DA 50mm 1.8 - Brief hands-on impressions and samples

deadwolfbones · 07-23-2012, 12:12 PM

PLEASE DON'T JUDGE THIS LENS JUST BY THIS POST! READ ON!

Here's a quick SOOC f/1.8 vs f/4 comparison:

f/1.8:

Full size

f/4:

Full size

Last edited by deadwolfbones; 07-24-2012 at 09:06 PM.

deadwolfbones · 07-23-2012, 12:14 PM

NOTE: Aperture "wide open" changes between f/1.8 and f/2 depending on focusing distance.

Docrwm · 07-23-2012, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

Direct order from Pentax USA. Just opened the box, so no more pics yet.

Again, how? It's not listed on their site.

Well, it is...sort of. Its not in the list of lenses in the normal section. If I search for "50mm" it comes up with several other optics and then is listed as "Pre-Order" only. Again, how?

Ah, they are available (2 left) at Amazon though!

JinDesu · 07-23-2012, 12:35 PM

Bokeh at 1.8 for those leaf is pretty messy for me. But then again, I don't have much comparison.

Just saw that there were full sized links. And WOW - it's not bad at F1.8. But at F4! Very nice!

deadwolfbones · 07-23-2012, 12:51 PM

The bokeh is definitely a bit nervous wide open. I'll have to do some more tests to see how much it smooths out as you stop down, and how much focusing distance affects it. It's definitely VERY sharp when stopped down.

deadwolfbones · 07-23-2012, 05:02 PM

Bokeh test near MFD, slightly overcast, SOOC JPEGs, handheld...

f/1.8:

Full size

f/2.2:

Full size

f/2.8:

Full size

f/3.2:

Full size

f/4:

Full size

f/5.6:

Full size

f/8:

Full size

potx83 · 07-23-2012, 05:04 PM

WOW... at f/4 is impressive!

Mareket · 07-23-2012, 05:04 PM

Bokeh looks rough as a... But interested to see what it looks like in other shots. Looks nice and sharp wide open though.

Anyone else think the bokeh is sorta swirly?

EDIT: Bokeh looks good methinks

And dear lord that F/2.8 shot looks fantastic. Aperture seems to stay VERY round. Good stuff!

Docrwm · 07-23-2012, 05:07 PM

Patience. It will come down. Patience.....

JinDesu · 07-23-2012, 05:26 PM

Bokeh looks better in the flower test. Sharpness is hard to compare because F4 and onwards is a little bit out of focus in comparison to F2.8. F2.8 is pretty damn sharp though.

deadwolfbones · 07-23-2012, 05:43 PM

I'll try to do some more controlled tests tomorrow (tripod, etc).

JinDesu · 07-23-2012, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by deadwolfbones

I'll try to do some more controlled tests tomorrow (tripod, etc).

Thanks

rawr · 07-23-2012, 06:12 PM

Centre sharpness looks OK. How consistent is the sharpness across the frame? That will be of interest.

Franky2step · 07-23-2012, 06:42 PM

That bokeh looks brutal, makes me feel like I need a new eyeglass prescription..

Munki · 07-23-2012, 07:58 PM

The bokeh makes me feel a little dizzy...

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07-23-2012, 12:12 PM	#31
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	PLEASE DON'T JUDGE THIS LENS JUST BY THIS POST! READ ON! Here's a quick SOOC f/1.8 vs f/4 comparison: f/1.8: Full size f/4: Full size Last edited by deadwolfbones; 07-24-2012 at 09:06 PM.

07-23-2012, 12:14 PM	#32
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	NOTE: Aperture "wide open" changes between f/1.8 and f/2 depending on focusing distance.

07-23-2012, 12:27 PM	#33
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by deadwolfbones Direct order from Pentax USA. Just opened the box, so no more pics yet. Again, how? It's not listed on their site. Well, it is...sort of. Its not in the list of lenses in the normal section. If I search for "50mm" it comes up with several other optics and then is listed as "Pre-Order" only. Again, how? Ah, they are available (2 left) at Amazon though!

07-23-2012, 12:35 PM	#34
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Bokeh at 1.8 for those leaf is pretty messy for me. But then again, I don't have much comparison. Just saw that there were full sized links. And WOW - it's not bad at F1.8. But at F4! Very nice!

07-23-2012, 12:51 PM	#35
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	The bokeh is definitely a bit nervous wide open. I'll have to do some more tests to see how much it smooths out as you stop down, and how much focusing distance affects it. It's definitely VERY sharp when stopped down.

07-23-2012, 05:02 PM	#36
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Bokeh test near MFD, slightly overcast, SOOC JPEGs, handheld... f/1.8: Full size f/2.2: Full size f/2.8: Full size f/3.2: Full size f/4: Full size f/5.6: Full size f/8: Full size

07-23-2012, 05:04 PM	#37
potx83 New Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: New York City Posts: 6	WOW... at f/4 is impressive!

07-23-2012, 05:04 PM	#38
Mareket Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 719	Bokeh looks rough as a... But interested to see what it looks like in other shots. Looks nice and sharp wide open though. Anyone else think the bokeh is sorta swirly? EDIT: Bokeh looks good methinks And dear lord that F/2.8 shot looks fantastic. Aperture seems to stay VERY round. Good stuff!

07-23-2012, 05:07 PM	#39
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Patience. It will come down. Patience.....

07-23-2012, 05:26 PM	#40
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Bokeh looks better in the flower test. Sharpness is hard to compare because F4 and onwards is a little bit out of focus in comparison to F2.8. F2.8 is pretty damn sharp though.

07-23-2012, 05:43 PM	#41
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	I'll try to do some more controlled tests tomorrow (tripod, etc).

07-23-2012, 06:10 PM	#42
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by deadwolfbones I'll try to do some more controlled tests tomorrow (tripod, etc). Thanks

07-23-2012, 06:12 PM	#43
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Centre sharpness looks OK. How consistent is the sharpness across the frame? That will be of interest.

07-23-2012, 06:42 PM	#44
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	That bokeh looks brutal, makes me feel like I need a new eyeglass prescription..

07-23-2012, 07:58 PM	#45
Munki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 246	The bokeh makes me feel a little dizzy...