DA*55mm vs. FA43mm

k100d · 02-20-2009, 02:53 PM

this with the sporadic reports of motor failure is very disconcerting

BBear · 02-20-2009, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Maybe the newer bodies will have better control over the SDM functions...

That is a possibility.. we all hope!! And though the motor is on the lenses, I guess better AF numerics and extra power could indeed improve the lens response...

wait wait wait... pentax is CRUEL!

blende8 · 02-20-2009, 02:57 PM

I tested it on the K10D and K20D.
The DA55 is slower than the DA16-50 even.

I have it only one day now, so I couldn't make my mind up really.
But so far it is a little disappointing.
Compared to the FA50 it is really slow.
I see difficulties for low light snap shots.

I don't want to judge the AF accuracy by now.
On the K10D it appears to be so-so.
On the K20D a little better.

I will do more tests with daylight tomorrow.

The focus throw is about twice that of the DA16-50, but a little less than that of the FA50.

Bokeh FA50 vs. DA55:
Now, what do you think, which is which? :ugh:

vitalsax · 02-20-2009, 03:37 PM

the sharpest?

falconeye · 02-20-2009, 04:17 PM

Originally posted by blende8

Have received a DA55 now.

Great news!

Originally posted by blende8

I don't want to judge the AF accuracy by now.
On the K10D it appears to be so-so.
On the K20D a little better.
[...]Bokeh FA50 vs. DA55:

That focus is slow would be less of a problem if it is more accurate in turn. I guess it would still be faster than manual, right?
Maybe, you can verify the focus while watching zoomed LiveView?

It is indeed disappointing that neither Pentax nor Sigma (for Pentax) have deployed an HSM ring motor in any of their lenses. Because a strong screw drive easily outperforms the micro-HSM type we got so far. IMHO, the DA* (with the star) all deserve a ring motor HSM.

Question: Does the DA*55 has a screw? How fast is the focus on a *istD*?

As for the bokeh: they are similiar enough that the difference can be ignored (the left one is marginally better). Both leave to be desired. If now one claims to be optimized for bokeh more than the other, then this would be a false statement.

TKH · 02-20-2009, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by blende8

Have received a DA55 now.
Slooooooow AF!
Oh, man.

Thats what I wrote. But the DA35 is slower.

Today I checked the Canon 30D of my brother in law with the Canon 85mm 1.8 against. The Canon is double so quick...

If I want to do sports, the Canon would be my choice.

But for me the Pentax is my cup of tea.
I like the IQ from the Da*

Rainer

**rparmar** · 02-20-2009, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by kyrios

Sony STF 135 does DEFINITELY have the smoothest and creamiest bokeh from that test.
rparmar, is there any Pentax lens which has similar bokeh?

I have no idea. Really, I am far from an expert on this issue. But let me venture.

The A*/ FA* 85mm F1.4 is obviously good; in a side-by-side comparisons it is somewhat better/smoother than the already excellent FA77. Not massively different, mind.

I have also seen great bokeh from the Takumar/M/F/FA 50/1.4, M 50/1.2 and Tak 55/1.8.

Alfisti · 02-20-2009, 06:30 PM

Originally posted by k100d

this with the sporadic reports of motor failure is very disconcerting

Unforgiveable, they drop those pissy little micro motors in there instead of a true ring. Can they put the dog down for 10 minutes and call Samsung and figure this AF problem out? Hor friggin hard could it be?

falconeye · 02-20-2009, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by kyrios

Sony STF 135 does DEFINITELY have the smoothest and creamiest bokeh from that test.
rparmar, is there any Pentax lens which has similar bokeh?

Originally posted by rparmar

I have no idea. Really, I am far from an expert on this issue. But let me venture.

[...]

I heard that the Sony STF 135 is a somewhat mythical design started by Minolta and using an unconventional aperture (not just blades, more like a filter plate with gray gradients). AFAIK, there is no other lens coming even close, from any manufacturer. BTW, "STF" stands for "Smooth Transition Focus".

The lens is so special, it has its own website and domainname:
The 135 STF

farfisa · 02-20-2009, 09:34 PM

Originally posted by falconeye

Question: Does the DA*55 has a screw? How fast is the focus on a *istD*?

According to the Pentax site, it's manual focus only if you don't have SDM.

blende8 · 02-21-2009, 02:18 AM

Yes, the DA55 is SDM-only.

Of the image above, the left is the DA, the right is the FA.
I think the difference is minimal.

TKH · 02-21-2009, 06:54 AM

A few new pics:

Rainer

**David Whiteley** · 02-21-2009, 07:03 AM

To my ignorant eyes, those pics leave me thinking the DA*55 can produce some beautifully smooth bokeh. Nice shots!

Votesh · 02-21-2009, 09:49 AM

That dog picture is quite striking. I like the lens from what I can see.

TKH · 02-21-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by Votesh

That dog picture is quite striking.

Thanks. The pic is @f1.4.
Its the proof: wildlife photography is possible with the DA*55...

