43mm 1.9 or DA*55???

eddie1960 · 07-11-2012, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by Blue

Nulla, Pentax should be paying you a publicity fee on that photo for ever 43 they sell.

LOL they should be paying @Pcarfan who he did credit

It is an impressive shot.

TomTextura · 07-11-2012, 07:57 AM

So everyone knows that that now practically famous shot, and rightfully so as it's very impressive, of the frog from Pcarfan was taken with the FA43 but does anyone know what camera was used? I tried looking it up but couldn't find out.

eddie1960 · 07-11-2012, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by TomTextura

So everyone knows that that now practically famous shot, and rightfully so as it's very impressive, of the frog from Pcarfan was taken with the FA43 but does anyone know what camera was used? I tried looking it up but couldn't find out.

That is easily as important since the camera is so important to the equation in the digital age. Soemone I follow on flickr recently posted a series of portraits done with either the ist and an FA77 or an F5 and an 85 1.4. Both on Portra 160. Made me want the 77 even more I much preferred the rendering and bokeh to the nikon lens which costs more

**Rondec** · 07-11-2012, 09:58 AM

It was a K10.

PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

robgo2 · 07-11-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by jay_akita

That was a major concern of mine too - so far I've been pretty impressed with AF accuracy @ F1.4 & F2.0 so hopefully Pentax has improved QC to where it's not as big an issue anymore. Still need to do a formal focus test yet with AF charts but my initial impression is very good.

It is possible that the QC issues have been resolved, but I tested five copies of the DA55 in the Spring of 2011, which was well after Dpreview ran their tests, and none of the lenses was even close to acceptable. I used the LensAlign system to test focusing accuracy, but even simple shooting of ordinary objects at maximum aperture showed front and back focusing to occur almost at random. If you are shooting with the aperture stopped down, such focusing errors will not be noticeable, but then what is the point of having a super fast lens if you cannot use it wide open?

I realize that there are many satisfied owners of the DA55, but I think it is prudent for all those who purchase this lens to perform their own careful testing.

Rob

TomTextura · 07-11-2012, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

It was a K10.

Thanks for the answer Rondec!

zeitlos · 07-20-2012, 09:00 AM

I'm wondering which lens you finally decided for?

selar · 07-25-2012, 08:57 PM

Ok, I bought a silver MIJ FA43LTD to see for myself, I have to agree with Klaus of Photozone, it is incredibly sharp in the center, but soft in the corners!

seventysixersfan · 07-26-2012, 01:29 PM

Selar -- do you regret buying it? How does it compare with your FA 35/2 or FA 50 1/4? Do you imagine yourself using the FA43 over the FA 50 most of the time, or will you stop using your FA 35? (I'm asking all these questions because I'm thinking of getting a FA43 but I have the other two lenses too, as well as a DA 40, so I'm trying to figure out the overlap or competition between these lenses)

selar · 07-26-2012, 06:27 PM

No, I'm not disappointed in the least bit. I didnt buy this lens to shoot landscapes! Actually, the corners are not bad, just average, its just that the great center resolution throws the corners into stark relief. I purchased it intending to use as a portrait lens and for that purpose, it is perfectly suited.

seventysixersfan · 07-27-2012, 07:30 AM

Thanks, Selar. I'll have to look into this lens when my bank account recovers a bit. I really like my FA 50 f/1.4 but there are times when I wished it was a bit wider. And I like my DA 40 but there are times when I wished it were faster. Sounds like FA 43 might be the ticket!

zeitlos · 07-27-2012, 03:07 PM

Originally posted by selar

No, I'm not disappointed in the least bit. I didnt buy this lens to shoot landscapes! Actually, the corners are not bad, just average, its just that the great center resolution throws the corners into stark relief. I purchased it intending to use as a portrait lens and for that purpose, it is perfectly suited.

Good choice! Congratulations!

