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reeftool · 08-10-2014, 12:38 PM

I have a few older MF 55's. They don't get used very much because the size doesn't work too much for me so I would hesitate to buy the DA*55. I do own the DA 40 Limited and that one doesn't get a whole lot of use either but I do use it some and I got it for a good price. That's just me so you really have to look at your own photography and buy the lenses you know you are going to use. You said the DA*55 excites you. I'd say invest in that lens first. Add the 43 to round out your collection when you win the lottery. The very first DA lens I bought after my initial 2 lens kit with my K10D was the DA 10-17 Fisheye because I have always loved those lenses and was excited about getting one. No regrets either.

peterjcb · 08-10-2014, 07:11 PM

I have the FA43 and what I reallly like about it, beside the IQ, is it's compact size vs. the DA55. I do not own the 55....
I find that I prefer having a smaller lens on my camera vs. some of my zooms.

Sandy Hancock · 08-10-2014, 07:59 PM

You need them both

FA43

DA*55

Kozlok · 08-10-2014, 08:23 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

You need them both

And I thought Sandy would be helpful!

alamo5000 · 08-10-2014, 08:34 PM

Sandy, is the guy with the ukulele Jake Shimabukuro????

dcBear78 · 08-10-2014, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by alamo5000

Sandy, is the guy with the ukulele Jake Shimabukuro????

Sandy is the guy behind the camera who took that picture.

edit: oops.. I read that wrong....lol

Sandy Hancock · 08-11-2014, 12:38 AM

Originally posted by alamo5000

Sandy, is the guy with the ukulele Jake Shimabukuro????

Yes, he played at The Governor Hindmarsh hotel in Adelaide over a year ago. The full gallery can be found on the Tone Deaf website. I don't usually use the DA*55 much for my live music work, but it was my Single In challenge lens for the month.

The DA*50-135, DA*16-50 and DA10-17 are my workhorses, but I always have a couple of fast primes in the bag just in case. Flash use is strictly verboten for these gigs.

Nicolas06 · 08-12-2014, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

You need them both

FA43

DA*55

Sorry to polute the thread but I'am particulary impressed by thoses shoots with FA43. Thoses are really razor sharp and the deph of colors is beautiful.

Could you explain how you manage to get theses results?

Many thanks,

Nicolas.

robjmitchell · 08-12-2014, 11:56 PM

Originally posted by Nicolas06

Sorry to polute the thread but I'am particulary impressed by thoses shoots with FA43. Thoses are really razor sharp and the deph of colors is beautiful.

Could you explain how you manage to get theses results?

Many thanks,

Nicolas.

I'm not sure how sandy does it, but I find the key to the 43 is stopping down just enough to get your whole subject in focus while subtly blurring the background, The pixies then make the subject pop out of the photo. At f1.9 you can get some creamy although lower contrast stuff happening too!
Some more 43ltd shots from last months single lens challenge if you like them!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/104293385@N04/sets/72157645103129999/

zbrueningsen · 08-31-2014, 11:47 AM

Maybe I am late to the discussion,
I absolutely adore my DA*55. The SDM problems don't exist for the DA*55. It is a hint slower than screw drive, but its focus is much more accurate on the K5II. It is absolutely amazing.
Now I wholeheartedly admit, I have the Tamron 17-50, Tamron 70-200 (absolutely amazing everytime), DA*55, and the Rokinon 85 1.4. The DA*55 is absolutely the best lens I have ever used. I am a lens buy and seller guy, and have tried hundreds of lenses and the only two lenses I have never sold - DA*55 and Tamron 70-200. The DA*55 is perfect for portraits. Its contrast is incredible. I shoot a ton at 1.4 for baby shoots because anything else is too sharp because of the contrast. Anybody that didn't like the DA*55 had a bad copy. The optics are superb. Read my review on the DA*55, which I feel is fair. I've shot probably 15,000 shots with mine. Always magic. If you do portraits, this lens will be it.
And now I am currently looking to compliment my group with either the FA 43 1.9 or the Sigma 30 1.4.

