Pentax A 85mm f1.4 on ebay

Pentax A 85mm f1.4 on ebay · 05:57 AM

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This seems to be a sought after lens, starting bid at $700. Interesting what the final price will be. If anyone is interested, follow the link.

I am not the seller and have no contact/knowledge of seller.

Pentax SMC Pentax A 85mm F1 4 Lens | eBay

**monochrome** · 06-06-2016, 02:41 PM

FA77 is pretty spectacular on K-3. On K-1 1 oh my my.

gatorguy · 06-06-2016, 02:45 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

FA77 is pretty spectacular on K-3. On K-1 1 oh my my.

If I find I really enjoy portrait work (I may not) then I shouldn't be out a dime selling this one and picking up the FA77, at least that's how I'm looking at it. I may even find my initial intuition to go with the 43 is right.

In any event it's not much of a gamble IMHO. While I understand members here frowning on having eBay bargains pointed out I appreciated this one and at least it ended up in a good home with a site supporter, right?

**monochrome** · 06-06-2016, 02:57 PM

The Dude! Replies on eBay posts are mostly joking*

* except when they're not.

**onlineflyer** · 06-06-2016, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

The Dude! Replies on eBay posts are mostly joking*

* except when they're not.

It all depends on the auction, some are for real. The lenses for sale by the individual in Vancouver are good lenses, A 85/1.4, A 135/1.8, FA 200/2.8, etc. are highly rated and priced attractively.

Last edited by onlineflyer; 06-07-2016 at 03:51 AM.

gatorguy · 06-06-2016, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by onlineflyer

It all depends on the auction, some are for real. The lenses for sale by the individual in Vancouver are good lenses, A 85/1.4, A 135/1.8, FA 200/2.8, etc. are highly rated and priced attractively.

I've been trying to help PF members and I'm not a dude!

Well I for one appreciated the Bower mention.

**reduno** · 06-07-2016, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by gatorguy

Well I for one appreciated the Bower mention.

Glad to hear it worked for you. I was tempted myself but having just picked up a Vivitar 100 mm F2.8 macro couldn't really justify it. Good to know it went to a PF member.

gatorguy · 06-07-2016, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by reduno

Glad to hear it worked for you. I was tempted myself but having just picked up a Vivitar 100 mm F2.8 macro couldn't really justify it. Good to know it went to a PF member.

I just installed my KatzEye focusing screen too, which makes a massive difference for manual with these old eyes. So we'll see if I enjoy portraiture. If not you know where the lens will be found.

mholford · 06-07-2016, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

FA77 is pretty spectacular on K-3. On K-1 1 oh my my.

on a different note... been meaning to ask the more knowledgeable (and more deeply in the throws of LBA) - in comparing A* 85mm lenses to FA77 ltd... which one rules? I see old 85mm lenses going for some pretty big chunks of change, and can't help but wonder what are the pros/cons between the 77 and the 85?

Anyone with extensive LBA want to comment?

gatorguy · 06-07-2016, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by dcshooter

Went for a mere $760.

*gulp*
Still a lot of money. I've spent so much this year on lenses. . .
The Bower is fine for as little as I'll probably use it.

ArkanFoto · 06-07-2016, 05:26 PM

What a steal A Star 85mm 1.4 lens for $790.

**UncleVanya** · 06-09-2016, 07:20 AM

Originally posted by mholford

on a different note... been meaning to ask the more knowledgeable (and more deeply in the throws of LBA) - in comparing A* 85mm lenses to FA77 ltd... which one rules? I see old 85mm lenses going for some pretty big chunks of change, and can't help but wonder what are the pros/cons between the 77 and the 85?

Anyone with extensive LBA want to comment?

As a long time owner of the A* 85 who sold it to fund his FA 77 purchase I am qualified to comment on that I think.

The A* is SHARP, crazy sharp, but so is the 77. The A* is obviously very much manual focus with a feel that is so smooth and buttery you can't imagine if you haven't used really nice manual focus lenses. The A* has shallower DOF and a 1/2 stop advantage in light gathering. The A* is HUGE and heavy for the focal length. The A* has a truly insanely large hood. The lens plus hood is nearly as long as the DA* 200! And it is fatter at least the hood is (100mm opening on the hood).

The FA77 is light, small, has a built in hood and autofocus, retains the sharpness but loses a small amount of shallower DOF due to the 1/2 stop and focal length. However the character of the lenses is similar. Sharp and yet not clinical, and lovely to hold and use these lenses are excellent. The A* is a lovely lens, but some of the price is due to rarity (very short production years and very expensive for the day) and the lack of that focal length in the current stable of Pentax branded lenses. My eyesight pretty much made the decision for me as manually focusing an 85 f1.4 was hard for me to get right. The FA77 gives me a more compact, lighter, autofocus lens with similar results - and with the money from the sale I bought a new FA77 and still had money left over.

