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06-23-2011, 05:46 AM   #31
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QuoteOriginally posted by dgaies Quote
Again, I'm not saying an FA-LTD 50/55/1.2 wouldn't be a nice lens (I'd probably buy one myself), but there's almost no chance Pentax is going to put one out, especially because there is already the DA*55 in production.
It's nice to dream!

I'd even buy a manual focus version ... but it would have to be 55mm.

06-23-2011, 08:33 AM   #32
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QuoteOriginally posted by paperbag846 Quote
It's nice to dream!

I'd even buy a manual focus version ... but it would have to be 55mm.
06-23-2011, 08:41 AM   #33
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Is this a good lens?

Actually looked into it - good IQ... but with the stop-down metering problems I've seen with my camera, I'd want it to have a chip.

I think the Voightlander 58mm might be my best bet. A MAN CAN DREAM

Last edited by paperbag846; 06-23-2011 at 08:51 AM.
06-23-2011, 08:45 AM   #34
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I would be happy to see another run of A 50mm 1.2 with a larger production run and with the same aesthetics as the silver version except in both black and silver.

Yes I am vain and I have a thing for lenses that look as good as they function.

06-23-2011, 08:56 AM   #35
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QuoteOriginally posted by paperbag846 Quote
It's nice to dream!

I'd even buy a manual focus version ... but it would have to be 55mm.
Why is 55mm/f1.2 so important over 50mm/f1.2?

I like this thread. It is thinking about userdemand. In the survey I put two FA Ltd options, 20mm and 105mm since they do differ in focal lenght from the three current lenses (with li. The 55mm sits right in the centre off the current three lenses (31, 43 and 77). It is a little crowded there.

Then there is the discussion about a real fast 50mm/f1.0 lens on the forum.

And discussion about a DM (digital optimiced but manual focussing) lensline to start out with 50mm/f1.2 as an example.
06-23-2011, 09:27 AM   #36
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QuoteOriginally posted by RonHendriks1966 Quote
Why is 55mm/f1.2 so important over 50mm/f1.2?
Glad you asked . Most people don't seem to care, but I notice it quite a bit.

I have a K55 and a FA 50. The FA 50 is the better lens 6 times out of 10... but it's just a little short for portraiture. 85mm is the old standard for the short end of portraiture, I think for good reason. A 55 lens gets you to 82.5mm.... close enough. A 50mm lens brings you to 75mm.

In other words, I need to crop shots from my 50 to get the framing I see in my head. The autofocus/autoexposure/sharpness of the 50 1.4 makes this generally worth it, but it's not an ideal situation. The DA* 55 tells me they already know how to make a better 50....

I understand that you can use a short telephoto for lots of things, but I generally think of it as a portrait lens. And that 5mm really helps for portraits. It provides a creamier OOF area, and better control of perspective distortion (I prefer the look of a 55mm lens over the longer variants, which tend to flatten things out quite a bit).

The DA* 55mm almost gets me there... but how often am I shooting portraits in the rain?? The urban consumer should have a portrait lens option at the proper focal length that isn't as huge as a DA* lens. It's just bulk and expense I don't need... and I'm WITH Pentax because I want access to their lovely small primes!

If I wanted a big bulky lens, I would just get a Nikon system. I would have to deal with a lot less in the way of other headaches if I jumped ship. The tiny primes are keeping me around - but my *favourite* focal length is only offered as a DA*! Yarrrr.

Now, why 55mm 1.2? Well, I figure if Pentax is so intent on their WR + SDM wrapped nonsense, then the alternative could be a premium lens. I suppose they could go the other way with it though. They could make the lens smaller, and f1.8. Sharp wide open, like a proper limited. They could price it on par, or for a little less, than the DA*. It would be the choice betwen WR+SDM, and compact/limited build.
06-23-2011, 10:14 AM   #37
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QuoteOriginally posted by paperbag846 Quote
The DA* 55mm almost gets me there... but how often am I shooting portraits in the rain?? The urban consumer should have a portrait lens option at the proper focal length that isn't as huge as a DA* lens. It's just bulk and expense I don't need... and I'm WITH Pentax because I want access to their lovely small primes!

Now, why 55mm 1.2? Well, I figure if Pentax is so intent on their WR + SDM wrapped nonsense, then the alternative could be a premium lens. I suppose they could go the other way with it though. They could make the lens smaller, and f1.8. Sharp wide open, like a proper limited. They could price it on par, or for a little less, than the DA*. It would be the choice betwen WR+SDM, and compact/limited build.
Well the story holds its ground untill you want to change the 55mm/f1.4 into a f1.2 wich makes the lens bigger I guess. Don't know howmuch buth the light needs a place to enter the camera.

I do like the DA*55mm/f1.4 myself and don't see it as realy big. For having a small lens then a 55mm/f1.9 makes more sence and the missing from 1.2 to 1.9 isn't that big as long as it is rasorsharp at 1.9.

I like the DA* wheatersealing since I used it some time on shooting in a bar and it can handle a glass of beer.

