55mm f/1.4 is a stunning lens.

Edgar_in_Indy · 04-23-2012, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

The Sigma fares badly in comparison with two MF lenses,
the Voigtlaender Nokton 58/1.4 and the Zeiss Makro-Planar 50/2,
in the Photozone tests on the FF Canon EOS.

There are several lenses that are champs on APS-C, but are only middle of the road on FF. From what I've read, the Sigma 50mm 1.4 is one of them, and my beloved Tamron 28-75mm is another. Unless/until Pentax releases a FF DSLR, such comparisons are only academic.

I'm just a hobbyist (and not a rich one), but I've dropped about $3000 the last couple years in lenses. (Don't tell my wife!) I've considered the 55mm before, but I've avoided it for the following reasons (in order of priority):

1) SDM - speed/reliability concerns

2) Price compared to Sigma 50mm 1.4

3) My Pentax-F 50mm 1.7 handles my 50mm needs in a compact, inexpensive package, and produces fantastic images.

The biggest strike against the 55 for me is the SDM. If the lens was less expensive, or had a longer warranty, I might consider it.

As you can see in my signature, Sigma has earned my trust, in part because of their willingness to stand behind their lenses for four years. I've had very good experiences with Sigma, and hope to soon ad the 85mm 1.4 to my stable.

nibutto · 04-23-2012, 12:41 PM

To me the lens balances very well with the K5.
It's my most used
It's a joy to play with.
Had to change the first copy cause it was not good also with +10 micro AF.
The new copy is correct with a +5.

PS
DA*55 and DA*60-250 are the only lenses I bought NEW.
All the others I have buyed used (lot of people in Italy sell Pentax and all the equipment for a new Canon or Nikon...better for me!!!)

junototoro · 04-23-2012, 07:06 PM

How do you test if the focusing is ok? I am too much of a beginner and I can't tell my focusing With this lens has any problams, but I might be wrong.

**Rondec** · 04-23-2012, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by junototoro

How do you test if the focusing is ok? I am too much of a beginner and I can't tell my focusing With this lens has any problams, but I might be wrong.

I use my camera's live view to test my regular (phase detect) auto focus. There is a link on how to do it here: AF microadjustment for the 1Ds mark III, 1D Mk3, 5D Mk2, 7D. I find that it works quite well and is a lot easier than some of the other options out there.

ataunton · 04-23-2012, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

I use my camera's live view to test my regular (phase detect) auto focus. There is a link on how to do it here: AF microadjustment for the 1Ds mark III, 1D Mk3, 5D Mk2, 7D. I find that it works quite well and is a lot easier than some of the other options out there.

I like this method as well. I had an easier time getting repeatable results than I did using a focus chart.

I had the 55 for a month before sending it back. I got some pictures I was really happy with, but struggled with focus consistency. It got a bit better after I corrected the things I was doing to make it worse, but still found the focusing unreliable. Definitely recommend looking at the DA* club thread for some fantastic images from the 55. While it is capable of capturing some of the best images I have seen on this site, be sure to test it thoroughly if you purchase one.

G and T · 04-24-2012, 07:35 AM

Originally posted by top-quark

Question: what's the point of the AF/MF switch since you've already got one on the body and (I assume) quick shift to boot?

Set the AF/MF switch on the lens to MF and the camera focus to AF.S, you then can use this lens for Catch in Focus when it is enabled in the camera menu. All DA and FA lenses with AF/MF switches and MF lenses can do this.
Glenn

liukaitc · 04-24-2012, 08:00 AM

Originally posted by top-quark

Question: what's the point of the AF/MF switch since you've already got one on the body and (I assume) quick shift to boot?

I also like this feature on all DA* lens. actually I use this AF/MF switch quite a lot. it operates much faster than use on-camera AF/MF switch

brofkand · 05-14-2012, 09:23 PM

This is my favorite image taken with this lens: Ferris Wheel

zapp · 05-15-2012, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by liukaitc

800 is a lot for a lens for hobbyist.

Actually hobbyists tend to put more money on lenses than pro's do. And $800 for a piece of mechanical and optical high tech is not asking a lot. This lens will last longer than several iPhone generations. It all depends on your priorities.

zapp · 05-15-2012, 04:53 AM

Originally posted by nibutto

To me the lens balances very well with the K5.
It's my most used
It's a joy to play with.
Had to change the first copy cause it was not good also with +10 micro AF.
The new copy is correct with a +5.

PS
DA*55 and DA*60-250 are the only lenses I bought NEW.
All the others I have buyed used (lot of people in Italy sell Pentax and all the equipment for a new Canon or Nikon...better for me!!!)

It is not the lens it is the camera that probably was off.

dgaies · 05-15-2012, 05:20 AM

Originally posted by zapp

It is not the lens it is the camera that probably was off.

I disagree. I have yet to come across a copy of the DA*55 that didn't require a positive AF adjustment, with the majority of them needing something in the +6/+8 range on a neutral body.

creampuff · 05-15-2012, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by dgaies

I disagree. I have yet to come across a copy of the DA*55 that didn't require a positive AF adjustment, with the majority of them needing something in the +6/+8 range on a neutral body.

I agree with zapp that it is the camera that is off, not the lens. I had focus issues with my K-5 with this lens and the Sigma 70-200mm HSM II. I sent the camera and the DA* 55mm to Pentax Japan for calibration. They did nothing to the lens but replaced the AF module on my K-5. My DA* 55mm with my K-5 is perfect with zero AF adjustment needed. My Sigma zoom is also spot on with my K-5, except when in LV mode. I'll have to send it in to Sigma to solve this, but that's another matter.

