Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW Lens
The Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW is a 85mm f/1.4 lens designed for Pentax K mount cameras. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW Lens
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Lens Overview — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
Key Features — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
85mm f/1.4 Prime: A fixed 85mm focal length with a wide f/1.4 maximum aperture delivers strong subject separation and excellent performance in low-light conditions.
Star-Series Optics: Part of Pentax's premium Star (FA*) lens line, indicating a higher standard of optical construction and image quality within the Pentax lineup.
ED Glass Element: Extra-low Dispersion glass minimizes chromatic aberration and color fringing, particularly important when shooting wide open at f/1.4.
HD Coating: Pentax's HD multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting for improved contrast and clarity when shooting toward bright light sources.
SDM Autofocus Motor: Supersonic Drive Motor provides fast, quiet autofocus well-suited to portrait sessions where an unobtrusive camera is an advantage.
All-Weather Construction: AW (All Weather) sealing protects against dust and moisture, making this lens reliable for outdoor shooting in adverse conditions alongside weather-sealed Pentax bodies.
Lens Specifications — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Studio, Fashion |
| Lens Type | Prime |
| Format | Full Frame |
| Zoom/Prime | Prime |
| Focal Length | 85mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Camera System | DSLR |
| Lens Mount | Pentax K |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 82mm |
Description — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
The Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW is a prime lens built around a fixed 85mm focal length and a bright f/1.4 maximum aperture, designed for use on full-frame Pentax K-mount DSLR cameras. Falling in the telephoto focal length range, the 85mm perspective combined with the wide aperture makes this lens a natural choice for portrait photography and any situation demanding strong background separation. The lens supports both autofocus and manual focus, giving shooters the flexibility to switch depending on the subject and environment.
Weighing in at 1,250g, this is a solidly built optic with the heft you'd expect from a professional-grade prime at this aperture. It accepts 82mm filters, opening up a wide range of photographic filter options for creative and exposure control. There is no built-in image stabilization, so shooters will need to account for camera movement through technique or reliance on in-body stabilization if their body supports it.
The Pentax K mount connection ensures native communication with compatible Pentax DSLR bodies.
Pros — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
- ✓Wide f/1.4 maximum aperture enables strong subject separation and low-light shooting
- ✓Fixed 85mm focal length in the telephoto range is well-suited for portrait work
- ✓Full-frame coverage (lensFormat: Full Frame) ensures compatibility with Pentax K-mount full-frame DSLRs
Cons — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
- ✗No image stabilization (imageStabilization: None), requiring careful technique in lower light
- ✗At 1,250g, the lens is heavy and may cause fatigue during extended handheld sessions
- ✗Exclusively compatible with the Pentax K mount, limiting its use to Pentax DSLR systems
Reviews — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
Videos — Pentax 85mm f/1.4 ED SDM AW
Pentax FA* 85mm f1.4 Lens Overview — Scott J. Waldron 📷 Photography Banzai