HD Pentax-D FA★ 85mm f/1.4 SDM AW

BarneyL · 03-27-2020, 03:52 PM

Compact, maybe, but not particularly fast...

**BigMackCam** · 03-27-2020, 04:14 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by BarneyL

Compact, maybe, but not particularly fast...

You can't have both when it comes to longer focal lengths

MikeyBugs95 · 03-27-2020, 04:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

You can't have both when it comes to longer focal lengths

Especially in a very small, compact package.

BarneyL · 03-28-2020, 12:05 AM - **1 Like**

From what I've seen, da* 300 is quite compact for what it is. Would certainly buy it if only that old sdm wasn't there. DA* 300 + PLM/new ring SDM = insta buy from me.

**acoufap** · 03-28-2020, 01:21 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BarneyL

Compact, maybe, but not particularly fast...

Right, open aperture f/9.5 at 420mm - and since the lens isn’t bad at 300 I often use it at f9.5/420. Of course the DFA150-450 delivers significantly better IQ at 450mm - with the downside of crazy weight.

thibs · 03-28-2020, 02:44 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BarneyL

From what I've seen, da* 300 is quite compact for what it is. Would certainly buy it if only that old sdm wasn't there. DA* 300 + PLM/new ring SDM = insta buy from me.

At some point, RI will probably update the DA*300 to DFA* with updated AF. Optically it is fine.
The DA*200 tough, if they keep it, really needs an update (old optical formula from FA*200 afaict, too much CA).

**mattt** · 03-28-2020, 05:53 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by thibs

At some point, RI will probably update the DA*300 to DFA* with updated AF. Optically it is fine.
The DA*200 tough, if they keep it, really needs an update (old optical formula from FA*200 afaict, too much CA).

Bring on the Fluorine Glass

zapp · 03-29-2020, 12:22 AM

A dramatic improvement will be needed to replace DA* 200/300. New AF,... is not enough. Pentax rather fill some gaps in the lens lineup or present a different class of tele lenses, i.e. large aperture, diffractive optics, ...
2.8/180...200 glass is not updated by Canon or Nikon. Here the 2.8 tele zooms sell=win. Even 300 mm is covered by zooms these days. Heavier, pricier, but they sell. Looks like even Fuji is joining the diffractive optics waggon. I am not sure whether Pentax could justify development cost these days.

**Rondec** · 03-29-2020, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by zapp

A dramatic improvement will be needed to replace DA* 200/300. New AF,... is not enough. Pentax rather fill some gaps in the lens lineup or present a different class of tele lenses, i.e. large aperture, diffractive optics, ...
2.8/180...200 glass is not updated by Canon or Nikon. Here the 2.8 tele zooms sell=win. Even 300 mm is covered by zooms these days. Heavier, pricier, but they sell. Looks like even Fuji is joining the diffractive optics waggon. I am not sure whether Pentax could justify development cost these days.

Cutting down on the purple fringing, speeding up auto focus, and maybe allowing for closer focusing (more magnification) would be things that would help the DA *200 considerably. I haven't used the DA *300 so I wouldn't comment on that.

thibs · 03-29-2020, 06:05 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Cutting down on the purple fringing, speeding up auto focus, and maybe allowing for closer focusing (more magnification) would be things that would help the DA *200 considerably. I haven't used the DA *300 so I wouldn't comment on that.

I think we all agree on this point. The question is : would it sell ?
I'm not quite sure a 200/2.8 lens would still sell an interesting amount of units.
Same as for 135/2.8.

I'd like both, mind you, but...

lytrytyr · 03-29-2020, 06:46 AM

Well, the D FA* 85 has sort of been "announced":

D FA* 85mm F1.4 Announcement - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing.
Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information.

Kunzite · 03-29-2020, 06:52 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lytrytyr

But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing.
Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information.

Particularly with quite a few "well meaning" gentlemen pretending otherwise

Wheatfield · 03-29-2020, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Well, the D FA* 85 has sort of been "announced":

D FA* 85mm F1.4 Announcement - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing.
Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information.

Except they showed a mock up of it at some trade show last year, and are now showing what appears to be a finished product.

**clackers** · 03-30-2020, 03:49 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

Well, the D FA* 85 has sort of been "announced":

D FA* 85mm F1.4 Announcement - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing.
Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information.

No price or date is given, not surprising given the paralyzed state of the world economy as well as the camera market. But the specs are. And we can see the hood has changed between the prototype previously shown and now.

beholder3 · 03-30-2020, 05:34 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by clackers

No price or date is given, not surprising given the paralyzed state of the world economy as well as the camera market.

The approach we saw from Ricoh in the last 2 years is the approach best suited for the current situation. "Hibernation" is a very good approach during winter and winter is coming.

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03-27-2020, 03:52 PM	#166
BarneyL Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 899	Compact, maybe, but not particularly fast...

