| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,016
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 8, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Too numerous to list... | | Cons: | size, perhaps...but the results are just stunning... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 7
| |
I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:
Cheers,
Cameron
| | | | | | | Moderator Registered: July, 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,755
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 30, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Portrait pop | | Cons: | none optically just that fragile silver paint | |
I have enjoyed this lens, a large hunk of glass with a delicate silver painted finish. The SMC FA* 85mm 1:1.4 IF really delivers a wow factor in portrait photos, the transition from in focus to out of focus is lovely and smooth and the bokeh is buttery smooth. I calibrated the lens using a focusing tool and it does exhibit purple and green fringing on the edge of high contrast transitions in out of focus areas. After doing the test I assumed it was going to be a month of post processing to remove the fringing in all my photos. In real world use I didn't have to do any post processing, maybe it was just the subjects and lighting I used over the month, but I never noticed any until the last day when I saw the reflections of 100 led lights on my wife's glasses frame with some fringing in the out of focus areas. Not a normal lighting setup and only seen when pixel peeping. While the lens is screw drive I never noticed any hunting when mounted on the K1 and the focus was quick to lock on. One thing that all fast lenses have a need for is accurate focusing as when used wide open the area being in focus can be down to just 1cm. I found using the single point focus and repositioning gave me good accuracy for focusing where I wanted. The minimum focus is not close , but not unworkable at all, I tried it with extension tubes and it worked fine.I used the lens to produce several pleasing photos using lightroom to stitch several photos together, this helped me when a wider view was required in landscapes and also to try the brenizer effect which I enjoyed. This lens sat in my cupboard all through the APS C years as I just didn't feel it compared to the 35mm feel on film, with the K1 it feels just right again. Used for landscape, the slight telephoto helps isolate the details in the photo. I have found my love for this lens all over again.
 85 lenscal by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
 arthur by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
 loose nut by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
 taxi55 by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
 dry boat by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
 security by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
 hair today by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
 those eyes bw by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr
The favourite photo from the month came near the end of the month and I am aiming to have it enlarged and printed for my wall, thanks to this wonderful lens.
 early prom by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr[COLOR="Silver"]
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 528
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 23, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fantastic IQ (dreamy bokeh, sharp, rich colors) | | Cons: | Big, heavy, loud focus, CA (from film era) | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-3
| |
The FA*85 F1.4 is a heavy lens with a very large hood and a fragile silver finish, definitely not the most practical lens for field photography. It's also prone to chromatic aberration, especially from F1.4 to F2.2. However this is a very special portrait lens. It delivers very sharp images, like other premium lenses, but that bokeh... is a thing of beauty, the best I've ever seen. Very dreamy.
It renders very rich and warm colors too.
Pentax definitely prioritized the IQ for portrait work with this lens, and it's a film era (discontinued) lens so I forgive the chromatic aberration, silver finish and bulkiness and only judge in terms of IQ for portrait: FANTASTIC!
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: January, 2007 Location: Warsaw Posts: 338
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 30, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | bokeh, sharpness | | Cons: | quite big with hood | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K20D, K5
| |
Best portrait lens I had. My Leica 90/2 is a little similar in nature. Fantastic sharpness, great color reproduction, amazing bokeh.
Hood is great but very well fitted and durable.
These two shots are at f1.4.
Few more shots | | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2011 Location: Hanoi Posts: 213
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 5, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | fast focus, metal build | | Cons: | diameter 67mm is quite small | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
| |
This is my treasure, so proud to own this lens. speed of focus so amazing, very fast and accurate. The build like a solid metal also the hood made by metal
K5 + FA* 85mm at f1.4
 Ms. Yun, on Flickr
 HANU, on Flickr
 HANU on Flickr
 HANU, on Flickr
 The spring is coming!, on Flickr
 The spring is coming!, on Flickr
 The spring is coming!, on Flickr
 The spring is coming!, on Flickr
 The spring is coming!, on Flickr
 | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: August, 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 7,484
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 18, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything. Especially the Painting-like Bokeh (see below) | | Cons: | Absolutely none in my mind | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
| |
Rock Solid 10! I bought this lens in mid October 2010 from another forum member. I paid a little more than I wanted to for it but the price keeps going up and I got tired of waiting for a bargain.
