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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?

[pathdoc]

Better optical quality? Maybe, since you would only be using the central portion. But depending on the sort of shooting you are doing, it helps to have a lens that talks to the camera. The FA* might yield better results for that reason. Of course if your studio shooting is of people who are holding a fixed pose, automated exposure and focus may not matter as much. But not all studio work is of non moving subjects.

[Adam]

I'd look at the Sigma 85mm F1.4. It's a nice modern lens. Worth getting over a medium format lens for the faster aperture, IMO.

[hcc]

There are CZ85mm f1.4 with K-mount around. Check the Bay, PF marketplace, Adorama Used... I bought mine from Adorama and I love it. Heavy, superb focus ring, great IQ. A great lens indeed ...

For AF, the FA*85mm f1.4 is often regarded as a reference. Hek, Adam shows it on his avatar!

The Sigma 85mm f1.4 is indeed another option (AF), as well as the Rokinon 85mm f1.4 (AF).

[biz-engineer]

Sigma 85 1.4 , I confirm, very good glass, also available for k mount.

[Papa Lazarou]

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.

[biz-engineer]

I have the FA*85mm

Not everyone has FA* lenses. That what a lot of people don't get with regard to current lineup of Pentax lenses. Most good full frame glass is from film era. There is nearly no recent ff glass available.

[mannyquinto]

If you like manual, I bet the Vivitar/Samyang 85mm f1.4 wont disappoint.

[rawr]

If you like manual, I bet the Vivitar/Samyang 85mm f1.4 wont disappoint.

+1. Esp as a Zeiss user you are no doubt comfortable with manual focus. Check out the SamYang 85 on DxOMark.com mounted on a 36MP D810 relative to the Zeiss 85/1.4. You might be surprised . Plus other sites like lenstip.com.

[clackers]

Not everyone has FA* lenses. That what a lot of people don't get with regard to current lineup of Pentax lenses. Most good full frame glass is from film era. There is nearly no recent ff glass available.

Well, either you appreciate Pentax history and the glorious FA85, 77, 43, 31 or not, Biz-engineer - superb character lenses. Clinically sharp Samyangs are there if you like that kind of prime.

For zooms, the Pentax trinity of 15-30, 24-70 and 70-200 is newer than Canon's or Nikon's, no?

[Edgar_in_Indy]

The Sigma 85mm is very good. You should definitely check it out.

[beholder3]

I used Canon 5d mark2 with zeiss 85mm 1.4 for studio shooting and it was fantastic even the body was quite old.

Since the Zeiss (most of their old design are rather meh) basically is a mediocre quality lens your rather medium quality requirements can be fullfilled by any option currently available:

Instead of "discussions" on image quality everyone should have a look themselves at real pictures:

Here is how the Zeiss loses out against the much cheaper Samyang 85mm:
Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Lens Image Quality

Here is how the Zeiss loses out against the autofocussing Sigma 85mm:
Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 Planar T* Lens Image Quality

I am sure the Mitakon 85mm F1.2 is better than the Zeiss as well since it is better than the Sigma (which beats the Zeiss) at same wide open apertures:
Mitakon Speedmaster 85 mm f/1.2 review - Image resolution - LensTip.com
Sigma 85 mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM review - Image resolution - LensTip.com

So three new options plus the FA* plus:

Here you can get the Zeiss 85mm Planar new in pentax K mount today: Zeiss F Pentax Planar T 85 MM 1 1 4 ZK | eBay

There really is not shortage of good 85mm options.

[i5_david]

this dude put a 85 from Pentax on his preview K1 model. German board but maybe you can use google translate!?

I am not that familiar with older lenses and names but I think he has a FA*85 1.4 but you will be able to tell

I heard the M 85 f2 should be a cool lens to goto and the samyang, as seen above is the best deal for that money. Even though I think it could be really hard to shoot a 1.4 openwide on a FF with manual focus

[sbh]

Interesting. I was wondering what to use as an equivalent (or better) to the DA* 55.

[hoopsontoast]

Having played with Phil's FA*85, its a stunning bit of glass. I was after one but could not find one so went for a Sigma 85mm f1.4 HSM as it was more readily available.