[zmohie]

I think we will see another delay for this lens for fear of negatively impacting on 50mm lens sales

[Rondec]

I think we will see another delay for this lens for fear of negatively impacting on 50mm lens sales

Doubt it. For one thing, they are very different focal lengths (50mm being the classsic "normal lens" while the 85mm is the classic portrait lens). For another, there is enough time distance between these releases that people who interested in buying the DFA *50 will already have done so.

In a sense, I see it the same as the FA limiteds. If you bought the FA 43 limited, would you suddenly be disinterested in purchasing the FA 77? My observations tell me the opposite. People who begin to shoot with good glass have a greater desire to shoot with more good glass. My guess is the same will be true of the DFA * primes (for those who can afford them).

[aurele]

Once you've used amazing lenses, it's hard to go back to averages one.

I'm pretty sure that if the 85 is as good as the dfa*50, it will sell like hotcakes ! If the 85 is priced 1200$, it's only 150$ more expensive than second hand FA*85. And i bet that everyone will go for the newer one at that price !

[repaap]

It can be one year from now. When DFA*85 is coming..52 weeks. 25€/ week... that could propably be enough. Or close. Make it 30 and there you have it

[k1man]

Once you've used amazing lenses, it's hard to go back to averages one.

I'm pretty sure that if the 85 is as good as the dfa*50, it will sell like hotcakes ! If the 85 is priced 1200$, it's only 150$ more expensive than second hand FA*85. And i bet that everyone will go for the newer one at that price !

Hi, I purchased the FA*85mm F1.4, silly me, paid way too much 1,110$ + 293E tax, now just save for the new 85 and hopefully the fisheye zoom, Ian

[dcpropilot]

The FA* 85 is still an amazing lens.

[clackers]

The FA* 85 is still an amazing lens.

Sure, and someone may get to buy K1man's when he upgrades.

[northcoastgreg]

I think we will see another delay for this lens for fear of negatively impacting on 50mm lens sales

You can be sure Pentax is trying to get these lenses out as quickly as they can. They're such ambitious designs that it's taking time. One question might be whether Saori, who's project team designed the DFA* 50, is also working on the DFA* 85. There's a two year gap between Saori's previous lens, the DFA* 70-200. If there's another two year gap between the DFA* 50 and the DFA* 85, that would push the release of the 85mm lens to 2020. But maybe there's a different project team working on the DA* 85. Or maybe Saori and his team solved some of the most pressing problems with making such a lens with the DFA* 50, and work on the DFA* 85 will be that much quicker.

[Kunzite]

Let's not forget, the D FA* 50mm was delayed because of a mechanical design issue (they now know how to solve it). Previously, it was said that development took longer because of the ring-type motor.
So it wasn't Mr. Masakazu Saori's fault

[repaap]

Kenspo said already couple months a go that 85 and other fast DFA* is delayed because of that 70-200/4 zoom is coming. And it needs to ome soon. He was little upset about that, because he is trying to get pros interested of the brand and pros are interested if there is those fast lenses, or not..but there seems to be bigger need to get those 70-200/4 on the shelves. Perhaps there has been some feedback from *2.8 zoom...

[Kunzite]

Or perhaps we complained too much about the lack of modern-but-slower lenses.

[repaap]

Or perhaps we complained too much about the lack of modern-but-slower lenses.

Actually there is need for them. 70-200/4 24-105/4 18-35/4 100-300/4 but those would not still do what 85/1.4 does. And they would still actually cost some serious €€

[beholder3]

Actually there is need for them. 70-200/4 24-105/4 18-35/4 100-300/4 but those would not still do what 85/1.4 does. And they would still actually cost some serious €€

And according to the latest survey here with 1600 people participating, none of the lenses you listed are anywhere near the top 10 most wanted lenses. The most demanded lens had 103 votes.

• 70-200/4 - 38 votes
• 24-105/4 - 49 votes
• 18-35/4 - 15 votes
• 100-300/4 - 10 votes

The top 20 lenses ended at 53 votes.


Be happy that the 70-200/4 is on the roadmap.

[Kunzite]

Ricoh Imaging had their own, much more extensive survey. They prioritized the D FA* 50mm according to that.

---------- Post added 14-08-18 at 08:12 PM ----------

Actually there is need for them. 70-200/4 24-105/4 18-35/4 100-300/4 but those would not still do what 85/1.4 does. And they would still actually cost some serious €€

Actually:
- a 70-200 f/4 is on the roadmap
- the 24-105/4 is not that much needed, as we have the excellent 28-105
- the 100-300/4 is not that much needed, as we have the excellent 150-450

One could make a point for almost any lens. But, they have to cover gaps, the largest and most diverse, the better.

[ffking]

I personally think that the prestige lenses are what's most needed - the lenses that make people sit up and notice Pentax, or consider the system just for that lens. The 70-200/4 is not a * lens and will probably be based on the Tokina as part of some sort of reciprocal deal (based on sudden appearance near date) - a useful fill-in for Pentaxian landscapers, but not a drawcard. If they can do for the already excellent 85mm what they did for the 50mm, a few non-Pentaxians are going to want one!