A passionate underdog: Pentax-D FA Star 85mm f/1.4 review summary
In my 9/10 review on Digital Trends, I take a look at the Pentax-D FA Star-series 85mm f/1.4 lens for K-mount cameras. The lens is one of the top portrait lenses I’ve had the pleasure to shoot, marred by what I see as only one real issue: People who don’t have a Pentax DSLR won’t be able to use it.
Yes, that’s more-or-less true for any first-party brand, but Pentax has a decidedly smaller user base than, say, Canon. While I have no plans of switching to Pentax (nor back to a DSLR), I am thankful I had the opportunity to try this lens. I’m intrigued by Ricoh’s efforts with the Star series. Despite the smaller customer base, the company is going after top-tier lenses, like the Sigma Art line, and isn’t afraid to price the Star series out of reach of normal people (the 85mm f/1.4 costs close to $2,000).
It’s an admirable a approach, and I love that Ricoh — scorned by third-party manufacturers who have stopped making K-mount lenses — took it on itself to build its own exceptional glass. That’s not to say the company is a stranger to lens making. Pentax, long before it was owned by Ricoh, produced great lenses for decades. But the brand has sadly struggled in the digital era.
I don’t know how many Pentax photographers remain in the wild, but judging by the size of the readership of my Pentax reviews, it isn’t very many. Of those, how many can truly afford a lens like the Star-series 85mm? In such a landscape, what does a lens like this really mean?
That’s the question that guides my Digital Trends review. It may simply be that Ricoh is content with a high-margin, low-volume lens. Its remaining customers may not be many, but they are certainly loyal — at least, if the YouTube comments section is anything to go on.
But my hope is that this lens is a signal of great things to come. Ricoh-Pentax has already reaffirmed its commitment to the DSLR, and I really hope the company has something truly novel up its sleeve. Nothing short of a groundbreaking new appraoch can save the DSLR now. Am I putting too much faith in the brand to deliver that?
Probably. But the Star series 85mm at least proves that Pentax can still deliver an exceptional product. But it alone won’t be enough to draw people back to Pentax DSLRs. There has to be something more.
For additional sample photos and to read more about the Pentax-D FA Star 85mm f/1.4, see my full review on Digital Trends.
Greetings Daven,
Thanks for the review of the Pentax *85mm lens. Based on your comments, this is a lens worth adding to one’s kit which is exactly what I have done. I will have to wait a bit for my order to come in, but have every confidence that it will fulfill my expectations. As a long time Pentax user, this addition will round out my collection of high quality glass. I am one of those who is committed to the DSLR format and have no qualms about that – none. You don’t have to be big to be innovative and this lens, among others, demonstrates that. The field of photography is big enough to accommodate smaller players who have a measured approach and dedication to their user base. I, for one, am more than comfortable with that.
Thanks again for your nice review and comments and I look forward to using it very soon!
Cheers,
Guy
Enjoy it! And thanks for reading.
Thank you for your thoughts, Daven.
I agree with your affirmations. It is an extraordinary lens, with a crazy performance. It weighs a lot and costs a lot, but it is worth the effort.
I’m one of those Pentax photographers that “remains in the wild”, as a wildlife professional photographer.
I have no intention of switching to mirrorless, because I still find the DSLR system unsurpassed in many aspects.
Pentax offers, unlike other popular brands, an unbeatable price/quality ratio, as well as its typical colors that lend a “magical atmosphere” to every shot. Not to mention the fact that even lenses from 40 years ago can be used with great satisfaction.
This lens was created for portrait photographers, but it can also be used greatly in other areas, such as the one I am concerned with. The outstanding rendition, blur and its qualities make it versatile, despite its specific portrait orientation.
Cheers,
Stevie