Rainer

02-20-2009, 02:57 PM	#198
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	I tested it on the K10D and K20D. The DA55 is slower than the DA16-50 even. I have it only one day now, so I couldn't make my mind up really. But so far it is a little disappointing. Compared to the FA50 it is really slow. I see difficulties for low light snap shots. I don't want to judge the AF accuracy by now. On the K10D it appears to be so-so. On the K20D a little better. I will do more tests with daylight tomorrow. The focus throw is about twice that of the DA16-50, but a little less than that of the FA50. Bokeh FA50 vs. DA55: Now, what do you think, which is which? :ugh: Last edited by blende8; 02-20-2009 at 03:20 PM.

02-20-2009, 03:37 PM	#199
vitalsax Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: U.S. /Miami - Florida. Posts: 208	what the heck is that? the sharpest?

02-20-2009, 06:39 PM	#204
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by kyrios Sony STF 135 does DEFINITELY have the smoothest and creamiest bokeh from that test. rparmar, is there any Pentax lens which has similar bokeh? Originally posted by rparmar I have no idea. Really, I am far from an expert on this issue. But let me venture. [...] I heard that the Sony STF 135 is a somewhat mythical design started by Minolta and using an unconventional aperture (not just blades, more like a filter plate with gray gradients). AFAIK, there is no other lens coming even close, from any manufacturer. BTW, "STF" stands for "Smooth Transition Focus". The lens is so special, it has its own website and domainname: The 135 STF Last edited by falconeye; 02-20-2009 at 06:46 PM.

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02-20-2009, 02:53 PM	#196
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	this with the sporadic reports of motor failure is very disconcerting

02-20-2009, 02:55 PM	#197
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Maybe the newer bodies will have better control over the SDM functions... That is a possibility.. we all hope!! And though the motor is on the lenses, I guess better AF numerics and extra power could indeed improve the lens response... wait wait wait... pentax is CRUEL!

02-20-2009, 04:17 PM	#200
falconeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Munich, Alps, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,871	Originally posted by blende8 Have received a DA55 now. Great news! Originally posted by blende8 I don't want to judge the AF accuracy by now. On the K10D it appears to be so-so. On the K20D a little better. [...]Bokeh FA50 vs. DA55: That focus is slow would be less of a problem if it is more accurate in turn. I guess it would still be faster than manual, right? Maybe, you can verify the focus while watching zoomed LiveView? It is indeed disappointing that neither Pentax nor Sigma (for Pentax) have deployed an HSM ring motor in any of their lenses. Because a strong screw drive easily outperforms the micro-HSM type we got so far. IMHO, the DA* (with the star) all deserve a ring motor HSM. Question: Does the DA55 has a screw? How fast is the focus on a istD*? As for the bokeh: they are similiar enough that the difference can be ignored (the left one is marginally better). Both leave to be desired. If now one claims to be optimized for bokeh more than the other, then this would be a false statement.

02-20-2009, 04:40 PM	#201
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371 Original Poster	Originally posted by blende8 Have received a DA55 now. Slooooooow AF! Oh, man. Thats what I wrote. But the DA35 is slower. Today I checked the Canon 30D of my brother in law with the Canon 85mm 1.8 against. The Canon is double so quick... If I want to do sports, the Canon would be my choice. But for me the Pentax is my cup of tea. I like the IQ from the Da* Rainer

02-20-2009, 05:37 PM	#202
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Originally posted by kyrios Sony STF 135 does DEFINITELY have the smoothest and creamiest bokeh from that test. rparmar, is there any Pentax lens which has similar bokeh? I have no idea. Really, I am far from an expert on this issue. But let me venture. The A/ FA 85mm F1.4 is obviously good; in a side-by-side comparisons it is somewhat better/smoother than the already excellent FA77. Not massively different, mind. I have also seen great bokeh from the Takumar/M/F/FA 50/1.4, M 50/1.2 and Tak 55/1.8.

02-20-2009, 06:30 PM	#203
Alfisti Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto (for now) Posts: 1,748	Originally posted by k100d this with the sporadic reports of motor failure is very disconcerting Unforgiveable, they drop those pissy little micro motors in there instead of a true ring. Can they put the dog down for 10 minutes and call Samsung and figure this AF problem out? Hor friggin hard could it be?

02-20-2009, 09:34 PM	#205
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Originally posted by falconeye Question: Does the DA55 has a screw? How fast is the focus on a istD*? According to the Pentax site, it's manual focus only if you don't have SDM.

02-21-2009, 02:18 AM	#206
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Yes, the DA55 is SDM-only. Of the image above, the left is the DA, the right is the FA. I think the difference is minimal.

02-21-2009, 06:54 AM	#207
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371 Original Poster	A few new pics: Rainer

02-21-2009, 07:03 AM	#208
David Whiteley Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 372	To my ignorant eyes, those pics leave me thinking the DA55 can* produce some beautifully smooth bokeh. Nice shots!

02-21-2009, 09:49 AM	#209
Votesh Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	That dog picture is quite striking. I like the lens from what I can see.

02-21-2009, 10:09 AM	#210
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371 Original Poster	Originally posted by Votesh That dog picture is quite striking. Thanks. The pic is @f1.4. Its the proof: wildlife photography is possible with the DA*55... Rainer