03-27-2020, 04:14 PM - 2 Likes	#167
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by BarneyL Compact, maybe, but not particularly fast... You can't have both when it comes to longer focal lengths

03-27-2020, 04:16 PM - 1 Like	#168
MikeyBugs95 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,206	Originally posted by BigMackCam You can't have both when it comes to longer focal lengths Especially in a very small, compact package.

03-28-2020, 12:05 AM - 1 Like	#169
BarneyL Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 899	From what I've seen, da* 300 is quite compact for what it is. Would certainly buy it if only that old sdm wasn't there. DA* 300 + PLM/new ring SDM = insta buy from me.

03-28-2020, 01:21 AM - 1 Like	#170
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,187	Originally posted by BarneyL Compact, maybe, but not particularly fast... Right, open aperture f/9.5 at 420mm - and since the lens isn’t bad at 300 I often use it at f9.5/420. Of course the DFA150-450 delivers significantly better IQ at 450mm - with the downside of crazy weight.

03-28-2020, 02:44 AM - 1 Like	#171
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by BarneyL From what I've seen, da* 300 is quite compact for what it is. Would certainly buy it if only that old sdm wasn't there. DA* 300 + PLM/new ring SDM = insta buy from me. At some point, RI will probably update the DA300 to DFA with updated AF. Optically it is fine. The DA200 tough, if they keep it, really needs an update (old optical formula from FA200 afaict, too much CA).

03-28-2020, 05:53 AM - 3 Likes	#172
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	Originally posted by thibs At some point, RI will probably update the DA300 to DFA with updated AF. Optically it is fine. The DA200 tough, if they keep it, really needs an update (old optical formula from FA200 afaict, too much CA). Bring on the Fluorine Glass

03-29-2020, 12:22 AM	#173
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	A dramatic improvement will be needed to replace DA* 200/300. New AF,... is not enough. Pentax rather fill some gaps in the lens lineup or present a different class of tele lenses, i.e. large aperture, diffractive optics, ... 2.8/180...200 glass is not updated by Canon or Nikon. Here the 2.8 tele zooms sell=win. Even 300 mm is covered by zooms these days. Heavier, pricier, but they sell. Looks like even Fuji is joining the diffractive optics waggon. I am not sure whether Pentax could justify development cost these days.

03-29-2020, 02:36 AM	#174
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	Originally posted by zapp A dramatic improvement will be needed to replace DA* 200/300. New AF,... is not enough. Pentax rather fill some gaps in the lens lineup or present a different class of tele lenses, i.e. large aperture, diffractive optics, ... 2.8/180...200 glass is not updated by Canon or Nikon. Here the 2.8 tele zooms sell=win. Even 300 mm is covered by zooms these days. Heavier, pricier, but they sell. Looks like even Fuji is joining the diffractive optics waggon. I am not sure whether Pentax could justify development cost these days. Cutting down on the purple fringing, speeding up auto focus, and maybe allowing for closer focusing (more magnification) would be things that would help the DA 200 considerably. I haven't used the DA 300 so I wouldn't comment on that.

03-29-2020, 06:05 AM	#175
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by Rondec Cutting down on the purple fringing, speeding up auto focus, and maybe allowing for closer focusing (more magnification) would be things that would help the DA 200 considerably. I haven't used the DA 300 so I wouldn't comment on that. I think we all agree on this point. The question is : would it sell ? I'm not quite sure a 200/2.8 lens would still sell an interesting amount of units. Same as for 135/2.8. I'd like both, mind you, but...

03-29-2020, 06:46 AM	#176
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Well, the D FA* 85 has sort of been "announced": D FA* 85mm F1.4 Announcement - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing. Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information.

03-29-2020, 06:52 AM - 1 Like	#177
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	Originally posted by lytrytyr But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing. Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information. Particularly with quite a few "well meaning" gentlemen pretending otherwise

03-29-2020, 09:53 AM	#178
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by lytrytyr Well, the D FA* 85 has sort of been "announced": D FA* 85mm F1.4 Announcement - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing. Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information. Except they showed a mock up of it at some trade show last year, and are now showing what appears to be a finished product.

03-30-2020, 03:49 AM	#179
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by lytrytyr Well, the D FA* 85 has sort of been "announced": D FA* 85mm F1.4 Announcement - Pentax Announcements \| PentaxForums.com But I get the feeling this is more of a "Hi folks, we're still alive and kicking" kind of thing. Sadly, right now, that is actually useful information. No price or date is given, not surprising given the paralyzed state of the world economy as well as the camera market. But the specs are. And we can see the hood has changed between the prototype previously shown and now.

03-30-2020, 05:34 AM - 2 Likes	#180
beholder3 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 3,112	Originally posted by clackers No price or date is given, not surprising given the paralyzed state of the world economy as well as the camera market. The approach we saw from Ricoh in the last 2 years is the approach best suited for the current situation. "Hibernation" is a very good approach during winter and winter is coming.