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04-23-2012, 12:11 PM	#31
Edgar_in_Indy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Originally posted by lytrytyr The Sigma fares badly in comparison with two MF lenses, the Voigtlaender Nokton 58/1.4 and the Zeiss Makro-Planar 50/2, in the Photozone tests on the FF Canon EOS. There are several lenses that are champs on APS-C, but are only middle of the road on FF. From what I've read, the Sigma 50mm 1.4 is one of them, and my beloved Tamron 28-75mm is another. Unless/until Pentax releases a FF DSLR, such comparisons are only academic. I'm just a hobbyist (and not a rich one), but I've dropped about $3000 the last couple years in lenses. (Don't tell my wife!) I've considered the 55mm before, but I've avoided it for the following reasons (in order of priority): 1) SDM - speed/reliability concerns 2) Price compared to Sigma 50mm 1.4 3) My Pentax-F 50mm 1.7 handles my 50mm needs in a compact, inexpensive package, and produces fantastic images. The biggest strike against the 55 for me is the SDM. If the lens was less expensive, or had a longer warranty, I might consider it. As you can see in my signature, Sigma has earned my trust, in part because of their willingness to stand behind their lenses for four years. I've had very good experiences with Sigma, and hope to soon ad the 85mm 1.4 to my stable.

04-23-2012, 12:41 PM	#32
nibutto Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 106	To me the lens balances very well with the K5. It's my most used It's a joy to play with. Had to change the first copy cause it was not good also with +10 micro AF. The new copy is correct with a +5. PS DA55 and DA60-250 are the only lenses I bought NEW. All the others I have buyed used (lot of people in Italy sell Pentax and all the equipment for a new Canon or Nikon...better for me!!!)

04-23-2012, 07:06 PM	#33
junototoro Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 262	How do you test if the focusing is ok? I am too much of a beginner and I can't tell my focusing With this lens has any problams, but I might be wrong.

04-23-2012, 07:36 PM	#34
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Originally posted by junototoro How do you test if the focusing is ok? I am too much of a beginner and I can't tell my focusing With this lens has any problams, but I might be wrong. I use my camera's live view to test my regular (phase detect) auto focus. There is a link on how to do it here: AF microadjustment for the 1Ds mark III, 1D Mk3, 5D Mk2, 7D. I find that it works quite well and is a lot easier than some of the other options out there.

04-23-2012, 11:10 PM	#35
ataunton Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: East Bay, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 52	Originally posted by Rondec I use my camera's live view to test my regular (phase detect) auto focus. There is a link on how to do it here: AF microadjustment for the 1Ds mark III, 1D Mk3, 5D Mk2, 7D. I find that it works quite well and is a lot easier than some of the other options out there. I like this method as well. I had an easier time getting repeatable results than I did using a focus chart. I had the 55 for a month before sending it back. I got some pictures I was really happy with, but struggled with focus consistency. It got a bit better after I corrected the things I was doing to make it worse, but still found the focusing unreliable. Definitely recommend looking at the DA* club thread for some fantastic images from the 55. While it is capable of capturing some of the best images I have seen on this site, be sure to test it thoroughly if you purchase one.

04-24-2012, 07:35 AM	#36
G and T Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Langwarrin Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 382	Originally posted by top-quark Question: what's the point of the AF/MF switch since you've already got one on the body and (I assume) quick shift to boot? Set the AF/MF switch on the lens to MF and the camera focus to AF.S, you then can use this lens for Catch in Focus when it is enabled in the camera menu. All DA and FA lenses with AF/MF switches and MF lenses can do this. Glenn

04-24-2012, 08:00 AM	#37
liukaitc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,008	Originally posted by top-quark Question: what's the point of the AF/MF switch since you've already got one on the body and (I assume) quick shift to boot? I also like this feature on all DA* lens. actually I use this AF/MF switch quite a lot. it operates much faster than use on-camera AF/MF switch

05-14-2012, 09:23 PM	#38
brofkand Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 836 Original Poster	This is my favorite image taken with this lens: Ferris Wheel

05-15-2012, 04:52 AM	#39
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Originally posted by liukaitc 800 is a lot for a lens for hobbyist. Actually hobbyists tend to put more money on lenses than pro's do. And $800 for a piece of mechanical and optical high tech is not asking a lot. This lens will last longer than several iPhone generations. It all depends on your priorities.

05-15-2012, 04:53 AM	#40
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	Originally posted by nibutto To me the lens balances very well with the K5. It's my most used It's a joy to play with. Had to change the first copy cause it was not good also with +10 micro AF. The new copy is correct with a +5. PS DA55 and DA60-250 are the only lenses I bought NEW. All the others I have buyed used (lot of people in Italy sell Pentax and all the equipment for a new Canon or Nikon...better for me!!!) It is not the lens it is the camera that probably was off.

05-15-2012, 05:20 AM	#41
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by zapp It is not the lens it is the camera that probably was off. I disagree. I have yet to come across a copy of the DA*55 that didn't require a positive AF adjustment, with the majority of them needing something in the +6/+8 range on a neutral body.

05-15-2012, 06:33 PM	#42
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by dgaies I disagree. I have yet to come across a copy of the DA55 that didn't require a positive AF adjustment, with the majority of them needing something in the +6/+8 range on a neutral body. I agree with zapp that it is the camera that is off, not the lens. I had focus issues with my K-5 with this lens and the Sigma 70-200mm HSM II. I sent the camera and the DA 55mm to Pentax Japan for calibration. They did nothing to the lens but replaced the AF module on my K-5. My DA* 55mm with my K-5 is perfect with zero AF adjustment needed. My Sigma zoom is also spot on with my K-5, except when in LV mode. I'll have to send it in to Sigma to solve this, but that's another matter.