DA*55/1.4 SDM @ 1.4 vs 2.2 vs 4.0

leeak · 02-05-2009, 07:11 PM

This is the same guy who gave us a few images of the DA*55/1.4 SDM before and here is a few more of the DA* at 1.4, 2.2, and 4.0:

This DA* is suppose to replace the highly regarded FA*85/1.4 and is at the same FL as the beloved FA50/1.4. Needless to say, it has a HUGE shoe to fill. Think this is good enough?

Oh and I thought this is pretty cute too:

ll_coffee_lP · 02-05-2009, 07:13 PM

I want that lens.

c[_]

lesmore49 · 02-05-2009, 07:17 PM

Last Xmas('08) I received a Pentax 50 mm f1.4 and I'm very pleased with it. I have it mounted on my K10D and it functions as a 75 mm or so portrait lens...great little lens, reasonably priced. Very sharp and clear....my wife says...maybe a little too clear and sharp.....

*k100d* · 02-05-2009, 07:34 PM

bokeh on those samples is sweet

blende8 · 02-06-2009, 03:02 AM

I have a question:
On this Pentax USA page under Specs one can read:

"Rounded aperture (F1.4-2.8)"

That't interesting. Why that? I mean up to f2.8?
Is this intended? I think so, but why?
Perhaps to get those star shapes with higher apertures?
What do you think?

**roentarre** · 02-06-2009, 03:56 AM

I also wonder how the background bokeh turns out against various types of metallic surfaces, dry tree branches and the amount of Bokeh Ca against various types of highlight as well...

ftpaddict · 02-06-2009, 04:08 AM

Let's hope this lens doesn't disappoint. It shouldn't, considering its price...

fs999 · 02-06-2009, 11:35 AM

I hope it will be on my K20D soon

leeak · 02-06-2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by fs999

I hope it will be on my K20D soon

Seeing the near center crop of 1.4, 2.2, and 4.0, the DA* may have pretty good center sharpness even at 1.4 with some PF. The FA50/1.4 is known for being a little soft at wide open, but that never bother me at all when I had it. Hopefully the DA* is significantly better than that. Hopefully.

I wonder if the OOF rendering is up to par with FA*85/1.4? Not bad though, right?

*cousinsane* · 02-06-2009, 05:05 PM

Didn't see this posted anywhere. For some reason, the DA*55 has been available in China for a while.

some sample shots in this thread
·ï»ËÄù˜„(¾*µä28¶ÈÊÓ½Ç¸´»î)¡ª¡ªDA*55/1.4 - ÎÞ¼ÉÂÛÌ³

*Ratmagiclady* · 02-06-2009, 05:07 PM

Who is the same guy as whom?

And...

"Didn't see this posted anywhere. For some reason, the DA*55 has been available in China for a while. "

Yeah, so's been Springsteen's original masters.

Let's put it this way... if the People's Republic... Or Pentax... don't much care who... could sen me a rear cap that fits and stays on, through some wonder of plastic casting, I might be inclined to believe they have such things in Beijing.

*GLXLR* · 02-06-2009, 05:08 PM

They just got in Febuary 6th, and I am guessing the 2 words on the right mean imported ( don't recognize the 2nd word)

*cousinsane* · 02-06-2009, 05:19 PM

The two words on the right is probably the vendor.

It seems the lens became available as early as Jan. 29th in China, not that it's important. Just hope it would be available soon worldwide.

Originally Posted by GLXLR

They just got in Febuary 6th, and I am guessing the 2 words on the right mean imported ( don't recognize the 2nd word)

*FHPhotographer* · 02-06-2009, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by ll_coffee_lP

I want that lens.

c[_]

Absent a comparison of the same image taken with a known prime (say the DA 43 or 50 f/1,4), what do you see that I'm missing?

I'm not trying to be snarky, it's just that the 55 must be something very special among the other excellent Pentax primes to justify being nearly as expensive as the 31 and more than twice the cost of the 50 f/1.4. I'd like to know what to look for,
Brian

GaryM · 02-06-2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by FHPhotographer

Absent a comparison of the same image taken with a known prime (say the DA 43 or 50 f/1,4), what do you see that I'm missing?

I'm not trying to be snarky, it's just that the 55 must be something very special among the other excellent Pentax primes to justify being nearly as expensive as the 31 and more than twice the cost of the 50 f/1.4. I'd like to know what to look for,
Brian

Well, that sample looks a lot better a f1.4 than my FA50 would at that aperture. Overall it's probably not a huge improvement over the FA50, just like the FA31 is not a huge improvement over the FA35. You have to spend a lot of money for incremental improvement over an already good lens. Quick-shift focusing and weather sealing are nice to have too. I expect the price to drop on it eventually, just like with all Pentax products.