ephotozine review of the DFA* 50 F1.4

08amczb · 09-25-2018, 01:23 AM - **3 Likes**

HD Pentax-D FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW Lens Review

Great review concentrating on the real quality and handling. I've never seen a similar MTF50 chart, this lens is a true gem. The CA is well controlled also according to the measurements.

**BigMackCam** · 09-25-2018, 01:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 08amczb

I've never seen a similar MTF50 chart, this lens is a true gem. The CA is well controlled also according to the measurements.

The next time someone says "Why is this lens so big, heavy and expensive?", my answer will be "Because MTF50".

That truly is a remarkable performance...

**PJ1** · 09-25-2018, 01:48 AM

The only thing it can really be compared to is the Zeiss Otus - and the Pentax is less than half the price as well as being weather resistant.

**Rondec** · 09-25-2018, 02:51 AM

Impressive performance wide open here. Sharpness, both border and center is excellent from f1.4 to f5.6 after which the border sharpness seems to drop a bit.

Oddly, unlike DP Review, they didn't notice significant issues with longitudinal chromatic aberrations. Anyway, seems like a winner to me.

**ffking** · 09-25-2018, 02:57 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rondec

Oddly

?????

08amczb · 09-25-2018, 04:06 AM

Rondec, if you view the sample image of the tap (I think) in 100% (high res button and magnify the image), and you know what to search for then the longitudinal CA is there. I found it after some searching!

I think dpreview was searching for some negatives to make a more "ballanced", "honest" review of this lens... writing just positives can't be a serious review anyway, am I right?

Pikselisiirto · 09-25-2018, 04:38 AM

This lens is my first premium prime, so I can't compare it do anything. It looks to produce quite sharp focus and out of focus areas can look smooth. Flares can happen like greenish or bluish transparent blob(s) and rainbow. I have managed to get only small ones so far. Low contrast veil flaring is rarer than what I have used to see. CA is there and bright day light will produce it with at least F1.4 - F8 range. I haven't tested smaller ones. Wide aperture out of focus areas are prone to have purple or green CA and F1.4 has lots of it. Harder to noticed when downscaled to 1080p, but at 100% it is obvious. Colors look nice, but I don't know if it is because of K-1 or this lens. This is my only Pentax compatible lens.

Dpreview has some photos of Sigma Art 85mm and it can produce same type of CA what I'm seeing with this. Very strong reddish or purple violet edges in bright conditions against bright background.

**monochrome** · 09-25-2018, 04:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 08amczb

Rondec, if you view the sample image of the tap (I think) in 100% (high res button and magnify the image), and you know what to search for then the longitudinal CA is there. I found it after some searching!

I think dpreview was searching for some negatives to make a more "ballanced", "honest" review of this lens... writing just positives can't be a serious review anyway, am I right?

Heh. I found some in the last place I looked.

.:

Medex · 09-25-2018, 06:00 AM

fantastic MFT chart.

**Digitalis** · 09-25-2018, 06:15 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by PJ1

The only thing it can really be compared to is the Zeiss Otus - and the Pentax is less than half the price as well as being weather resistant.

..and having Autofocus.

6BQ5 · 09-25-2018, 09:20 AM

Breathtaking performance! I suddenly want this lens.

ogl · 09-25-2018, 09:33 AM

Best resolution from 1.4 till f4.0. Rather interesting....

**ffking** · 09-25-2018, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by 6BQ5

Breathtaking performance! I suddenly want this lens

Believe your eyes, next time

zapp · 09-25-2018, 09:46 AM

The review is all true. A colleague of mine took a group photo at an exhibition of 50+ people with my *50 and he mishandeled the camera - ending up to take the group photo at f/1.6. You can see tack sharp faces from left to right. The lens is incredibly sharp even wide open. As for a people lens: bokeh is nice and smooth, but currently I would prefer the bokeh of the FA 77 - which falls behind in almost any other category.
Still need to compare *50 to FA77, but lens and K1ii had to go into intensive care after an accident.

**Madaboutpix** · 09-25-2018, 09:48 AM

Wow, what a killer lens, respect. Had already been curious about ephotozine's review, which I was sure they wouldn't miss.

