[blan01]

If you still shoot film or you prefer smaller lens, go with FA43.
Otherwise, the DA*55 is unreal on the K1,OOF rendering is so sweet and it's sharper than my Zeiss ZK 50 1.4

[redcat]

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

You already have quite a collection, I'd say save up and go for the FA 77, it's the best for k1 (compact as the 43, sharp and great bokeh as the 55 and have amazing color rendering like no other lens ). I have the 31 and 77 myself and don't feel any urge for lens (I used to have lots of lens, all gone now after getting the 31,77).
If you absolutely must get a lens now, I'd say go for the FA43, Limited lens has something special in them, maybe bokeh, maybe color, maybe the transition from sharp to blur... can't really explain, it varies from photo to photo but always produce pleasing results
Here is my latest shot with FA 77 (sorry to cause you more headache with more choices )

[robthebloke]

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.

Those all work on the k-1, but they aren't brilliant on it (FA 50 is a little better, but not as good as the FA43 or DA55)

Whilst the DA55 is compatible with FF, the lens hood adds unacceptable levels of vignetting imo. Ive got no complaints about the FA43. It's a very nice little lens for the K-1.

[lennyl]

FA43 or DA*55 ?


FA43. why? because rendering.
f1,9

f2,0

f2,2



I own FA31, FA43, FA50, FA77, M135/3,5, DA*200, Sigma 24-70/2,8IF EX DG HSM and my prefer lenses are FA43 and FA77.
To play with DOF I bought cheaply FA50.
I also tried DA*55 and did a bit of fringing at f1.4 (sharpness was better like on FA50).


others APS-C lenses what I tried on my K-1 (without postprocesing)
DA40 @2,8

DA50 @1,8

DA*55 @1,4



good luck :-)

[Sandy Hancock]

I have both as well. If I had to lose one, I would keep the DA*55 for its speed, sharpness, weather resistance and silent focus.
The FA43 is a special, but limited lens in my opinion (pardon the pun). Still a keeper, but for only occasional use for me.

[edin_togger]

I've never tried the 43 (yet) but did briefly try a 55mm before being a little put off by the £650 price-tag so have been looking for a used one, it was incredible on the K1 though.
Those with the 43mm, this lens seem to split opinion more than any other, some sayings its terrible on the K1 and some saying its outstanding.

Those that love it, what are you using it for? Portraiture?

[lennyl]

I like design of limiteds lenses (FA43 is the smallest)


FA31

FA43

FA77

and FA50 with hood



DA*55 has a slightly slower focus, but nothing terribly. The biggest advantage is f1,4 and WR. But it produces more color aberration in bokeh.

[Blacknight659]

Keeping it short and sweet.

Consider bridge lenses to buy you time for the new DFA primes. All below are sharp, all are FF ready, all will more than cover your needs until your major purchase next year.
F 50mm 1.4 OR 1.7
FA 50mm 1.4 OR 1.7
DA 50mm 1.8

OR Screw the future, make a decision on what is available today.
FA Limited 43 >>> Considered a true gem, designed for FF, probably last you forever, rendering needs to be considered because it is a lens with no equal and creates a unique look.
DA* 55 SDM >>> Intended for APSC, Works on FF, SDM could die and leave you looking for repair, Less than 10 years you will probably sell it.
FA 50mm 1.4 >>> Film era, FF ready, a little soft wide open but stops down nice, less punchy than Limited and DA glass, but still delivers the goods.

[cpritchardv]

Wow, thanks for all of the incredible help. No matter what I do, I know I'm going to want the other as well, after reading everything.

I know that in the future, I'm going to wind up getting the 43mm, along with the 31mm and the 77mm. I can't see my self continuing down the pentax ownership road without those somewhere along the path. I think that, at least for right now, the 55mm might be the better choice because of the weather resistance. It sounds like they are both great lenses. I've read many comments saying they'd have one over the other. I'll try and focus on that and not worry about getting the wrong lens, and instead, be happy that either choice is a good one.


Alternatively, I had considered trying to find a sigma 150-500mm in pentax mount, but I wouldnt want to have to go through the process of sending the lens in to be fixed for the K-1. I'd love a telephoto, and that seems like an amazing bargain if I can find it for 600ish. I wont stress over it though

[noelpolar]

Wow, thanks for all of the incredible help. No matter what I do, I know I'm going to want the other as well, after reading everything.

I know that in the future, I'm going to wind up getting the 43mm, along with the 31mm and the 77mm. I can't see my self continuing down the pentax ownership road without those somewhere along the path. I think that, at least for right now, the 55mm might be the better choice because of the weather resistance. It sounds like they are both great lenses. I've read many comments saying they'd have one over the other. I'll try and focus on that and not worry about getting the wrong lens, and instead, be happy that either choice is a good one.


Alternatively, I had considered trying to find a sigma 150-500mm in pentax mount, but I wouldnt want to have to go through the process of sending the lens in to be fixed for the K-1. I'd love a telephoto, and that seems like an amazing bargain if I can find it for 600ish. I wont stress over it though

Good attitude....you can't go wrong (maybe broke with LBA in the long run though... ... won't get any help with that here..... )

[edin_togger]

I like design of limiteds lenses (FA43 is the smallest)


FA31

FA43

FA77

and FA50 with hood



DA*55 has a slightly slower focus, but nothing terribly. The biggest advantage is f1,4 and WR. But it produces more color aberration in bokeh.

Thats a sexy looking set of lenses, ordering a 31mm today myself.

[GlennG]

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

Sweet series. You have some real creativity happening there.

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

Very nice indeed!

[MadMathMind]

Sweet series. You have some real creativity happening there.

Thank you! I'm lucky to know a wealth of really talented people who like to try new things and push creative boundaries. Planning on expanding on that this year!

[zapp]

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.

DA 55 is soft wide open on APS-C and even softer on K1. You may get an image on K1, but the quality is not to Pentax standards. This is why it is not on the FF compatible lens list. 375g is light weight and 58 mm filters is still small. The 43 mm is tiny, but the 55 is not large. Currently, I would not know what lens to go for. The new FF version should show up soon... keep the money and wait a couple weeks.
Sigma 1.4/85 may be had inexpensively these days... a little long for regular portraits but a good deal.

[aurele]

DA 55 is soft wide open on APS-C and even softer on K1. You may get an image on K1, but the quality is not to Pentax standards.

You probably didn't get a good egg, because i can assure you, it's sharp wide open and very sharp at f1.6, and too sharp at f5.6.
The DA*55 is really an extremly good lens, far better than the FA50/1.4.

Thougt,the SDM is not as precise as it should be when it comes to focusing.