Probably my biggest regret

As some of you will know my philosophy is to try as many Pentax lenses as I can, but the process is quite expensive with some lenses being quite rare and sometimes a little (or a lot) over-priced. To fund the philosophy I've parted with a number of superb lenses, some of the very finest going to members of the forum - so high quality recycling really, I occasionally find that I miss a lens or two so I then hunt for a replacement. The one lens that I sold a while back that I've regretted is the SMC Pentax A* 85mm f1.4 - first I sold my "user" copy and then my "collectors" copy, I'd convinced myself that owning the FA77 and the DFA* 85 was more than adequate. The FA77 is superbly compact, beautifully built and has excellent IQ while the DFA*85 is probably the sharpest portrait lens with incredible bokeh that I've ever used, but there is just something about the A*85 that I really miss.

So I was lucky enough to come across a very good condition sample the other day and now it has arrived I think it's fair to say that what I really missed was the "feel" - there is just something about the beautiful build and that perfect resistance of the focus ring. The A series lenses (and the Star models in particular) are just such a pleasure to use - optically they are superb but have their flaws (the purple fringing on some at maximum aperture is very strong) but you just get the feeling that these lenses will still be functioning exactly as they were designed for many years to come, probably longer than their AF successors

Taken today on the K1 MkII with an auto extension tune and the 1.7x AF adapter...


Click to see at a bigger size

The downside of this purchase is having to sell something else to balance the funds

Viewing on the mobile only it looks a stunning shot, shall have to see it on the monitor.
My big regret is that having purchased the dfa * 85mm f1.4 ( in an extravagant mood) I haven't used it much. You can count on your hands the number of times, and I think I've had it 3 years?
I know it is a great lens, but heavy and too conspicuous, I don't do portraits sadly, maybe later on some day.

As a beneficiary of some of your selling to fund a new lens, I can only praise your philosophy of high quality recycling.

It's interesting that you missed the 'feel' of the lens. If I had to get rid of all but one of my six (eek! ) 1:1 macro lenses, the one I'd keep would be the Irix 150mm. It's big, heavy-ish and no AF. But for me, it feels and handles wonderfully. Balance on the camera, touch and feel, turning the focus ring, everything seems right to me. And that can mean the difference between getting a close-up shot of a bee and just missing it.

Steve

Keep recycling John !

It's a difficult balance keeping a lens collection in check. How many times have we sold a little used lens, just to find that the day comes when we need to buy it again? Too many times! It does keep the lenses circulating around though.

Don't worry guys, the recycling will continue - but at a reduced flow, my stock of lenses has reduced somewhat since my "temporary" retirement. The decisions on what to recycle become more and more difficult as certain lenses become rarer and rarer (gone are the days of being certain that there will always be another one available in a month or two).

I did adopt a very sensible logic a few years ago, namely that I should only keep my favourite lens in a particular focal length, but this is very flawed - as shown by my reacquisition of the A*85/1.4. I have the DFA*85/1.4 which is a better lens than the A* in most respects, but as I said in my original post the "feel" of the A* means it is a lens I will use a lot more (it's a real pleasure).

@Loadoftripe mentioned he hasn't used his DFA*85/1.4 very much, nor have I, but I'm certain I will use it more at some point in the future and I have had a taste of what it can do, so I'll keep hold of mine - hopefully you'll get more use from yours soon. Don't just treat it as a portrait lens though - it's great for landscapes, and if/when a full frame converter and auto extension tubes become available (I know - I'm probably being over-optimistic ) a whole new world opens up

I'm not sure if @Johnriley got his words mixed up when he used the phrase "when we need to buy it again"? But I'm often reminded that the correct use of the English language when referring to lenses and cameras is to use the word "want", the word "need" should only be used when referring to shoes, handbags and clothes

@Lubbyman - I've not used the Irix but I chime with your description of the "feel"! The A*85, A*200 Macro, A 100/2.8 Macro and A 50/1.2 share some beautiful engineering and design that contribute to their longevity, IQ and feel.

@pschlute I don't think I've got anything left that you could possibly want, in fact I think I've re-bought more lenses that I've recycled to you than any other forum member

Can only agree about the Irix, it is a super lens with that solid quality feel

When it comes to lens regrets, I have plenty (regrets that is - never have too many lenses!) My major regret is parting with the FA*85mm F1.4 - so now tracking a couple of copies. I would have indulged myself but who would believe that a timing belt and water pump on the car would set me back more than the lens!

Stephen

Anyone compared the Pentax K 85/1.8 with the A*85?

