DA * 55mm f1.4 SDM buy or not

**Wingincamera** · 04-18-2021, 06:12 PM - **1 Like**

I purchased my DA*55 new from B&H last May and have had no problems with the SDM. It has sometimes set for over a month without being used without any problems. My only surprise is that in low light it is not as quick to focus as my FA50mm F2.8* macro. This is in a church setting when I want the whole stage in view when standing at the back of the sanctuary. In this situation, the FA50 is better than the DA*55.

**Cerebum** · 04-19-2021, 01:22 AM

Am I right in thinking this can't be converted to screw drive?

**pepperberry farm** · 04-19-2021, 04:25 AM

Originally posted by Cerebum

Am I right in thinking this can't be converted to screw drive?

you are right - there is no facility for screwdrive on this lens....

**Cerebum** · 04-19-2021, 05:20 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

you are right - there is no facility for screwdrive on this lens....

Oh, its to be hoped it doesn't fail :0/

*****blatant competition post*****

**UncleVanya** · 04-19-2021, 05:27 AM

Originally posted by Cerebum

Am I right in thinking this can't be converted to screw drive?

Correct. Only four lenses can be converted: da* 200, 300, 16-50, 50-135. In theory the 60-250 should be possible since it has the dual hardware, but conversion methods known fail to work on that lens.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-19-2021, 05:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Cerebum

Oh, its to be hoped it doesn't fail :0/

*****blatant competition post*****

I sold off an FA43 Limited and a Sigma 50/1.4 EX DG HSM because of this lens...

it's that good...

**Cerebum** · 04-19-2021, 08:53 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I sold off an FA43 Limited and a Sigma 50/1.4 EX DG HSM because of this lens...

it's that good...

I know when I was thinking of getting the 50mm f1.8 you very nearly swung me to the da*, that's why its sharing top spot with the 35mm f2, now THAT'S a lens I really want.

**pepperberry farm** · 04-19-2021, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by Cerebum

I know when I was thinking of getting the 50mm f1.8 you very nearly swung me to the da*, that's why its sharing top spot with the 35mm f2, now THAT'S a lens I really want.

which 35/2 ?

**Cerebum** · 04-19-2021, 10:29 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

which 35/2 ?

Probably the DFA. I don't think I can stretch to the HD, although the DFA holds its value. The best UK price I have seen was £300

**robbiec** · 04-19-2021, 04:52 PM

DFA* 50 stomps all over a DA*55 anyway you look at it. The 55's biggest problem and is sometimes glossed over is that it is too slow for portraits unless you manually focus and are good at it. It also suffers from PF wide open. It can produce fantastic images but it is soooo slow.
Based on 3 examples that I've had.

**caliscouser** · 04-19-2021, 05:00 PM

The 55 is not zippy, but I've found it adequate for most of my admittedly plodding portraiture.

I'm interested to see how it does on the new K3iii

**robbiec** · 04-19-2021, 05:02 PM

Originally posted by caliscouser

The 55 is not zippy, but I've found it adequate for most of my admittedly plodding portraiture.

I'm interested to see how it does on the new K3iii

Portraiture in this instance is a 5yo who does not want to sit still for a moment

**caliscouser** · 04-19-2021, 05:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by robbiec

Portraiture in this instance is a 5yo who does not want to sit still for a moment

Yep, been there, done that. You're right moving kids are a real challenge.

**robbiec** · 04-19-2021, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by caliscouser

Yep, been there, done that. You're right moving kids are a real challenge.

I just get the DFA*70-200 now and take a sniper position

vector · 04-19-2021, 05:53 PM

If I didn't have a K1 and an FA77 I would probably have a DA*55. Even still it's a lens that's on my radar.

Originally posted by Cerebum

I know when I was thinking of getting the 50mm f1.8 you very nearly swung me to the da*, that's why its sharing top spot with the 35mm f2, now THAT'S a lens I really want.

I highly recommend the 35mm f2 either HD or just FA. It has been great on FF and APSC.

