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Jonathan Mac · 07-25-2012, 12:12 AM

All the results here strongly suggest that optically this is a re-packaged 50mm f/1.7 (M, A, F, FA...) with improved modern coatings. It seems to perform very, very similarly.

I just checked the lens database and it's 6 elements in 5 groups, just like the f/1.7s.

NKK · 07-25-2012, 01:15 AM

Thank you for all your tests - i'm really looking forward to get this lens, it looks great i think.
A nice little lightweight package together with the 35mm 2.4

aurele · 07-25-2012, 01:57 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

All the results here strongly suggest that optically this is a re-packaged 50mm f/1.7 (M, A, F, FA...) with improved modern coatings. It seems to perform very, very similarly.

I just checked the lens database and it's 6 elements in 5 groups, just like the f/1.7s.

So it's seems that Ricoh-Pentax is reading our comments ! we were complaining for ages that they stop the production of the FA 50/1,7, and now they re-produce it.

(Let's ask for a FF then

)

Alizarine · 07-25-2012, 03:26 AM

All we need to know now is if it can perform well on FF (film) too like the DA 35 f2.4...

Pentax has now "rebadged" 2 former FA lenses into the DA world... I wonder what's next? FA*28-70? hehe

eddie1960 · 07-25-2012, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by Alizarine

All we need to know now is if it can perform well on FF (film) too like the DA 35 f2.4...

Pentax has now "rebadged" 2 former FA lenses into the DA world... I wonder what's next? FA*28-70? hehe

it should perform fine on FF, it has been marketed as FF compatible. they should have called it DFA to dispel fears.

Docrwm · 07-25-2012, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by eddie1960

it should perform fine on FF, it has been marketed as FF compatible. they should have called it DFA to dispel fears.

At least they didn't call it a DAL

aurele · 07-25-2012, 05:18 AM

Originally posted by Docrwm

At least they didn't call it a DAL

the 35/2.4 is a DAL but a very good lens... so i don't get your point !

Docrwm · 07-25-2012, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by aurele

the 35/2.4 is a DAL but a very good lens... so i don't get your point !

No It's Not a DAL. Look at the lens. It's a DA lens. There are only 3 DAL lenses 18-55, 50-200, and 55-300.

bhairavp · 07-25-2012, 06:26 AM

The 35 is a DA, not a DA L.

aurele · 07-25-2012, 07:01 AM

considering all previous DA lens have quick shift, are bundled with hood, and case.

Considerind all DAL Zoom lens have no quick shift, are not bundled with hood or case.

Considering the 35mm f2.4 (and probably the new 50mm f1.7) have no quick shift, no hood nor case in the bundle.

I think whatever Pentax says it is, according to the rest of the Lens line, those lens are DAL lens.

But if you prefer i can say DA(L)

So back to the main question, Docrwn, why do you say "at least, it's not a DAL" ?

lightbulb · 07-25-2012, 07:01 AM

Tried it, I think 35/2.4 has faster AF, and sharper.

cwing · 07-25-2012, 10:34 AM

Bokeh at f/1.8 is disappointing! I got all whoozy

Sagitta · 07-25-2012, 03:46 PM

Hrm. This actually could work as a cheap substitute for the DA*55 I was thinking of getting. It would allow me to use the (sizable) difference elsewhere...

simbon4o · 07-25-2012, 04:13 PM

Please somebody to compare it with the FA 50 1.4 head to head

Alizarine · 07-25-2012, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by eddie1960

it should perform fine on FF, it has been marketed as FF compatible. they should have called it DFA to dispel fears.

it's marketed as FF compatible? nice....

hmm. I hope someone posts tests soon

Originally posted by aurele

considering all previous DA lens have quick shift, are bundled with hood, and case.
Considerind all DAL Zoom lens have no quick shift, are not bundled with hood or case.
Considering the 35mm f2.4 (and probably the new 50mm f1.7) have no quick shift, no hood nor case in the bundle.
I think whatever Pentax says it is, according to the rest of the Lens line, those lens are DAL lens. But if you prefer i can say DA(L)

Good catch. I'm confused as to how the DAL and DA lenses differ. AFAIK all DALs are zooms, with plastic mount and no quick shift, and like you said are not bundled with hood and pouch even brand new. The DA 35 2.4 and DA 50 1.8 also have plastic mounts, and like the DALs don't come with hoods or cases/pouches. But, they are primes. I guess that's what the main difference is ... the DALs are like modern FAJ lenses - all "consumer zooms".

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07-25-2012, 12:12 AM	#121
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	All the results here strongly suggest that optically this is a re-packaged 50mm f/1.7 (M, A, F, FA...) with improved modern coatings. It seems to perform very, very similarly. I just checked the lens database and it's 6 elements in 5 groups, just like the f/1.7s.

07-25-2012, 01:15 AM	#122
NKK Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Malmö, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 583	Thank you for all your tests - i'm really looking forward to get this lens, it looks great i think. A nice little lightweight package together with the 35mm 2.4

07-25-2012, 01:57 AM	#123
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac All the results here strongly suggest that optically this is a re-packaged 50mm f/1.7 (M, A, F, FA...) with improved modern coatings. It seems to perform very, very similarly. I just checked the lens database and it's 6 elements in 5 groups, just like the f/1.7s. So it's seems that Ricoh-Pentax is reading our comments ! we were complaining for ages that they stop the production of the FA 50/1,7, and now they re-produce it. (Let's ask for a FF then )

07-25-2012, 03:26 AM	#124
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	All we need to know now is if it can perform well on FF (film) too like the DA 35 f2.4... Pentax has now "rebadged" 2 former FA lenses into the DA world... I wonder what's next? FA*28-70? hehe

07-25-2012, 04:54 AM	#125
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by Alizarine All we need to know now is if it can perform well on FF (film) too like the DA 35 f2.4... Pentax has now "rebadged" 2 former FA lenses into the DA world... I wonder what's next? FA*28-70? hehe it should perform fine on FF, it has been marketed as FF compatible. they should have called it DFA to dispel fears.

07-25-2012, 05:05 AM	#126
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by eddie1960 it should perform fine on FF, it has been marketed as FF compatible. they should have called it DFA to dispel fears. At least they didn't call it a DAL

07-25-2012, 05:18 AM	#127
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by Docrwm At least they didn't call it a DAL the 35/2.4 is a DAL but a very good lens... so i don't get your point !

07-25-2012, 06:25 AM	#128
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by aurele the 35/2.4 is a DAL but a very good lens... so i don't get your point ! No It's Not a DAL. Look at the lens. It's a DA lens. There are only 3 DAL lenses 18-55, 50-200, and 55-300.

07-25-2012, 06:26 AM	#129
bhairavp Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 399	The 35 is a DA, not a DA L.

07-25-2012, 07:01 AM	#130
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	considering all previous DA lens have quick shift, are bundled with hood, and case. Considerind all DAL Zoom lens have no quick shift, are not bundled with hood or case. Considering the 35mm f2.4 (and probably the new 50mm f1.7) have no quick shift, no hood nor case in the bundle. I think whatever Pentax says it is, according to the rest of the Lens line, those lens are DAL lens. But if you prefer i can say DA(L) So back to the main question, Docrwn, why do you say "at least, it's not a DAL" ?

07-25-2012, 07:01 AM	#131
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691	Tried it, I think 35/2.4 has faster AF, and sharper.

07-25-2012, 10:34 AM	#132
cwing Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 128	Bokeh at f/1.8 is disappointing! I got all whoozy

07-25-2012, 03:46 PM	#133
Sagitta Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Maine Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,081	Hrm. This actually could work as a cheap substitute for the DA*55 I was thinking of getting. It would allow me to use the (sizable) difference elsewhere...

07-25-2012, 04:13 PM	#134
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258	Please somebody to compare it with the FA 50 1.4 head to head

07-25-2012, 08:19 PM	#135
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by eddie1960 it should perform fine on FF, it has been marketed as FF compatible. they should have called it DFA to dispel fears. it's marketed as FF compatible? nice.... hmm. I hope someone posts tests soon Originally posted by aurele considering all previous DA lens have quick shift, are bundled with hood, and case. Considerind all DAL Zoom lens have no quick shift, are not bundled with hood or case. Considering the 35mm f2.4 (and probably the new 50mm f1.7) have no quick shift, no hood nor case in the bundle. I think whatever Pentax says it is, according to the rest of the Lens line, those lens are DAL lens. But if you prefer i can say DA(L) Good catch. I'm confused as to how the DAL and DA lenses differ. AFAIK all DALs are zooms, with plastic mount and no quick shift, and like you said are not bundled with hood and pouch even brand new. The DA 35 2.4 and DA 50 1.8 also have plastic mounts, and like the DALs don't come with hoods or cases/pouches. But, they are primes. I guess that's what the main difference is ... the DALs are like modern FAJ lenses - all "consumer zooms".

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

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