[Na Horuk]

lol why are there pages of discussion about pricing? There are different methods to set the price. Most look at materials, research, development, amortization, employee wages, taxes and other fixed costs like offices and electricity.. and then on top of that the profit margin, which has a lot to do with how famous the brand is, what the product is, what competition there is, how the market works, etc. For Pentax we simply don't know all of those factors and we don't know which pricing methods are used by the factors, dealers, sellers. Its a really complicated issue, especially since a lot of us are looking at these products in vastly different markets (Asia, North America, Europe, Australia,..)
Still, I expect the DFA* 50mm to be priced a little above the DA* 55mm when it was first released. Definitely won't be as affordable as the DA 50mm f1.8 or FA 50mm f1.4.

I fear the time of "nifty fifty" is long gone. Now every brand has one plastic cheap 50mm and one premium, luxury 50mm.

[pres589]

I don't see nifty 50's going away. I see them never getting updated and being decades old unless they have to update for some reason, like a material becoming unavailable or a mount change or something like that. And then it'll be minor updates and nothing extensive. I mean, the FA 50 1.4 is really an F 50 1.4 in a different dress, so how old is it really? Never mind how far back the optical design has been in use by Pentax.

[deus ursus]

I mean, the FA 50 1.4 is really an F 50 1.4 in a different dress, so how old is it really? Never mind how far back the optical design has been in use by Pentax.

It looks like it has the same optical formula as the SMC Super Takumar 50/1.4 introduced in 1965 ...

[Na Horuk]

It looks like it has the same optical formula as the SMC Super Takumar 50/1.4 introduced in 1965 ...

And this is why its so interesting to see a DFA* 50mm f1.4 with a new design, departing from the traditional Pentax style

[Bophoto]

And are FA50/1,4 from -91 replaced by the DFA50 or do they continues with FA50 as a low price lens.
For me FA50 are good enough, but perhaps Pentax think a updated FA50/1,7 can be the new low price normal (Maybe in a year or two).
It seems that Pentax has 2 lines of DFA lenses, high quality lenses (DFA* and 150-450) and cheaper lenses as 28-105 and the coming ~70-300.

[Rondec]

And are FA50/1,4 from -91 replaced by the DFA50 or do they continues with FA50 as a low price lens.
For me FA50 are good enough, but perhaps Pentax think a updated FA50/1,7 can be the new low price normal (Maybe in a year or two).
It seems that Pentax has 2 lines of DFA lenses, high quality lenses (DFA* and 150-450) and cheaper lenses as 28-105 and the coming ~70-300.

I think the FA 50 remains on the market for awhile and the FA limiteds as well. The DFA 50 will have a different aesthetic and goal to its development than these lenses do.

[thibs]

If needed, a reshaped FA50/1.7 (or DA/1.8 if you prefer) as a DFA50/1.8 would be, IMO a good idea IF this rabadge is a quality one (not as cheap as the DA50) with WR QS DC etc...

[Winder]

If needed, a reshaped FA50/1.7 (or DA/1.8 if you prefer) as a DFA50/1.8 would be, IMO a good idea IF this rabadge is a quality one (not as cheap as the DA50) with WR QS DC etc...

I would love a good high quality 50mm F/2.

[Zygonyx]

Really, DA*55/1.4 is already compact & excellent on K-1 + DxO even fully open, as soon as you are not demanding on corners

[thibs]

I would love a good high quality 50mm F/2.

So would I but just to clarify your thoughts, you mean optically better than FA50/1.7 ?

Thx

[Winder]

So would I but just to clarify your thoughts, you mean optically better than FA50/1.7 ?

Thx

Faster, quieter AF.
Weather Sealing.
Modern Coatings.

[aurele]

quieter AF.
Weather Sealing.
Modern Coatings.

strike the "Faster" part, and the DA*55 fit the bill

[Zygonyx]

And speaking of a wide aperture fixed lens, "faster" will not be significant, whatever the engine...

[dcpropilot]

Yes it will

[Zygonyx]

Not significant compared to FA50/1.4 imho.