DFA*50/1.4 first review

**jpzk** · 06-07-2018, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

That's the kind of optics that reach perfection. DPReview aren't going to avoid test it on the K1 II, it case it would put other brands to shame.

I'm all for a review of this lens mounted on a K-1II ... hoping they (DPR) don't goof off this time.

SSGGeezer · 06-07-2018, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by jpzk

I'm all for a review of this lens mounted on a K-1II ... hoping they (DPR) don't goof off this time.

It needs to be done here by one of our Pentax ambassadors or One of the very talented pros that post here. Not Dumb People Ripping (Pentax.)

normhead · 06-07-2018, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by caliscouser

Will I be buying? No, too big, heavy and expensive for my personal needs. YMMV

We can still cheer for those who do buy it, maybe have a parade or something. Who doesn't love a parade?

sergeremy · 06-07-2018, 02:37 PM

Looks great at what it does!

thazooo · 06-07-2018, 02:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pres589

This is almost funny. It's like he's missed a bunch of forum noise from the last year and a half.

I saw some of the noise, not worth commenting on. Until I saw it had a 72mm front end on a 50. Kinda comical sizing.

**Eagle94VT** · 06-07-2018, 02:49 PM - **1 Like**

It looks to be an amazing lens! Looks like Heie could even use it as a mortar shell in a pinch. Maybe this is one of those things I save a bit aside every month...and when 2019 rolls around...hmmm.

swanlefitte · 06-07-2018, 02:57 PM - **3 Likes**

The tokina will get rave reviews and the pentax will be called ordinary. ;p

**sbh** · 06-07-2018, 02:58 PM

I put the money on the counter already, now where is my lens!?

Originally posted by Wingincamera

Other than the focal length I would like to see how the new DFA*50/1.4 compares to the DA*55/1.4 lens.

I thought about that too, maybe Ill do a test before selling the 55.

Dan · 06-07-2018, 03:12 PM

Of course the lens is sharp. But what really amazes me is the bokeh, which is outstanding. I didn't think that I would be interested in this lens, but after seeing those images I will definitely have to rethink things. It looks like it was worth the wait!

rodaballo · 06-07-2018, 03:30 PM - **7 Likes**

I am trying to envision some future reviews of one of the most well-known digital photography websites:

- It is heavy and obtrusive.
- Bokeh is creamy and somehow boring.
- It is much more expensive than its Tokina twin.
- Resolution is below Zeiss numbers.
- It arrives with so much delay.
- AF is OK only for landscape photography uses.
- It is not f1.2 as some other brand offers.
- Cannot adapt to Sony mirrorless full-frame.

zmohie · 06-07-2018, 03:36 PM

Deserves the long awaiting!

pakinjapan · 06-07-2018, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by Wingincamera

Other than the focal length I would like to see how the new DFA*50/1.4 compares to the DA*55/1.4 lens.

Same here.

I saw the test image from *50/1.4 and wonder is there is anything the 55* cann't do?

MikeyBugs95 · 06-07-2018, 03:52 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by thazooo

I saw some of the noise, not worth commenting on. Until I saw it had a 72mm front end on a 50. Kinda comical sizing.

The (old) Sigma 50 1.4 is 77mm. The Sigma ART is 77mm. Most of the 50 1.4s from Nikon and Canon are 55mm or larger. What's so comical? You can't fit the number of lenses or corrective elements or technology found in this new lens into a lens the size of the DA 50 1.8 or even the size of the FA. If you think you can, I'd encourage you to try it and bring it to market.

**Rondec** · 06-07-2018, 04:22 PM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by thazooo

I don't get it ?
Historically the Tak's and Pentax 50/1.4 are some of the finest lenses made. What's the deal with a lens the size of a soda can ??

If you are satisfied with the older 50s then you have saved a bunch of money.

This lens is for folks who want (a) silent, fast auto focus (b) sharp wide open performance and (c) less purple fringing than with older designs. It is a highly corrected optic that appears to be sharp wide open (which most of the older lenses weren't) and has very smooth bokeh and transitions from in focus to out of focus areas.

If I sound like I will buy this lens, I am on the fence about it. I already own the DA *55 and it is a very nice lens, but the big thing with it is that it is quite slow to auto focus and that makes it tough to use for snaps of my kids. It also is a bit soft more wide open than f2. Regardless, there is a need for new, top-end designs and this fits into that category.

bertwert · 06-07-2018, 04:40 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by normhead

We can still cheer for those who do buy it, maybe have a parade or something. Who doesn't love a parade?

I can bring my pipes...

