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aurele · 03-17-2015, 04:28 PM

I'd say :

1st picture F50
2nd picture DA*.

If you tell us it's the other way around, i'd strongly suggest you to send your DA* for some recentering and optical calibration.

Stavri · 03-17-2015, 05:51 PM

No more guesses, should I reveal the exifs?

Joojoo2010 · 03-17-2015, 06:03 PM

Yes pls

wildman · 03-17-2015, 08:04 PM - **1 Like**

Technically pic two is better than pic one which does not necessarily indicate which lens is used.

Stavri · 03-17-2015, 08:28 PM

I was running two threads on this comparison, thanks for your replies. Before I reveal the answers I want to let you all know that this particular image from the DA* 55 was intentionally shot haphazardly to match the -F 50mm f1.4. The DA* 55 f1.4 when shot expertly produces images that cannot be matched in terms of IQ and micro-contrast especially at large apertures. Before you dismiss my copy as defective I'd like to state that my DA* 55 just but equals the sharpness of the excellent Sigma EX 50mm f1.4 I let go a few months ago. Most people where throw off by the CA on the whiskers erroneously attributing it to the -F (the DA* 55 under certain conditions also exhibits CA at large apertures) The DA* 55 focused behind the eyes exhibits better sharpness and micro contrast.

Kudos to JinDesu (an authority on the DA* 55) and the others for making the correct choice. The real winner is the -F 50mm f1.4 for keeping up with its modern sibling.

DA* 55 @ f1.6

-F 50mm @f1.6

JinDesu · 03-17-2015, 08:33 PM

It was sharper. Sometimes my shots have purple fringing, but it's rare. I would chalk the whiskers to a rare combination of factors (including being in a harsher light than in the F50 shot).

Stavri · 03-17-2015, 08:33 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by JinDesu

It was sharper. Sometimes my shots have purple fringing, but it's rare. I would chalk the whiskers to a rare combination of factors (including being in a harsher light than in the F50 shot).

Agreed! You recognized the character of the DA* 55 and its quirks, congrats.

(Quality control)
DA* 55 vs Sigma Ex 50mm f1.4 both shot at F1.8 (note: profile read Ex 70-200mm f2.8 erroneously)

Da* 55 @ f1.8

Crop:

Sigma Ex 50mm f1.4

Crop:

Last edited by Stavri; 03-17-2015 at 08:57 PM.

manntax · 03-18-2015, 01:03 AM

Wow that really came by surprise - I guess the reason is I don't own either of those lenses - still pretty impressive result from F50 1.4 - one would though that harsh light really could put serious strain on it !

Nice thread,
Cheers!

Anthen · 03-18-2015, 05:16 AM

1 is F... I think. If you look at the whiskers, that purplish color, and compare it to the whiskers in the second picture, which is slightly green, its clearly the older F coating.

manntax · 03-18-2015, 05:24 AM

Originally posted by Anthen

1 is F... I think. If you look at the whiskers, that purplish color, and compare it to the whiskers in the second picture, which is slightly green, its clearly the older F coating.

he already revealed that contrary to this expectation ( which I admittedly shared

) - it is the DA* 55 which fringed purplish in the first photo 8)

Stavri · 03-18-2015, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by manntax

Wow that really came by surprise - I guess the reason is I don't own either of those lenses - still pretty impressive result from F50 1.4 - one would though that harsh light really could put serious strain on it !

Nice thread,
Cheers!

Between the two shots the DA* 55 has the harshest lighting thus the fringing, in the -F 50 shot, the lighting is somewhat softer and more diffused, On a pixel peeping level the DA* has the edge in terms of sharpness and micro-contrast at larger apertures. Both lenses should equalize beyond F4.0 (the DA* maintaining better micro contrast due to its more modern coating) Still pretty impressive results from the older -F 50 (I believe my copy to be quite good)

formercanuck · 03-18-2015, 07:18 AM

Well, I should have known it would have been too easy just to go by CA/PF off the whiskers.

The closest that I have to a similar lens is the SMC M 50mm f/1.4.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/formercanuck/sets/72157651379944555/

micromacro · 03-18-2015, 08:25 AM

Ok, I guessed on the first page. Honestly, and I got it right. The first is DA*. My guess was only based on ears hair comparison. What amazes me with DA* lenses is hair, or feather separation. Not sharpness (or sharpness?) but separation and clarity.

wildman · 03-18-2015, 10:01 AM

Just based on this comparison - my conclusion: In either case nothing to lose any sleep over for real world use.

Stavri · 03-18-2015, 03:18 PM

The -F 50mm f1.4 needed some AF adjustment today, (-4), I put it against the DA* 55 one more time (shot from 15" away, this time both lenses shot wide open)

Had set the aperture to Auto, the DA* 55 shot at 1/30 the -F 50 shot at 1/50. It seems the older FF is brighter.

DA* 55 @ f1.4

-F 50 @ f1.4

crops:

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03-17-2015, 04:28 PM	#16
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	I'd say : 1st picture F50 2nd picture DA. If you tell us it's the other way around, i'd strongly suggest you to send your DA for some recentering and optical calibration.

