Pentax 55/1.4 DA vs Nikon 58/1.4 on Full Frame

**jumbleview** · 05-31-2019, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by Sperdynamite

Re: why am I looking to get back into Pentax.

I do a TON of DSLR scanning. A lot a lot. I've long been wanting a K-1 to get around bayer type sensors for scanning.

That's an interesting point. Why DSLR scanning with Pentax K-1 is so special (vs Nikon). May you elaborate a little?

normhead · 05-31-2019, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by jumbleview

That's an interesting point. Why DSLR scanning with Pentax K-1 is so special (vs Nikon). May you elaborate a little?

Pixel Shift scans each pixel individually four times and makes a composite image with a true reading of colours, and which also reduces noise. Four exposures, red blue green and luminosity. A bayer sensor scans once and guesses by averaging the colour values in two of the 3 colours in each pixel. A foveon sensor reads all three colours during the same exposure, by reading different colours at different depths in the sensor wafer.

Sandy Hancock · 05-31-2019, 07:16 PM - **3 Likes**

OK. Back on topic.

First, the OP needs to be aware that the DA* 55/1.4 is not totally full frame compatible. In some circumstances the image circle doesn't quite make it to the corners of the frame. The image quality is really nice though - I think it's an even better lens on the K-1 than it is on crop.

Some portrait-ish shots. All very informal.

f/4.0

Hand held selfie @ f/2.0 - no easy task with this rig

f/1.4

Low light action

**paolojackson** · 05-31-2019, 07:48 PM - **2 Likes**

Here's a a random portrait of my child with the 55 at 1.6 it says. Not sure of the quality but hopefully it gives you an idea. I probably have more but not on my phone which I'm currently on.

**Sperdynamite** · 06-01-2019, 07:05 AM

Damn those samples are looking great! I love the bokeh in that portrait by 'paolojackson'.

This lens is going to rock.

**paolojackson** · 06-01-2019, 07:13 AM

I've been impressed with the lens especially on FF. It's actually become my favorite lens and I never shot at 50mm on FF. Had a Canon 5d2 and shot 35/85/135.

It's pretty sharp wide open, very sharp by f2. Fairly compact lens and can be had for $350 or less.

Don't get me wrong, if I had the money I'd go for the DFA* 50 but there are a lot of good things going for the DA* 55 and it suits my needs perfectly.

normhead · 06-01-2019, 07:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sperdynamite

Damn those samples are looking great! I love the bokeh in that portrait by 'paolojackson'.

This lens is going to rock.

The bokeh on the DFA 50 1.4 is a teeny tiny little bit better in some images, but for folks like myself, not enough to make up for the difference in cost and weight.

I don't know how lived so long without it.

**Rondec** · 06-01-2019, 07:25 AM

I don't have many photos that are portraits with really narrow depth of field, but here are a few that might be helpful.

normhead · 06-01-2019, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

I don't have many photos that are portraits with really narrow depth of field, but here are a few that might be helpful.

I knew you had portraits. I spent an age last night trying to find some to link to.

**clackers** · 06-03-2019, 09:02 PM - **1 Like**

A very pretty lens, whatever it does the DFA*50 will do better, of course, @Sperdynamite :

06-01-2019, 07:16 AM - 1 Like	#37
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 37,117	Originally posted by Sperdynamite Damn those samples are looking great! I love the bokeh in that portrait by 'paolojackson'. This lens is going to rock. The bokeh on the DFA 50 1.4 is a teeny tiny little bit better in some images, but for folks like myself, not enough to make up for the difference in cost and weight. I don't know how lived so long without it. Last edited by normhead; 06-01-2019 at 07:32 AM.

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05-31-2019, 05:50 PM	#31
jumbleview Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Concord, CA Posts: 586	Originally posted by Sperdynamite Re: why am I looking to get back into Pentax. I do a TON of DSLR scanning. A lot a lot. I've long been wanting a K-1 to get around bayer type sensors for scanning. That's an interesting point. Why DSLR scanning with Pentax K-1 is so special (vs Nikon). May you elaborate a little?

05-31-2019, 06:45 PM	#32
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 37,117	Originally posted by jumbleview That's an interesting point. Why DSLR scanning with Pentax K-1 is so special (vs Nikon). May you elaborate a little? Pixel Shift scans each pixel individually four times and makes a composite image with a true reading of colours, and which also reduces noise. Four exposures, red blue green and luminosity. A bayer sensor scans once and guesses by averaging the colour values in two of the 3 colours in each pixel. A foveon sensor reads all three colours during the same exposure, by reading different colours at different depths in the sensor wafer.

05-31-2019, 07:16 PM - 3 Likes	#33
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,490	OK. Back on topic. First, the OP needs to be aware that the DA* 55/1.4 is not totally full frame compatible. In some circumstances the image circle doesn't quite make it to the corners of the frame. The image quality is really nice though - I think it's an even better lens on the K-1 than it is on crop. Some portrait-ish shots. All very informal. f/4.0 Hand held selfie @ f/2.0 - no easy task with this rig f/1.4 Low light action

05-31-2019, 07:48 PM - 2 Likes	#34
paolojackson Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 379	Here's a a random portrait of my child with the 55 at 1.6 it says. Not sure of the quality but hopefully it gives you an idea. I probably have more but not on my phone which I'm currently on.

06-01-2019, 07:05 AM	#35
Sperdynamite Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 272 Original Poster	Damn those samples are looking great! I love the bokeh in that portrait by 'paolojackson'. This lens is going to rock.

06-01-2019, 07:13 AM	#36
paolojackson Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 379	I've been impressed with the lens especially on FF. It's actually become my favorite lens and I never shot at 50mm on FF. Had a Canon 5d2 and shot 35/85/135. It's pretty sharp wide open, very sharp by f2. Fairly compact lens and can be had for $350 or less. Don't get me wrong, if I had the money I'd go for the DFA* 50 but there are a lot of good things going for the DA* 55 and it suits my needs perfectly.

06-01-2019, 07:25 AM	#38
Rondec Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 23,029	I don't have many photos that are portraits with really narrow depth of field, but here are a few that might be helpful.

06-01-2019, 07:28 AM	#39
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 37,117	Originally posted by Rondec I don't have many photos that are portraits with really narrow depth of field, but here are a few that might be helpful. I knew you had portraits. I spent an age last night trying to find some to link to.

06-03-2019, 09:02 PM - 1 Like	#40
clackers Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 14,570	A very pretty lens, whatever it does the DFA*50 will do better, of course, @Sperdynamite :

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