06-07-2018, 03:12 PM	#39
Dan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 325	Amazing bokeh Of course the lens is sharp. But what really amazes me is the bokeh, which is outstanding. I didn't think that I would be interested in this lens, but after seeing those images I will definitely have to rethink things. It looks like it was worth the wait!

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06-07-2018, 02:08 PM	#31
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by biz-engineer That's the kind of optics that reach perfection. DPReview aren't going to avoid test it on the K1 II, it case it would put other brands to shame. I'm all for a review of this lens mounted on a K-1II ... hoping they (DPR) don't goof off this time.

06-07-2018, 02:27 PM	#32
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by jpzk I'm all for a review of this lens mounted on a K-1II ... hoping they (DPR) don't goof off this time. It needs to be done here by one of our Pentax ambassadors or One of the very talented pros that post here. Not Dumb People Ripping (Pentax.)

06-07-2018, 02:29 PM	#33
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by caliscouser Will I be buying? No, too big, heavy and expensive for my personal needs. YMMV We can still cheer for those who do buy it, maybe have a parade or something. Who doesn't love a parade?

06-07-2018, 02:37 PM	#34
sergeremy Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Périgueux Posts: 733	Looks great at what it does!

06-07-2018, 02:38 PM - 1 Like	#35
thazooo Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 854	Originally posted by pres589 This is almost funny. It's like he's missed a bunch of forum noise from the last year and a half. I saw some of the noise, not worth commenting on. Until I saw it had a 72mm front end on a 50. Kinda comical sizing.

06-07-2018, 02:49 PM - 1 Like	#36
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291	It looks to be an amazing lens! Looks like Heie could even use it as a mortar shell in a pinch. Maybe this is one of those things I save a bit aside every month...and when 2019 rolls around...hmmm.

06-07-2018, 02:57 PM - 3 Likes	#37
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	The tokina will get rave reviews and the pentax will be called ordinary. ;p

06-07-2018, 02:58 PM	#38
sbh Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Black Forest, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 849	I put the money on the counter already, now where is my lens!? Originally posted by Wingincamera Other than the focal length I would like to see how the new DFA50/1.4 compares to the DA55/1.4 lens. I thought about that too, maybe Ill do a test before selling the 55.

06-07-2018, 03:30 PM - 7 Likes	#40
rodaballo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 158	I am trying to envision some future reviews of one of the most well-known digital photography websites: - It is heavy and obtrusive. - Bokeh is creamy and somehow boring. - It is much more expensive than its Tokina twin. - Resolution is below Zeiss numbers. - It arrives with so much delay. - AF is OK only for landscape photography uses. - It is not f1.2 as some other brand offers. - Cannot adapt to Sony mirrorless full-frame.

06-07-2018, 03:36 PM	#41
zmohie Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: egypt Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 435	Deserves the long awaiting!

06-07-2018, 03:42 PM	#42
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	Originally posted by Wingincamera Other than the focal length I would like to see how the new DFA50/1.4 compares to the DA55/1.4 lens. Same here. I saw the test image from 50/1.4 and wonder is there is anything the 55 cann't do?

06-07-2018, 03:52 PM - 2 Likes	#43
MikeyBugs95 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,206	Originally posted by thazooo I saw some of the noise, not worth commenting on. Until I saw it had a 72mm front end on a 50. Kinda comical sizing. The (old) Sigma 50 1.4 is 77mm. The Sigma ART is 77mm. Most of the 50 1.4s from Nikon and Canon are 55mm or larger. What's so comical? You can't fit the number of lenses or corrective elements or technology found in this new lens into a lens the size of the DA 50 1.8 or even the size of the FA. If you think you can, I'd encourage you to try it and bring it to market.

06-07-2018, 04:22 PM - 4 Likes	#44
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	Originally posted by thazooo I don't get it ? Historically the Tak's and Pentax 50/1.4 are some of the finest lenses made. What's the deal with a lens the size of a soda can ?? If you are satisfied with the older 50s then you have saved a bunch of money. This lens is for folks who want (a) silent, fast auto focus (b) sharp wide open performance and (c) less purple fringing than with older designs. It is a highly corrected optic that appears to be sharp wide open (which most of the older lenses weren't) and has very smooth bokeh and transitions from in focus to out of focus areas. If I sound like I will buy this lens, I am on the fence about it. I already own the DA *55 and it is a very nice lens, but the big thing with it is that it is quite slow to auto focus and that makes it tough to use for snaps of my kids. It also is a bit soft more wide open than f2. Regardless, there is a need for new, top-end designs and this fits into that category.

06-07-2018, 04:40 PM - 3 Likes	#45
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,173	Originally posted by normhead We can still cheer for those who do buy it, maybe have a parade or something. Who doesn't love a parade? I can bring my pipes...