I've never really got on with my TCs, whether Sigma, Pentax or Nikon. I did have the 1.4DA x which worked reasonably well with my DA60-250/4 but that was it....

When I was looking for a long focal length lens for my Nikon system, I did so in the hope I could use my 1.4x and 1.7x TC... one of the lenses I was looking at was the 200-400/4 and advice was don't use TC with this lens, actually not very good with the primes either....so my 500/4E FL is used without TC, if I want to 'extend' I just use it on the D500.

I take your note about stopping down Lenny. When I had my Nikkor 85mm 1.8D I could not get it calibrated using Reikan Focal, even with auto-tune in the cameras it was hit and miss - the software calibrates at f1.8 and was indicating a massive change (-20) but as soon as you go over 2.8 it was fine. No such issues with my FA*85/1.4 though (don't need a tc on that as I already have the FA135/2.8.

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.

Where in Sarf London John?

Was the lens 'rubbish' at all apertures or just wide open? I had the same issue with my Nikon Nikkor 50 1.4G and 85 1.8D; using Reikan Focal I couldn't get either right and sent them to Nikon who said there was nothing wrong with them. I've got the 50mm to where I want it but sold the 85 at a loss out of desparation. I have no such issues with any of my Pentax glass.

Somebody bought it...

I know Cambrian very well, it is where I got my K-1 (although my lenses are from SRS) and my Z8.

They are quite modest on their descriptions too, what they call 'excellent' would be called 'mint' or 'like new' on other sites - my OH got S/H RF lenses (24-105/4 and 100 macro) from the shop recently and the lenses were barley touched.

Z100-400 is a higher priority for me though...but I am tempted.

From recollection - there is a standard for FA lenses and a different standard for FA* - the FA* switch was flush with the lens body while the FA switch was proud of it.

I only sold my DA* lenses because my only Pentax DSLR is the K-1..I don't think I had the best copy as the images from my D-FA 24-70 are more satisfying.

Whoever bought it won't regret it, cracking lens.

I did own the Pentax-A variant about 30 years ago, found it ok. You can still see copies with Takumar-A branding too.

I'd like to track down the SMC version however to use with my P50, the D-FA zooms are quite hefty on the small film body