The lens is a little imposing on size and weight but that's a very small sacrifice to make given a lens of this quality. Certainly not enough to make me drop my solid 10 rating of this lens. People will say it isn't the camera or the lens but the person behind the viewfinder. Yes, and No. The person behind the viewfinder has the creative control for framing, exposure, ect but, the lens is what collects the light and focuses it on the sensor/film. The lens also affects color, contrast, and each has it's own unique look to the final image. The recording media (film or digital sensor) will also have an affect but most of it can be manipulated in post processing. With this lens on the front of the photographic equation, very little of that type of work is necessary.
Ok... the nitty gritty...
Features. The lens sports the ability to disable auto focus. All of the FA* lenses share this feature if I'm not mistaken where you push the focus ring forward to engage the AF, and pull it back to disable it. On cameras where it is switchable with ease, this may not be that important. It is a useful feature however if you want to use Catch In Focus (Focus Trap) on your dSLR because the camera must remain in auto focus (AF-S) for it to work. The DA* lenses also have this ability but with those, we are disabling the electronic focusing motor rather than a mechanical disengage. On the current dSLRs, it is best to leave the Aperture on A unless you have pencil thin fingers. I cannot easily turn the aperture ring with the lens mounted on the K7/K5 bodies. The focus ring is lightly damped on my copy and turns smooth as silk. It is not a Plasticy loose feel like the regular FA type lenses. It is not quite as damped as the M42/K/M/A lenses either. Somewhere in between. For me the best part of it is the size. Plenty to grab on to and make those fine adjustments. The hood (which I believe was optional) is nearly as deep as the lens is tall. Plenty of space in there to protect the gorgeousness of the front element. With the hood reversed for storage position, the lens cap is still recessed behind the bayonet mount of the hood. That would be the Single one thing I could complain about here.
All of my reviews contain photos, so let's get to it.
This, is one of the first photos I took with this lens. I have hundreds just like it (the view) as my front porch is the testing ground for all new photo equipment.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5094197381_ba6d148782_o.jpg
Go ahead and click the link to pixel peep. What you are looking at is the Moving truck. Taken with a K7, notorious to some for it's inability to focus on a moving object (an assessment I've never agreed with BTW).
How does it do at night, nearly wide open (at f2.0), still on the K7?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5096123696_2b871c30e9_o.jpg
In the light of day while walking through some local woods along the tracks?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5097806840_ed9bc2c438_o.jpg
How about a living creature?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/5132880895_6ce3999663_o.jpg
Something with some fur.. (you didn't think you would get away without looking at my Dog did you?)
[IMGtall]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1437/5152401888_e773efc665_z.jpg[/IMGtall]
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1437/5152401888_577bb1f872_o.jpg
Did I mention the Painterly Bokeh at f1.4?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5166063078_401b95e1fc_o.jpg
You get the point. If you want to see more, they can be found here. The first two letters in the file name note the camera they were taken with.
To conclude (for now). There are a lot of 85mm options out there. All of them have their following and special qualities. I've tried two of them. This one, and the Vivitar S1 85mm f1.4. That was a nice lens, I won't take anything away from it but, I barely used it. It didn't really do much for me as a Special lens. The FA* however, I can see how these lenses gained their reputation. I am now a huge fan because of this lens, the only regret is that they are apparently out of production and one must pay the Pentax Tax to put their hands on one. I often ask the question when I see a new whiz bang lens introduced by anyone, "Will this lens make me a better photographer?". Usually the answer is no. In this case however, it certainly didn't hurt (except when the bill came  ). If you have the extra coin laying around and find one at a price you're willing to pay, you will Not regret it.
These are user reviews and are opinion based, the above is mine. Your mileage may vary (but I don't think so).
 | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2022 Posts: 2
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 17, 2023 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Gem. I like everything with it. Fantastic lens! | | Cons: | Not much to say other then focus. Size for some maybe? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax KII
| |
Ohhh.. what a lens. Its a special one thats for sure and used right its probably one of the best 85mm in history. Ive put it trough the worst situations with the worst light and conditions, and still it produces. Many times its almost like i cant belive it... Focus is old but it works good enough to get the job done for me.
The only thing i dont like is the rubber thing on top of it But it works so its just a non issue.
