It’s been long-awaited and after a development announcement in March, Pentax has now officially announced the HD PENTAX-D FA★ 85mm F1.4 SDM AW, ahead of its original “late 2020” target. This is the second fixed focal length lens added in Pentax’s newest “Star” lens series, adding to the 50mm f/1.4 released in 2018.
There was some speculation that the Pentax 85mm was simply a rehoused Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art, but now that the optical formula for the new 85mm f/1.4 has been released, I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say that it isn’t.
| Focal length | 85mm |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Mount | Pentax K |
| Max aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min aperture | f/16 |
| Optics | 12 elements in 10 groups |
| Minimum focus distance | 0.85m (2.8ft) |
| Angle of view | 28.5° |
| Max magnification | 0.12x |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Stabilisation | No |
| Filter diameter | 82mm |
| Diaphragm blades | 9, rounded |
| Dimensions | 95 x 124mm (3.74 x 4.88") |
| Weight | 1,225g (2.77lb) |
The specs are pretty much as they were during the development announcement, except now we have a few more details, like the weight (yes, it’s a hefty one) and the optical makeup, which is 12 elements in 10 groups. The optical diagram also shows that it’s clearly different to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art it was rumoured to be a rehousing of.
Nope, it’s not a Sigma!
Pentax says that the new HD PENTAX-D FA★85mm F1.4ED SDM AW lens utilises three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements and one aspherical element to help eliminate spherical and chromatic aberrations for edge-to-edge sharpness. As an “AW” (all-weather) model, it’s also dustproof and weather-resistant with eight seals to prevent water ingress into the barrel.
The HD PENTAX-D FA★85mm F1.4ED SDM AW lens will be available to pre-order from mid-June for $1.899.
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