[Rondec]

Exactly... choice is good. As for redoing the FA's why? They are still the most coveted lens in Pentaxland, just the way they are. Unless they can modernize them without touching the optical formulas, hands of.

I wouldn't see why you couldn't modernize them without messing with the formula. I own the DFA 100 macro WR, that I mentioned before and my understanding is that optically it is the same as the DFA 100 macro, but they just sealed it, rounded the aperture blades, and got rid of the aperture ring and focus limiter. Otherwise it is the same lens, but has a nicer feel.

[Kunzite]

SO do we actually know the Sigma 85 1.4 is better than the Pentax FA 85 1.4? We do know that forum users don't rate it as high. Yet we don't know of a single review that agrees, so what are the reviews worth to Pentax users?

I'm willing to bet the Sigma is measurably "better", though if it gets more pleasing images, that's another story...
I guess this new D FA* will both measure "better", and be much appreciated by its users.

---------- Post added 15-03-17 at 11:42 PM ----------

I think the point is to have both available. Those who sharp edge to edge lenses and don't care about size can use the DFA * lenses. Those who want smaller less corrected lenses that still have excellent center sharpness can buy the FA limiteds. Those who just have severe LBA will buy all of them and go through withdrawals just with thought of selling any of them.

I just hope Pentax doesn't leave the limited philosophy behind just because they are adding the DFA * lenses to it.

I agree with the necessity of two lines (and maybe a third, a budget-oriented one - mind you, I'm not talking about full lens lines, each mirroring the others); for now of course the Limiteds will have to do. On the longer term, though? Maybe they won't be replaced, but alternatives could be made.

[monochrome]

I wouldn't see why you couldn't modernize them without messing with the formula. I own the DFA 100 macro WR, that I mentioned before and my understanding is that optically it is the same as the DFA 100 macro, but they just sealed it, rounded the aperture blades, and got rid of the aperture ring and focus limiter. Otherwise it is the same lens, but has a nicer feel.

Rounding the blades may be too large a change (and the aperture ring has a certain charm that doesn't hurt anything given the A setting).

I think they would be insane to change anything, but I'm a decided minority.

[pres589]

Rounding the blades on the DA 40 XS doesn't seem to have hurt it any when they lifted the optical design from the DA 40 Ltd.

[zapp]

Rounding the blades may be too large a change (and the aperture ring has a certain charm that doesn't hurt anything given the A setting).

I think they would be insane to change anything, but I'm a decided minority.

The FA* series would need more than just rounded aperture blades to become a new series of winners. D-FA 100 macro still has old fashioned AF, no AF limiter, but the optical formula works for digital. FA* formula has some trouble plus rounded blades are missing yadiyadiya. No updates in the near future. Sell as long as you can and prepare something new (derived from f/1.4 when needed).

[Rondec]

Rounding the blades may be too large a change (and the aperture ring has a certain charm that doesn't hurt anything given the A setting).

I think they would be insane to change anything, but I'm a decided minority.

I guess. I don't really care about the aperture ring and Pentax hasn't had a new lens with one since the last FA limited was released, I suppose. Rounding the aperture blades probably isn't the big thing, but if they sealed the FA limiteds, that would be awfully nice, along with the quick shift capability. When Pentax updated the DA limiteds to HD DA limiteds, the price really didn't change much either.

I don't know if it would be enough for me to buy new versions of the FA limiteds, but depending on the price, I would think hard about it.

[Kaisas]

Any guess how much will be new d fa 85mm?
And which price range would be fair?

[mee]

any guess how much will be new d fa 85mm?
And which price range would be fair?

1100-1300 usd

[wed7]

Any guess how much will be new d fa 85mm?
And which price range would be fair?

North of $1500.

But I do not know if it is fair or not. =)

[OoKU]

Any guess how much will be new d fa 85mm?
And which price range would be fair?

1600-1700 USD
You konw sigma 85/1.4 Art is 1199USD
SONY 85/1.4 GM 1800USD

[clackers]

Any guess how much will be new d fa 85mm?
And which price range would be fair?

Since Pentax seems to be proclaiming itself as a niche, premium brand, my guess is very expensive, Kaisas.

So the smaller and cheaper 77mm and 70mm Ltds, manual lenses like the Samyang 85mm and legacy AF lenses like the Sigma 85mm f1.4 may be more realistic acquisitions for most forum members.

The D FA 24-70mm and 15-30mm were priced higher than the Tamrons available for Canikon because like this 85mm, there was no current K-mount version on sale.

[Rondec]

Any guess how much will be new d fa 85mm?
And which price range would be fair?

1599 usd. Price may drop by a couple of hundred when on special discount.

[D1N0]

It will probably be priced competitively compared to Canon, Sony and Nikon. Nikon is the cheapest at $1600 so around that price or a little below.

[beholder3]

Any guess how much will be new d fa 85mm?
And which price range would be fair?

The benchmark is always the latest lens with same specs.
That is the Sony which was introduced at 2,000 EUR. But that was before the recent 10-20% price increases for optical stuff from Japan.
So an intro price of 2,200 EUR (about 2400 USD) would be fairly competitive.
Maybe they go cheap and start at 2,000 EUR.
If they think it's premium, they go higher.

[hoanpham]

I tend to agree with you. To me it's looking as if they're planning to launch another holy trinity: the D-FA* 85mm/50mm/35mm F1.4 series. Highly durable and optically in the same region as Zeiss and Leica. Why not?

and 28mm/24mm F1.4.

The only 28mm f1.4 is Leica and old Nikon. Why stop here?