Is it the best in the world? I think you can say that whitout lying, but the autofocus make it a hard case to defend in 2023.
| | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2021 Location: SEVA Posts: 3
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 23, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $725.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Beautiful images when you wrestle it into submission | | Cons: | Focus is slow and hunts a lot | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-1ii
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I bought this lens to complement my D-FA* 50/1.4 because I could not justify the cost of both D-FA* lenses, but in many ways I wish I had gone with the D-FA* 85 and found some other solution for a fast modern 50. (Why is there no FA* 50? The world may never know.) As such, I'm writing this review as a sort of comparison to the D-FA* 50, which isn't fair, but I expect that I'm not the only person who is in this position.
What I did get from this lens is wonderful, but I'll start with the frustrating stuff.
Focusing
This lens uses the old screw drive focusing system. It is loud, slow, and it hunts a lot. You won't be using this lens to shoot any fast-moving nearby objects.
We're primarily using DSLRs, so I'm focusing and recomposing. I find that in difficult lighting scenarios (strong sunlight, back light), the camera gets confused. It will focus on the bright spots (usually the model's hair), or sometimes just nothing at all. If there is a lot of 3D-pop in your photo, it will also be unsure of where you're trying to look and will focus on things in your intended foreground or background. Sometimes, being just barely out of focus on your model.
I find that in these scenarios, it is best to just pop it into manual and leave it there.
Where the autofocus works best is in a studio setting. Put the camera on a tripod, the autofocus will get you within 95% of where you want it. I will disagree with what the camera wants to focus on, but snapping the lens into manual focus and taking over is easy enough. It also works well for shooting groups where everything is farther away, but that's just putting less strain on the system.
Sharpness and Aberrations
It's frustrating that the focusing system is so lackluster because you can get some really tack sharp images out of it when you nail that focus. I use this lens primarily for portraits and I find that it is almost too sharp and I need to do a lot of post on skin texture to reel it back in a bit.... at a few stops down.
The optics on this lens occupy that strange place at the top end of film lenses without quite getting to the technical perfection of digital era lenses. Stopped down, you won't notice a difference between this and modern top-of-the-line fast 85s, but wide open it has problems. (And that's sad because it's a 1.4! Why wouldn't you use it wide open?) Wide open, you'll get pretty unpleasant CA, some ghosting, and a general lack of sharpness, especially in strong light.
Bokeh and DoF
The out of focus areas wide open are very nice, but there is nothing special. No unusual effects, not much flare. Generally, the bokeh is unobtrusive and functional. The lens doesn't easily produce unusual artifacts stopped down. Wide open, things are pleasant with some slight cats eyes at the edges of the frame. Generally, it is professional and unflappable in this department.
The DoF is interesting. Even stopped down, the in focus areas are noticably sharper than just ahead and behind. Falloff is very quick. You do not have any luxury of getting in the 'in focus' range and calling it good enough. You will notice things slightly out of focus at f4. Of course, this adds to the challenge because of focusing difficulties.
But, this adds to the 3D pop effect. Good shadows and even a few things passing through the focus distance will make your photos feel hyper real in this way. It's a real joy!
Handling
The lens handles beautifully. Snapping into and out of manual focus is quick, easy, and intuitive. The lens picks up where you leave off right away. Focus throw is short and responsive. It feels a bit plastic-y, but this might just be comparison to the Takumars and Pentax-K lenses I'm used to.
The aperture ring is badly placed, but I almost never take it out of automatic mode anyway. It is nice to have there at all. Theoretically, you could use this lens on a dumb camera, with no electrical connections.
My one complaint is that the stock lens cover can't be removed while the lens hood is in place. Also, the lens hood is solid when mounted, but it is flimsy when in the 'storage' position (backwards). Mine was broken in shipping. Just be careful with it and don't ship it assembled.
 just a very basic portrait with one light plus some fill, closed down slightly. I did miss focus just behind her eye, by about 1/2"
 this is unedited (except crop) to show CA wide open in demanding circumstances. Also, it is soft. But, decent bokeh, even for a full-body portrait.
 we had fun on this beach photoshoot. Don't even bother with autofocus here. Just be in manual and be happy. | | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2015 Posts: 41
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 18, 2018 | Recommended
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | it is a razor! | | Cons: | price | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: k30
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I've bought this lens a couple of years ago and when I have a look to the pictures I have done I always dazzle!
I got at the same time the M82 f2, the A*85 1.4 and the FA*85 1.4. I have to say the difference between the three is so small that you cannot notice it if you print to A4 size.
Raccomenaded.
| | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2015 Location: Paris Posts: 2
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 22, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | The better one | | Cons: | no SDM | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K20D
| |
For me the best Lens pentax have made
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2011 Posts: 274
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 1, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $1,400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | excellent portrait lens, short focus distance, sharp, nice bokeh | | Cons: | hard to focus at long distance | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5
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Many reviews in this section have discussed many aspects that I wished to tell. I would say the lens performs very well in term of sharpness, bokeh, and "clean" image. The focus is good for short distance; however it is always struggling for long distance objects. Here is some pictures that I took in Oct. 2012 on my K-5
@f/2.8
HIEP5578 copy by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr
@f/1.8
HIEP5580 copy by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr
@f/2.2
HIEP5588 copy by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr
And more recently, at a garden in PA, NJ
HIEP7372 by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr
HIEP7337 by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr
f/1.4
HIEP7389_edited-1 by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2011 Posts: 106
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 17, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, contrast 3d effect | | Cons: | autofocus @ infinite | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5
| |
for a smile on your face at every shot, I recommend this lenses.
different apertures:
original
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6990730613_500f8e6a73_o.jpg | | | | | Banned Registered: January, 2009 Posts: 9,675
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 6, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,088.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Fast focus, Sharp | | Cons: | CA wide open, not wheaterseald, not f1.2 | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
| |
This is my most used lens. It is a wonderfull thing when on my K-5 Silver.
Negative on it is Chromatic Aberations when used wide open (around the arms). On the other hand, it can be forgiven with the right subject.
It is great for portrait. At close range or at longer range for full body.
Great for low light scenes like concert to make the picture like you want them.
Or for that perfect shot in good light.
I would like this lens to be DA* with wheatersealing and quickshift. Maybe even as a f1.2 version.
Here is one picture at full resolution and good lightning to see how good this lens is:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/20195454/_S5W6189.jpg | | | | | Administrator
Site Webmaster Registered: September, 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 51,593
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 11, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $950.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp, fast, and relatively small. | | Cons: | Lens hood cannot easily be reversed for storage. | |
This is by far one of my favorite prime lenses! It makes its way into my photo bag on nearly all trips and events.
First of all, this is an FA* lens, and like other members of the series, it boasts a sturdy all-metal construction which makes its very easy to hold and use. The focusing clamp optimizes AF speed and make manual focusing a breeze. This 85mm produces some of the sharpest photos I've seen, and if stopped down to F4 or greater, the results are truly breathtaking. It's a great travel lens for the more serious photographer, and also a great portrait lens, so if image quality is one of your top priorities, your should definitely try to acquire it. It's truly a joy to use- last summer, over half of my total photos were taken with it. Some may think that a focal length of 85mm is not practical when used on a DSLR, but I disagree since I find myself using it so often.
I can't say anything negative about the optical performance or physical construction of this lens, but one thing that bothers me is the large lens hood. Although it makes the lens look nice when attached, it is very difficult to reverse-mount for storage, and thus, this lens is a pain to store when packing for longer trips, especially since the lens itself fits in most small lens pouches without the hood.
This lens features a different, and arguably better optical construction than the A* 85mm, which is already superb to begin with.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: December, 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 4,371
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 25, 2007 | Not Recommended
| Rating: 5 |
| Pros: | Godd at close distances | | Cons: | Bad at longer distances. Awful, scratch prone painted outer finish | |
An excellent portrait lens but not so good at farher distances. Not an all round lens; the A* 85/1.4 and the 77/1.8 greatly outperforms it.
It does not sport the FREE (fixed rear elements) of the A* 85/1.4 and the 77 Limited that ensures great optical performance at all focusing distances. Hence, the lens is optimized for shorter focusing distances. It is substandard performer for eg landscape use. There is a reason for the fact that its predecessor, the A* lens, reach higher used prices and is often modified by users of other brands to fit their cameras.
Built quality is adequate at the price. Not at the level of the A* lens; the FA* will rattle if shaken. It uses a a sturdy metal main lens tubus but it's outer body is soft, cheap feeling plastic, and only painted. Like all FA* lenses the silver paint is incredibly scratch prone and close to impossible to keep in pristine condition.
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