Read more..
Visit Camera Enthusiast!
With Photokina behind us, we can finally go back to reviewing equipment! Today we're happy to be posting an in-depth review of the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM, a premium standard/short-tele lens featuring weather-sealing, rounded aperture blades, and silent autofocus. We really liked the image quality of this lens (especially the bokeh), although its autofocus speed and high price tag could use improvement. Read the review for more details!
Read the Pentax DA* 55mm Review
You may also be interested in reading our 50mm three-way comparison or posting a user review of the DA* 55mm.
Great lens but you can't just grab and shoot. Patience and set up is needed. Great IQ
First off, thanks for this detailed review of this lens. It's a good read and even though I own one I learned a few new things from it. I would add that the DA*55 exhibits a hot spot flare when used on an IR converted camera (or so I've seen with my K100ds IR converted camera.) I've gotten some wonderful results from this lens but its slow AF is hard to work with and I've missed shots with it. Mine had a balky SDM drive which I have to often sort of wake up to use. One might say this is a lens which one has a love/hate relationship with. On balance, even with its negatives, it's a keeper in my photo bag.
check pentaxphotogallery or flickr
This is the most underestimated lens. This is the only SDM lens which still keep the image style of old glory pentax lens.
I'm sure the IQ is pretty good (although some reviews seem to suggest its very little improved over FA50 f1.4), however its out of my price range and living in NZ I don't think I would risk the SDM anyway.
Switched to Nikon recently. One of the many factors was the price of this lens (here in Canada, $899). I wanted a portrait prime and the price of this is crazy. The Nikon 50 1.8G is only $249 and that includes weather sealing and silent focus. Yes, it's a 1.8 and not a 1.4 (that is $579), but that's not that big of a deal to me. The I.Q. of the 50 1.8G on my D300S is more than satisfactory. I do still have (and love) my Pentax stuff however so don't flame me. Just sharing my 2 cents :-)
Now if only they (Pentax) could have made a DFA with weather sealing. Plus the DFA has a much more professional visual appearance and also quality.
Sure the DA has the IQ, but comes in a bit of a distant seconf for optical quality overall. I'd rate the DA at an optical quality of about 8.5 out of ten, with the DFA taking at least a good half point better in the optical department.
You write: "Unlike the newer DA weather resistant lens the DA* 55mm does not have an O-ring on the bayonet mount." that is wrong!
The DA*55 has a black O-Ring on the bayonet mount as all DA*!
Yeahhh, sure Class A. The color of the lens is really big problem that ought to be revied as well (^_^)
Black, white, gold, two different greens, and at least two if not three different reds, the colour scheme of this lens is a practical joke.
Have had the pleasure of using many Pentax primes (no FA Ltd mind) and this is without a doubt the best of the lot.
This is an awesome lens. The IQ of the photos is worth the price (used prices have stayed pretty consistent even with the new prices rising some.)
Lens for best IQ, just need patience and skill. I love mine.