Author: | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 66 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: August 3, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $2,447.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | sharp wide open, no chromatic abberation, creamy bokeh, built quality, AW | Cons: | heavy and expensive :-) | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
| | Excellent and beautiful lens – I have ordered Silver one. It’s a bit expensive but its worth it. Beautifully sharp even wide open (also, no softness) – that really pleased me! I haven’t noticed any chromatic aberrations so far even wide open. I am happy to take shots with the lens at f1.4. The bokeh is creamy as well. I did not use it for astrophotography so far. Just some shots of our newborn baby and some outdoor shots – also lightnings during thunderstorm. Weather sealing is working as a charm.
Both at 1.4: https://www.pentaxfriends.eu/gallery/albums/userpics/_PTX4399_PS_PS.jpg https://www.pentaxfriends.eu/gallery/albums/userpics/_PTX4415_PS_PS.jpg | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2018 Posts: 5 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: July 19, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $1,900.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Bokeh, color, sharpness | Cons: | Weight | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 5
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1 Mark II
| | My favorite lens on the K1 (the Pentax 50mm 1.4 SDM AW and Irix 15mm f2.4 round out my top 3). This is very big, heavy and imposing but the quality of the shots is jaw dropping and worth it. I have been shooting it without the lens hood because it makes it much less imposing and I've not noticed any appreciable increase in flare for the types of shots that I've taken (usually I don't shoot into the sun). I can't recommend it highly enough. I hope that Pentax continues as they have been catering to the non-fad end of the market. Bravo https://www.climatenomad.com/July-2021/i-VpQ96bQ/A | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2017 Location: Kiev Posts: 12 9 users found this helpful | Review Date: April 12, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $1,950.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Beautiful bokeh. Excellent open aperture sharpness. Beautiful color rendition. Good balance on the camera and beautiful appearance. Robust construction. | Cons: | Great weight. Relatively high price. | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K 1
| | I liked the HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW lens as soon as I saw it! He is handsome in appearance, both on his own and when worn on the camera. It looks nice and proportional on the camera and balances well with the camera.
This lens is perfect for photographing both portraits and landscapes. And even the subject shooting is great for him! All this is due to the amazing sharpness. As well as the beautiful, watercolor blurred bokeh of this lens.
After getting used to shooting with the usual lenses that I had before it, the feeling of shooting with the HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW is similar to when I first took a ride in a 600 Mercedes. Mixed sense of chic, power and comfort.
At open apertures with this lens, you need to learn to photograph those who have never before had the experience of shooting with high-aperture lenses. Because the HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW has a very narrow depth of field. For example, when shooting from a distance of 2 meters and with an aperture of 1.4, the depth of field is about 2-3 cm. And if, when shooting a face portrait, you do not hit the focus point on the eyes, but hit the tip of the nose, then the eyes will already be in the zone of blur.
I can say that the HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW surprised me many times. At first I was surprised by the rather impressive dimensions of this lens. And also its considerable weight. And I also doubted that this lens would be able to shoot sharp shots at an open aperture (1.4).
But as soon as you start taking pictures with the HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW, all this already seems like insignificant trifles. Compared to the great picture this lens is capable of.
I'll start with the sharpness. Lens HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW has good sharpness already from an open aperture of 1.4! Most of the portrait lenses of previous generations had to cover the aperture one stop in order to achieve a sharper picture. With the same lens, everything is different. It produces an excellent picture right away, already from the widest aperture of 1.4. I didn't even need to close my aperture beyond 2.0. And most of the pictures I took with an aperture of 1.4. Only occasionally covering the diaphragm to 1.6.
For shooting
One of my first shots with the HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW was a landscape shot outside the window. Shot with 1.4 aperture and manual focus lens. Surprisingly, everything turned out sharp and beautiful. Both in the center of the frame and in the corners. I was very impressed by this! (Manual focusing with this lens is easier than I could have imagined. They are comfortable focusing in manual mode.)
Then I tried to shoot subject photography. And HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW did an excellent job with this task too!