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04-18-2021, 06:12 PM - 1 Like	#16
Wingincamera Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pine Haven, Wyoming Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,182	I purchased my DA55 new from B&H last May and have had no problems with the SDM. It has sometimes set for over a month without being used without any problems. My only surprise is that in low light it is not as quick to focus as my FA50mm F2.8 macro. This is in a church setting when I want the whole stage in view when standing at the back of the sanctuary. In this situation, the FA50 is better than the DA*55.

04-19-2021, 01:22 AM	#17
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	Am I right in thinking this can't be converted to screw drive?

04-19-2021, 04:25 AM	#18
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,660	Originally posted by Cerebum Am I right in thinking this can't be converted to screw drive? you are right - there is no facility for screwdrive on this lens....

04-19-2021, 05:20 AM - 1 Like	#19
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	Originally posted by pepperberry farm you are right - there is no facility for screwdrive on this lens.... Oh, its to be hoped it doesn't fail :0/ ***blatant competition post***

04-19-2021, 05:27 AM	#20
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,400	Originally posted by Cerebum Am I right in thinking this can't be converted to screw drive? Correct. Only four lenses can be converted: da* 200, 300, 16-50, 50-135. In theory the 60-250 should be possible since it has the dual hardware, but conversion methods known fail to work on that lens.

04-19-2021, 05:39 AM - 1 Like	#21
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,660	Originally posted by Cerebum Oh, its to be hoped it doesn't fail :0/ ***blatant competition post*** I sold off an FA43 Limited and a Sigma 50/1.4 EX DG HSM because of this lens... it's that good...

04-19-2021, 08:53 AM - 1 Like	#22
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I sold off an FA43 Limited and a Sigma 50/1.4 EX DG HSM because of this lens... it's that good... I know when I was thinking of getting the 50mm f1.8 you very nearly swung me to the da*, that's why its sharing top spot with the 35mm f2, now THAT'S a lens I really want.

04-19-2021, 09:49 AM	#23
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,660	Originally posted by Cerebum I know when I was thinking of getting the 50mm f1.8 you very nearly swung me to the da*, that's why its sharing top spot with the 35mm f2, now THAT'S a lens I really want. which 35/2 ?

04-19-2021, 10:29 AM - 1 Like	#24
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	Originally posted by pepperberry farm which 35/2 ? Probably the DFA. I don't think I can stretch to the HD, although the DFA holds its value. The best UK price I have seen was £300

04-19-2021, 04:52 PM	#25
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	DFA* 50 stomps all over a DA*55 anyway you look at it. The 55's biggest problem and is sometimes glossed over is that it is too slow for portraits unless you manually focus and are good at it. It also suffers from PF wide open. It can produce fantastic images but it is soooo slow. Based on 3 examples that I've had.

04-19-2021, 05:00 PM	#26
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	The 55 is not zippy, but I've found it adequate for most of my admittedly plodding portraiture. I'm interested to see how it does on the new K3iii

04-19-2021, 05:02 PM	#27
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Originally posted by caliscouser The 55 is not zippy, but I've found it adequate for most of my admittedly plodding portraiture. I'm interested to see how it does on the new K3iii Portraiture in this instance is a 5yo who does not want to sit still for a moment

04-19-2021, 05:16 PM - 1 Like	#28
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Originally posted by robbiec Portraiture in this instance is a 5yo who does not want to sit still for a moment Yep, been there, done that. You're right moving kids are a real challenge.

04-19-2021, 05:18 PM	#29
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Originally posted by caliscouser Yep, been there, done that. You're right moving kids are a real challenge. I just get the DFA*70-200 now and take a sniper position

04-19-2021, 05:53 PM	#30
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	If I didn't have a K1 and an FA77 I would probably have a DA55. Even still it's a lens that's on my radar. Originally posted by Cerebum I know when I was thinking of getting the 50mm f1.8 you very nearly swung me to the da, that's why its sharing top spot with the 35mm f2, now THAT'S a lens I really want. I highly recommend the 35mm f2 either HD or just FA. It has been great on FF and APSC.