Poll: DA* 55m f/1.4 SDM

Tbear · 08-22-2007, 08:47 AM

I don't have the FA 50/1.4 but I was very close to buying one. Now I think I will wait and see what the story is with the DA*55 in terms of sample photos, reviews, and of course, price.

MikePerham · 08-24-2007, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by c.r.brown

I dont believe too many are interested in the 55mm focal length on its own.

I am! For portrait work the 55 is preferable and the only reason that people are useing the 50's is that they were the standard lens with 35mm and the closest thing we have now to a portrait lens, currently availabe and cheap. However, ideally the 55 is preferable.

SDM makes it that much more attractive and I would be prepared to pay the premium price for the 55 over the current 50's.

...Cheers!

Bob Blakely · 08-24-2007, 10:48 AM

In addition to better performance...
Sharper, more contrast.
Faster AF

MUST have 24x36 mm coverage.

I don't buy lenses I can't also use on my LX's

Regards,
Bob...

ncallender · 08-24-2007, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by Bob Blakely

In addition to better performance...
Sharper, more contrast.
Faster AF

MUST have 24x36 mm coverage.

I don't buy lenses I can't also use on my LX's

Regards,
Bob...

I think you are going to have a hard time getting new glass going forward if you want stuff that will work on LX's. It seems to me that all of the new pentax glass is APS-C format. I agree on the sharpness and faster AF though. SDM should be a good addition using a capable body.

FotoPete · 08-28-2007, 06:36 AM

I was one of that hopped onto the 1.4 bandwagon and its overrrated haha. I find the A50/1.4 a bit soft wide open and a a farcry from the Nikkor S 50/1.4. Although it wasn't as good with contrast, the old nikkor was sharp right from 1.4.

I'm sure pentax can do better to optimize the decades old 50/1.4 formula especially with the way computer and optical technology have progressed today. I hope that the DA*55/1.4 will live up to its star designation. (Same for the DA35mm Ltd. Thhat macro was a joint Tokina project. I hope it retains is 'Limited' quality...also its fairly easy to build a macro with good optics.)

View Poll Results: What will make you buy the DA*55 if you already have FA50
Better optical performance from aperture f/1.4-2.8	16	9.47%
55mm vs 50mm focal length preffered for portraits and/or generally preffered	1	0.59%
SDM	4	2.37%
Weather Sealing	5	2.96%
SDM & Weather Sealing	21	12.43%
Better Optical Performance at f/1.4-2.8 & SDM	9	5.33%
Better Optical Performance at f/1.4-2.8 & Weather Sealing	14	8.28%
Better Optical Performance at f/1.4-2.8, SDM & Weather Sealing	29	17.16%
All of the Above	23	13.61%
Other - Please Specify in Reply	2	1.18%
Not Interested in the DA*55 no matter how much better over my FA50	45	26.63%
Voters: 169. You may not vote on this poll

08-24-2007, 10:48 AM	#18
Bob Blakely Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 5	*Poll: DA 55m f/1.4 SDM** In addition to better performance... Sharper, more contrast. Faster AF MUST have 24x36 mm coverage. I don't buy lenses I can't also use on my LX's Regards, Bob...

08-28-2007, 06:36 AM	#20
FotoPete Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,774	I was one of that hopped onto the 1.4 bandwagon and its overrrated haha. I find the A50/1.4 a bit soft wide open and a a farcry from the Nikkor S 50/1.4. Although it wasn't as good with contrast, the old nikkor was sharp right from 1.4. I'm sure pentax can do better to optimize the decades old 50/1.4 formula especially with the way computer and optical technology have progressed today. I hope that the DA55/1.4 will live up to its star designation. (Same for the DA35mm Ltd. Thhat macro was a joint Tokina project. I hope it retains is 'Limited' quality...also its fairly easy to build a macro with good optics.) Last edited by FotoPete; 08-28-2007 at 06:43 AM.*

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08-22-2007, 08:47 AM	#16
Tbear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 269	I don't have the FA 50/1.4 but I was very close to buying one. Now I think I will wait and see what the story is with the DA*55 in terms of sample photos, reviews, and of course, price.

08-24-2007, 07:45 AM	#17
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Originally posted by c.r.brown I dont believe too many are interested in the 55mm focal length on its own. I am! For portrait work the 55 is preferable and the only reason that people are useing the 50's is that they were the standard lens with 35mm and the closest thing we have now to a portrait lens, currently availabe and cheap. However, ideally the 55 is preferable. SDM makes it that much more attractive and I would be prepared to pay the premium price for the 55 over the current 50's. ...Cheers!

08-24-2007, 10:20 PM	#19
ncallender Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 128	Originally posted by Bob Blakely In addition to better performance... Sharper, more contrast. Faster AF MUST have 24x36 mm coverage. I don't buy lenses I can't also use on my LX's Regards, Bob... I think you are going to have a hard time getting new glass going forward if you want stuff that will work on LX's. It seems to me that all of the new pentax glass is APS-C format. I agree on the sharpness and faster AF though. SDM should be a good addition using a capable body.

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