And only then I tried to shoot portraits with the HD Pentax-D FA * 85mm F1.4 SDM AW. In portrait photography, this lens is second to none! Excellent sharpness, beautiful bokeh, beautiful color rendition and detail! Thanks to all this, taking pictures with the lens is easy and enjoyable. And the result not only justifies, but in many ways exceeds all expectations!
The main difficulty I faced with shooting was that I had never shot at this focal length with such a wide open aperture before. And I quickly realized that with such a shallow depth of field, it was not so easy for me to cope out of habit. However, this is not a problem, but a solvable question. And it is solved as you master the skills of shooting with this lens.
I got used to the weight of a camera with a lens in a couple of days. Yes, it's a tough couple. And after three hours of continuous shooting, the hands, accustomed to the small and light lenses of past generations, tire out of habit. But the picture with this lens is so beautiful that I can easily forgive the weight of this lens.
I can say that this is the lens with the best picture of all lenses that I have ever shot with. I absolutely love this lens!
For the lens provided to me for filming, I would like to thank the Pentax Ukraine office! | | | | Site Supporter Registered: June, 2017 Location: Bremen Posts: 7 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: January 12, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $2,200.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharpness, Bokeh | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-1 II
| | The lens is outstanding. It's truly fun to use. Pentax improves AF speed - based on K-1 II and AF-motor. C-modus works very fine (what was astonishing for me). Sharpness/Bokeh - it's fantastic. | | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2017 Posts: 16 9 users found this helpful | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 941 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: December 16, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $1,700.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharpness, Quick focusing, Bokeh, Weather Sealing | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-1, K-3
| | I used to have the previous 85, the 1990's era, FA*85 1.4 and although an outstanding lens, I had focus and problems gear problems. This lens (the D-FA* 85 1.4) alleviated all that, and then some including weather sealing. Quick, silent and accurate autofocus, and it totally exudes the feel and quality of the high performance race car of lenses. Pentax really pulled out all the stops with this one. I was on the fence due to the price, but now using it for a couple of weeks, I can now safely say it is worth every penny.
| | | | New Member Registered: November, 2017 Posts: 1 | | | | 8 users found this helpful | Review Date: August 19, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $1,896.95
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Everything! | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
| | I have worked with the highest performance lenses on many different formats, from many different brands: Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Pentax, Phase One, Sigma, Sony, Tamron, Zeiss—and this lens is among the best! It was immediately clear to me after reviewing my initial test images that this lens is likely to become my all-time favorite lens. I also own the HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW and, while an excellent lens itself, this 85mm demonstrates Pentax's finest work. If Pentax continues to develop D FA* lenses at this caliber, I will be a buyer for almost anything they release. If this lens is anything to go on, the K-mount has a brilliant future!
| | | | New Member Registered: June, 2015 Posts: 9 2 users found this helpful | | | | Pentaxian Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 2,385 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: August 5, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $2,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | top class 85 | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1
| | 28 years ago, the FA* version was released. 21 years ago, the 77ltd was released. The new lens easily outperforms the older designs. Size and weight are adequate for it’s performance. Sharp with smooth bokeh from f/1.4. Placing the focus point correctly is the major challenge, but you get a feel for it. f/1.6 eases focusing. If you ever find f/8, finest details are resolved for pixel peepers (in raw inside the camera).
AF is decent for the size of the lens and silent, weather sealing avoids dust inside the lens. The lens does not feel heavy, but large for an 85. It is not unobtrusive like the 77.
You can make it fringe, but fringing is very nicely suppressed and not a problem.
The 50 is easier to control. The 85 is the new portrait choice. Let’s see what kind of wide angle will follow. The lens just delivers. Drawing of the lens is different from the 77. Using 50 & 85 together works well, any 77 image in a series will stick out. The 77 is also very much alive.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2007 Location: Prague Posts: 1,199 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: July 31, 2020 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | optics, AF | Cons: | size and weight | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-1
| | I used FA*85 for the past 10 years and learned to navigate around it's weak points. Unreliable AF and aberrations. After obtaining DFA*50 last year I stopped using the FA*85 because it was so much more concenient to simply use a lens that focusses accurately and requires less corrections in post-process.
