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01-18-2010, 12:44 PM   #1
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Withdrawn

Withdrawn due to ...
see final post by me


Last edited by frank2001; 01-18-2010 at 09:25 PM.
01-18-2010, 01:15 PM   #2
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Could you please post the comparison photos?
01-18-2010, 01:38 PM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by frank2001 Quote
I am new to Pentax and to this forum.
I asked about a long tele and received several recommendations.
Most praised the Pentax DA 55-300mm f/4-5.8 ED Lens.
While in the process of reading and evaluating, I had placed a bid on an SMCP-FA 80mm-320mm f/4.5-5.6 Lens (Silver) lens on eBay.
Well, I won that lens at a very low bid.
I later found and purchased a DA 55-300mm lens here on the forum.
After having used the FA 80-320mm lens, which I was very impressed with, I was anxious to compare my newly acquired DA 55-300mm to it.
What can I say?
The DA 55-300mm was disappointing.
The AF is noticeably slower and much louder than the FA 80-320mm.
At 80-300mm the FA 80-320mm is noticeably sharper than the DA 55-300mm.
Maybe I got an exceptionally good copy of the 80-320?
I do not know.
However, from my highly subjective unscientific comparison, the 80-320mm is a real sleeper and a fantastic bargain on the used market!
I personally have not missed 55mm- 80mm the gap in focal lengths.
I have since sold the DA 55-300mm.
I took the $ I saved and put it toward an SMCP-FA 50mm Macro f/2.8.
Another great sleeper, IMHO
the FA80-320 is faster alright, but regarding the IQ is a lil bit of a debate especially with no samples and exif data is presented. inorder to make a real comparison, test shots should be done under the same condition and setting.

anyway, the FA50/2.8 is no sleeper lens. it's one of Pentax's legacy lenses.
01-18-2010, 01:49 PM   #4
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Like I said, it's purely a subjective evaluation on my part.
I shot a lot of comparison shots from the same spot with both lenses and evaluated them to come to my "unscientific" conclusion.
Since none were artistic, pictures of a brick building 1/2 mile away among other non interesting shots of my neighbors watering can, they were not saved.
Frank

01-18-2010, 01:54 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pentaxor Quote
the FA80-320 is faster alright, but regarding the IQ is a lil bit of a debate especially with no samples and exif data is presented. inorder to make a real comparison, test shots should be done under the same condition and setting.

anyway, the FA50/2.8 is no sleeper lens. it's one of Pentax's legacy lenses.
They were done under the same conditions and setting but, as I said above, not saved.
I was not out to prove anything.
Just needed to decide which lens to keep.
I didn't know the FA 50 macro was lengedary, I'm new and ignorant to Pentax.
I just didn't see much on it.
Everyone speaks of the DA 50mm Macro and the 35mm limited.
Frank
01-18-2010, 02:03 PM   #6
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Good for you.
There will be many though who would disagree with your subjective analysis of the two lenses, but as long as you're happy with your lenses this doesn't matter.

Enjoy your 50 macro - it really is a fine lens.
01-18-2010, 02:03 PM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by frank2001 Quote
They were done under the same conditions and setting but, as I said above, not saved.
I was not out to prove anything.
Just needed to decide which lens to keep.
I didn't know the FA 50 macro was lengedary, I'm new and ignorant to Pentax.
I just didn't see much on it.
Everyone speaks of the DA 50mm Macro and the 35mm limited.
Frank
Welcome to Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount Page is a good resource. BTW, as far as I can tell the difference between FA and DFA 50mm macro is in the coating but not in the optical formula.

01-18-2010, 02:03 PM   #8
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I've heard a lot of talk about the DA 35mm LTD, but not much really about the DA 50mm Macro.

If you are looking for Pentax lenses with fanatical followers, check out these lenses:
DA 35mm LTD (mentioned)
FA limited series, but especially the FA 31mm
FA* 200mm Macro

There are many, many lenses that have really excellent reputations, but might not be as favored as the above list:
12-24mm, 16-45mm, anything with a *, DA pancake limiteds, FA 35/50mm, etc. etc. etc.