08-10-2014, 10:40 PM	#21
dcBear78 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Gladstone, QLD Photos: Gallery Posts: 823 Original Poster	Originally posted by alamo5000 Sandy, is the guy with the ukulele Jake Shimabukuro???? Sandy is the guy behind the camera who took that picture. edit: oops.. I read that wrong....lol Last edited by dcBear78; 08-11-2014 at 07:29 PM.

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08-10-2014, 12:38 PM	#16
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I have a few older MF 55's. They don't get used very much because the size doesn't work too much for me so I would hesitate to buy the DA55. I do own the DA 40 Limited and that one doesn't get a whole lot of use either but I do use it some and I got it for a good price. That's just me so you really have to look at your own photography and buy the lenses you know you are going to use. You said the DA55 excites you. I'd say invest in that lens first. Add the 43 to round out your collection when you win the lottery. The very first DA lens I bought after my initial 2 lens kit with my K10D was the DA 10-17 Fisheye because I have always loved those lenses and was excited about getting one. No regrets either.

08-10-2014, 07:11 PM	#17
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	I have the FA43 and what I reallly like about it, beside the IQ, is it's compact size vs. the DA55. I do not own the 55.... I find that I prefer having a smaller lens on my camera vs. some of my zooms.

08-10-2014, 07:59 PM	#18
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,276	You need them both FA43 DA*55

08-10-2014, 08:23 PM - 2 Likes	#19
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock You need them both And I thought Sandy would be helpful!

08-10-2014, 08:34 PM	#20
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Sandy, is the guy with the ukulele Jake Shimabukuro????

08-11-2014, 12:38 AM	#22
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,276	Originally posted by alamo5000 Sandy, is the guy with the ukulele Jake Shimabukuro???? Yes, he played at The Governor Hindmarsh hotel in Adelaide over a year ago. The full gallery can be found on the Tone Deaf website. I don't usually use the DA55 much for my live music work, but it was my Single In challenge lens for the month. The DA50-135, DA*16-50 and DA10-17 are my workhorses, but I always have a couple of fast primes in the bag just in case. Flash use is strictly verboten for these gigs.

08-12-2014, 11:18 PM	#23
Nicolas06 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 4,854	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock You need them both FA43 DA*55 Sorry to polute the thread but I'am particulary impressed by thoses shoots with FA43. Thoses are really razor sharp and the deph of colors is beautiful. Could you explain how you manage to get theses results? Many thanks, Nicolas.

08-12-2014, 11:56 PM	#24
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	Originally posted by Nicolas06 Sorry to polute the thread but I'am particulary impressed by thoses shoots with FA43. Thoses are really razor sharp and the deph of colors is beautiful. Could you explain how you manage to get theses results? Many thanks, Nicolas. I'm not sure how sandy does it, but I find the key to the 43 is stopping down just enough to get your whole subject in focus while subtly blurring the background, The pixies then make the subject pop out of the photo. At f1.9 you can get some creamy although lower contrast stuff happening too! Some more 43ltd shots from last months single lens challenge if you like them! https://www.flickr.com/photos/104293385@N04/sets/72157645103129999/

08-31-2014, 11:47 AM	#25
zbrueningsen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nebraska Photos: Albums Posts: 902	Maybe I am late to the discussion, I absolutely adore my DA55. The SDM problems don't exist for the DA55. It is a hint slower than screw drive, but its focus is much more accurate on the K5II. It is absolutely amazing. Now I wholeheartedly admit, I have the Tamron 17-50, Tamron 70-200 (absolutely amazing everytime), DA55, and the Rokinon 85 1.4. The DA55 is absolutely the best lens I have ever used. I am a lens buy and seller guy, and have tried hundreds of lenses and the only two lenses I have never sold - DA55 and Tamron 70-200. The DA55 is perfect for portraits. Its contrast is incredible. I shoot a ton at 1.4 for baby shoots because anything else is too sharp because of the contrast. Anybody that didn't like the DA55 had a bad copy. The optics are superb. Read my review on the DA55, which I feel is fair. I've shot probably 15,000 shots with mine. Always magic. If you do portraits, this lens will be it. And now I am currently looking to compliment my group with either the FA 43 1.9 or the Sigma 30 1.4.

FA43 or DA*55?

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