DA*55mm vs. FA43mm

ftpaddict · 02-17-2009, 02:11 PM

Doesn't seem that bad at first sight.

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by roentarre

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

Wow, is it even possible that those water bottle shots were a direct response to the "quench my thirst" comment?

Interested, interested...

Buddha Jones · 02-17-2009, 02:28 PM

Thanks for the test, the PF at f/1.4 is kinda bad in the background, but the comparison of the pics a f/2.8, whoever said they were identical needs to relook at the pictures again, the contrast of the DA*55mm blows the FA43LTD out of the water. Look at the face of the watch, the whole thing is brighter and there is more of a purple overtone on the FA43LTD IMO. Overal the DA*55mm seems to be a winner, but I would like to see some outdoor shots as well.

Alfisti · 02-17-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by k100d

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

Yeah the 43 is doing a FAR better job in terms of keeping the white lettering in the background nice and clean, the 55 is a right bloody mess with green and purple left right and centre.

jsherman999 · 02-17-2009, 02:41 PM

Interesting how the responses to those images are so different...

Buddha Jones · 02-17-2009, 02:54 PM

And also try to read the wording on the face of the watch itself. You can see that it says RADIO CONTROLLED SAPPHIRE on the DA*55mm from f/1.8, def at f/2.8. Can't really see it on the FA43mm until f/5. Sharpness def goes to the DA*.

Votesh · 02-17-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Thanks for the test, the PF at f/1.4 is kinda bad in the background, but the comparison of the pics a f/2.8, whoever said they were identical needs to relook at the pictures again, the contrast of the DA*55mm blows the FA43LTD out of the water. Look at the face of the watch, the whole thing is brighter and there is more of a purple overtone on the FA43LTD IMO. Overal the DA*55mm seems to be a winner, but I would like to see some outdoor shots as well.

The thread started acknowledged that they were originally the same picture.

Buddha Jones · 02-17-2009, 03:05 PM

oh, must of missed that, sorry....

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

oh, must of missed that, sorry....

The real giveaway (after I looked at composition, etc.) was that the time on the watch was the same

jake123 · 02-17-2009, 03:37 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?

Won't the FA 50mm have similar results at that aperture too...

roentarre · 02-17-2009, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by TKH

Little bokeh time baby:

1.4

Thanks for posting this one!

A little harsh along the edges against metallic reflection at the top of the lens at rear. But this is a great sign that background bokeh of Da* 55 is certainly better than Fa 50mm f1.4

Could you also try to do a background bokeh against some tree branches as well as specular highlights?

Class A · 02-17-2009, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by farfisa

I think the 2.8 pics are identical.

If they were at some stage, they are not anymore. One can clearly see that the 55mm shot better retains fine detail. No question which lens took the sharper picture in this instance. Of course, the point of focus may not have been the same for both shots. It definitely appears to be further back for the 43mm.

Originally posted by TKH

I made a mistake and the both 2.8 were from the DA*55.

It seems you have corrected the mistake?
The EXIF data for the 43mm shot says "Focal length: 43mm".

danielchtong · 02-17-2009, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

Interesting how the responses to those images are so different...

Depending on who owns what . And who favours what.

I would be very happy to have either one of them

Daniel

Buddha Jones · 02-17-2009, 09:05 PM

Since I own neither I think that the DA*55mm appeals to me more, but I can't make any purchases, well big purchases until July 1. The sacrifices I have to make!!

farfisa · 02-17-2009, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Since I own neither I think that the DA*55mm appeals to me more, but I can't make any purchases, well big purchases until July 1. The sacrifices I have to make!!

Something tells me you're a DA* kind of guy

I'm going to have to hold off on this one for a bit too, since I just got a DA* 16-50, but the 55 really appeals to me.

I'm also looking forward to that price coming down! Saw one ebay store in Canada finally has it (galaxycamera), but the price is still in USD ($749), so I'll see what the Canadian retail is. At least it made it this side of the border!

