DA*55mm vs. FA43mm

TKH · 02-17-2009, 10:52 AM

I know that ist not correct to make a comparison test with two lenses that have not the same length, but I received my DA*55 today and outside its only raining so I did a little shooting on the table.

DA*55 1.4

DA*55 1.8

FA43 1.9

DA*55 2.8

FA43 2.8

DA*55 5.0

FA43 5.0

IQ of the DA*55 is great, but I think the (for me new) SDM Drive is very slow. How could it be that a stone old lense like the FA135 2.8 is mutch quicker in focus and also the old Fa43 is better?

Best,
Rainer

Last edited by TKH; 02-17-2009 at 12:11 PM.

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the comparison! This is the kind of stuff I've been waiting for. Could you be saving me hundreds of dollars and telling me to stick with my 43?

I think the 2.8 pics are identical. Like completely. Can you make sure they're right?

edit: The pic was replaced, as noted in TKH's 2:14 PM post below--thanks Rainer!

**sinus007** · 02-17-2009, 11:08 AM

Hi,
Thanks for the pictures.
Are those handheld or did you use tripod?

k100d · 02-17-2009, 11:10 AM

thanks TKH for picking up the lens first and showing some samples
looks like some trademark purple stuff going on in the 1.4 pic

deadwolfbones · 02-17-2009, 11:21 AM

looks very nice at 1.8, though.

melander · 02-17-2009, 11:23 AM

alot of purple in 1.4 :/

dkittle · 02-17-2009, 11:27 AM

Dan, don't be silly. You NEED one of those DA* 55s. Sell me your 43mm and you are part way there :-)

Maffer · 02-17-2009, 11:31 AM

Heh, now what is that stuff in those plastic bags in the pictures? Some Pentax-branded candy?

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by dkittle

Dan, don't be silly. You NEED one of those DA* 55s. Sell me your 43mm and you are part way there :-)

Of course I need it, but I was going to wait and try yours

As for the 43, I tried to tell you you needed one, but you must come to it by another path.

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by Maffer

Heh, now what is that stuff in those plastic bags in the pictures? Some Pentax-branded candy?

I was wondering that too--little (fat) Optio shaped wine gums?

creampuff · 02-17-2009, 11:44 AM

The lighting looks pretty flat I'm afraid.
May I suggest shooting a subject like a Diet Coke can in bright sunlight? The specular reflections will differentiate better the CA control (purple fringing).

TKH · 02-17-2009, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by farfisa

Thanks for the comparison! This is the kind of stuff I've been waiting for. Could you be saving me hundreds of dollars and telling me to stick with my 43?

I think the 2.8 pics are identical. Like completely. Can you make sure they're right?

You are 100% right. I made a mistake and the both 2.8 were from the DA*55.
Sorry.

Cant help you save money. The DA*55 is in fact the mutch better lens in resolution. If its better in bokeh I will see when the next pics were made.

Originally posted by sinus007

Hi,
Thanks for the pictures.
Are those handheld or did you use tripod?

Tripod, without SR and with cable.

Originally posted by farfisa

I was wondering that too--little (fat) Optio shaped wine gums?

Yes. "Fruit flavour jelly shape" a little, giveaway from Pentax Germany.

Rainer

**rparmar** · 02-17-2009, 01:16 PM

I want...

...the Pentax gummi sweets!

roentarre · 02-17-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

The lighting looks pretty flat I'm afraid.
May I suggest shooting a subject like a Diet Coke can in bright sunlight? The specular reflections will differentiate better the CA control (purple fringing).

This thread is truely appreciated just to quench my thirst of aquiring this lens.

