SMC Pentax-FA* 85mm F1.4 [IF] Reviews - FA Prime Lenses (2024)

@ f/16

The last picture taken @ f/2 shows the separation possible between the different planes of the image. Focus was set manually on the rock in the foreground. It is rather sharp while the main subject (the wide rock outcropping) about 30 feet further away remains fuzzy. This permits "subject isolation" or selective focus if the need arises. Personally I prefer allover edge-to-edge sharpness and you get this effect magnificently @ f/8, where DoF masks focusing errors. Up to now, f/8 to f/16 seems to be the OPTIMUM APERTURE RANGE to get perfect landscape images.

Today I mounted it on my Pentax K1. For landscape purposes, f/11 proved to be the OPTIMUM APERTURE OPENING on a Full-Frame sensor.

An expensive lens but very sharp and providing an interesting field of view, although most users will dedicate it to portraiture.

New images taken adding an old Pentax A 1.4X S converter to the FA* 85 mm :

When you start with a sharp prime, the converter does not degrade images much at middle apertures (f/4 here).

photo straight out of K1ii Limited, @ f/1.4, 1/50s, ISO1600

The only thing i dont like is the rubber thing on top of it But it works so its just a non issue.

Is it the best in the world? I think you can say that whitout lying, but the autofocus make it a hard case to defend in 2023.

What I did get from this lens is wonderful, but I'll start with the frustrating stuff.

Focusing
This lens uses the old screw drive focusing system. It is loud, slow, and it hunts a lot. You won't be using this lens to shoot any fast-moving nearby objects.

We're primarily using DSLRs, so I'm focusing and recomposing. I find that in difficult lighting scenarios (strong sunlight, back light), the camera gets confused. It will focus on the bright spots (usually the model's hair), or sometimes just nothing at all. If there is a lot of 3D-pop in your photo, it will also be unsure of where you're trying to look and will focus on things in your intended foreground or background. Sometimes, being just barely out of focus on your model.

I find that in these scenarios, it is best to just pop it into manual and leave it there.

Where the autofocus works best is in a studio setting. Put the camera on a tripod, the autofocus will get you within 95% of where you want it. I will disagree with what the camera wants to focus on, but snapping the lens into manual focus and taking over is easy enough. It also works well for shooting groups where everything is farther away, but that's just putting less strain on the system.

Sharpness and Aberrations
It's frustrating that the focusing system is so lackluster because you can get some really tack sharp images out of it when you nail that focus. I use this lens primarily for portraits and I find that it is almost too sharp and I need to do a lot of post on skin texture to reel it back in a bit.... at a few stops down.

The optics on this lens occupy that strange place at the top end of film lenses without quite getting to the technical perfection of digital era lenses. Stopped down, you won't notice a difference between this and modern top-of-the-line fast 85s, but wide open it has problems. (And that's sad because it's a 1.4! Why wouldn't you use it wide open?) Wide open, you'll get pretty unpleasant CA, some ghosting, and a general lack of sharpness, especially in strong light.

Bokeh and DoF
The out of focus areas wide open are very nice, but there is nothing special. No unusual effects, not much flare. Generally, the bokeh is unobtrusive and functional. The lens doesn't easily produce unusual artifacts stopped down. Wide open, things are pleasant with some slight cats eyes at the edges of the frame. Generally, it is professional and unflappable in this department.

The DoF is interesting. Even stopped down, the in focus areas are noticably sharper than just ahead and behind. Falloff is very quick. You do not have any luxury of getting in the 'in focus' range and calling it good enough. You will notice things slightly out of focus at f4. Of course, this adds to the challenge because of focusing difficulties.

But, this adds to the 3D pop effect. Good shadows and even a few things passing through the focus distance will make your photos feel hyper real in this way. It's a real joy!

Handling
The lens handles beautifully. Snapping into and out of manual focus is quick, easy, and intuitive. The lens picks up where you leave off right away. Focus throw is short and responsive. It feels a bit plastic-y, but this might just be comparison to the Takumars and Pentax-K lenses I'm used to.

The aperture ring is badly placed, but I almost never take it out of automatic mode anyway. It is nice to have there at all. Theoretically, you could use this lens on a dumb camera, with no electrical connections.

My one complaint is that the stock lens cover can't be removed while the lens hood is in place. Also, the lens hood is solid when mounted, but it is flimsy when in the 'storage' position (backwards). Mine was broken in shipping. Just be careful with it and don't ship it assembled.

just a very basic portrait with one light plus some fill, closed down slightly. I did miss focus just behind her eye, by about 1/2"

this is unedited (except crop) to show CA wide open in demanding circumstances. Also, it is soft. But, decent bokeh, even for a full-body portrait.

we had fun on this beach photoshoot. Don't even bother with autofocus here. Just be in manual and be happy.

Crop at f/2.0

85 lenscal by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

arthur by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

loose nut by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

taxi55 by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

dry boat by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

security by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

hair today by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

those eyes bw by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr

The favourite photo from the month came near the end of the month and I am aiming to have it enlarged and printed for my wall, thanks to this wonderful lens.

early prom by Gary Wakeling, on Flickr[COLOR="Silver"]

The only downsides to the FA*85mm that I can see are rarity/cost and weight.

As a result I tend to take the 77mm Ltd out more often for family trips etc. It is far smaller and lighter. Easier to replace too, if anything unfortunate happened. The FA*85mm is just a very special lens and I count myself very lucky to own a good copy.

Excellent lens for protraits. Great subject isolation, and i simply love the bokeh.

Let the picture speaks for this excellent lens.

I don't regret my purchase and this is the best lens that I own and admire.

Here are some samples;

https://www.flickr.com/photos/96803215@N05/13883882855/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/96803215@N05/13883866705/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/96803215@N05/13883840735/

I hope you enjoy.

@f/2.8

HIEP5578 copy by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr

@f/1.8

HIEP5580 copy by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr

@f/2.2

HIEP5588 copy by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr

And more recently, at a garden in PA, NJ

HIEP7372 by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr

HIEP7337 by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr

f/1.4

HIEP7389_edited-1 by ngnhuhiep, on Flickr

Hood is great but very well fitted and durable.

These two shots are at f1.4.

Few more shots