[Rondec]

It should be popular but that's a bold statement, especially considering the existence of the FA77 and the existence of mainstream focal lengths focal lengths like 50.

Or maybe by "coveted" you mean "not purchased, but wished for"? In that case I agree, although the 200mm macro will be a strong contestant

Coveted? Definitely the 200 macro.
For the 85, I have the Sigma 70, the Tamron 90, the DFA 100 and the DA* 55 1.4, just among primes. The area around 85mm is an already heavily populated focal length.
Now lets discuss zooms.
DA*60-250, F 70-210, DA 55-300 PLM, DA 18-135, DA 16-85, you have to really want that 1.4 to want this lens.

The 85 ƒ1.4 T 1.4, at 3 meters DOF is .1 meter
The DA*200 2.8 at 5 meters is .1 meter
DA* 55 1.4 at 2 meters .11 meter

If you want narrow DoF, you might already have a lens that will get you the image you want.

Unless you're a working pro like LeRolls and that's the focal length you're most comfortable using day in day out it would be hard to justify, at least for me.

My wife shoots weddings and this is the lens she has been looking for. The issues with the FA 77 are primarily fringing related. Take a backlit photo of a bride and suddenly she has a nice violet halo around her. "One click fix in Lightroom" you say? Sure, except the brides maids are wearing a shade of purple and suddenly their dresses look really wonky.

I don't know if this is "the" lens that people covet, but for those who shoot a lot of portraits, it is certainly a lens to look forward to.

I'm still conflicted about the FA 77 and will probably keep it. It has beautiful rendering, particularly of out of focus areas and is so small and tightly made. But I know that if this DFA *85 is the real deal, my wife will not use the FA 77 again.

[Mistral75]

Going by the announcement in the Netherlands, there is nothing to see. I can read Dutch reasonably well. The page only announces the development of the lens, no word about actual availability.

The official development announcement states the lens is 'scheduled to be launched in late 2020' (English version) / in the second half of 2020 (Japanese version).

RICOH develops new-generation, high-performance Star-series lens for digital SLR cameras, the HD PENTAX-D FA★85mmF1.4 SDM AW｜RICOH IMAGING

Kマウントデジタル一眼カメラ用交換レンズ「HD PENTAX-D FA★85mmF1.4ED SDM AW」を開発｜RICOH IMAGING

On the other hand, the well-connected Kimio Tanaka says not to expect the lens to be released in 2020:

Twitter

and to be prepared to wait until Spring 2021 at the earliest:

Twitter

[Mistral75]

Speaking of Kimio Tanaka, he provided (op. cit.) a comparison between the mock-up showcased at CP+ 2019 (left) and the prototype that should have been showcased at CP+ 2020 (right).

Note the slight difference in the lens hood.

[Rondec]

The official development announcement states the lens is 'scheduled to be launched in late 2020' (English version) / in the second half of 2020 (Japanese version).

RICOH develops new-generation, high-performance Star-series lens for digital SLR cameras, the HD PENTAX-D FA★85mmF1.4 SDM AW｜RICOH IMAGING

Kマウントデジタル一眼カメラ用交換レンズ「HD PENTAX-D FA★85mmF1.4ED SDM AW」を開発｜RICOH IMAGING

On the other hand, the well-connected Kimio Tanaka says not to expect the lens to be released in 2020:

Twitter

and to be prepared to wait until Spring 2021 at the earliest:

Twitter

I'm expecting the first lens to be shipped around midnight on 12/31/20.

[BarneyL]

On the other hand, the well-connected Kimio Tanaka says not to expect the lens to be released in 2020
and to be prepared to wait until Spring 2021 at the earliest

I wonder if its COVID-19 related, or it's just Pentax way of doing things?

[repaap]

Then I'll be able to recover from covid-19 bump which made quite big dent in my earnings ... looking forward of buying this 85.

[sbh]

... I will get one when available. My 50 is happy to get a brother.

Yes, we can expect it to be the same quality level as the fat fifty. I can already feel the itch. It is a must for me. I prefer to have only few lenses, but those which I enjoy the most. Additional to the 50 and the 85, the 35 and a 20-ish would be a very desirable lineup.

I suspect this lens will seriously outperform the 77.

Optically yes (in terms of fringing etc), but the Limiteds and Stars still have different styles of image quality. (Generally I prefer the stars but I think I'm in the minority here.)

[bdery]

I suspect this lens will seriously outperform the 77.

That's also a bold statement. Driven by how one defines "performances".