02-17-2009, 05:44 PM	#27
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by farfisa I think the 2.8 pics are identical. If they were at some stage, they are not anymore. One can clearly see that the 55mm shot better retains fine detail. No question which lens took the sharper picture in this instance. Of course, the point of focus may not have been the same for both shots. It definitely appears to be further back for the 43mm. Originally posted by TKH I made a mistake and the both 2.8 were from the DA55. It seems you have corrected the mistake? The EXIF data for the 43mm shot says "Focal length: 43mm". Last edited by Class A; 02-17-2009 at 05:56 PM.*

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02-17-2009, 02:11 PM	#16
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Doesn't seem that bad at first sight.

02-17-2009, 02:16 PM	#17
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by roentarre 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 Wow, is it even possible that those water bottle shots were a direct response to the "quench my thirst" comment? Interested, interested...

02-17-2009, 02:28 PM	#18
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Thanks for the test, the PF at f/1.4 is kinda bad in the background, but the comparison of the pics a f/2.8, whoever said they were identical needs to relook at the pictures again, the contrast of the DA55mm blows the FA43LTD out of the water. Look at the face of the watch, the whole thing is brighter and there is more of a purple overtone on the FA43LTD IMO. Overal the DA55mm seems to be a winner, but I would like to see some outdoor shots as well.

02-17-2009, 02:39 PM	#19
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Originally posted by k100d 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 Yeah the 43 is doing a FAR better job in terms of keeping the white lettering in the background nice and clean, the 55 is a right bloody mess with green and purple left right and centre.

02-17-2009, 02:41 PM	#20
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Interesting how the responses to those images are so different...

02-17-2009, 02:54 PM	#21
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	And also try to read the wording on the face of the watch itself. You can see that it says RADIO CONTROLLED SAPPHIRE on the DA55mm from f/1.8, def at f/2.8. Can't really see it on the FA43mm until f/5. Sharpness def goes to the DA.

02-17-2009, 02:59 PM	#22
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Thanks for the test, the PF at f/1.4 is kinda bad in the background, but the comparison of the pics a f/2.8, whoever said they were identical needs to relook at the pictures again, the contrast of the DA55mm blows the FA43LTD out of the water. Look at the face of the watch, the whole thing is brighter and there is more of a purple overtone on the FA43LTD IMO. Overal the DA55mm seems to be a winner, but I would like to see some outdoor shots as well. The thread started acknowledged that they were originally the same picture.

02-17-2009, 03:05 PM	#23
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	oh, must of missed that, sorry....

02-17-2009, 03:24 PM	#24
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by Buddha Jones oh, must of missed that, sorry.... The real giveaway (after I looked at composition, etc.) was that the time on the watch was the same

02-17-2009, 03:37 PM	#25
jake123 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 130	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? Won't the FA 50mm have similar results at that aperture too...

02-17-2009, 04:58 PM	#26
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Originally posted by TKH Little bokeh time baby: 1.4 Thanks for posting this one! A little harsh along the edges against metallic reflection at the top of the lens at rear. But this is a great sign that background bokeh of Da* 55 is certainly better than Fa 50mm f1.4 Could you also try to do a background bokeh against some tree branches as well as specular highlights?

02-17-2009, 05:56 PM	#28
danielchtong Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 885	Originally posted by jsherman999 Interesting how the responses to those images are so different... Depending on who owns what . And who favours what. I would be very happy to have either one of them Daniel

02-17-2009, 09:05 PM	#29
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	Since I own neither I think that the DA*55mm appeals to me more, but I can't make any purchases, well big purchases until July 1. The sacrifices I have to make!!

02-17-2009, 09:34 PM	#30
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Since I own neither I think that the DA55mm appeals to me more, but I can't make any purchases, well big purchases until July 1. The sacrifices I have to make!! Something tells me you're a DA kind of guy I'm going to have to hold off on this one for a bit too, since I just got a DA* 16-50, but the 55 really appeals to me. I'm also looking forward to that price coming down! Saw one ebay store in Canada finally has it (galaxycamera), but the price is still in USD ($749), so I'll see what the Canadian retail is. At least it made it this side of the border!