The HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mm F1.4ED SDM AW is a large-aperture, medium-telephoto lens and is the second fixed focus lens of the new-generation PENTAX Star (*) lens series. Designed for use with PENTAX K-mount DSLRs, this series boasts the highest imaging performance out of all the PENTAX lenses.

In order to ensure the exceptional imaging power demanded for the new-generation Star series, this new lens incorporates high quality Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements and an aspherical optical element to compensate for various aberrations whilst keeping them to a minimum — in particular, to reduce axial chromatic aberration effectively and prevent the generation of purple fringing in backlit situations. It also reduces distortion to nearly zero at a focusing distance of four meters - a serious concern for portrait photographers. In addition, PENTAX has also developed a new SDM ring (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor) exclusively for this new lens, resulting in flawless, high-speed autofocus operation, while incorporating an exterior design that provides a secure grip, facilitating manual-focus operation. This new lens is designed not only to assure the highest imaging power currently possible, but also to enhance the joy of photography.

A new-generation, high-performance Star-series lens that delivers exceptional image quality

Anticipating the future development of SLR cameras, PENTAX has designed this lens to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness whilst keeping various aberrations to a minimum and greatly enhancing resolving power — two factors that are absolutely essential for the new generation Star series. It provides exceptionally high imaging performance even at open aperture, a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect and outstanding image rendition at close range — these are all reasons for the high-quality, well-defined images that are produced. It also boasts an extra-large F1.4 maximum aperture, useful for many different subjects within a range of applications, including portraiture with a beautifully defocused background, handheld shooting of indoor scenes and landscape photography. It produces a clear image in the camera’s viewfinder, one to inspire the photographer’s creativity and imagination.

State-of-the-art optical technology

This lens incorporates three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass optical elements to effectively minimize chromatic aberration, and a glass-molded aspherical optical element to effectively compensate for spherical and chromatic aberrations and field curvature to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness, even when the aperture is wide open. It also reduces distortion to nearly zero at a focusing distance of four meters to deliver well-defined, distortion-free images over the entire focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity. This lens is also treated with high-grade, multi-layer High Definition Coating, which reduces average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum to less than 50% of conventional multi-layer coatings, effectively reducing flare and ghost images to a minimum even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.

Newly designed, large SDM ring

In order to deliver the highest image quality possible over the entire focusing range — from the minimum focusing distance to infinity — this lens features an newly designed, large SDM ring to efficiently drive the focusing mechanism, which consists of a higher number of optical elements than ordinary lenses, and is required to shift heavy rear-optical-element groups in unison. Generating a torque approximately 1.3 times that of the unit installed in the HD PENTAX-D FA* 50mm f1.4 SDM AW, this new SDM assures flawless, high-speed autofocus operation.

Dustproof, weather-resistant construction

Developed as an AW (All Weather) model, this lens features a dependable dustproof, weather-resistant construction with eight special seals to prevent the intrusion of water into the lens barrel. When paired with a dustproof, weather-resistant PENTAX digital SLR camera body, it assures a durable, reliable digital imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting settings — even in rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes or spray.

Other Features

- Nine-blade, round-shaped diaphragm to produce a natural, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect up to the F2.8 aperture setting, while minimizing the streaking effect from points of light.

- The exterior design facilitates ring focusing when shooting in manual-focus and whilst also enabling a secure grip.

- Electromagnetic diaphragm-control mechanism** for flawless, high-precision exposure control during video recording

- SP (Super Protect) coating to keep the front surface free from dust.

** This mechanism is available when the lens is mounted on a K-1 Mark II, K-1, K-3 II, K-3, KP, K-70, K-50, K-S2 or K-S1 camera body.

Pentax 85mm f1.4 HD DFA* ED SDM AW Lens