With DFA*85 I'm back to this FL.
Yes, it's heavy and large, but nearly perfect optically. I'm delighted so far.
| | | | Junior Member Registered: November, 2016 Location: Gabun Posts: 39 23 users found this helpful | Review Date: July 27, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $1,999.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Exceptional sharpness already at f1.4 | Cons: | size and weight | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K1 Mark 1
| | After I got rid of all my shyness, I fell in love with the '85 quite quickly. The detail resolution, contrast and precise autofocus even in difficult lighting conditions make the DFA* 85 the first choice for a short telephoto lens. A perfect portrait lens that makes the subject look good - it captures the finest details without being overly sharp like a 100 macro, which many people like to use as a portrait lens, although I don't think too much of it. The sharpness curve is buttery smooth. As always, the bokeh is a matter of taste and there is no good or bad. It pleases or it doesn't please. For nature photographers the sharpness at aperture 1.4 is a superb advantage.
An advantage not to be underestimated is the 1.4 open aperture, even when focusing. I was able to focus absolutely reliable in really miserable light conditions - I admit that I only use the central focus point - I know it works better and easier, but I'm not so good with workflow changes.
Where there is light, there is of course shadow - A 20% shorter close-up limit (it is ~85cm) would be great for really close ups and if the 85 would weighed half as much, it would be ideal - but physics is hard to influence and because of the close-up the K1 has actually offers enough megapixels to crop.
I've been waiting for a NEW-GERNERATION-LENS in the FA 77 ltd. area for a long time. - Don't get me wrong - I love the 77 and it's certainly one of the lenses I'll never sell, but sometimes Pixie-Dust is just not hip. For my commercial productions I need a high-performance lens that will go with me through thick and thin. Neutral in its image with highest resolution and reliable autofocus under all light and weather conditions. And this is what Pentax has built for me with the DFA* 85 1.4 - no ifs, ands or buts, no compromises in image quality. What more could you want.
The Images posted in the review as well as a ton of other testshots can be found here in full resolution: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Rl144a6nCSA-cwYPC5Z93px-AL08b2XS?usp=sharing | | | | Pentaxian Registered: May, 2013 Location: Vilnius Posts: 1,020 46 users found this helpful | Review Date: July 9, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $2,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Sharpness, CA control, quick autofocus, AW, build quality, bokeh, performance in infrared spectrum, negligible coma in extreme corners | Cons: | weight, size | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-1
| | I think the best way to review Pentax star lens is to make comparison with another highly regarded one, so this is not scientific comparison of DFA* 85/1.4 and FA* 85/1.4. All images are shot at f1.4, presented in Lightroom and are screenshots. The lenses change sides in the examples provided. The DFA * 85 / 1.4 lens is marked as 85 mm.
FA* 85/1.4 seems marginally softer at 100 percent magnification, has some kind of glow. 107512751_1332032800477587_2779007877144387848_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr 107630662_1332034810477386_3599273989885285151_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr 107007834_1332030203811180_5814329183397611093_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
FA* 85/1.4 renders out-of-focus background objects a little bit "harsher" if this word could be applicable here. 107713808_1332035237144010_7643094313706836055_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
But FA*85 has more "blurry" foreground bokeh at f1.4, maybe due to lower contrast. Highlights are more round at the peripheral part of the frame using DFA*85 (could be less mechanical vigneting). bokeh DFA85 vs FA85 f14 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
DFA* 85/1.4 is sharper in the peripheral part of the frame, it seems spherical aberrations are more pronounced in FA* 85. 107467165_1332039607143573_9016947389808001896_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
FA* 85 has more purple fringing and in case of not very contrast situations that fringing looks like purple glow. 107375718_1332044350476432_3106550615819659669_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
DFA* 85/1.4 is no doubts better than FA* 85/1.4 wide open if shot against bright sky. 100 percent crop. 107602178_1332477520433115_6518771286999885334_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
Longitudinal CAs: they are here at f1.4 - more for FA*85, much less for DFA*85. Almost not visible at "normal" view on the monitor screen, but visible at 100 percent magnification.
