85mm f1.4 lenses for pentax

[marty_schoo]

<p>There are a whole bunch of 85mm F1.4 prime lenses with pentax mount popping up on ebay and the like. They all look the same yet have different brands printed on them.</p>

<p>They are obviously made in China or similar place. But my question is has anyone here purchased one, own one or know anything about them. They may actually produce good results but I want to find out more first before i even go close.</p>

<p>Thanks, Marty</p>

[celasun]

<p>They are made in South Korea by Samyang.<br>

The lens (variously branded) is manual with "A" setting and is optically very good; especially for its price.<br>

Its resolution, contrast and color rendition are exceptionally good at around portrait shooting apertures.<br>

Do not expect "a miracle" for the widest setting; but even there the central area is quite nice for a portrait.<br>

Pricier lenses offer better quality (other than AF) at apertures >=8.<br>

I am very happy with mine (Rokinon).</p>

[andrewg_ny]

<p><a href="http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/483-samyang_85_14_5d">Here's a review</a> on a FF Canon 5D Mk II; if anything it should perform 'better' (using less of the borders) on an APS-C sensor Pentax.</p>

<p>Consider that the alternative on Pentax for that price is a K85/1.8, M85/2, or perhaps an M42 Tak 85/1.9 or the like that will require stop-down metering.</p>

<p>There's a new autofocus Sigma coming in the fall that will probably be better but will cost at least twice as much.</p>

[laur1]

<p>And <a href="http://lenstip.com/166.1-Lens_review-Samyang_85_mm_f_1.4_Aspherical_IF_-Introduction.html">here</a>'s another review. And a bit of information on future plans from Samyang in <a href="http://lenstip.com/122.1-article-Interview_with_Mr._Lee_-_Director_of_Sales_&_Marekting_Samyang_Optics.html">this interview</a>.</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Just to make things clear about this Samyang/Vivitar/Rokinon/Blahblah lens, I want to point out that in Pentax mount it probably offers the most functionality as the only thing you lose on a Pentax DSLR is autofocus. It will meter correctly, stop down automatically (when the aperture ring is set to the 'A' position), and record correct EXIF data for the aperture.</p>

<p>I say this because in the PhotoZone review Andrew pointed to they tested it in Canon mount, where ALL automatic functionality is lost. This is happily not the case in Pentax mount.</p>

[andrewg_ny]

<p>Good point, Mis. I don't know whether this is the case, but if it is really only KA compatible, on a Pentax D-SLR you can only use center AF point (why, I wonder?) and the lens won't report focal length to the camera so you'll need to enter that for proper SR performance.</p>

[marty_schoo]

<p>Thanks people.</p>

<p>They do look very similar to the sigma 85mm f1.4. They are auto focus but cost Aus$1200 miniumum. I wonder of they are made there too in the same factory?</p>

<p>So it seems if I can get by with manual focus, I have an 85mm lens with shake reduction (On my k20D and K7) and a max ap of 1.4 with correct metering and auto stop down for under AUS$400</p>

<p>Thats a great low light short tele! Isn't it?</p>

<p>Hmmmm.... Auto focus?</p>

[rparmar]

<p>Tests and sample photos both show this lens is quite soft until stopped down to f/2.8 or more. This rather dulls the usefulness of a fast lens.<br>

Also sold under the names Walimex and Opteka.</p>

 

[ricardovaste]

<p>It's very popular amongst Sony shooters.</p>

<p>http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/korean-made-85mm-14-pics-and-thoughts_topic47750.html</p>

<p>http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/an-opteka-85mm-f14-review_topic56960.html</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Tests and sample photos both show this lens is quite soft until stopped down to f/2.8 or more.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I haven't read any lab results or anything, but I've seen hundreds of photos from Sony users over the past year or so. These samples show the opposite. Images full of detail and contrast from wide open.</p>

<p>I use the 8mm by the same people and it's a great lens. I look forward to seeing the 35/1.4 by the end of the year too.</p>

[rparmar]

<p>Richard Harris wrote:</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I haven't read any lab results or anything, but I've seen hundreds of photos from Sony users over the past year or so. These samples show the opposite. Images full of detail and contrast from wide open.</p>

</blockquote>

 

 

<p>Rather depends on one's expectations and standards of comparison. Here is just <a href="http://monuniverspentax.com/test_85mm_pentax.html">one source</a> (<a href="http://au.babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmonuniverspentax.com%2Ftest_85mm_pentax.html&lp=fr_en&btnTrUrl=Translate">translation</a>). Other examples people can find on their own, to make up their own mind.</p>

<p>Pentax updated their A*85, made it a fraction of the size and weight, improved the looks and removed the fastest stop few would use anyway. They called it the FA77 Limited. Works for me. I am sure that for the money the Samyang is also good value, just so long as one knows the compromises that are being made. (There are always compromises.)</p>

[ricardovaste]

<blockquote>

<p>There are always compromises</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Completely agree. This isn't a lens without some 'serious' issues either. Quite a few reports about of the aperture mechanism breaking and the blades spraying out everything, just from general use. I just feel, from actually handling the lens myself, it offers great value, which is why it's become so popular I guess. Performance at 1.4-2.8, in real life situations, is actually very good, from the sample I used.</p>

<p>More compromises anyone? As Mis mentions, it works well with Pentax, and they released an updated one for Nikon, but it's still not so great with Canon/Sony. Some of us have to go through making a new mount to make it easier to work with:<br>

