Probably my biggest regret

LennyBloke · 2025-06-21T20:55:43+0100

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 :cool: 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 :cry:

Lenses for Pentax CamerasLenses for Pentax Ca...

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davidwozhere davidwozhere

3668 posts
11 years
Slap in the middle of England

Posted 27/11/2025 - 00:40 Link

I have long looked at 80 - 85mm lenses and then gazed at the forlorn contents of my piggy bank. I make up for my loss with the A Macro f2.8 50mm on the end of the F 1.7x AF adapter. It works a treat - for me at any rate but if anyone wants to donate a real one .... ?

Both the *istDS and the K5 are incurably addicted to old glass

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Plus Member LennyBloke LennyBloke

7279 posts
18 years
Worcestershire

Posted 27/11/2025 - 13:05 Link

davidwozhere wrote:
I have long looked at 80 - 85mm lenses and then gazed at the forlorn contents of my piggy bank. I make up for my loss with the A Macro f2.8 50mm on the end of the F 1.7x AF adapter. It works a treat - for me at any rate but if anyone wants to donate a real one .... ?

On a tighter budget there is the Samyang 85mm f1.4 - Aspherical IF, it can be found used for around the £100 mark and is a great performer. But there's no problem using your combination - both parts of the highest quality, as we've seen from your results

LennyBloke