Ricoh announces bokeh-tastic Star lens: HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 SDM AW

Ricoh announces bokeh-tastic Star lens: HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 SDM AW
(Image credit: Ricoh Imaging)

Ricoh has announced the development of its next Star-series lens, the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 SDM AW. 

The second of the manufacturer's high performance "new generation D FA*" single focus lenses, the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 SDM AW joins a series of optics for which Ricoh promises "perfect image quality".

Its 85mm focal length is equivalent to 130mm in 35mm terms, when mounted on Pentax APS-C DSLRs, which combined with the wide f/1.4 aperture makes this a candidate for the best portrait lenses on the market. 

Following proudly in the footsteps of the previous new generation D FA prime, the HD Pentax-D FA* 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW, the new optic will almost certainly become one of the best Pentax lenses when it arrives later this year. 

Full specs are yet to be revealed, as this is still just a development announcement, but we know that the 85mm f/1.4 will feature 9 aperture blades for a rounded diaphragm when shooting from wide open to f/2.8. 

(Image credit: Ricoh)

Indeed, and as you would hope, the lens has been engineered to deliver great images at its maximum aperture. Three Super Extra-low Dispersion elements have been implemented to compensate for chromatic aberrations and produce high-contrast images even when wide open.

In addition, an aspherical element corrects spherical aberration, coma and field curvature, and delivers high delineation performance.

It boasts a minimum focusing distance of 0.85 meters / 2.8 feet, with a maximum magnification of 0.12x. Measuring 95 (diameter) x 123.5mm (length), it has a filter thread of 82mm.

To top it all off, the AW designation means that the HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm f/1.4 SDM AW is an all-weather optic, designed to prevent both water and dust from entering the lens (when used with a weather-sealed body, of course).

Read more: 

The best Pentax lenses in 2020: our top lens suggestions for your Pentax DSLR
The best lens for portraits in 2020: our pick of the best 85mm lenses right now
The best Pentax cameras in 2020: from APS-C to full frame and medium format

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.