03-17-2015, 05:51 PM	#17
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832 Original Poster	No more guesses, should I reveal the exifs?

03-17-2015, 06:03 PM	#18
Joojoo2010 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 306	Yes pls

03-17-2015, 08:04 PM - 1 Like	#19
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Technically pic two is better than pic one which does not necessarily indicate which lens is used.

03-17-2015, 08:28 PM	#20
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832 Original Poster	I was running two threads on this comparison, thanks for your replies. Before I reveal the answers I want to let you all know that this particular image from the DA* 55 was intentionally shot haphazardly to match the -F 50mm f1.4. The DA* 55 f1.4 when shot expertly produces images that cannot be matched in terms of IQ and micro-contrast especially at large apertures. Before you dismiss my copy as defective I'd like to state that my DA* 55 just but equals the sharpness of the excellent Sigma EX 50mm f1.4 I let go a few months ago. Most people where throw off by the CA on the whiskers erroneously attributing it to the -F (the DA* 55 under certain conditions also exhibits CA at large apertures) The DA* 55 focused behind the eyes exhibits better sharpness and micro contrast. Kudos to JinDesu (an authority on the DA* 55) and the others for making the correct choice. The real winner is the -F 50mm f1.4 for keeping up with its modern sibling. DA* 55 @ f1.6 -F 50mm @f1.6

03-17-2015, 08:33 PM	#21
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	It was sharper. Sometimes my shots have purple fringing, but it's rare. I would chalk the whiskers to a rare combination of factors (including being in a harsher light than in the F50 shot).

03-17-2015, 08:33 PM - 2 Likes	#22
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832 Original Poster	Originally posted by JinDesu It was sharper. Sometimes my shots have purple fringing, but it's rare. I would chalk the whiskers to a rare combination of factors (including being in a harsher light than in the F50 shot). Agreed! You recognized the character of the DA* 55 and its quirks, congrats. (Quality control) DA* 55 vs Sigma Ex 50mm f1.4 both shot at F1.8 (note: profile read Ex 70-200mm f2.8 erroneously) Da* 55 @ f1.8 Crop: Sigma Ex 50mm f1.4 Crop: Last edited by Stavri; 03-17-2015 at 08:57 PM.

03-18-2015, 01:03 AM	#23
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Wow that really came by surprise - I guess the reason is I don't own either of those lenses - still pretty impressive result from F50 1.4 - one would though that harsh light really could put serious strain on it ! Nice thread, Cheers!

03-18-2015, 05:16 AM	#24
Anthen Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 79	1 is F... I think. If you look at the whiskers, that purplish color, and compare it to the whiskers in the second picture, which is slightly green, its clearly the older F coating.

03-18-2015, 05:24 AM	#25
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by Anthen 1 is F... I think. If you look at the whiskers, that purplish color, and compare it to the whiskers in the second picture, which is slightly green, its clearly the older F coating. he already revealed that contrary to this expectation ( which I admittedly shared ) - it is the DA* 55 which fringed purplish in the first photo 8)

03-18-2015, 05:33 AM	#26
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832 Original Poster	Originally posted by manntax Wow that really came by surprise - I guess the reason is I don't own either of those lenses - still pretty impressive result from F50 1.4 - one would though that harsh light really could put serious strain on it ! Nice thread, Cheers! Between the two shots the DA* 55 has the harshest lighting thus the fringing, in the -F 50 shot, the lighting is somewhat softer and more diffused, On a pixel peeping level the DA* has the edge in terms of sharpness and micro-contrast at larger apertures. Both lenses should equalize beyond F4.0 (the DA* maintaining better micro contrast due to its more modern coating) Still pretty impressive results from the older -F 50 (I believe my copy to be quite good)

03-18-2015, 07:18 AM	#27
formercanuck Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: SoCal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 518	Well, I should have known it would have been too easy just to go by CA/PF off the whiskers. The closest that I have to a similar lens is the SMC M 50mm f/1.4. https://www.flickr.com/photos/formercanuck/sets/72157651379944555/

03-18-2015, 08:25 AM	#28
micromacro Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,722	Ok, I guessed on the first page. Honestly, and I got it right. The first is DA. My guess was only based on ears hair comparison. What amazes me with DA lenses is hair, or feather separation. Not sharpness (or sharpness?) but separation and clarity.

03-18-2015, 10:01 AM	#29
wildman Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Flyover America Posts: 4,469	Just based on this comparison - my conclusion: In either case nothing to lose any sleep over for real world use.

03-18-2015, 03:18 PM	#30
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832 Original Poster	The -F 50mm f1.4 needed some AF adjustment today, (-4), I put it against the DA* 55 one more time (shot from 15" away, this time both lenses shot wide open) Had set the aperture to Auto, the DA* 55 shot at 1/30 the -F 50 shot at 1/50. It seems the older FF is brighter. DA* 55 @ f1.4 -F 50 @ f1.4 crops:

Quiz: Identify the lens:Da* 55 vs -F 50mm

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