Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Wheatfield · 03-22-2009, 07:10 AM

Let me tell you folks, this is one nice piece of glass. Sure, the AF is slow, which is too bad, but it is the only fault I can see.
This was shot at f/3.2. I tried to split the DOF to get both the Panasonic camera and the eyes in focus, I managed to get the nose razor sharp.
I might just sell my Nokton......

Last edited by Wheatfield; 03-23-2009 at 08:38 AM. Reason: Changed image location on my server

**Digitalis** · 03-22-2009, 07:25 AM

keep the Nokton, even though I don't particularly like it's rendering, it's harsh and prone to flare but it is nonetheless a special lens in it's own right. nice bokeh on the DA*55.

Peter Zack · 03-22-2009, 07:28 AM

Interesting. Do you have an FA50mm f1.4 or the A version to compare this lens to those? If not how would you rate the lens wide open? Sharpness, bokeh etc. I wonder why it's slow to focus? The FA isn't a rocket either but not bad. How is the focus in brighter daylight conditions?

**Digitalis** · 03-22-2009, 07:32 AM

I noticed it's control of purple fringing is very good.

fearview · 03-22-2009, 07:51 AM

@ wheatfield

more pics please. at thinest DOF if u will.

---

wanna see more bokeh from it.

Wheatfield · 03-22-2009, 07:56 AM

Originally posted by Peter Zack

Interesting. Do you have an FA50mm f1.4 or the A version to compare this lens to those? If not how would you rate the lens wide open? Sharpness, bokeh etc. I wonder why it's slow to focus? The FA isn't a rocket either but not bad. How is the focus in brighter daylight conditions?

I have more 50 1.4s that you can shake a stick at.
I have a studio shoot lined up for next Sunday. If I have time, and if the model is willing, I might just see how all my 50s stack up.
That would be a K, M, A, FA, DFA, as well as the Nokton.
We are getting really ugly weather here at the moment, so any outdoor comparisons are going to wait until it warms up a bit.
My initial impression is that it is sharper wide open than my other 50/1.4s, but I'd like to do a direct comparison.
The focus is just slow. It doesn't matter what the light conditions are, the mechanism doesn't go very fast. It locks on just fine once it gets there, but it takes it's time about it.
It makes for a bit of a strange lens. The AF really isn't fast enough to track anything moving beyond a geriatric walking pace, which some would say is OK because the lens is designed for portraiture, but the lens is too darned sharp for portraiture.
I can see myself breaking out the Softars for this one.

K100Dave · 03-22-2009, 08:55 PM

This lens looks promising. However, I would not break the bank to purchase it tho!

creampuff · 03-22-2009, 10:05 PM

Excellent image. Sharpness and colour rendition looks first rate as is the contrast.... but... erm... Lumix G1???

Wheatfield · 03-23-2009, 07:13 AM

Originally posted by creampuff

Excellent image. Sharpness and colour rendition looks first rate as is the contrast.... but... erm... Lumix G1???

He uses Canon. The G1 is an improvement.
Actually, when I was at his place, I dropped of a few of my unused Pentax lenses for him to use on the G1.
I suspect he'll be doing a lot of shooting with that camera and a Pentax 50/1.4, 85/2, 150/3.5 and 200/4.
And after all, isn't the glass more important than the camera?

m8o · 03-23-2009, 08:25 AM

Your subject may just think that lens is too sharp...

It seems like Pentax has a winner on its hands sure to be a classic. Looks like I'll have to put it on my "another lens I don't need" list to buy.

edit: just read your follow-up. Glacially slow focus? Ugh. oh well.

**GaryM** · 03-23-2009, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

And after all, isn't the glass more important than the camera?

Abso-friggin-lutely!

Cambo · 03-23-2009, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Let me tell you folks, this is one nice piece of glass. Sure, the AF is slow, which is too bad, but it is the only fault I can see.
This was shot at f/3.2. I tried to split the DOF to get both the Panasonic camera and the eyes in focus, I managed to get the nose razor sharp.
I might just sell my Nokton......

looks to me like they've chopped down the FA* 85...beautiful. Sharp as a tack with gorgeous bokeh...Pentax sure can make lenses when they want to (so why can't they make a camera that is up to that standard?). It is going to be wonderful in the studio. Send us some wide open, and some around f8...and some at the cameras MTF pick...

Thanks,
Cameron

Adrian Owerko · 03-23-2009, 02:27 PM

I am so glad I got this lens... Even got a "Very Nice" out of a friend who owns the canon L 50mm f1.2

**fs999** · 03-23-2009, 05:03 PM

Click to see it on black...

At F1.4

At F16

In the rain...

At 440 € it's a bargain...

roentarre · 03-23-2009, 05:55 PM

mmm, I would get this lens to give it a try too. I can see that it is not that bad as a lens after all.

