[enoeske]

I've often been surprised that the Sigma 85 doesn't have more fans on here. It's not like Pentax users are swimming in a sea of options at 85mm.

To be honest, I think its the price. A lot of pentaxian's are cheap and just want to use inexpensive old glass. I paid $1000 for the Sigma 85mm. Its a great lens, both sharp and fast. The AF can be a bit slow but its moving a lot of glass. Anyway, I can see why others would not pay that much for a somewhat specialized lens.

[eyeswideshut]

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/577/23330056219_8a5cd87070_c.jpg

That is one hell of a nice shot of cologne cathedral if you ask me.

[pinholecam]

If it said Pentax on the barrel it would be a completely different story. There are a lot of users here who care more about the name than the performance.

Can't say it that way..

Pentax has been on aps-c format for a long time.
As such, in their view, the 77ltd and 70ltd are already well suited equivalents (and so is a 50mm and FA*55).
85mm on apsc is a tad long a working distance and as such, I can see the merits of a preference to the lenses mentioned above over it.
Not to mention that its rather specialized, pricey and big/heavy vs those lenses.

[hoopsontoast]

To be honest, I think its the price. A lot of pentaxian's are cheap and just want to use inexpensive old glass. I paid $1000 for the Sigma 85mm. Its a great lens, both sharp and fast. The AF can be a bit slow but its moving a lot of glass. Anyway, I can see why others would not pay that much for a somewhat specialized lens.

I actually found the Sigma 85mm f1.4 HSM cheaper, on the second hand market anyway. My copy was £400 IIRC used, from the main UK Pentax dealer (SRS).
The FA*85 (if you can find one) tends to go for £500+ I believe, and the FA77 around £400 too, depending on condition.

That is one hell of a nice shot of cologne cathedral if you ask me.

Thanks

Hey guys.

The Laowa 105mm f/2 Lens Uses a Special Element for Crazy-Smooth Bokeh

any thought about this lens?

[enoeske]

Hey guys.

The Laowa 105mm f/2 Lens Uses a Special Element for Crazy-Smooth Bokeh

any thought about this lens?

Its being discussed in its own thread. Not in one about 85mm lenses.

[SBeck]

I'll be shooting with the FA* once my camera arrives. I would consider the Sigma if you need a modern lens with a warranty.

[Pentaxino]

I have the FA*85mm. Simply stunning piece of glass. My favourite lens bar none. Can't wait to try it with the K-1.

Hi, I assumed you already tried the old Pentax 85 mm on your K-1. I tried mounting 85 mm on my K-1, but it seems they are not communicating with each other i.e. aperture only indicates '--'. Have you encountered any of this and I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

[jatrax]

I tried mounting 85 mm on my K-1, but it seems they are not communicating with each other i.e. aperture only indicates '--'.

Which 85mm? Most likely cause of this is not having the aperture ring on the 'A' setting. Or having an 85mm that does not have a 'A' setting.

[Pentaxino]

Which 85mm? Most likely cause of this is not having the aperture ring on the 'A' setting. Or having an 85mm that does not have a 'A' setting.

Thank you, Jatrax, it is now working. I have FA*85 1.4. Thanks, again! Happy New Year

[kooks]

The Sigma 85mm 1.4 is a great great lens.. sharp, modern glass, silent.. and fast.. im very happy with it.

[Sailor]

Can I just put a vote in for my “Sweetheart” (SMC Pentax-A* 85mm F1.4) which I consider to be a sharp and competent lens... provided you OK with manual focus that is.

Interesting that I stumbled across your reply this afternoon only a few hours after trying my new K-1 with my A* 85, a Christmas present my Dad gave me in the '80s when the lens was brand new. Here's a pic I took of a couple of oranges on the neighbors' tree. Looks pretty good to me.

However, after doing a non-rigorous comparison with my FA 77 this sunny (and chilly) afternoon, I'll have to go with the new lens which not only provides AF, but also adds less bulk and mass to the already corpulent K-1 body. I'll still keep my 85 not only for its sentimental value but also to simply enjoy its clean design and elegant build quality.

Jer

A* 85/1.4: 1/1500s and f/4 @ISO 200 -

[Sagitta]

Have the Samyang 85mm, its a fantastic piece of glass as long as I don't use it in the cold (I think my lens is defective, the aperture bogs when it gets much below 40F). When its behaving itself though, its amazing.

[splash_fr]

I used Canon 5d mark2 with zeiss 85mm 1.4 for studio shooting and it was fantastic even the body was quite old. I guess the zeiss lens itself is stunning. I love the color of zeiss lens so much. Well as you know, Zeiss does not make lenses for Pentax anymore long time ago which is quite disappointing. Otus and Milvus are what I wish to use it on Pentax. Beside that, are there any alternative 85mm f1.4 lens for K-1 with high optical quality? Im not sure about FA* 85mm f1.4 since I never used it before. I know that Pentax will gonna make 85mm 1.4 prime lens in future for FF camera but the zeiss lens seem to have a nice color tone personally. But I need to know about other 85mm lens' optical quality first. If I gonna use 85mm for studio, will Pentax 645 prime lens provide better quality compare to FF lens?

If you like to use an Otus on the K1 you can buy a Nikon Otus (ZF.2) and Leitax it to K-Mount.

[Kerrowdown]

A lot of pentaxian's are cheap and just want to use inexpensive old glass

Guess that's me told then...