<img src="http://rharris-images.com/Lens-Conversion/Rokkor-to-Sony/Samyang-chipped-mount/DSC9640/907364471_kYgmi-M.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<blockquote>

<p>They called it the FA77 Limited. Works for me.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I still think Mis has lost it when he says he wants a 1.4 over the FA77 ;)</p>

[doug_nelson3]

<p>I am considering a couple of options that might meet this need (except for the f 1.4 max aperture!) I can get a fast max aperture by using a 50mm for purposes suiting the 75mm crop factor.<br>

The Sigma 70mm f 2.8 macro at f 2.8 it might not be too sharp for portraits. Same goes for the excellent Tamron 90mm f 2.8 macro. Both are a bit pricey (400-500 US), but offer extremely fine optical quality, autofocus, nearly no distortion, decent workmanship and, reportedly, pleasing bokeh.</p>

[ricardovaste]

<p>Doug - if you're after a portrait lens and aren't too keen on the ultra high contrast look you get most a lot of modern optics, I would definatly take a 'step to the past' with your considerations. The obvious choice would be an 85mm Takumar of sorts. I got a Jupiter-9 85/2 lens from a friend a couple of days ago & it definately looks like a very capable lens for people - great skin tones. It's cheap and f2 as well.</p>

<p>Here is a quck snap I took over breakfast just to test it.</p>

<p>(click to larger)</p>

<p><a href="http://rharris-images.com/Lens-Conversion/Rokkor-to-Sony/Sample-Gallery/11438976_DYxab#965158151_ascAG-A-LB"><img src="http://rharris-images.com/Lens-Conversion/Rokkor-to-Sony/Sample-Gallery/DSC9925/965158151_ascAG-S.jpg" alt="" /></a></p>

[miserere_mei]

<blockquote>

<p>Rich wrote: I still think Mis has lost it when he says he wants a 1.4 over the FA77 ;)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Ha ha ha! When did I ever say "over"? If I ever had to leave Pentax or go full-frame, the 77 Ltd is the one lens I'd really miss. I like extra-long portrait lenses, and the 77 Ltd on APS-C is lovely, and eminently usable wide open (as Robin pointed out).</p>

<p>The reason I'd like an f/1.4 is for when f/1.8 isn't fast enough when shooting in available darkness (pubs, gigs, etc.). A couple of years ago, shooting with a K10D (max ISO of 1600) that 2/3 stop advantage made a big difference. Now with the K-x, and hopefully the K-5, f/1.8 will probably be fast enough given their much improved high ISO performance.</p>

<p>In daylight, or even indoors during the day, I much prefer the small 77 Ltd f/1.8 over any bulky 85mm f/1.4. I'm not crazy, Rich :-)</p>

[laur1]

<blockquote>

<p> or go full-frame, the 77 Ltd is the one lens I'd really miss</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Why miss it if you go full frame? It's not an APS lens.</p>

[scott_fraser4]

<p>I'll echo what's been said about it being very good at wide apertures. One thing someone figured out though, that hasn't been widely reported, is that this Samyang 85mm has a focus shift around f2.8 which some reviews didn't notice so they complained that it didn't improve much on stopping down.<br>

So 'A' setting and through the viewfinder is recommended for 2.8 and wider, after that stop down to focus or use live view.<br>

All this is stuff I've heard and read: I've thought about getting this but haven't yet. With DA 15, 21, 40 and 70 in the bag I really don't find the big bulky prime lenses appealing. (although my DA 70 has something broken: stopping down takes 0.5 second or so instead of instantly so I can only use it wide open or with a shutter delay currently)</p>

[ricardovaste]

<p>Scott, that sounds like oil on the aperture blades making them a little sluggish - simple repair, I wouldn't do it yourself though, any service place/camera shop will do it for a small fee I would think.</p>

[rparmar]

<p>Miserere Mei wrote:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The reason I'd like an f/1.4 is for when f/1.8 isn't fast enough when shooting in available darkness (pubs, gigs, etc.).</p>

</blockquote>

<p>But why stop there? I have a Pentax 50/1.2 and Cosina 55/1.2, both great focals for portraits and both light suckers. I expect that Pentax is the only brand with which I could afford one such lens, let alone two.<br>

P.S. But I would trade them twice over for one FA77.</p>

[ricardovaste]

<p>I'm with Robin, why stop at 1.4? What you <em>really need</em> is a rokkor 58/1.2 with a custom made Pentax mount :P</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Wow, you guys are really intent on having me buy more lenses, huh? :-D</p>

<p>Shooting moving musicians with an f/1.2 manually focused in low light is frickin' hard, at least with a DSLR. I've been using my Pentax 50mm f/1.2 on the Samsung NX10 and getting a pretty high keeper rate—much higher than with my K10D (where I had to take into account the backfocus, as if just focusing wasn't hard enough!).</p>

[miserere_mei]

<blockquote>

<p>Laurentiu wrote:<br>

Why miss it if you go full frame? It's not an APS lens.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>True, its image circle covers full frame, but I just like the FoV on APS-C. Using it on FF would give me the same FoV I get now when using 50mm on APS-C, which I do often at parties, but not for single people portraits; for that I much prefer the 77 Ltd.</p>

<p>Now, If Pentax released a DFA 135mm f/2.5 and I had a FF camera...then I might have to chat with my credit card. But that combo would always be larger than an APS-C camera + 77 Ltd, which is a downside.</p>