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04-12-2011, 04:48 AM   #1
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DA*55 sample pics please

Hi all,
I've gone through DA* club thread and was googling a fair bit. Will check PPG later on today.
But still, not many shots with this lens is around. Could I ask the owners from this forum to post some examples or links to their (or known to them) galleries?
I'm thinking this lens would pair up fairly well with FA*24. Any pics, thoughts and comments appreciated.

Regards
Peter

04-12-2011, 05:16 AM   #2
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I thought that you owned this lens for a little while, Peter and then didn't really "bond" with it very well during that time. I guess my thoughts on it are on the pro side: (1) Sharpness -- one of the sharpest lenses I have used, even wide open. (2) Size. Certainly this isn't as small as the DA limiteds, but it is a really reasonable size, just a touch bigger than the FA 50 f1.4. (3) Colors/Contrast. This is where it really beats the FA 50. I just felt like contrast on the 50 suffered (and was pretty prone to flare. On the con side: (1) SDM. It sometimes feels like it takes forever for this lens to focus. I know some of that is due to the long focus throw, but still... (2) Bokeh wide open. Looks really nice at f2, just not so good at f1.4.

Weather proofing really doesn't make a big difference to me one way or the other, since I am not really using this lens to capture outdoors action shots. Mostly portrait type photos of my family and friends.

I'm not sure what photos I have posted from this lens, but I'll see if I can get a few posted here (may be some that are already posted elsewhere).
04-12-2011, 05:37 AM   #3
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Thanks,
Yes, I did have it for a week and returned it because my K50/1.2 was better in overall IQ. Now with my K50 gone ansd 77 being too long, I'm thinking (yet again) whether go for A50/1.2 knowing I'll love the IQ but leaving me without AF past 31 (as 43+77 would go), or to go for the DA*55 and have AF but struggle to accept it's OOF (especially wide open).
Mind you, my wife due in 6 weeks and in 6 months or so the AF may come very handy!
04-12-2011, 05:57 AM   #4
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I too would like to see some from this lens, its making its way into my high into my LBA list as i want a killer WR lens.

04-12-2011, 06:21 AM   #5
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I don't know if they will help you any but here are some of mine.

Pentax DA*55mm SDM - a set on Flickr

Just for giggles and grins..

Pentax A 50mm f1.2 - a set on Flickr

and

Pentax FA43mm Limited - a set on Flickr

04-12-2011, 07:00 AM   #6
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I loved that lens when I owned it. I'm still looking for another one...

These first three are all wide open:






Shot at f/4:
04-12-2011, 07:02 AM   #7
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The DA*55 is a crispy sharp amazing lens. I think it's a superb combo with my DA*16-50 and DA*50-135. It fits in there right in the middle, weathersealed and SDM. That's is my travelpack. Images below is from my blog, straight outta K-7. No PP.


Late night city bokeh


Sunset at Smoegen


Cat


Last edited by x-country; 04-12-2011 at 07:11 AM.
04-12-2011, 08:10 AM - 1 Like   #8
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Great kid lens!

I have both the A 50/1.2 and the DA*55. I prefer AF, because I drink and focusing manually with a beer in one hand is just hopeless (YMMV).

I wouldn't be afraid of the DA*55 though--it has good detail wide open but the bokeh definitely suffers.

I'm going to assume you're looking for stuff from the wider apertures. I'll try to post some I haven't posted before of my girls. Some of these with the K-7, some with the K-x.

f/2


f/1.6 (ok, I've posted this before, but not in colour)


f/2.5


f/2


f/2


f/2.5


f/1.8


f/2.5 -- kinda busy here in the background, but nice colour


f/3.2


f/2


f/2.5




f/2.2


f/2.8


f/1.6


f/4
04-12-2011, 08:13 AM   #9
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Oh, here's a series of my daughter trying a (sour) blackberry (taken with the DA*55 at f.2.2--admittedly thinner DOF than it needed to be).












Last edited by farfisa; 04-12-2011 at 08:56 AM.
04-12-2011, 08:39 AM   #10
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Well, continuing with the young girl theme, here are a couple from the same shoot. Both at f/2.8, which surprises me because I usually shoot this lens at f/2.
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04-12-2011, 09:23 AM   #11
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Here are a few:







Exif data should be there, but first and last were shot at f2 an middle one at f2.8.
04-12-2011, 10:52 AM   #12
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Just a couple more my wife took in a little photo shoot with our new baby.







I must say that this lens currently has "most favored lens status" with me (maybe because it is my newest lens), although I still use my 16-50 most.
04-12-2011, 11:14 AM   #13
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Those are gorgeous, Rondec! (or should I say Rondec's wife)!

So it's officially a baby lens too.

I think I could've done sleeping ones with the A 50 1.2, but why bother
04-12-2011, 11:17 AM   #14
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Hehe, is this a lens for photographing kids only?





04-12-2011, 12:41 PM   #15
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Thanks guys, some of these are real stunners!
Well, now I just have to make my mind up but I think I'd feel more comfortable with the *s (24+55) than with ltds (21+43+77).
77 is just tad long for me but 43 as longest is not really good thinking. 31 is keeper, and I think if reshuffle then propperly. So I might end up with 24+55 and my wife with 31.
Any opinions?
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