Originally posted by repaap ... Except A*85 which is collector item almost already.. just my 2 cent.
It's a bit more than that
It's one of the best (if not the best!) MF lens Pentax has ever made.
A touch too sharp for portrait use, IMHO, but still a great photographic tool for practical use. On top of that, it's a pleasure to handle... which positively affects the number and the quality of the pictures you take with it. I find that the mechanical quality has an impact on the actual outcome of the photographic process, that works its magic even on people who would never call themselves "collectors".
I believe the A Star's are a very special bunch of lenses. It's a real pity the prices are so high. I wish I had bought the 135mm when prices where at their lowest