 AM	#12
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jome @pepperberry farm Hello, For the same budget, which of the lens would You have taken: This lens or the FA* 85/1.4? (I had the two available at the same time but I had only budget for one, so I went for the FA*) Thank you for the answer. Kind regards. J. AF vs MF is not an issue for me at all, but in comparing photos of both, the Zeiss has a depth that the Pentax does not...

04-06-2020, 04:23 AM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	Originally posted by zapp With the DFA pricing of old glass will become much more reasonable. Sigma 1.4/85 as well as the FA and A 1.4/85 are overrated. They are very nice lenses, but low numbers and no modern design as competition result in very high asking prices. The ZK version will always feel special, but check pricing for a used Canon, Nikon version and you know what it is worth. What will the DPR article on best portrait lenses for Pentax look like? Get the old 77mm design that is still a great performer, but stuck in an old body. Find a 15 year discontinued 85mm lens in mint condition...wait for the new DFA.... I used to own the A* and while prices are high, the relative rarity of that lens, the absolutely butter smooth focusing and sharp as a razor image make it a worthwhile lens at the price. In my case poor eyesight made manual focus a challenge. I sold mine and bought the fa 77 (new) and fa 31 (used) - both at fire sale pricing. But even now I miss the feel and look of that lens. My copy was like new and was a joy to behold. However selling it allowed someone else to enjoy it with better eyes for manual focus.

04-06-2020, 04:23 AM - 1 Like	#14
Jome Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 784	Originally posted by pepperberry farm AF vs MF is not an issue for me at all, but in comparing photos of both, the Zeiss has a depth that the Pentax does not... Thanks (note for me: damn it!)

04-06-2020, 04:39 AM	#15
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,781 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jome Thanks (note for me: damn it!) that's also just my opinion and according to my eyes...

Carl Zeiss Planar 85mm f1.4 ZK T*

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