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06-06-2016, 02:41 PM	#16
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	FA77 is pretty spectacular on K-3. On K-1 1 oh my my.

06-06-2016, 02:45 PM	#17
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,089	Originally posted by monochrome FA77 is pretty spectacular on K-3. On K-1 1 oh my my. If I find I really enjoy portrait work (I may not) then I shouldn't be out a dime selling this one and picking up the FA77, at least that's how I'm looking at it. I may even find my initial intuition to go with the 43 is right. In any event it's not much of a gamble IMHO. While I understand members here frowning on having eBay bargains pointed out I appreciated this one and at least it ended up in a good home with a site supporter, right?

06-06-2016, 02:57 PM	#18
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	The Dude! Replies on eBay posts are mostly joking* * except when they're not.

06-06-2016, 03:15 PM	#19
onlineflyer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NW Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,088 Original Poster	Originally posted by monochrome The Dude! Replies on eBay posts are mostly joking* * except when they're not. It all depends on the auction, some are for real. The lenses for sale by the individual in Vancouver are good lenses, A 85/1.4, A 135/1.8, FA 200/2.8, etc. are highly rated and priced attractively. Last edited by onlineflyer; 06-07-2016 at 03:51 AM.

06-06-2016, 03:19 PM	#20
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,089	Originally posted by onlineflyer It all depends on the auction, some are for real. The lenses for sale by the individual in Vancouver are good lenses, A 85/1.4, A 135/1.8, FA 200/2.8, etc. are highly rated and priced attractively. I've been trying to help PF members and I'm not a dude! Well I for one appreciated the Bower mention.

06-07-2016, 08:01 AM	#21
reduno Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central NY, USA Posts: 965	Originally posted by gatorguy Well I for one appreciated the Bower mention. Glad to hear it worked for you. I was tempted myself but having just picked up a Vivitar 100 mm F2.8 macro couldn't really justify it. Good to know it went to a PF member.

06-07-2016, 10:08 AM	#22
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,089	Originally posted by reduno Glad to hear it worked for you. I was tempted myself but having just picked up a Vivitar 100 mm F2.8 macro couldn't really justify it. Good to know it went to a PF member. I just installed my KatzEye focusing screen too, which makes a massive difference for manual with these old eyes. So we'll see if I enjoy portraiture. If not you know where the lens will be found.

06-07-2016, 01:21 PM	#23
mholford Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Photos: Albums Posts: 238	Originally posted by monochrome FA77 is pretty spectacular on K-3. On K-1 1 oh my my. on a different note... been meaning to ask the more knowledgeable (and more deeply in the throws of LBA) - in comparing A* 85mm lenses to FA77 ltd... which one rules? I see old 85mm lenses going for some pretty big chunks of change, and can't help but wonder what are the pros/cons between the 77 and the 85? Anyone with extensive LBA want to comment?

06-07-2016, 04:04 PM	#24
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,089	Originally posted by dcshooter Went for a mere $760. gulp Still a lot of money. I've spent so much this year on lenses. . . The Bower is fine for as little as I'll probably use it.

06-07-2016, 05:26 PM	#25
ArkanFoto Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Antonio Photos: Albums Posts: 160	What a steal A Star 85mm 1.4 lens for $790.

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06-09-2016, 07:20 AM	#26
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,380	Originally posted by mholford on a different note... been meaning to ask the more knowledgeable (and more deeply in the throws of LBA) - in comparing A* 85mm lenses to FA77 ltd... which one rules? I see old 85mm lenses going for some pretty big chunks of change, and can't help but wonder what are the pros/cons between the 77 and the 85? Anyone with extensive LBA want to comment? As a long time owner of the A* 85 who sold it to fund his FA 77 purchase I am qualified to comment on that I think. The A* is SHARP, crazy sharp, but so is the 77. The A* is obviously very much manual focus with a feel that is so smooth and buttery you can't imagine if you haven't used really nice manual focus lenses. The A* has shallower DOF and a 1/2 stop advantage in light gathering. The A* is HUGE and heavy for the focal length. The A* has a truly insanely large hood. The lens plus hood is nearly as long as the DA* 200! And it is fatter at least the hood is (100mm opening on the hood). The FA77 is light, small, has a built in hood and autofocus, retains the sharpness but loses a small amount of shallower DOF due to the 1/2 stop and focal length. However the character of the lenses is similar. Sharp and yet not clinical, and lovely to hold and use these lenses are excellent. The A* is a lovely lens, but some of the price is due to rarity (very short production years and very expensive for the day) and the lack of that focal length in the current stable of Pentax branded lenses. My eyesight pretty much made the decision for me as manually focusing an 85 f1.4 was hard for me to get right. The FA77 gives me a more compact, lighter, autofocus lens with similar results - and with the money from the sale I bought a new FA77 and still had money left over.