FA* 85mm F1.4 and DA* 55mm F1.4 portraits

Asahiflex · 06-12-2010, 01:55 PM - **5 Likes**

I believe I was asked to take some comparative shots with both the DA* and the FA*. Well, not really as those different focal lengths cannot be compared unless I shoot on film also (I won't), but I hope the viewers will be happy with the results below.

Today was a good day for portraits in available light. I have used both lenses extensively and at the end of the day I could not name a favorite: both lenses are top quality products, and both definitely deserve the Star designation.

I have also included the direct links to the pictures in case the picture viewer for wide pictures screws up things (you'll want to view them at 100% and not resized).

(And no, I won't measurebate the lenses; the worst thing I could do is to take pictures of newspapers or test patterns. Because I usually don't take pictures of test patterns; do you?

1.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-09.jpg

2.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-08.jpg

3.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-07.jpg

4.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-06.jpg

5.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-05.jpg

6.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-04.jpg

7.

8.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-02.jpg

9.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-01.jpg

10.

http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-10.jpg

netuser · 06-12-2010, 02:04 PM

Peter, look, I couldn't believe how terrible the FA*85/1.4 is. I'm so sorry for you that I'm willing to reliefe you from it buying this ugly lens.

Pm me with the details so I can end your pain!

Eagle_Friends · 06-12-2010, 02:05 PM

DA 55 looks better

jsherman999 · 06-12-2010, 02:32 PM

Both seem to be exceptional tools, hard to say which looks better, but this is my fav shot:

nulla · 06-12-2010, 03:55 PM

FA*85/1.4... they look really special.

cheers

Neil

Pentaxor · 06-12-2010, 09:58 PM

I concur with the others. the shots taken with the FA*85 aren't better. you need to get rid of that lens immediately. unless you post more and much better photos and prove us wrong.

**Clinton** · 06-12-2010, 11:47 PM

Love the comparative photos. Thanks and +rep.

I have both these lenses, but if I didn't I'd be looking long and hard at them now.

axl · 06-13-2010, 01:23 AM

thanks for doing this Peter.
Of course rep added.... I have just purchased the DA*... I'm not even dreaming of the FA* but I'd settle down for 77ltd

I'm bit sad I have to sell my K50/1.2 now but judging by my first days and your shots with the DA*, it's going to be worth it!

Votesh · 06-13-2010, 02:33 PM

Can you hold off with the pictures from the FA* for a week or so? I just listed mine in the marketplace and don't need reminders of it's portrait prowess

pinholecam · 06-13-2010, 07:58 PM

Great work and great shots! Thanks for sharing.

They all look good and rather similar for all the shots and either lens would be a great choice.

However, #4 vs #10 wins me over for the FA85 though. Slightly better subject isolation probably due to the focal length and less busy background for shots showing more than neck to head.

Asahiflex · 06-14-2010, 12:04 AM

Thanks for the comments, everyone! I really appreciate it.

I would like to remind you all that I'm still using the DA* and the FA* on the APS-C format. It would seem that the FA* has an edge now (because of nicer background separation) but when a FF Pentax ever emerges I would guess that the FA* would give the same bokeh as the DA* 55.

Nevertheless, at this moment I also prefer the FA* for several reasons. For starters it focuses much faster than the DA*, and I like the heft (don't rule out the bling-bling factor

)

However... the DA* 55 is definitely growing on me. I won't rule it out! It definitely has its place in my line-up, and it seems that I also like it for head & shoulders portraits.

**Rondec** · 06-14-2010, 05:49 AM

Love the photos. Favorite is number 3, but like number 9 a lot to -- eyes just really pop in both! Great photos, Peter. The FA 85 is definitely out of my price range, but maybe at some point I'll happen on a good deal for the DA *55...

Asahiflex · 06-14-2010, 06:02 AM

Thanks! Of course there's also the Sigma 85/1.4 which will be available soon, although I'm not sure how well it would perform. From what I heard it will be super sharp, but to me it should not be the #1 reason why one would buy a fast ~85mm lens.

8540tomg · 06-14-2010, 06:31 AM

Add two more lenses to my LBA list.

Nice work.

Tom G

Blue · 06-14-2010, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by 8540tomg

Add two more lenses to my LBA list.

Nice work.

Tom G

Just add an 83mm to your list like I did. Then on the rare occasion you actually find one, you can categorize the prices in the 3 ranges:

L.O.L.

O.M.G.

W.T.F.

