Any experience with the Pentax-F SMC 85mm F/2.8 Soft Auto Focus lens

I was always interested in lenses with slightly soft focus effect.

I managed to get this during my Leica days with the Summar 50mm f2 lens when used between f2 and f2.8 and also the Canon 50mm f1.2 with the Canon/Leica thread.

Now I am very interested in the Pentax-F SMC 85mm F/2.8 Soft Auto Focus
lens. The problem is however. It sells on Ebay four around 370-420Dollars plus postage.
However before I commit to save another 100 Dollars (I have 310 Dollars in my Coin Box) I like know if any of you had any expirience with this lens. Is it very tricky to use etc, and can it be used as a normal lens if stopped down, say to f8 or more?
Regards, Horst

Well, it seems nobody in this forum has used this lens. (Hard to believe)

Regards, Horst

I've used the 85mm f/2.2, but I was uninspired by its possibilities. The lenses are quite rare and very expensive as a result. In the version I had there was an adjustable baffle that increased the soft focus effect.

I'd rather have a standard 85mm and use a soft focus filter or digital effect than the specialised lens. Using the soft focus lens we still only have a two element in one group lens, not highly corrected by a long way.

I'm sure this must be a silly question really - but can someone tell me what the difference is (in outcome) between a lens that has a soft-focus effect and one that just isn't so sharp??

Andrew

It's the rendering Andrew. Soft focus lenses leave some aberrations uncorrected, so it creates a particular effect. Soft lenses are just unsharp and soft, however, they are so because of lens defects, so it's possible to get a really poor lens that actually gives you the results you want. See David Hamilton's work for a good example of this. Probably not PC these days, so Adults Only for David Hamilton.

The poor lens route will be unpredictable, the soft focus lens will be a predictable effect.

I have the 2.2 m version and love it.
you are forced to compose by putting the main subject dead center and compose in post by cropping.
it can produce amazing portraits and boke..

love it or hate it, it is unique. I'd love to have the 85 2.8

Thanks for the info. Makes me think.

Regards, Horst

I'm an 'OLD Adult' -- can I 'Google' David Hamilton please ?

Sensibilities were different in the 1970s when DH was a highly regarded photographer, albeit it in the "soft porn" area of the market. Ethereal soft focus was his technique and I believe he used a really rubbish 50mm lens. made a fortune with it.

It just shows that sharpness isn't everything.

Remember the days of smearing Vaseline on your lens for the 'really soft' effect?

I have the FA 28mm f2.8 soft lens the softness varies from f2.8 max to around f8 min, it performs as a normal auto lens from f8 to f22.
It is easy to use on modern digital cameras as the results can be instantly checked. The f2.8 setting is a little overdone for portraits for my taste but becomes highly controllable as the lens is stopped down and disappears at f8.
I am about to try it on micro 4/3 Panasonic G3 where it becomes effectively a 170mm, should be interesting.
The softness is more evident on highlights and works wonderfully on flowers in sunlight.
The results are superior to using filters or in post processing.

Thanks for your very detailed comment, Rangemaster.

After reading your mail, I will definetly buy one.

Thanks, Horst