Is There a Place For DA*55mm f1.4?

**paulpines** · 05-13-2017, 12:24 AM

Hello,

I have a few primes: DA 15, DA 21, XS 40, DA70, DA50

Does the 55 fit anywhere in this lineup?

It's more of a studio lens IMHO. The only feature for me would be the WR.

Besides LBA, is it worth getting ?

Thanks

biz-engineer · 05-13-2017, 01:17 AM

Originally posted by paulpines

Is There a Place For DA*55mm f1.4?

The 55 fits between the DA50 and the DA70, in case you need 55mm instead of 50mm.
There is also the DA35 macro that fit very well between the DA21 and the DA40.
The DA*55 isn't rendering the same as the DA50, optically it's a star lens, a completely different league in terms of color contrast and brightness.
The DA*55 is similar to the Fuji 56, it's the equivalent of a 85 1.4 for photographying people. If you are looking for the highest quality, you could sell your DA50 and buy a DA*55.

Sandy Hancock · 05-13-2017, 01:41 AM

The DA*55 is in another league from the rest of your lenses, and I rate the DA15, DA21 and DA70 very highly.
It is faster, weather resistant and better optically corrected. It has silent focus and resolves more detail than just about any DA lens I have used.
And it works brilliantly on full frame.

Sell the 40 and 50, and get the 55 and (very cheap) 35/2.4 (or the 35/2.8 macro if you have the funds). Now that would be a great APS-C prime kit

SpecialK · 05-13-2017, 01:47 AM - **1 Like**

I would not do it unless there was some need, which I can not see.

**mattt** · 05-13-2017, 01:57 AM - **1 Like**

Apparently you have never held the 55/1.4 ...

**Rondec** · 05-13-2017, 02:32 AM

If you have the funds, I would replace the DA50 with the DA *55 in a heart beat. It just really does have a great way of rendering images and is sharper at wider apertures. The DA 50, is fine, but the DA *55 is probably better in just about every respect except maybe auto focus speed.

Conqueror · 05-13-2017, 02:34 AM

Its a great lens, but I find it a bit of a wierd FL on crop, think I prefer wider or narrower. Don't be deterred though.

Also consider the DA* 50-135mm (which is WR)... insanely good lens for a zoom

**Rondec** · 05-13-2017, 02:53 AM

Originally posted by Conqueror

Its a great lens, but I find it a bit of a wierd FL on crop, think I prefer wider or narrower. Don't be deterred though.

Also consider the DA* 50-135mm (which is WR)... insanely good lens for a zoom

On a crop camera, it is equivalent to 85mm on a full frame, which is a pretty classic focal length.

pathdoc · 05-13-2017, 03:01 AM

Get yourself a 55/2 SMC or Super Takumar and an M42 adapter ring and find out for much cheaper whether the focal length works for you.

**Scorpio71GR** · 05-13-2017, 03:31 AM

I just picked up a DA*55 from Keh last month. I also own some of the DA Limiteds and the DA 50. I agree, the DA*55 is in another league. It is just wonderful on the K3. Surprisingly it also works excellent on the K-1 in FF mode. The color rendering and IQ are excellent and f1.4 really helps with low light focus. The only downside is the autofocus, but I own other DA* lenses so I am used to that. I plan on selling my DA 50 because I do no see using it again. The DA*55 is also quite compact for a f1.4 lens.

Peterman · 05-13-2017, 07:27 AM

I had the FA 50 1.4 and wasn't drawn to the focal length on a K-3II. Replaced it with the DA*55. The DA*55 is just enough longer to give a completely different feel. Very natural field of view to my eyes. I find the IQ superior to the FA 50 and the DA Limited lenses that I have used (15, 21, 70). Handles very well and to me the weather sealing is a big plus. As Sandy Hancock mentioned, the DA*55 is excellent on the K-1 as well. Fantastic lens, and not just for portraits. Get one if you can!

lesmore49 · 05-13-2017, 07:53 AM

I don't have a place for the 55 F 1.4, but then I have the 50 F1.4, 50 macro F 2.8 , 40 Limited, 70 Limited. I'm waiting to see the 85mm F 1.4 that is supposed to be coming out, but maybe not...with my 70 Limited.

BTW, I've always been very impressed with my 40 Limited, even on my K-1.

pathdoc · 05-13-2017, 08:42 AM

I suspect the 55/1.4* was designed to provide an 85mm FOV lens for APS-c, since at that stage Pentax had no firm plans for a full-frame. If I were a portrait shooter with a K-1 who didn't yet have a 55/1.4, I would probably let it go at this point until the 85/1.4 came out and declared its true colours, and make do with the FA 77 Limited or a film-era 85 in the interim.

Wasp · 05-13-2017, 01:28 PM

I don't know about the DA* 55mm but I did recently get myself a used M 50mm f/1.4. I only had the A 50mm f/2.8 macro before. The wide aperture opened up a whole lot of new possibilities for low light and bokeh magic. But since you already have a DA 50mm and would only gain about half a stop, it might not be worth it.

wstruth · 05-13-2017, 04:53 PM

The 55/1.4 is in a league of its own. If funds are tight i would sell the 50 and get the 55. I got mine used late last year and have not put the DA 50 on the camera since. I'll keep the 50 as a light weight travel option but i may reconsider. I've used the 55 on my K-1 too and have really been pleased with it there.