There are so many good lenses out there. Gotta collect them all.
01-18-2010, 02:06 PM   #9
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There's no DA 50 macro. There's the DFA...

The FA 50 macro is indeed one of the sharpest lenses ever. Its contrast is mind-blowing. It's a fantastic lens, you'll always be glad to own it.

Regarding the tele comparison, it's sad not to have test shots, because your findings contradict the "common knowledge" such as it is. Maybe your lens was front/back focusing? Maybe it was indeed defective. Or maybe your 80-320 is better. In any case, if you like the lens, all's fine.
01-18-2010, 02:20 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
There's no DA 50 macro. There's the DFA...
Just trying to differentiate the newer Digital version from the one I have.
Sorry if I got the nomenclature wrong.
I said I was new and ignorant :ugh:
01-18-2010, 03:59 PM   #11
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I think it's a great perfromer as well, but it shocks me to hear you actually preferred it over the Pentax 55-300.

I was surprised by it's perfromanbce as well, and started this thread for cheap AF telephotos. You may want to contribut a few there....
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/80818-inexpens...200-200mm.html

I wish you had posted your brick shots..............
01-18-2010, 04:02 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by frank2001 Quote
Just trying to differentiate the newer Digital version from the one I have.
Sorry if I got the nomenclature wrong.
I said I was new and ignorant :ugh:
who are you? michael jackson? just kiddin'

anyway, welcome to the forum !
01-18-2010, 04:20 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
There's no DA 50 macro. There's the DFA...

...Maybe your lens was front/back focusing? Maybe it was indeed defective. Or maybe your 80-320 is better. In any case, if you like the lens, all's fine.
I said I was new and ignorant to Pentax, not photography.
I've been shooting for 40+ years (yes my eyesight is still 20/20) so, I know when a lens is defective or exhibits front/back focusing! Geez.
If I didn't have the 2 lenses at the same time I would have been very impressed with the 55-300mm, sans the very slow AF.
The IQ was quite good but not as good as my 80-320mm.
Maybe you got a bad 80-320mm?
I am assuming you actually had one of each and compared yours with different results?
Frank

Last edited by frank2001; 01-18-2010 at 04:45 PM.
01-18-2010, 06:11 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by frank2001 Quote
I said I was new and ignorant to Pentax, not photography.
I've been shooting for 40+ years (yes my eyesight is still 20/20) so, I know when a lens is defective or exhibits front/back focusing! Geez.
If I didn't have the 2 lenses at the same time I would have been very impressed with the 55-300mm, sans the very slow AF.
The IQ was quite good but not as good as my 80-320mm.
Maybe you got a bad 80-320mm?
I am assuming you actually had one of each and compared yours with different results?
Frank
as far as I know, you are only the second person who had mentioned that, out of a few owners who had owned both lenses. in the first instance, the same argument was presented but wasn't able to present atleast a comparative result to see the significant differences between the two lenses. this absence raise more a question of fact rather than subjectivity. the point is, there is no clear way of telling which lens is better in terms of IQ. mind you also that lenses act differently from each other, so the parameters and settings used play a major role in exploiting the lens' capability. aside from the issue of lack of sharpness and contrast which is not only limited to BF and FF issue but rather something to do with other factors of lens contruction (shit happens sometimes). anyway, user-error is also another factor.

anyway, the point is, some people don't share your perspective nor does it deem them to be less knowledgeable. it's just too bad that you can't provide some useful info that might have given a new shed of light regarding the 80-320. as long as you are happy with the 80-320, that's ok. but no need to shoot a lens which had earned it's good reputation, especially if no images are presented, IMO.
01-18-2010, 06:19 PM   #15
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btw, I had tried the 80-320. it is fast-focusing. colors can be quite dull and could be the reason I didn't get it.
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