Just as no one lens can do everything specs-wise (speed, focal length, sharpness, bokeh, size, weight etc) no lens can do everything in terms of user satisfaction - sometimes you need AF or peak sharpness to get the job done and sometimes you just need the feel of a well, designed and well-built manual focus lens with buttery-smooth focus.

My favourite manual focus 85mm is an f/1.7 Minolta. It's gorgeous to look at with that huge front element, built like a tank and feels great to use. I imagine the A*, or maybe even the K or a Takumar, might be better optically wide open but they're also significantly more expensive.

Funny you should ask - but that's what I've been doing over the last few weeks!

With these 2 lenses it really comes down to what is important to you as the photographer rather than just comparing the technical capabilities of the lenses. That might sound like I'm stating the obvious but when it comes to the Pentax 85's then there isn't a bad one among them so whichever lens you end up with most Pentaxians would be happy.

I don't do technical reviews and don't often post image comparisons - there are plenty who will provide that service in fact John Riley has published an excellent and balanced review here: https://www.pentaxuser.com/review/smc-pentax-85mm-f-1-8-lens-review-2262 - but I'm happy to share my observations and feelings about these lenses. So, a quick summary...

With the SMC Pentax 85mm f1.8 the build and feel of the lens is the first thing you notice. It is fairly compact (bigger than the M 85mm f2 but smaller than all the other later 85mm models), it feels solid and so well engineered with a beautifully smooth and slightly firm focus action. The focus throw on this lens is much longer than the A*85/1.4, particularly at the close focus end - this give the potential for more accurate focus with a turn that is roughly double the A* and 9 marked distances between 2m and 0.85m (the closest focus) compared to 5 on the A*85/1.4.

The filter size on the 1.8 is 52mm compared to 67mm on the 1.4 - so screw-in filters are cheaper and the lens hood is more compact (the A* hood is massive), it is a clip on plastic hood typical of the K series lenses and is much quicker to take on and off than the screw in metal hood of the 1.4

When it comes to image quality there is so little between these 2 lenses in most situations - shooting at f2.8 or smaller I doubt many could see a difference, they are both sharp and deliver beautiful backgrounds. At faster apertures I believe the A* has the edge over the K - the K exhibits some purple fringing under bright reflective conditions, the A* does sometimes but much less. I find the A* to be a tad sharper, but some of that may be down to the brightness of the lens allowing me to nail the focus more easily. I am more confident in my abilities to get the focus point right at wide apertures with the A*85, I have some very good portraits at f1.4 although I think the absolute sweet spot is f2 on this lens.

One final note on the A* 85mm f1.4 is that its performance at longer distances is excellent. There are discussions about the designs of 85mm lenses and the idea that many are optimised for portrait distances and the A* is mentioned as being superb at all distances. If you read the reviews of theses lenses you may also see the K85 mentioned as being a good performer at infinity too !

SMC Pentax A* 85mm f1.4:



SMC Pentax 85mm f1.8:



The 85mm line-up I owned a few years ago...

Just thought I'd pop out and test/confirm my views on the K85/1.8 at maximum aperture....




I have not messed with the colours or sharpening in processing, just shadow/highlight and exposure adjustments. I think this image demonstrates that this lens is very capable at its widest - the cobweb line shows the clarity while the overall image has a slightly lower contrast and softness and a beautiful background effect.

They're so good. This is a brilliant thread LennyBloke.

Great comparison - I was lucky to find a good K 85/1.8 some time ago.

You would have to prise the FA*85 1.4 out of my cold dead hands....it was one lens I craved after and after a work 'windfall' I was on the phone to FFordes of Westcliffe on Sea and got my copy....to be honest I get so much joy from my Pentax primes that I get the sense of disappointment from my Nikkors - the 85 1.8D was a struggle, so went to MPB at a loss.

The 85 is not a lens I take out often but I made the point of taking it on our camera club outings in the summer, along with the 24/2 and 135/2.8.

I also craved the FA* for many years and did eventually get one (or was it two, maybe three - over a few years ) - and it didn't disappoint one bit. Once I got hold of my DFA*85/1.4 I let my last FA*85 go - the newer version is optically a better lens (although in most situations you wouldn't tell the difference) but the sheer size and weight of it means it doesn't get out much! As I said earlier, there isn't a bad Pentax 85 - the FA* is more optimised for portrait distances, the A*85 is the better lens at longer distances while the K85 with its size and weight advantage may be the best all-rounder? I could honestly say I'd be extremely happy with any in my collection But I can't justify (to myself or my other half) more than 2 85's - hence the comparison of the K85 and A*85 over the last few weeks.

I have made a choice and one of them will be going up for sale in the near future

p.s. Your choice of the 24/2 85/1.4 and 135/2.8 for outing is superb - quality, speed, autofocus - what more can you ask for