Question 1

Is the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 worth buying used?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, and here's why: this is a purpose-built professional prime with full AW weather sealing and SDM autofocus — features that hold their value well. Buying it second-hand means you get the same optical performance and build quality. On Camera-tweedehands.nl every used lens comes with a minimum 12 months warranty, so you're covered if anything unexpected turns up.

Question 2

What camera bodies is the Pentax 85mm 1.4 compatible with?

Accepted Answer

The lens uses a Pentax K mount, so it fits all current and recent Pentax K-mount DSLRs — including the K-1 Mark II (full-frame), K-3 Mark III (APS-C) and other K-series bodies. On full-frame bodies you get the true 85mm field of view; on APS-C bodies the crop factor gives you an equivalent of roughly 130mm.

Question 3

How does the Pentax D FA* 85mm compare to the older FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited?

Accepted Answer

The FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited is a beloved classic, but the D FA* 85mm brings a wider maximum aperture (f/1.4 vs f/1.8), modern AW weather sealing, and SDM autofocus. The trade-off is size and weight — the 85mm is considerably heavier at 1,250 g. If weather sealing and that extra stop of light matter to you, the 85mm is the upgrade.

Question 4

Does the Pentax HD D FA* 85mm have image stabilisation?

Accepted Answer

The lens itself has no optical stabilisation — but Pentax K-mount DSLRs like the K-1 Mark II and K-3 Mark III have in-body shake reduction (SR), which works with any lens on the mount including this one. So you still get stabilisation in practice, just from the camera body rather than the glass.

Question 5

How quiet is the SDM autofocus on the 85mm 1.4?

Accepted Answer

SDM (Supersonic Drive Motor) is Pentax's ultrasonic AF system — it's noticeably quieter than older screw-drive lenses, which makes it a practical choice for wedding ceremonies or quiet street moments where a loud AF motor would draw attention. It also supports full-time manual focus override without switching the lens to MF mode.

Question 6

What filter size does the Pentax D FA* 85mm f/1.4 take?

Accepted Answer

The filter thread is 82 mm — on the larger side, which is typical for fast f/1.4 prime lenses. If you're switching from smaller Pentax primes, factor in the cost of 82 mm filters (ND, circular polariser) when budgeting.

Question 7

How does the Pentax HD D FA* 85mm handle bokeh?

Accepted Answer

Nine aperture blades arranged in a rounded pattern produce smooth, circular out-of-focus highlights even at mid-apertures like f/2.8 or f/4. At f/1.4 and a minimum focus distance of 0.85 m, subject-background separation on a portrait is strong. The 'HD' coating also helps suppress flare and ghosting in backlit shooting situations like outdoor weddings.

Question 8

Is this a good lens for shooting events and weddings indoors?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the f/1.4 aperture lets in a lot of light, which is exactly what you need in dimly lit reception halls or churches where flash is restricted. The AW weather sealing is handy for outdoor ceremonies in unpredictable conditions. At 85mm you're working at a comfortable distance from subjects without being too far back in a crowded room.

Mount	Pentax K
Focal range	Short Telephoto
Prime / Zoom	Prime
Focal length (min)	85 mm
Focal length (max)	85 mm
Max. aperture	f/1.4
Stabilisation
Weight (Grams)	1250
Year of release	2020
Auto Focus

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Pentax HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW

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About the Pentax HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW

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