Thanks for the posting

03-22-2009, 07:10 AM	#1
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	*DA 55/1.4 Picture** Let me tell you folks, this is one nice piece of glass. Sure, the AF is slow, which is too bad, but it is the only fault I can see. This was shot at f/3.2. I tried to split the DOF to get both the Panasonic camera and the eyes in focus, I managed to get the nose razor sharp. I might just sell my Nokton...... Last edited by Wheatfield; 03-23-2009 at 08:38 AM. Reason: Changed image location on my server

03-23-2009, 09:29 AM	#12
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Incredible lens... Originally posted by Wheatfield Let me tell you folks, this is one nice piece of glass. Sure, the AF is slow, which is too bad, but it is the only fault I can see. This was shot at f/3.2. I tried to split the DOF to get both the Panasonic camera and the eyes in focus, I managed to get the nose razor sharp. I might just sell my Nokton...... looks to me like they've chopped down the FA* 85...beautiful. Sharp as a tack with gorgeous bokeh...Pentax sure can make lenses when they want to (so why can't they make a camera that is up to that standard?). It is going to be wonderful in the studio. Send us some wide open, and some around f8...and some at the cameras MTF pick... Thanks, Cameron

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Streets Let's take a picture!	Cornet1	Post Your Photos!	1	12-03-2009 04:06 PM
Are people required to be in a picture to make it a good picture?	BPT	Photographic Technique	46	07-07-2008 05:44 PM
Your Picture	roy	Welcomes and Introductions	17	11-23-2007 10:46 PM
my world picture day picture	little laker	Post Your Photos!	8	04-09-2007 07:57 AM
What do you think of this picture?	little laker	Post Your Photos!	10	09-24-2006 03:27 AM

03-22-2009, 07:25 AM	#2
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	keep the Nokton, even though I don't particularly like it's rendering, it's harsh and prone to flare but it is nonetheless a special lens in it's own right. nice bokeh on the DA*55.

03-22-2009, 07:28 AM	#3
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Interesting. Do you have an FA50mm f1.4 or the A version to compare this lens to those? If not how would you rate the lens wide open? Sharpness, bokeh etc. I wonder why it's slow to focus? The FA isn't a rocket either but not bad. How is the focus in brighter daylight conditions?

03-22-2009, 07:32 AM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I noticed it's control of purple fringing is very good.

03-22-2009, 07:51 AM	#5
fearview Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,067	@ wheatfield more pics please. at thinest DOF if u will. --- wanna see more bokeh from it.

03-22-2009, 07:56 AM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987 Original Poster	Originally posted by Peter Zack Interesting. Do you have an FA50mm f1.4 or the A version to compare this lens to those? If not how would you rate the lens wide open? Sharpness, bokeh etc. I wonder why it's slow to focus? The FA isn't a rocket either but not bad. How is the focus in brighter daylight conditions? I have more 50 1.4s that you can shake a stick at. I have a studio shoot lined up for next Sunday. If I have time, and if the model is willing, I might just see how all my 50s stack up. That would be a K, M, A, FA, DFA, as well as the Nokton. We are getting really ugly weather here at the moment, so any outdoor comparisons are going to wait until it warms up a bit. My initial impression is that it is sharper wide open than my other 50/1.4s, but I'd like to do a direct comparison. The focus is just slow. It doesn't matter what the light conditions are, the mechanism doesn't go very fast. It locks on just fine once it gets there, but it takes it's time about it. It makes for a bit of a strange lens. The AF really isn't fast enough to track anything moving beyond a geriatric walking pace, which some would say is OK because the lens is designed for portraiture, but the lens is too darned sharp for portraiture. I can see myself breaking out the Softars for this one.

03-22-2009, 08:55 PM	#7
K100Dave Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 111	This lens looks promising. However, I would not break the bank to purchase it tho!

03-22-2009, 10:05 PM	#8
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Excellent image. Sharpness and colour rendition looks first rate as is the contrast.... but... erm... Lumix G1???

03-23-2009, 07:13 AM	#9
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987 Original Poster	Originally posted by creampuff Excellent image. Sharpness and colour rendition looks first rate as is the contrast.... but... erm... Lumix G1??? He uses Canon. The G1 is an improvement. Actually, when I was at his place, I dropped of a few of my unused Pentax lenses for him to use on the G1. I suspect he'll be doing a lot of shooting with that camera and a Pentax 50/1.4, 85/2, 150/3.5 and 200/4. And after all, isn't the glass more important than the camera?

03-23-2009, 08:25 AM	#10
m8o Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: 40°-55'-44" N / 73°-24'-07" W [on LI] Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,092	Your subject may just think that lens is too sharp... It seems like Pentax has a winner on its hands sure to be a classic. Looks like I'll have to put it on my "another lens I don't need" list to buy. edit: just read your follow-up. Glacially slow focus? Ugh. oh well.

03-23-2009, 08:53 AM	#11
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Originally posted by Wheatfield And after all, isn't the glass more important than the camera? Abso-friggin-lutely!

03-23-2009, 02:27 PM	#13
Adrian Owerko Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South Australia Posts: 435	I am so glad I got this lens... Even got a "Very Nice" out of a friend who owns the canon L 50mm f1.2

03-23-2009, 05:03 PM	#14
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,647	Click to see it on black... At F1.4 At F16 In the rain... At 440 € it's a bargain...

03-23-2009, 05:55 PM	#15
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	mmm, I would get this lens to give it a try too. I can see that it is not that bad as a lens after all. Thanks for the posting

DA* 55/1.4 Picture

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!