Originally posted by Alfisti So we're being offered a lens that is essentially identical to the old one except it's a little sharper when stopped down, much sharper at wide apertures and way more contrast at wide apertures.
They want $800CDN extra for these benifits. I don't think so.
I think this has been mentioned before, but the difference between the FA50 and the DA* 55 sounds a lot like the difference between the comparably priced the FA35 and the FA31, but plenty of people don't mind spending $600 more to buy the FA31.
For what? Yeah the FA31 is a little faster and has better bokeh. Is that worth all that extra money?
To some people, yes.
You even left out the weathersealing and the SDM of the DA*55, which the FA31 does not have over the FA35.
The FA50 is a very very good lens and an even better value, and since I own it I probably won't be getting the DA*55. But even though it is disappointing that the DA*55 would focus slower than the FA50, I don't understand the harsh criticism of the DA*55. If you don't want to pay extra for the useable f/1.4, the SDM, and the weathersealing -- then don't. It's that simple.