07-11-2012, 10:39 AM	#65
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by jay_akita That was a major concern of mine too - so far I've been pretty impressed with AF accuracy @ F1.4 & F2.0 so hopefully Pentax has improved QC to where it's not as big an issue anymore. Still need to do a formal focus test yet with AF charts but my initial impression is very good. It is possible that the QC issues have been resolved, but I tested five copies of the DA55 in the Spring of 2011, which was well after Dpreview ran their tests, and none of the lenses was even close to acceptable. I used the LensAlign system to test focusing accuracy, but even simple shooting of ordinary objects at maximum aperture showed front and back focusing to occur almost at random. If you are shooting with the aperture stopped down, such focusing errors will not be noticeable, but then what is the point of having a super fast lens if you cannot use it wide open? I realize that there are many satisfied owners of the DA55, but I think it is prudent for all those who purchase this lens to perform their own careful testing. Rob Last edited by robgo2; 07-11-2012 at 03:19 PM.

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07-11-2012, 06:59 AM	#61
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by Blue Nulla, Pentax should be paying you a publicity fee on that photo for ever 43 they sell. LOL they should be paying @Pcarfan who he did credit It is an impressive shot.

07-11-2012, 07:57 AM	#62
TomTextura Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Denver Photos: Albums Posts: 570	So everyone knows that that now practically famous shot, and rightfully so as it's very impressive, of the frog from Pcarfan was taken with the FA43 but does anyone know what camera was used? I tried looking it up but couldn't find out.

07-11-2012, 08:03 AM	#63
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,666	Originally posted by TomTextura So everyone knows that that now practically famous shot, and rightfully so as it's very impressive, of the frog from Pcarfan was taken with the FA43 but does anyone know what camera was used? I tried looking it up but couldn't find out. That is easily as important since the camera is so important to the equation in the digital age. Soemone I follow on flickr recently posted a series of portraits done with either the ist and an FA77 or an F5 and an 85 1.4. Both on Portra 160. Made me want the 77 even more I much preferred the rendering and bokeh to the nikon lens which costs more

07-11-2012, 09:58 AM	#64
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	It was a K10. PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

07-11-2012, 11:12 AM	#66
TomTextura Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Denver Photos: Albums Posts: 570	Originally posted by Rondec It was a K10. Thanks for the answer Rondec!

07-20-2012, 09:00 AM	#67
zeitlos Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the middle of Bavaria - Germany Posts: 282	I'm wondering which lens you finally decided for?

07-25-2012, 08:57 PM	#68
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	Ok, I bought a silver MIJ FA43LTD to see for myself, I have to agree with Klaus of Photozone, it is incredibly sharp in the center, but soft in the corners!

07-26-2012, 01:29 PM	#69
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Selar -- do you regret buying it? How does it compare with your FA 35/2 or FA 50 1/4? Do you imagine yourself using the FA43 over the FA 50 most of the time, or will you stop using your FA 35? (I'm asking all these questions because I'm thinking of getting a FA43 but I have the other two lenses too, as well as a DA 40, so I'm trying to figure out the overlap or competition between these lenses)

07-26-2012, 06:27 PM	#70
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	No, I'm not disappointed in the least bit. I didnt buy this lens to shoot landscapes! Actually, the corners are not bad, just average, its just that the great center resolution throws the corners into stark relief. I purchased it intending to use as a portrait lens and for that purpose, it is perfectly suited.

07-27-2012, 07:30 AM	#71
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Thanks, Selar. I'll have to look into this lens when my bank account recovers a bit. I really like my FA 50 f/1.4 but there are times when I wished it was a bit wider. And I like my DA 40 but there are times when I wished it were faster. Sounds like FA 43 might be the ticket!

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07-27-2012, 03:07 PM	#72
zeitlos Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: In the middle of Bavaria - Germany Posts: 282	Originally posted by selar No, I'm not disappointed in the least bit. I didnt buy this lens to shoot landscapes! Actually, the corners are not bad, just average, its just that the great center resolution throws the corners into stark relief. I purchased it intending to use as a portrait lens and for that purpose, it is perfectly suited. Good choice! Congratulations!