Lateral CAs: I would say NO lateral CAs for DFA*85, but visible for FA*85.
Both types of CAs are easy to correct in Lightroom for DFA*85, because at f1.4 the lens is very sharp and has no glow, but difficult to correct for FA* 85. CAs differ in color: DFA*85 has aqua/rose-red CAs, FA* - green/purple. 107502415_1332113090469558_3266697820518144206_o by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
According to tests on www.lenstip.com, I would say that just Zeiss Otus 85/1.4 is better in aspect of CAs, 107738952_1332118537135680_8082434175089270657_n by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
Sigma Art 85/1.4 and Zeiss Milvus 85/1.4 is on par with DFA*85/1.4. 107377690_1332118163802384_4744670237606844250_n by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr 107510497_1332115547135979_6485861717407863742_n by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
Other lenses - Sony FE 85/1.4 GM, Canon EF-S 85/1.4 are not bad, 107375191_1332116180469249_3258608042351930261_n by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr 107597731_1332120067135527_2502217151539308002_n by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
Old Sigma 85/1.4 and Nikon Nikkor 85/1.4 G are much worse. 107542667_1332119290468938_8509478091518395263_n by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr 107467165_1332119820468885_7244827816386352209_n by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
Overall even the lens is heavy it balanses on K-1 very well. It is not much bigger than DFA*50/1.4 if the hood is not attached, but little more thicker.
So, Pentax made excellent new optical design lens, that seems on par with Zeiss Otus, but half the price and with autofocus, as well not so chunky (filter thread 82 vs 86 mm).
And finally some examples of portraits. You can decide by your own eyes that this lens is amazing performer.
F1.4 IMGP4775-Edit-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP3892-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP4094-Edit-Edit-Edit-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP6072-Edit-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP6376-Edit-Edit-Edit-3 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.6 IMGP0686-Edit-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F2.5 IMGP0744-Edit-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F4.0 IMGP1548-Edit-Edit-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F2.0 FB_IMG_1595453688957 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F2.0 IMGP3927-Edit-Edit-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F2.0 IMGP4288-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F2.2 IMGP6227-Edit-Edit-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP6064-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP7513-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP7404-Edit-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F5.6 IMGP9129-Edit-Edit-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.4 IMGP0362-Edit-Edit by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
F1.6 IMGP0674-Edit2-2 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
DFA* 85/1.4 is stellar performer in INFRARED photography as well!
Here I post not ordinary images because they are made in infrared and near infrared spectrum. I use Pentax K-5 converted camera with 640 nm filter on the sensor. As many of you could know, lenses do focusing different in visible and IR spectrum, they are even optimized to perform best in visible spectrum. For IR spectrum they need focus correction and often are soft due to infrared light waves do focus a little beyond the sensor (they are longer).
What I like in new Pentax star lenses is the ability to focus correct in IR spectrum using optical viewfinder!!
These pictures are made with 0 adjustment of fine focus on IR converted Pentax K-5 (640 nm filter). All are f1.4 because K-5 can't use electromagnetically controlled iris diaphragm. Pictures are postprocessed in Lightroom using my own presset and sharpened to 60/1.5. IMGP3112 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr IMGP3097 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr IMGP3100 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr IMGP3071 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr IMGP3066 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr IMGP3051 by MG Mindaugas, on Flickr
BTW, Pentax DFA* 50/1.4 is also in this category of stellar performers wide open in IR spectrum!
Testing DFA* 85/1.4 for astrophotography shows negligible coma in extreme corners at f1.4, but the lens has visible vignetting, that still can be corrected in postprocessing. At f2.0 the vignetting is not the problem, at f2.8 - lens is perfect.
The review is here: https://milkywayphotographers.com/gear/2020/07/30/pentax-d-fa%E2%98%85-85mm-...iew-for-astro/ | | |