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06-12-2010, 01:55 PM - 5 Likes	#1
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	*FA 85mm F1.4 and DA* 55mm F1.4 portraits** I believe I was asked to take some comparative shots with both the DA* and the FA*. Well, not really as those different focal lengths cannot be compared unless I shoot on film also (I won't), but I hope the viewers will be happy with the results below. Today was a good day for portraits in available light. I have used both lenses extensively and at the end of the day I could not name a favorite: both lenses are top quality products, and both definitely deserve the Star designation. I have also included the direct links to the pictures in case the picture viewer for wide pictures screws up things (you'll want to view them at 100% and not resized). (And no, I won't measurebate the lenses; the worst thing I could do is to take pictures of newspapers or test patterns. Because I usually don't take pictures of test patterns; do you? 1. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-09.jpg 2. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-08.jpg 3. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-07.jpg 4. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-06.jpg 5. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-05.jpg 6. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-04.jpg 7. 8. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-02.jpg 9. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-01.jpg 10. http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo293/spotmatic/20100612portrait-10.jpg

06-12-2010, 02:04 PM	#2
netuser Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Azores Islands, Portugal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,236	Peter, look, I couldn't believe how terrible the FA*85/1.4 is. I'm so sorry for you that I'm willing to reliefe you from it buying this ugly lens. Pm me with the details so I can end your pain!

06-12-2010, 02:05 PM	#3
Eagle_Friends Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	DA 55 looks better

06-12-2010, 02:32 PM	#4
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Both seem to be exceptional tools, hard to say which looks better, but this is my fav shot:

06-12-2010, 03:55 PM	#5
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	FA*85/1.4... they look really special. cheers Neil

06-12-2010, 09:58 PM	#6
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	I concur with the others. the shots taken with the FA*85 aren't better. you need to get rid of that lens immediately. unless you post more and much better photos and prove us wrong.

06-12-2010, 11:47 PM	#7
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,912	Love the comparative photos. Thanks and +rep. I have both these lenses, but if I didn't I'd be looking long and hard at them now.

06-13-2010, 01:23 AM	#8
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	thanks for doing this Peter. Of course rep added.... I have just purchased the DA... I'm not even dreaming of the FA but I'd settle down for 77ltd I'm bit sad I have to sell my K50/1.2 now but judging by my first days and your shots with the DA*, it's going to be worth it!

06-13-2010, 02:33 PM	#9
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	Can you hold off with the pictures from the FA* for a week or so? I just listed mine in the marketplace and don't need reminders of it's portrait prowess

06-13-2010, 07:58 PM	#10
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,709	Great work and great shots! Thanks for sharing. They all look good and rather similar for all the shots and either lens would be a great choice. However, #4 vs #10 wins me over for the FA85 though. Slightly better subject isolation probably due to the focal length and less busy background for shots showing more than neck to head.

06-14-2010, 12:04 AM	#11
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	Thanks for the comments, everyone! I really appreciate it. I would like to remind you all that I'm still using the DA* and the FA* on the APS-C format. It would seem that the FA* has an edge now (because of nicer background separation) but when a FF Pentax ever emerges I would guess that the FA* would give the same bokeh as the DA* 55. Nevertheless, at this moment I also prefer the FA* for several reasons. For starters it focuses much faster than the DA, and I like the heft (don't rule out the bling-bling factor ) However... the DA 55 is definitely growing on me. I won't rule it out! It definitely has its place in my line-up, and it seems that I also like it for head & shoulders portraits.

06-14-2010, 05:49 AM	#12
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	Love the photos. Favorite is number 3, but like number 9 a lot to -- eyes just really pop in both! Great photos, Peter. The FA 85 is definitely out of my price range, but maybe at some point I'll happen on a good deal for the DA *55...

06-14-2010, 06:02 AM	#13
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795 Original Poster	Thanks! Of course there's also the Sigma 85/1.4 which will be available soon, although I'm not sure how well it would perform. From what I heard it will be super sharp, but to me it should not be the #1 reason why one would buy a fast ~85mm lens.

06-14-2010, 06:31 AM	#14
8540tomg Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Waterloo, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,461	Add two more lenses to my LBA list. Nice work. Tom G

06-14-2010, 10:57 AM	#15
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by 8540tomg Add two more lenses to my LBA list. Nice work. Tom G Just add an 83mm to your list like I did. Then on the rare occasion you actually find one, you can categorize the prices in the 3 ranges: L.O.L. O.M.G. W.T.F.