However, the images are taken in friendly environment. A harsh outdoor setting would be great since we often use this lens as a walk around tool most of the time

TKH · 02-17-2009, 01:58 PM

Little bokeh time baby:

1.4

2.0

2.8

02-17-2009, 10:52 AM	#1
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371	*DA55mm vs. FA43mm** I know that ist not correct to make a comparison test with two lenses that have not the same length, but I received my DA55 today and outside its only raining so I did a little shooting on the table. DA55 1.4 DA55 1.8 FA43 1.9 DA55 2.8 FA43 2.8 DA55 5.0 FA43 5.0 IQ of the DA55 is great, but I think the (for me new) SDM Drive is very slow. How could it be that a stone old lense like the FA135 2.8 is mutch quicker in focus and also the old Fa43 is better? Best, Rainer Last edited by TKH; 02-17-2009 at 12:11 PM.

02-17-2009, 10:59 AM	#2
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Thanks for the comparison! This is the kind of stuff I've been waiting for. Could you be saving me hundreds of dollars and telling me to stick with my 43? I think the 2.8 pics are identical. Like completely. Can you make sure they're right? edit: The pic was replaced, as noted in TKH's 2:14 PM post below--thanks Rainer! Last edited by farfisa; 02-17-2009 at 05:49 PM. Reason: pics updated--thanks again!

02-17-2009, 12:14 PM	#12
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371 Original Poster	Originally posted by farfisa Thanks for the comparison! This is the kind of stuff I've been waiting for. Could you be saving me hundreds of dollars and telling me to stick with my 43? I think the 2.8 pics are identical. Like completely. Can you make sure they're right? You are 100% right. I made a mistake and the both 2.8 were from the DA55. Sorry. Cant help you save money. The DA55 is in fact the mutch better lens in resolution. If its better in bokeh I will see when the next pics were made. Originally posted by sinus007 Hi, Thanks for the pictures. Are those handheld or did you use tripod? Tripod, without SR and with cable. Originally posted by farfisa I was wondering that too--little (fat) Optio shaped wine gums? Yes. "Fruit flavour jelly shape" a little, giveaway from Pentax Germany. Rainer Last edited by TKH; 02-17-2009 at 12:20 PM.

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02-17-2009, 11:08 AM	#3
sinus007 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 292	Hi, Thanks for the pictures. Are those handheld or did you use tripod?

02-17-2009, 11:10 AM	#4
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	thanks TKH for picking up the lens first and showing some samples looks like some trademark purple stuff going on in the 1.4 pic

02-17-2009, 11:21 AM	#5
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	looks very nice at 1.8, though.

02-17-2009, 11:23 AM	#6
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	alot of purple in 1.4 :/

02-17-2009, 11:27 AM	#7
dkittle Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 429	Dan, don't be silly. You NEED one of those DA* 55s. Sell me your 43mm and you are part way there :-)

02-17-2009, 11:31 AM	#8
Maffer Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 308	Heh, now what is that stuff in those plastic bags in the pictures? Some Pentax-branded candy?

02-17-2009, 11:31 AM	#9
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by dkittle Dan, don't be silly. You NEED one of those DA* 55s. Sell me your 43mm and you are part way there :-) Of course I need it, but I was going to wait and try yours As for the 43, I tried to tell you you needed one, but you must come to it by another path.

02-17-2009, 11:33 AM	#10
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by Maffer Heh, now what is that stuff in those plastic bags in the pictures? Some Pentax-branded candy? I was wondering that too--little (fat) Optio shaped wine gums?

02-17-2009, 11:44 AM	#11
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	The lighting looks pretty flat I'm afraid. May I suggest shooting a subject like a Diet Coke can in bright sunlight? The specular reflections will differentiate better the CA control (purple fringing).

02-17-2009, 01:16 PM	#13
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,817	I want... ...the Pentax gummi sweets!

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02-17-2009, 01:52 PM	#14
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Originally posted by creampuff The lighting looks pretty flat I'm afraid. May I suggest shooting a subject like a Diet Coke can in bright sunlight? The specular reflections will differentiate better the CA control (purple fringing). This thread is truely appreciated just to quench my thirst of aquiring this lens. However, the images are taken in friendly environment. A harsh outdoor setting would be great since we often use this lens as a walk around tool most of the time

02-17-2009, 01:58 PM	#15
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371 Original Poster	Little bokeh time baby: 1.4 2.0 2.8