[cpritchardv]

I was given 400 dollars towards a lens as a christmas gift, and I'd like to put it to good use.

Currently I have:
Pentax k-1
pentax 24-70mm
Super Takumar 85mm f 1.9
Super Takumar 50mm f 1.4
DA 35mm macro


Right now, I only have one true k-mount full frame lens. I don't want to go in more than 200 dollars of my own money. I'd really like a fast sharp prime, which is why I was looking at the FA 43mm and the DA* 55mm.

I'd read that the 55mm is FF compatible, and the 43mm definitely is, can anyone comment on that?

The pros and cons I'm weighing now are.

DA* 55 - Pros: weather sealed and faster Cons: larger, heavier, not as wide

FA 43 - Smaller, wider, lighter Cons: not as fast, not weather sealed.


Weight and weather sealing are big factors for me, becuase I travel a bit, and have the added bonus of weather sealing can be extremely helpful in humid and wet areas, obviously.

I'd be open to other recommendations as well!


what do you think!

Thanks for the help!

[Kunzite]

Just to make your life more difficult: another option is to keep the money for now, save up a little and go with one of the new D FA lenses expected next year.
Though I'd guess they would be relatively expensive, and not very light. And of course, we don't know what and when.

[aurele]

I'd read that the 55mm is FF compatible, and the 43mm definitely is, can anyone comment on that?

The DA*55 is completely FF despite it's "DA" designation. I use it extensively on film and tried it on a K1 in shop.
There is of course à tad of vigneting between f1.4 and f2, but nothing too obvious.

This lens is way sharper than the Tak 50/1.4, but keep the same kind of bokeh.

The lens can be considered heavy with its 375 gr (compared to the 155gr of the 43mm), but it's ain't really heavy, it's half the weight of the 24-70 ! I can use the 55 for extended period without feeling any kind of fatigue or heavyness.

The best thing would be to try both for a week to make yourself a clear idea of what you like.

[Kunzite]

I wonder why didn't they put on the list of FF-compatible lenses. A not-so-significant image quality issue? Maybe because a replacement was already planned?

[Blacknight659]

My opinion...

Go with the 43 limited OR wait for the new lenses that should be here this year. The DA* 55 has the same SDM motor that fails in the other DA* lenses. I would personally avoid that, even though the glass is awesome.

[mikeSF]

i have both, prefer the shallow DOF rendering of the FA43.
Stopped down, not much preference either way. Good luck!

[zvon]

I had the same dilemma. Bought a 55 after many sleepless nights. Reason, newer lens design, WR, aps-c and ff compatible and sharp from wide open. But even though it has much more modern image rendering, it is specific enough for my taste.

[kiwi_jono]

There is the FA50 f1.4 to consider too. May not be quite as sharp / contrasty wide open as DA55, but its very sharp stopped down a little and would allow you to put some money aside for that future DFA prime.
For what its worth, I'm liking my FA50 on the K-1 (it did not get much time on my K-5 though).

[noelpolar]

I'd get the FA43..... it's a special lens that will always remind you of xmas 2016. It's amazingly compact.... and fun on the K-1. I see it as a forever lens.... plastic in body motorised lenses as 10 year lenses....(SDM lenses as 5 year...haha)

The size of the 43 is very special.... fits in a bag so easily.

I can't speak to the WR need..... as I shoot quite regularly in poor weather and have never really missed it on this type of lens.

[MadMathMind]

The FA43 is....junk, in my opinion. If you're planning on using it to shoot objects and can stop it down past f/8 to reduce some of its ridiculous field curvature, then it's ok, but otherwise...nope. It's ok if you can get close but its resolving power falls off dramatically after a few feet away.

The DA*55 is fantastic, however. It's become one of my favorites, a worthy companion to the FA77 Limited! Here's what I got with it:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/madmathmind/3609kE

I've found the focus and exposure on it to be much more accurate than any of the FA lenses I have. I'm not sure why.

[noelpolar]

Some different views here.... my advice is to look at Mikesf work....

Of course, one can get a bad copy of any lens.

[OoKU]

Why not waiting for the new DFA50/1.4/1.2？

[noelpolar]

Why not waiting for the new DFA50/1.4/1.2？

Can you tell us when it will be available? (2017 or later is all I have read).... also do we know its a "50/1.4 or 1.2"?.... cheap or expensive, large or small.....

[mikeSF]

well, you didn't say what your primary subject matter is, but if you like to shoot Chuckwallas as much as I do, just look at that smooth FA43 f/5.6 OOF rendering...

Chuckwalla


...here's something with the DA*55

Dining in the Cave

[Scorpio71GR]

You could get a DA 50 1.8 and DA 35 2.4 for less then the $400 you have now. Both will work on K1 in FF mode. Not weather sealed but both are highly regarded. There is also the F/FA 50 1.4 or 1.7. The FA 50 1.4 can still be purchased new. Not really considered fast the DA 40 limited is also FF. The DA*55 is one of the few lenses I really wish I had. This lens did not seem to suffer the woes of the DA*16-50 or DA*50-135. It is a great lens and one of the few options for being weather sealed. All of the Limiteds are specail lenses. The 43 Limited is definitely unique. The 43 is much smaller than the DA*55. The 43 was designed for film so the rendering is different then the digital lenses like the DA 55. Careful buying a Limited. It is said you can never have just one. I have one DA Limited, the DA 21, ever since I bought the 21 I keep looking at others. It can be quite addictive.