05-13-2017, 12:24 AM	#1
paulpines Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Toronto Posts: 64	*Is There a Place For DA55mm f1.4?** Hello, I have a few primes: DA 15, DA 21, XS 40, DA70, DA50 Does the 55 fit anywhere in this lineup? It's more of a studio lens IMHO. The only feature for me would be the WR. Besides LBA, is it worth getting ? Thanks

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05-13-2017, 01:17 AM	#2
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,237	Originally posted by paulpines Is There a Place For DA55mm f1.4? The 55 fits between the DA50 and the DA70, in case you need 55mm instead of 50mm. There is also the DA35 macro that fit very well between the DA21 and the DA40. The DA55 isn't rendering the same as the DA50, optically it's a star lens, a completely different league in terms of color contrast and brightness. The DA55 is similar to the Fuji 56, it's the equivalent of a 85 1.4 for photographying people. If you are looking for the highest quality, you could sell your DA50 and buy a DA55.

05-13-2017, 01:41 AM	#3
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	The DA*55 is in another league from the rest of your lenses, and I rate the DA15, DA21 and DA70 very highly. It is faster, weather resistant and better optically corrected. It has silent focus and resolves more detail than just about any DA lens I have used. And it works brilliantly on full frame. Sell the 40 and 50, and get the 55 and (very cheap) 35/2.4 (or the 35/2.8 macro if you have the funds). Now that would be a great APS-C prime kit

05-13-2017, 01:47 AM - 1 Like	#4
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	I would not do it unless there was some need, which I can not see.

05-13-2017, 01:57 AM - 1 Like	#5
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	Apparently you have never held the 55/1.4 ...

05-13-2017, 02:32 AM	#6
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	If you have the funds, I would replace the DA50 with the DA 55 in a heart beat. It just really does have a great way of rendering images and is sharper at wider apertures. The DA 50, is fine, but the DA 55 is probably better in just about every respect except maybe auto focus speed.

05-13-2017, 02:34 AM	#7
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	Its a great lens, but I find it a bit of a wierd FL on crop, think I prefer wider or narrower. Don't be deterred though. Also consider the DA* 50-135mm (which is WR)... insanely good lens for a zoom

05-13-2017, 02:53 AM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	Originally posted by Conqueror Its a great lens, but I find it a bit of a wierd FL on crop, think I prefer wider or narrower. Don't be deterred though. Also consider the DA* 50-135mm (which is WR)... insanely good lens for a zoom On a crop camera, it is equivalent to 85mm on a full frame, which is a pretty classic focal length.

05-13-2017, 03:01 AM	#9
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	Get yourself a 55/2 SMC or Super Takumar and an M42 adapter ring and find out for much cheaper whether the focal length works for you.

05-13-2017, 03:31 AM	#10
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	I just picked up a DA55 from Keh last month. I also own some of the DA Limiteds and the DA 50. I agree, the DA55 is in another league. It is just wonderful on the K3. Surprisingly it also works excellent on the K-1 in FF mode. The color rendering and IQ are excellent and f1.4 really helps with low light focus. The only downside is the autofocus, but I own other DA* lenses so I am used to that. I plan on selling my DA 50 because I do no see using it again. The DA*55 is also quite compact for a f1.4 lens.

05-13-2017, 07:27 AM	#11
Peterman Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: South Carolina Posts: 54	I had the FA 50 1.4 and wasn't drawn to the focal length on a K-3II. Replaced it with the DA55. The DA55 is just enough longer to give a completely different feel. Very natural field of view to my eyes. I find the IQ superior to the FA 50 and the DA Limited lenses that I have used (15, 21, 70). Handles very well and to me the weather sealing is a big plus. As Sandy Hancock mentioned, the DA*55 is excellent on the K-1 as well. Fantastic lens, and not just for portraits. Get one if you can!

05-13-2017, 07:53 AM	#12
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,349	I don't have a place for the 55 F 1.4, but then I have the 50 F1.4, 50 macro F 2.8 , 40 Limited, 70 Limited. I'm waiting to see the 85mm F 1.4 that is supposed to be coming out, but maybe not...with my 70 Limited. BTW, I've always been very impressed with my 40 Limited, even on my K-1.

05-13-2017, 08:42 AM	#13
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	I suspect the 55/1.4* was designed to provide an 85mm FOV lens for APS-c, since at that stage Pentax had no firm plans for a full-frame. If I were a portrait shooter with a K-1 who didn't yet have a 55/1.4, I would probably let it go at this point until the 85/1.4 came out and declared its true colours, and make do with the FA 77 Limited or a film-era 85 in the interim.

05-13-2017, 01:28 PM	#14
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I don't know about the DA* 55mm but I did recently get myself a used M 50mm f/1.4. I only had the A 50mm f/2.8 macro before. The wide aperture opened up a whole lot of new possibilities for low light and bokeh magic. But since you already have a DA 50mm and would only gain about half a stop, it might not be worth it.

05-13-2017, 04:53 PM	#15
wstruth Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: at my kitchen table Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,294	The 55/1.4 is in a league of its own. If funds are tight i would sell the 50 and get the 55. I got mine used late last year and have not put the DA 50 on the camera since. I'll keep the 50 as a light weight travel option but i may reconsider. I've used the 55 on my K-1 too and have really been pleased with it there.