Originally posted by zbrueningsen The 85 isn't even close optically, which is a shame, because it is one of the most beautiful lenses that Pentax made. I would love a manual 77 version with a better focus ring.
I've owned both for years, and I have to disagree with this ^^ - the M 85 f/2 renders very closely to the FA 77, and is actually quite sharp even wide-open (in the center) when you nail focus. It's hard for me to tell images apart that I've taken with both lenses.
The M 85 f/2 is a beautiful lens. It's too bad it got paired up with the #1 seed in the bracket so early
M85 f/2: