| Author: | | Veteran Member Registered: August, 2009 Posts: 417
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 1, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
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Sadly, I no longer own this lens. I am updating my previous review which I had removed whilst selling the lens, for impartiality.
This is a beautiful lens to use, very easy to focus and handhold, for a useful focal length indoors and offers nice bokeh outdoors. The colour fringing which appears at high contrast edges if you look for it at f2 is mostly irrelevant for portraits, which this lens was intended for. I'd say that the depth of field at f2 is so shallow when close up that this needs to be used very carefully in order to ensure that the plane of focus does not shift whilst tripping the shutter. I personally came to not use the f2 setting as a result. I'd caution thinking this lens is not sharp at f2...its probably user error, as I have shot and reshot photos with this to find that the sharpness was there, it was just I had not got the focus spot on. I own the 100mm f2.8 instead now...its nearly the same length and doesnt have the colour fringing at f2.8. I guess the magical optical formula of the 85mm might produce nicer bokeh...beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2010 Location: Eerbeek Posts: 1,855 | | Review Date: January 22, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | very good for portraits; fast; light | | Cons: | not overly sharp | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
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I have used this lens for over 20 years with great pleasure. In 1980 I changed my 1.7/50mm and 3.5/135mm M-lenses for the 2.8/35mm and 2.0/85mm M-lenses, and never looked back. This lens performed better than my 35mm, and when I look back at the pictures I like many of them are portraits taken with this moderate tele. Nice colour rendition, depth, and the softness did not harm the topics for which this lens is mainly used, at least in my case. I also like the OOF areas.
I sold it in 2010 because I no longer use ithaving switched to Pentax 645. In comparison, I can see this lens could have been sharper (comparing the 645 A 75mm with the M 85mm on a K-x). But on film or FF, this is a solid choice with an attractive fast aperture. I would not hesitate to use it.
If not just for portraits, perhaps the K 1.8/85mm or Tak 6/6 1.8/85mm are better choices. For portraits, I'm not all that certain about it.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Adelaide Posts: 13
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 24, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $220.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharpness, colour, clarity, bokeh | | Cons: | dicky lens hood | |
I find this prime the best of my set (14mm, 28mm, 50mm, 200mm) by far. I can't seem to want to use the other primes, I even prefer this lens over my 50mm f1.4.
Intended to be portrait lens, but with the APS-C sensor on the DSLR, it makes a super low range (~130mm) zoom.
Detected a little CA and softness when wide open. Not sure if I'd ever bother using at f2. At smaller apertures it is crystal clear, stunning!
If you see one, grab it. You'll not be disappointed. Someone rated this lens a 5 out of 10, maybe it was faulty.
| | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2010 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 7
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 11, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $80.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, bokeh, build, size, f/2 | | Cons: | Blue/purple fringing | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I picked this up, several decades ago, used, in a tiny photo shop in Phitsanulok, Thailand, used and filthy, for $80 US. I couldn't pass it up. It instantly became (after I cleaned it up) my second most-used lens (after my SMC PENTAX-A 20mm f/2.8).
Sharp, sharp, sharp (there seem to be a few bad copies out there; but the only lens (before the DA series now) that competed with it on sharpness is my SMC PENTAX-A 50mm f/1.2.) I love the IQ, generally, especially with Kodachrome 64. I would still be using it for portraits with my K-X's if I hadn't bought the DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited, which does blow this one away.
The lens is tiny for it's speed and focal length (I also loved how every M-Series lens, from 20mm through 135mm f/3.5, used a 49mm filter: That was good lens series design!). And therefore perfect for portraits and candids. The subject never knew how that little tiny lens pulled them right in (the 70mm f/2.4 Limited does this even better on the APS-C sensor). Very flattering lens for portraits.
I really love this lens and I will never sell it.
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/WT_Big_Show/12%20Egypt/000Misc/W...37%20Egypt.jpg
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/WT_Big_Show/09%20Nepal/WT%201000...31%20Nepal.jpg
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/WT_Big_Show/09%20Nepal/WT%201000...11%20Nepal.jpg
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/WT_Big_Show/11%20Kenya/WT%201400...12%20Kenya.jpg
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/WT_Big_Show/11%20Kenya/WT%201400...19%20Kenya.jpg
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/WT_Big_Show/12%20Egypt/WT%201600...03%20Egypt.jpg
Purchased USED
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,887
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 6, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $205.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small size, typical solid M series build quality, great colour & contrast, 3D rendering, smooth bokeh | | Cons: | A bit soft wide open, blue fringing especially wide open, a bit slower than many other 85mm lenses | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 8
Camera Used: K200D, K-3, various film SLRs
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Please note that this review is based on use on the K200D with a Katzeye split-prism focusing screen installed. With the standard screen this lens will be considerably harder to focus properly when close to maximum aperture.
This lens is the newest addition to my collection of old (mostly M-series) Pentax glass. I hadnīt planned on getting it but I had wanted a fast 85mm & I saw this one for a decent price (129 GBP), which makes it the most expensive manual lens I own. The build quality is very good, typical M series, and the focusing ring, which was a little stiff from lack of use when I got it, has loosened up to an almost perfect amount of resistance. The big front element, which barely fits within the 49mm filter thread, also makes it look very nice on the camera.
Looking at reviews of Pentax 85mm lenses, this one seems to be the runt of the litter. It is often criticised for itīs lack of sharpness when compared to K-series, older Taks & also newer versions. Bear in mind that any Pentax 85mm lens produced after this model is a * lens, meaning that it will be of superb optical & build quality, and the price will reflect that. Many people rally to the defence of this lens, even claiming that it is sharp wide open. Just remember that sharpness can be subjective. Although I do not own others to compare myself, many others have done, and all seem to conclude that this lens is the slowest & least sharp Pentax 85mm. But in itīs defence, old Tak 85 1.9 or 1.8 lenses in the same condition sell for double, need an adaptor and are larger & heavier.
I do not usually use this lens wide open (except for Brenizer method photos), although Iīve done some tests and I would do it if I had to to get the shutter speed or DoF necessary. Most of the time I use it at 2.8, where it is very good, and even at f4 at this focal length you can isolate a subject from itīs background. The other problem with this lens at F2 is the considerable blue fringing, which is apparent in almost every photo, even when contrast is not very high. Thankfully, 80% of this is gone by F2.8.
However, as others have commented and many people will already know, speed & sharpness are not the only qualities in a lens, and it is often these mysterious other qualities that are why people love it. There is the 3D effect, though this is claimed for a great many lenses. I believe this effect to be down to a combination of DoF, good contrast & good colour. This lens excels in all of these factors, and thatīs why itīs such a good lens. The images from it are never flat or dull, even if they are of uninteresting subjects. Bokeh is very good and Iīve never seen any bad examples in my photos or others'.
I have removed one point for the softness & colour fringing wide open, and for not having a aperture click between F2 & F2.8 (why do they do this???).
If I ever come across a K85 for a reasonable price I will most likely get it, then assess the two & make a decision on which to keep, as these lenses in good condition have already lost any value theyīre going to lose, and re-selling will not lose you anything.
In summary, this lens has excellent image quality with a couple of caveats. If you want it for shallow depth of field to isolate a subject it's a good buy, if you want it to stop down for great telephoto landscapes or cityscapes then it's great too. On extension tubes it also performs exceedingly well in macro work.
A few examples are below.
14/01/2016 - updated this review with newer (better) photos. I'll also add that on a K3 it isn't so hard to focus, even without a Katzeye, and on my little Fuji -M1 (like all old manual lenses) it works like a dream.
01/09/2020 - update to say that I recently compared this lens to the SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 Limited wide open as a favour to another forum member. The result was that there isn't a huge amount in it. The 70mm is sharper with less fringing but the 85mm holds it's own and wide open is sharper than I originally thought, but accurate focus is absolutely critical to getting that sharpness. The comparison shots can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathandmacdonald/albums/72157714449826816
On film:
Agfa 200, Edin April 2014, K1000 015a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
NY Gold 400 023a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
To take Brenizer method stitched panoramas with shallow depth of field:
Brenizer 14th July 2015 by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
At f/4:
Wet leaf by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Unknown aperture but at minimum focus distance:
IMGP6636a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
At f/2.8:
IMGP7275a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Unknown aperture:
The Arch by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Playa de las catedrales, Galicia by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: April, 2010 Location: Tasmania Posts: 349
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $245.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, great colour, focal length | | Cons: | Nothing yet | |
 I purchased this lens on the forum a couple of months ago and have been very impressed. I use it mainly for portraits for which it is a great focal length as you are not right in the face of the subject. I was amazed from the first shot at how sharp the lens is and the colour it is able to reproduce. I bought it to use until I could afford an FA77 but I don't think I can justify the extra expense when the results from this are so good.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 6,513
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 14, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | fast aperture, easy to focus, vivid colors, bokeh, 3D effect and pop, great sharpness | | Cons: | could be faster, some CA wide open | |
WoW WoW WoW WoW. I can't believe that I ever underestimated this lens. this lens is pretty much a salvation to the "M" line lenses. I would say that this is the best or one of the best that came from the mostly underachieving "M" lenses. I bought this lens when I sold my Rok 85/1.4 in favor of the not yet released Sigma 85/1.4. and I had been left with the J-9 lens which is a great lens in it's own right, though I was looking for a different feel or image rendering that the J-9 doesn't give while the Sigma is not yet available.
first, this lens is sharp wide open, and gets really sharp at stop down. I had shot with it at f2.8- f3.5 where the lens really shows it's uncanny sharpness and contrast. the detail is great and everything is being rendered perfectly. resolution is top notch and is a serious contender against the FA77 LTD which is 4 times the price. honestly, having shot with an FA77 which is also a great lens because of it's OOF effect, I prefer the M85 better due to focal length effect and usage. the OOF background separation really shows and makes the image pop. colors are vivid and true. the bokeh is great as well.
the only complaints that I have is that, they could had made it a lil more faster to what I like. also some CA shows under very harsh conditions, especially at wider openings. gone by f5.6. it also struggled with metering where it is underexposing. I dunno what the deal is on that one but I sure do just calculate it manually. the bokeh can be harsh on a few situations but not often.
inspite of those shortcoming, I'm loving this lens and giving it a 10 for it's impressive showing that is equal or rival the FA77.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Posts: 7,183 | | Review Date: July 6, 2010 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | size, speed, colors, sharpness | | Cons: | aberations, hexagonal OOF | |
I did get this lens in April 2010. My wife was away on business trip and I used shopping therapy to make myself feel better.
This is very good lens but full just short of charming me enough to keep it.
Positives are pretty clear. It's very small for 85, decently fast at f2, has good built quality, and good IQ under most conditions. What I didn't like are the aberations, especially wide open. In contrasty situations of wider f stops (2-2.8) this lens glows pretty madly (for my tastes that is). Also on APS-C this lens becomes 127 equivalent FOV and MF is tricky wide open at longer distances (I kept backfocusing a lot). Wide open under favorable conditions this lens is capable of delivering stellar pictures, and because of it's size it didn't get left home too often. But most of the time I didn't find too much use for it. I used it a lot for streets and got good results, but it's bit long for indoors (50/1.2 or 55/1.8 are much more suitable for me) and bit short outdoors with MFD not as close as I'd like, also the hexagonal highlights in OOF when stopped down are annoying... all in all it's a good lens, but I guess not for everyone.
Having said all that, if you are looking for 85 and don't feel like spending too much, go for this one. If you know how to use it and what for, it's capable of delivering great results.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Temecula Posts: 3,675
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 2, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp - beautiful rendering - nice bokeh - smooth focusing ring - compact | | Cons: | Blue fringing can get quite bad - A bit slow (F/2) - No "A" setting (obviously) - no AF (again obviously) | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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Well, like many before me, I purchased this lens because of Jshermans photo's 
He really seems to be able to get the most out of any lens, which becomes quite costly to us *normal* people 
I call this lens the poor man's 77mm ltd.... its qualities are incredible. Every shot I take with it looks great and has the *pop* you get with much more expensive lenses. Its bokeh is very pleasing in most cases, and its sharpness is unreal wideopen. It is extraordinarily small and compact for such a lens meaning it goes with me everywhere. F/2 is not the fastest by any means but is not slow either. My negatives are all me nitpicking since I really can't find anything wrong with it  Anyways im not good at talking so I'll let the lens talk for itself:
Just to show how sharp the m 85mm is I give you massive crops from the K200d (10mp)......
Here you can clearly see my blinds and window....
^wideopen or F/2.8
No sharpening done, just some minor medieval PF removal...
I believe I am the guy in the white shirt.... Idk I took that shot a while ago
^wideopen
AND one more of the above girl
Here you can clearly make out several people...
Wideopen^
and one more of a plant at F/2
check here for more http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanneryates/sets/72157624638446503/ | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 359
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 18, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Unique color and 3d rendering, Inexpensive. Size | | Cons: | | |
This lens has a very unique rendering that suits portraits in particular.
It's so good that I use it instead of my DA 70mm F2.4 Ltd when doing portraits.
The lens gives fantastic colors, incredible 3d rendering and adequate sharpness.
The small size is also an advantage.
Highly recommended if you can cope with manual focus and exposure.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: October, 2009 Location: North Posts: 4,706 | | Review Date: December 15, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small and light; Sharp; Cheapest Pentax 85mm; | | Cons: | Color fringing in high contrast situations; | |
An excellent lens in the digital era.
Small and light, its around the size of a FA50/1.4. I own this and the FA85 and I reach for this lens more often due to the size and weight. A joy to use.
Sharpness is good enough at f2 and sharpens up very well from f4. I have seldom found a need to go higher than f2.8 as this was what I bought the lens for.
To me its a worthy challenger to the other Pentax 85mm.
I got mine expensive, but its still the cheapest Pentax 85mm out there.
Possibly my favorite lens
Cons
-----
Color fringing can occur in high contrast situations.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: January, 2009 Location: Springe Posts: 3,693 | | Review Date: November 1, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $75.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, good contrast (with lenshood), low weight | | Cons: | you have to zoom using your legs | |
I bought my copy very cheap a little over a year ago and today this is the lens I use most frequently. It's a lens I use with total confidence because I hardly ever am disappointed with the results. Sharpness is good wide open and excellent from 2.8 on. At first I was not to excited about the contrast level but since I started using a good lenshood all the time this is no longer an issue. As I do not have a macro lens I am using this lens together with intermediate rings quite often for close-ups.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2009 Posts: 46
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 6, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $220.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharpness, size | | Cons: | - | |
Excellent. Very light, small (not much bigger than my 24) - so sharp, even manually focussed, that it's a joy.
Minor bugbears: can't fit the hood on the opposite way easily. That's it. Very, very nice.
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3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 7, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $177.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | aperture, length, weight, sharpness, bokeh and of course the focus ring | | Cons: | none | |
I bought this lens based on the three previous reviews on this page.
How anyone could give this masterpiece a 5/10 is a mystery. Its a clear 9,
because I dont know if I have found the perfect lens yet... 
I found that out this is a very sharp lens. Much sharper than I ever
hoped for. Super sharpness comes already from f/2.8+. A perfect portrait length
at 127,5mm on my K10D. I certainly dont think its wrong to compare the 85mm
f/2 to the legendary 77mm f/1.8 ltd. I am also a lucky owner of a 43mm f/1.9 ltd
and their sharpness is equally good.
The size and weight is favorable. It also comes with 49mm in filter size and those
filters are the really cheap ones. So give it some good protection and it will last
another 30 years.
And last but not to forget, awww...the focus ring...how perfectly smooth it is. 
Conclusion: If you come across one at a reasonable price, then buy it.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2007 Posts: 8,237
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 22, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $295.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp at f2.8+, beautiful colors, bokeh, contrast | | Cons: | none | |
(The first review - a '5' - is one of the reasons I don't hold the averaged ratings here as gospel - someone's opinion of a given lens can simply be drastically wrong, which is the case with that review.)
This is one of the best lenses I've ever used, period. I own the 77mm limited, and this lens compares favorably, and in fact shows less CA than the 77 in most CA-likely situations.
It has incredible resolution, sharpness, nice contrast, and creates that special 3-d feel that needs to be witnessed to fully understand.
It's fairly small and light, so it's very easy for shake-free handheld shots. It's solid, very well crafted.
I've almost sold mine several times, but have never been able to pull the trigger - it's just too much of a gem to let go. I'd sell my 77 before I'd sell this lens.
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