Disappointed in my DA* 55

Fat Albert · 06-30-2016, 07:15 AM

I had been searching for a DA prime for my K-1, because I really wanted the contrast and color rendering of a DA series lens. I REALLY wanted to get the 35 Limited, but it didn't fill the frame like the 55. The 55 seemed to fit the bill, so I picked up a copy from KEH.

I'm assuming that it's copy variation, but everything looks kind of flat. It's a shame...that was going to be my go-to prime, and it got shipped back instead. Bummer.

normhead · 06-30-2016, 07:33 AM - **1 Like**

It looked flat, compare to what other lens, with images taken in the same conditions?

Sometimes my DA*200 images look flat, sometimes they jump off the screen. Same lens, different shooting conditions. Even the best lens can't make a good image from bad light. So, sure you might have gotten a bad copy, but from what you've posted, I can't say you gave it a fair chance to shine.

Especially since you included no images as examples. I guess you just wanted to tell us about your life?

**grahame** · 06-30-2016, 07:45 AM

It is a 55mm, standard lens means it little "too" standard and "too" usually. Many found 43 is not as good as 77or 31 for similar reasons.
But I really like da55, very sharp very good color very contrasty. Only issue was slow AF.

**shardulm** · 06-30-2016, 08:14 AM

This is what I got even in bad light.

mikeSF · 06-30-2016, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by Fat Albert

I had been searching for a DA prime for my K-1, because I really wanted the contrast and color rendering of a DA series lens. I REALLY wanted to get the 35 Limited, but it didn't fill the frame like the 55. The 55 seemed to fit the bill, so I picked up a copy from KEH.

I'm assuming that it's copy variation, but everything looks kind of flat. It's a shame...that was going to be my go-to prime, and it got shipped back instead. Bummer.

hey Fat Albert!
Sorry to hear this. can you share a few samples?

---------- Post added 06-30-2016 at 08:18 AM ----------

Originally posted by shardulm

This is what I got even in bad light.

curious, did you go with a shorter hood for this lens?

**grahame** · 06-30-2016, 08:32 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mikeSF

urious, did you go with a shorter hood for this lens?

The original hood is fine on K-1, even focus to infinity. A little vignetting is normal for such a large aperture lens. DA 55 is just as good/bad as other 50/1.4 lens in that aspect, and it is not caused by the hood.

wissink · 06-30-2016, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by grahame

The original hood is fine on K-1, even focus to infinity. A little vignetting is normal for such a large aperture lens. DA 55 is just as good/bad as other 50/1.4 lens in that aspect, and it is not caused by the hood.

This is good news. The 55 has a nice hood. I didn't want to throw on a cheapo knock off one. I do wish it was built in like the 35 ltd though.

normhead · 06-30-2016, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by shardulm

This is what I got even in bad light.

Nothing wrong with that that I can see. But the lights not that bad, you've got shadow, you got highlights, you've got a full dynamic range, dark blacks to blown out highlights. A flat image would have no real black, no real whites. We are talking "flat" as in low contrast right?

mikeSF · 07-02-2016, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by grahame

The original hood is fine on K-1, even focus to infinity. A little vignetting is normal for such a large aperture lens. DA 55 is just as good/bad as other 50/1.4 lens in that aspect, and it is not caused by the hood.

a couple of the K-1 users in the reviews section are saying they get vignetting with the hood. i dont know what to make of the information.

**clackers** · 07-02-2016, 03:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Fat Albert

I had been searching for a DA prime for my K-1, because I really wanted the contrast and color rendering of a DA series lens. I REALLY wanted to get the 35 Limited, but it didn't fill the frame like the 55. The 55 seemed to fit the bill, so I picked up a copy from KEH.

I'm assuming that it's copy variation, but everything looks kind of flat.

Hasn't been my experience - pics please!

This was it on my K-30:

06-30-2016, 07:15 AM	#1
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	*Disappointed in my DA 55** I had been searching for a DA prime for my K-1, because I really wanted the contrast and color rendering of a DA series lens. I REALLY wanted to get the 35 Limited, but it didn't fill the frame like the 55. The 55 seemed to fit the bill, so I picked up a copy from KEH. I'm assuming that it's copy variation, but everything looks kind of flat. It's a shame...that was going to be my go-to prime, and it got shipped back instead. Bummer.

06-30-2016, 08:14 AM	#4
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	My results This is what I got even in bad light.

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06-30-2016, 07:33 AM - 1 Like	#2
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	It looked flat, compare to what other lens, with images taken in the same conditions? Sometimes my DA*200 images look flat, sometimes they jump off the screen. Same lens, different shooting conditions. Even the best lens can't make a good image from bad light. So, sure you might have gotten a bad copy, but from what you've posted, I can't say you gave it a fair chance to shine. Especially since you included no images as examples. I guess you just wanted to tell us about your life?

06-30-2016, 07:45 AM	#3
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	It is a 55mm, standard lens means it little "too" standard and "too" usually. Many found 43 is not as good as 77or 31 for similar reasons. But I really like da55, very sharp very good color very contrasty. Only issue was slow AF.

06-30-2016, 08:16 AM	#5
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by Fat Albert I had been searching for a DA prime for my K-1, because I really wanted the contrast and color rendering of a DA series lens. I REALLY wanted to get the 35 Limited, but it didn't fill the frame like the 55. The 55 seemed to fit the bill, so I picked up a copy from KEH. I'm assuming that it's copy variation, but everything looks kind of flat. It's a shame...that was going to be my go-to prime, and it got shipped back instead. Bummer. hey Fat Albert! Sorry to hear this. can you share a few samples? ---------- Post added 06-30-2016 at 08:18 AM ---------- Originally posted by shardulm This is what I got even in bad light. curious, did you go with a shorter hood for this lens?

06-30-2016, 08:32 AM - 1 Like	#6
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by mikeSF urious, did you go with a shorter hood for this lens? The original hood is fine on K-1, even focus to infinity. A little vignetting is normal for such a large aperture lens. DA 55 is just as good/bad as other 50/1.4 lens in that aspect, and it is not caused by the hood.

06-30-2016, 10:09 AM	#7
wissink Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: S-ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 609	Originally posted by grahame The original hood is fine on K-1, even focus to infinity. A little vignetting is normal for such a large aperture lens. DA 55 is just as good/bad as other 50/1.4 lens in that aspect, and it is not caused by the hood. This is good news. The 55 has a nice hood. I didn't want to throw on a cheapo knock off one. I do wish it was built in like the 35 ltd though.

06-30-2016, 10:55 AM	#8
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by shardulm This is what I got even in bad light. Nothing wrong with that that I can see. But the lights not that bad, you've got shadow, you got highlights, you've got a full dynamic range, dark blacks to blown out highlights. A flat image would have no real black, no real whites. We are talking "flat" as in low contrast right?

07-02-2016, 01:00 AM	#9
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by grahame The original hood is fine on K-1, even focus to infinity. A little vignetting is normal for such a large aperture lens. DA 55 is just as good/bad as other 50/1.4 lens in that aspect, and it is not caused by the hood. a couple of the K-1 users in the reviews section are saying they get vignetting with the hood. i dont know what to make of the information.

07-02-2016, 03:12 AM - 1 Like	#10
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Fat Albert I had been searching for a DA prime for my K-1, because I really wanted the contrast and color rendering of a DA series lens. I REALLY wanted to get the 35 Limited, but it didn't fill the frame like the 55. The 55 seemed to fit the bill, so I picked up a copy from KEH. I'm assuming that it's copy variation, but everything looks kind of flat. Hasn't been my experience - pics please! This was it on my K-30: