Do I need DA*55?

lightbulb · 12-08-2012, 04:44 AM

Already have the 16 50. How many stops of iso do i gain using av mode between 2.8 and 1.4?

JinDesu · 12-08-2012, 04:46 AM

Two stops (F2.8 -> F2.0 -> F1.4).

It's sharper too.

lightbulb · 12-08-2012, 04:49 AM

So iso with 2.8 at 3200 will be lowered to around 800 in av mode under same lighting?

JinDesu · 12-08-2012, 04:56 AM - **1 Like**

If your shooting at F1.4, you can go down to ISO 800 vs 3200 @ F2.8..

But you'll have quite a thin DOF, so you to be aware of that as well.

aurele · 12-08-2012, 04:59 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

But you'll have quite a thin DOF, so you to be aware of that as well.

and that's the trickiest part !

lightbulb · 12-08-2012, 05:00 AM

Yes I rather take a chance on dof than noise. Beside the subject is quite far out. Patiently waiting for Xmas deal. ....

Medium FormatPro · 12-08-2012, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Two stops (F2.8 -> F2.0 -> F1.4). It's sharper too

Better yet the the DFA 50 macro; it's the best of the 50's with the additional macro option added in. Plus at the other end of the aperature scale it goes down to f32

lightbulb · 12-08-2012, 05:41 AM

Something to ponder about. But I am thinking of reverse mount manual lens and extension tube.

aurele · 12-08-2012, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by lightbulb

Yes I rather take a chance on dof than noise. Beside the subject is quite far out. Patiently waiting for Xmas deal. ....

then, my only advice is buy it somewhere you can return it, if you're not happy.

I bought mine second hand, and it back focus really hard and need service, but here in europe it cost arm and leg such things.

NeverSatisfied · 12-08-2012, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by lightbulb

Yes I rather take a chance on dof than noise. Beside the subject is quite far out. Patiently waiting for Xmas deal. ....

Here, let me help you out with that!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/207498-da-55mm-f1-4-595-a.html
Happy Holidays!

**Rondec** · 12-08-2012, 07:29 AM

Well, I see about two stops improvement. Usually shoot DA 55 at f2 and the 16-50 at f4. The bokeh is nicer on the 55 and edges are a lot sharper. f1.4 is usable, but definitely softer than stopped down to f2.

**blackcloudbrew** · 12-08-2012, 07:34 AM

I have both lenses and well, to me they are totally different purposed lenses. The 16-50 is a general purpose lens and the 55 is a really great portrait lens. It can be good for some other things (I've seen it used for landscapes too) but it's just not a versatile IMHO. To me, if you were comparing lenses, the 55 should be compared against say the DA70 or FA77.

kaiserz · 12-08-2012, 07:37 AM

The da 55 will be way sharper at f4 vs the 16 - 50. do you need it? only you can answer that. Need vs Want always has a very thin line between them. I'm pretty sure you want to get the DA55 because you're somehow interested in getting it. Good luck (; And also there's a DA50 1.8 that is way cheaper than the 55 that you might want to consider. Anyway having a capable camera that can handle high ISO is also important, I know that your camera the k5 can handle high ISO at 3200 or 6400 . Imagine having a k7 where I can only push it to 800 - 1000...

lightbulb · 12-08-2012, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by NeverSatisfied

Here, let me help you out with that!

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/207498-da-55mm-f1-4-595-a.html
Happy Holidays!

But the 50-135 isn't on sale.

lightbulb · 12-08-2012, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by kaiserz

The da 55 will be way sharper at f4 vs the 16 - 50. do you need it? only you can answer that. Need vs Want always has a very thin line between them. I'm pretty sure you want to get the DA55 because you're somehow interested in getting it. Good luck (; And also there's a DA50 1.8 that is way cheaper than the 55 that you might want to consider. Anyway having a capable camera that can handle high ISO is also important, I know that your camera the k5 can handle high ISO at 3200 or 6400 . Imagine having a k7 where I can only push it to 800 - 1000...

I don't see much special on k5. But on k5iis the 16 50 shines, from af to sharpness. That makes me wanted to own the 55 and 50-135. I just love wr fast lenses. The 55 will be used for product shots and working the field.

Tried the 50 1.8, doesn't really impress me.

12-08-2012, 04:44 AM	#1
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691	*Do I need DA55?** Already have the 16 50. How many stops of iso do i gain using av mode between 2.8 and 1.4?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do I need the DA* 16-50?	misbehave	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	19	10-18-2012 05:10 AM
Landscape i need to know if you like and what i can do better	dragcarlady	Post Your Photos!	8	03-20-2012 08:13 PM
Do I need DA15mm?	yusuf	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	81	03-08-2012 04:25 PM
I've read the reviews - still need help -DA 50-200, FA 75-300, DA 55-300	Neisey	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	08-22-2009 08:43 AM
Do I need a 55-300mm Lens?	dillpicklemom	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	19	10-14-2008 12:38 PM

12-08-2012, 04:46 AM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Two stops (F2.8 -> F2.0 -> F1.4). It's sharper too.

12-08-2012, 04:49 AM	#3
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	So iso with 2.8 at 3200 will be lowered to around 800 in av mode under same lighting?

12-08-2012, 04:56 AM - 1 Like	#4
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	If your shooting at F1.4, you can go down to ISO 800 vs 3200 @ F2.8.. But you'll have quite a thin DOF, so you to be aware of that as well.

12-08-2012, 04:59 AM	#5
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by JinDesu But you'll have quite a thin DOF, so you to be aware of that as well. and that's the trickiest part !

12-08-2012, 05:00 AM	#6
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	Yes I rather take a chance on dof than noise. Beside the subject is quite far out. Patiently waiting for Xmas deal. ....

12-08-2012, 05:33 AM	#7
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	Originally posted by JinDesu Two stops (F2.8 -> F2.0 -> F1.4). It's sharper too Better yet the the DFA 50 macro; it's the best of the 50's with the additional macro option added in. Plus at the other end of the aperature scale it goes down to f32

12-08-2012, 05:41 AM	#8
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	Something to ponder about. But I am thinking of reverse mount manual lens and extension tube.

12-08-2012, 06:51 AM	#9
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by lightbulb Yes I rather take a chance on dof than noise. Beside the subject is quite far out. Patiently waiting for Xmas deal. .... then, my only advice is buy it somewhere you can return it, if you're not happy. I bought mine second hand, and it back focus really hard and need service, but here in europe it cost arm and leg such things.

12-08-2012, 07:22 AM	#10
NeverSatisfied Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: S.E. Michigan Photos: Albums Posts: 688	Originally posted by lightbulb Yes I rather take a chance on dof than noise. Beside the subject is quite far out. Patiently waiting for Xmas deal. .... Here, let me help you out with that! https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/207498-da-55mm-f1-4-595-a.html Happy Holidays!

12-08-2012, 07:29 AM	#11
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Well, I see about two stops improvement. Usually shoot DA 55 at f2 and the 16-50 at f4. The bokeh is nicer on the 55 and edges are a lot sharper. f1.4 is usable, but definitely softer than stopped down to f2.

12-08-2012, 07:34 AM	#12
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I have both lenses and well, to me they are totally different purposed lenses. The 16-50 is a general purpose lens and the 55 is a really great portrait lens. It can be good for some other things (I've seen it used for landscapes too) but it's just not a versatile IMHO. To me, if you were comparing lenses, the 55 should be compared against say the DA70 or FA77.

12-08-2012, 07:37 AM	#13
kaiserz Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NoVa The "burg" Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	The da 55 will be way sharper at f4 vs the 16 - 50. do you need it? only you can answer that. Need vs Want always has a very thin line between them. I'm pretty sure you want to get the DA55 because you're somehow interested in getting it. Good luck (; And also there's a DA50 1.8 that is way cheaper than the 55 that you might want to consider. Anyway having a capable camera that can handle high ISO is also important, I know that your camera the k5 can handle high ISO at 3200 or 6400 . Imagine having a k7 where I can only push it to 800 - 1000...

12-08-2012, 07:52 AM	#14
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	Originally posted by NeverSatisfied Here, let me help you out with that! https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-price-watch/207498-da-55mm-f1-4-595-a.html Happy Holidays! But the 50-135 isn't on sale.

12-08-2012, 07:58 AM	#15
lightbulb Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 691 Original Poster	Originally posted by kaiserz The da 55 will be way sharper at f4 vs the 16 - 50. do you need it? only you can answer that. Need vs Want always has a very thin line between them. I'm pretty sure you want to get the DA55 because you're somehow interested in getting it. Good luck (; And also there's a DA50 1.8 that is way cheaper than the 55 that you might want to consider. Anyway having a capable camera that can handle high ISO is also important, I know that your camera the k5 can handle high ISO at 3200 or 6400 . Imagine having a k7 where I can only push it to 800 - 1000... I don't see much special on k5. But on k5iis the 16 50 shines, from af to sharpness. That makes me wanted to own the 55 and 50-135. I just love wr fast lenses. The 55 will be used for product shots and working the field. Tried the 50 1.8, doesn't really impress me.