09-25-2018, 01:23 AM - 3 Likes	#1
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	*ephotozine review of the DFA 50 F1.4** HD Pentax-D FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW Lens Review Great review concentrating on the real quality and handling. I've never seen a similar MTF50 chart, this lens is a true gem. The CA is well controlled also according to the measurements.

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09-25-2018, 01:31 AM - 1 Like	#2
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Originally posted by 08amczb I've never seen a similar MTF50 chart, this lens is a true gem. The CA is well controlled also according to the measurements. The next time someone says "Why is this lens so big, heavy and expensive?", my answer will be "Because MTF50". That truly is a remarkable performance...

09-25-2018, 01:48 AM	#3
PJ1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Toowoomba, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,484	The only thing it can really be compared to is the Zeiss Otus - and the Pentax is less than half the price as well as being weather resistant.

09-25-2018, 02:51 AM	#4
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,653	Impressive performance wide open here. Sharpness, both border and center is excellent from f1.4 to f5.6 after which the border sharpness seems to drop a bit. Oddly, unlike DP Review, they didn't notice significant issues with longitudinal chromatic aberrations. Anyway, seems like a winner to me.

09-25-2018, 02:57 AM - 1 Like	#5
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Originally posted by Rondec Oddly ?????

09-25-2018, 04:06 AM	#6
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796 Original Poster	Rondec, if you view the sample image of the tap (I think) in 100% (high res button and magnify the image), and you know what to search for then the longitudinal CA is there. I found it after some searching! I think dpreview was searching for some negatives to make a more "ballanced", "honest" review of this lens... writing just positives can't be a serious review anyway, am I right?

09-25-2018, 04:38 AM	#7
Pikselisiirto Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 57	This lens is my first premium prime, so I can't compare it do anything. It looks to produce quite sharp focus and out of focus areas can look smooth. Flares can happen like greenish or bluish transparent blob(s) and rainbow. I have managed to get only small ones so far. Low contrast veil flaring is rarer than what I have used to see. CA is there and bright day light will produce it with at least F1.4 - F8 range. I haven't tested smaller ones. Wide aperture out of focus areas are prone to have purple or green CA and F1.4 has lots of it. Harder to noticed when downscaled to 1080p, but at 100% it is obvious. Colors look nice, but I don't know if it is because of K-1 or this lens. This is my only Pentax compatible lens. Dpreview has some photos of Sigma Art 85mm and it can produce same type of CA what I'm seeing with this. Very strong reddish or purple violet edges in bright conditions against bright background.

09-25-2018, 04:40 AM - 1 Like	#8
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by 08amczb Rondec, if you view the sample image of the tap (I think) in 100% (high res button and magnify the image), and you know what to search for then the longitudinal CA is there. I found it after some searching! I think dpreview was searching for some negatives to make a more "ballanced", "honest" review of this lens... writing just positives can't be a serious review anyway, am I right? Heh. I found some in the last place I looked. .:

09-25-2018, 06:00 AM	#9
Medex Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vilnius Posts: 1,020	fantastic MFT chart.

09-25-2018, 06:15 AM - 2 Likes	#10
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by PJ1 The only thing it can really be compared to is the Zeiss Otus - and the Pentax is less than half the price as well as being weather resistant. ..and having Autofocus.

09-25-2018, 09:20 AM	#11
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	Breathtaking performance! I suddenly want this lens.

09-25-2018, 09:33 AM	#12
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Best resolution from 1.4 till f4.0. Rather interesting....

09-25-2018, 09:37 AM	#13
ffking Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Old South Wales Posts: 6,038	Originally posted by 6BQ5 Breathtaking performance! I suddenly want this lens Believe your eyes, next time

09-25-2018, 09:46 AM	#14
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	The review is all true. A colleague of mine took a group photo at an exhibition of 50+ people with my 50 and he mishandeled the camera - ending up to take the group photo at f/1.6. You can see tack sharp faces from left to right. The lens is incredibly sharp even wide open. As for a people lens: bokeh is nice and smooth, but currently I would prefer the bokeh of the FA 77 - which falls behind in almost any other category. Still need to compare 50 to FA77, but lens and K1ii had to go into intensive care after an accident.

09-25-2018, 09:48 AM	#15
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,440	Wow, what a killer lens, respect. Had already been curious about ephotozine's review, which I was sure they wouldn't miss.