The two probable points of improvement will probably be AF (mostly the silent thing) and aberrations, where indeed the 77 is somewhat lacking because of the design choices made at the time.

However, those design choices were there for a reason. The rendering capabilities of the 77, its bokeh, and moreover the transition from in-focus to out-of-focus, is what explain the 3D pop that the FA Limited have. Simply put, as a test bench equipment the 85 is sure to vastly outperform the 77. But as a creative tool? Not so obvious.

The DFA*50 f1.4 and the FA50 f1.4 are simply different beasts in optical performance.

Having compared both, I agree. Still, having tested the D FA* 50, by "normal" lens of choice remains the FA43 to this day.

I don't know if this is "the" lens that people covet, but for those who shoot a lot of portraits, it is certainly a lens to look forward to.

That's a much more sensible way of putting it, I think

[pres589]

without a doubt

the best lens in its class ( of one )

Canon has the 40mm STM pancake prime that is probably comparable. The DA XS is thinner but they're not miles apart in this way. I don't know which performs better optically. The 40 STM seems to work alright as a full-frame lens.

[aslyfox]

Canon has the 40mm STM pancake prime that is probably comparable. The DA XS is thinner but they're not miles apart in this way. I don't know which performs better optically. The 40 STM seems to work alright as a full-frame lens.

all I could find is this:

Canon has just introduced its first 40mm F2.8 "pancake" lens together with a new Rebel (T4i) DSLR. Could this launch have been inspired by Pentax's iconic lineup of "Limited" prime lenses? Up until now, Pentax was practically the only manufacturer that offered small pancake lenses for their DSLR cameras.

Canon's new 40mm lens features a built-in focusing motor, and despite this, it will only be slightly larger than the Pentax DA 40mm Limited. Even more interestingly, it seems that this 40mm Canon lens will be targeted at the intro-level market, with a launch price of just $199. If Canon were to develop more such lenses, they could pose a serious threat to the size advantage of the Pentax system, especially for beginner photographers. This new Canon lens is cheaper than both of the corresponding Pentax lenses, as Pentax's 40mm Limited current retails for $499, while the slimmer XS version retails for $249. While the Canon lens still significantly larger than the Pentax 40mm XS, there's no doubt that it will still be classified as a "pancake".

Read more at: New Canon 40mm Pancake - A Threat to Pentax? - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

the in depth review does not mention the Canon

Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 vs 40mm XS vs 40mm Limited Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

https://versus.com/en/canon-ef-40mm-f-2-8-stm-vs-pentax-smc-da-40mm-f2-8-limited

[bikehead90]

If it can lower FA* price, I'm all for it.

I’ve noticed on eBay that the prices have begun to drop.

[beholder3]

I think the new DFA* sounds like an excellent addition to the portfolio.

Even as owner of both the Sigma 85/1.4 and the 77mm princess I feel tempted.

And honestly the 77mm is a pancake. That alone outperforms all other portrait lenses. A lens you leave at home has the worst possible image quality: The images all come out black.

[RobA_Oz]

That's also a bold statement. Driven by how one defines "performances".

The two probable points of improvement will probably be AF (mostly the silent thing) and aberrations, where indeed the 77 is somewhat lacking because of the design choices made at the time.

However, those design choices were there for a reason. The rendering capabilities of the 77, its bokeh, and moreover the transition from in-focus to out-of-focus, is what explain the 3D pop that the FA Limited have. Simply put, as a test bench equipment the 85 is sure to vastly outperform the 77. But as a creative tool? Not so obvious.

Again, debating uses as a “creative tool”, definitions are important, or perhaps the field of creativity. The present fashion for having ultra-high definition, sharp to the corners photos in the commercial world, along with the smooth transition areas etc has probably influenced the design decisions for this new lens. Certainly, the bulk of this one is in line with that of the D FA*50, which possesses those qualities.

My 43 is feeling a little neglected, but I’m sure it knows my attention will return to normal at some time.

[zzeitg]

KAF4. Again this....

While I could/would accept it in case of standard or kit lenses, I can't accept it when it comes to a * (premium) lens.

Hopefully it'll give the Sigma 85 Art a run for it's money.

I'll keep my Sigma (KAF3), which works fine on my K-7 (10 years old).

[Serkevan]

KAF4. Again this....

While I could/would accept it in case of standard or kit lenses, I can't accept it when it comes to a * (premium) lens.



I'll keep my Sigma (KAF3), which works fine on my K-7 (10 years old).

So a premium lens shouldn't have what Pentax considers the premium aperture system?