06-23-2011, 10:26 AM   #38
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QuoteOriginally posted by RonHendriks1966 Quote
I do like the DA*55mm/f1.4 myself and don't see it as realy big. For having a small lens then a 55mm/f1.9 makes more sence and the missing from 1.2 to 1.9 isn't that big as long as it is rasorsharp at 1.9.
A DA 55mm f2.0 LTD would be welcomed by myself, as long as it was razor sharp wide open. The f1.2 thing might be a pipe dream.
06-23-2011, 10:53 AM   #39
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QuoteOriginally posted by paperbag846 Quote
Is this a good lens?
No. Well, it would not satisfy anyone looking for an FA Ltd. or an alternative to the DA*. It does show that a 55/1.2 can come in a reasonable size. Build quality seems pretty good. I can focus it.

The Voigtländer 58/1.4 is the lens you want if manual focus is OK.

I agree with your thoughts about 55 vs. 50. I think Pentax does too, but they would argue that they have done it already, and can't/won't try again.
06-23-2011, 12:11 PM   #40
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QuoteOriginally posted by RonHendriks1966 Quote
Well the story holds its ground untill you want to change the 55mm/f1.4 into a f1.2 wich makes the lens bigger I guess. Don't know howmuch buth the light needs a place to enter the camera.

I do like the DA*55mm/f1.4 myself and don't see it as realy big. For having a small lens then a 55mm/f1.9 makes more sence and the missing from 1.2 to 1.9 isn't that big as long as it is rasorsharp at 1.9.

I like the DA* wheatersealing since I used it some time on shooting in a bar and it can handle a glass of beer.
A DA* 55/1.2 will have larger diameter elements in order to get from f1.4 to f1.2. However, there is more to lenses than simply their focal length and aperture. Asahi historically went to different optical designs/and or layouts for the f1.4 m42 lenses as well as the k-mount lenses than they did with the 1.8 55mm lenses. I think overall size was one aspect of that and Asahi Optical was known for compact lenses relative to the competition. All of the 50mm 1.4 and 1.2 lenses were a 7/6 layout (except for the early 8-element 50/1.4 ST). The DA* 55/1.4 is a completely new 55 design for Pentax with 9/8. Plus it makes use of the new Aero Bright coatings. It is already the largest (although a little lighter than the K 50/1.2) and pushing it to 1.2 would add some girth to that and only the engineers at Pentax really know how that would effect its performance.

the A 50/1.2 is 49 x 65mm and 345 grams which is smaller and lighter than the DA* 55/1.4 which is 66x70.5mm and 375 grams with a 1.2 version approaching the size of an FA* 85/1.4.
06-23-2011, 12:12 PM   #41
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QuoteOriginally posted by Just1MoreDave Quote
I agree with your thoughts about 55 vs. 50. I think Pentax does too, but they would argue that they have done it already, and can't/won't try again.
I think this is the main problem. This lens wouldn't be a new lens in line-up, but just sitting in the same spot as another lens, eating up on sales.
06-23-2011, 12:13 PM   #42
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QuoteOriginally posted by Just1MoreDave Quote
No. Well, it would not satisfy anyone looking for an FA Ltd. or an alternative to the DA*. It does show that a 55/1.2 can come in a reasonable size. Build quality seems pretty good. I can focus it.

The Voigtländer 58/1.4 is the lens you want if manual focus is OK.

I agree with your thoughts about 55 vs. 50. I think Pentax does too, but they would argue that they have done it already, and can't/won't try again.
I will by the argument for a 58 more than a 55 even an autofocus 58/f1.4 lenses in an FA ltd package.
06-23-2011, 01:18 PM   #43
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Practically speaking, I will settle on the "DA 57 f2 LIMITED" which is CA free and pin sharp corner to corner wide open without donut bokeh for $450. Super fast primes are great to boost ego, but have far too many compromises.

Last edited by wlachan; 06-23-2011 at 01:23 PM.
06-23-2011, 04:30 PM   #44
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I have to agree with Ron, here. The DA*55 really isn't very big. In fact, when you consider that it's AF, WR, f/1.4 and SDM, it's pretty amazingly small and light. Not to mention a flat-out great lens. It is for these reasons that Pentax will not produce another 55 until the DA* is replaced. Because why should they?

Paperbag, you have a thing about not paying for WR and SDM, but the lens you are proposing would cost much more than the DA*55. I think you just want another FA Ltd. so you can tell everybody how it's over-rated on digital and better on film.

BTW, I think the f/1.2 lenses are lost on me. I've only ever seen a couple of images from them that I liked. To me, there's such a thing as TOO shallow DOF. They have to be pin-sharp on the focus point to work, and most times, they just aren't. I personally almost never shoot below f/2 (numerically speaking).
06-23-2011, 04:54 PM   #45
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Pentax needs to make the other focal length primes that is currently missing in the production line up before they even think of bringing out a second 55! And with this new qmount toy who knows what they are thinking....
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