Cheap 85mm Lenses

[smoke665]

I really don't need to drop another $2k on a Pentax prime, and have everything covered either side with primes (77mm & 100mm) plus a couple fast zooms that work to fill the gap, but the itch for a prime 85 is not going away. Samyang and Rokinon both offer an 85mm f/1.4 model for $240 and $259 respectively. Both are manual focus, no communication with camera, but both seem to get good reviews.

Anyone have experience with either?

 

[cgw131 157]

I really don't need to drop another $2k on a Pentax prime, and have everything covered either side with primes (77mm & 100mm) plus a couple fast zooms that work fill the gap, but the itch for a prime 85 is not going away. Samyang and Rokinon both offer an 85mm f/1.4 model for $240 and $259 respectively. Both are manual focus, no communication with camera, but both seem to get good reviews.

Anyone have experience with either?

Not directly but friends like that first gen of Korean and especially later Chinese primes. No idea about Pentax mount offerings. Snoop around Petapixel for reviews. They're usually pretty objective
and don't spout "influencer" blather.

 

[smoke665]

No idea about Pentax mount offerings.

Sigma was a popular alternative but they quit production of the Pentax mount a few years ago. Finding a Pentax model or Sigma on the used market is a needle in the haystack or almost as much as new. New, the Pentax 85/1.4 is right at $2100. Almost cheaper to buy a good used body and 85mm in another brand.

 

[cgw131 157]

You might consider a used trailing edge full frame Nikon DSLR and their AFS 85/1.8g. Pin sharp, nice bokeh and usually available second-hand at fair prices. Have it and like it. Maybe a grand and a bit for a very capable portrait rig?