RICOH ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF HD PENTAX-D FA★50mm F1.4 SDM AW STAR-SERIES LENS

samgam · 08-11-2018, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by beholder3

Yes and no.

I do run all my images through exiftoolGUI anyway prior to import. And there I fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go until Phil updates exiftool (I did report the 8/64). I would bet some beer on the DFA* 85mm F1.4 having LensID 8/65. ;-)
LR then picks up the lens name and automatically chooses the right profile.

Can you please explain, how you manage it to fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go with exiftoolGUI - for many pictures?

---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 02:48 PM ----------

Originally posted by beholder3

Yes and no.

I do run all my images through exiftoolGUI anyway prior to import. And there I fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go until Phil updates exiftool (I did report the 8/64). I would bet some beer on the DFA* 85mm F1.4 having LensID 8/65. ;-)
LR then picks up the lens name and automatically chooses the right profile.

Can you please explain, how you manage it to fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go with exiftoolGUI for many pictures?

OoKU · 08-13-2018, 12:02 AM - **4 Likes**

SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ????

thibs · 08-13-2018, 12:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by OoKU

SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ????

Wow, that direct comparison of DFA50 vs DA55 is mean to the DA55, which is a very good lens.
That's how good the DFA is.

ogl · 08-13-2018, 12:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by OoKU

SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ????

DA*55 is really good at f8 with K-1II....DFA*50 at f1.4 already

LennyBloke · 08-13-2018, 01:05 AM - **2 Likes**

A quick test of the DA* 55/1.4 and the DFA* 50/1.4 - the first two are full frame no PP, the next two are crops of the first two with adjustments to highlights/shadows, exposure + CA adjustment - no sharpening. Focus is one the word "one" on the face-on pound coin. Click for larger versions on Flickr....

1. DFA* 50/1.4 @ f1.4:

2. DA* 55/1.4 @ f1.4:

3. DFA* 50/1.4 @ f1.4 - cropped and PP:

4. DA* 55/1.4 @ f1.4 - cropped and PP:

No particular reason for this test apart from showing the basic differences between these two Star series lenses without the usual processing we're used to seeing. The DA* is of course designed for APS-C, but this test doesn't aim to show edge to edge sharpness, just the quality wide open.

I'd say that the DFA*50/1.4 is sharper and more contrasty wide open, but the DA*55/1.4 is no slouch - it certainly doesn't need to be stopped down to f8 to compete (IMO)

These are the shots in a mini Flickr album if anyone wants to look closer...
DA*55/1.4 v DFA*50/1.4 | Flickr

phoebus · 08-13-2018, 03:39 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks @LennyBloke

That's a pretty convincing difference wide open in the centre. I've found the DFA* 50 appears to keep that performance towards the edge as well, though I don't have the DA* 55 to compare against. Apart from the inevitable purple/green fringing in extreme contrast OOF edges, I'd say the DFA* 50 is fairly close to perfection. Shame DPR didn't compare like-for-like... ;-)

D1N0 · 08-13-2018, 04:02 AM - **1 Like**

Clear difference wide open. The in focus area's of the DA* 55 have the characteristic soft glow of a 1.4 lens (though modest) The D FA* is already tack sharp. Also the DA* shows some green fringing on the back of the plateau. Since the DA* is a portrait lens for APS-C the glow isn't a bad thing.

bxf · 08-13-2018, 04:20 AM

Years ago, when I was trying to decide between the DA* 55 and the then new SIgma 50mm f1.4, I concluded that the latter was a better performer wide open. i.e. as good as the DA* 55 may be, its wide-open performance is not its strong attribute. It's pleasing to see that the new DFA* 50 takes care of that shortcoming..

thibs · 08-13-2018, 04:51 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bxf

Years ago, when I was trying to decide between the DA* 55 and the then new SIgma 50mm f1.4, I concluded that the latter was a better performer wide open. i.e. as good as the DA* 55 may be, its wide-open performance is not its strong attribute. It's pleasing to see that the new DFA* 50 takes care of that shortcoming..

As D1NO wrote, the DA55 is an APS targeted replacement for FA85 i.e. portrait lens. The softness wide open, in that era is perfectly normal: it is wanted.

aurele · 08-13-2018, 09:54 AM

Great comparaison ! Both lenses are very decent, the DFA is really far sharper ! ... but all those longitudinal fringing on 2px near the coin

biz-engineer · 08-13-2018, 10:15 AM - **1 Like**

The DFA*50 is as sharp as needed to cut thin slices into the Canikon pie :-)

**BigMackCam** · 08-13-2018, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by LennyBloke

A quick test of the DA* 55/1.4 and the DFA* 50/1.4 - the first two are full frame no PP, the next two are crops of the first two with adjustments to highlights/shadows, exposure + CA adjustment - no sharpening. Focus is one the word "one" on the face-on pound coin. Click for larger versions on Flickr....

Thanks for posting the comparison. There's a very clear difference between the two, as expected.

@RonHendriks1966 will be interested in this. I know he was curious if there'd be a difference, given that the DA*55/1.4 is so well-regarded

phoebus · 08-14-2018, 05:29 AM - **2 Likes**

ExifTool has new version out that recognises the DFA* 50 :

https://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/exiftool-11.09.zip for PC
https://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/ExifTool-11.09.dmg for Mac

Code:

...
Data Scaling                  : 8158
Preview Image Borders           : 0 0 0 0
Lens Type                       : HD PENTAX-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW
Extender Status                 : Not attached
Camera Temperature              : 30 C
...

Enjoy! :-)

**Scorpio71GR** · 08-14-2018, 02:40 PM - **1 Like**

Thank you for the comparison. My copy of the DA 55 does not get really sharp until about f2.2. From f2.8 on it is very sharp. I typically shoot between f2.8-f6.3 with it. On my copy f6.3 seems to be the "sweet" spot. That new DFA 50 sure looks amazing. I'm holding out for the DFA85.

**clackers** · 08-14-2018, 06:57 PM - **6 Likes**

Originally posted by Scorpio71GR

Thank you for the comparison. My copy of the DA 55 does not get really sharp until about f2.2. From f2.8 on it is very sharp. I typically shoot between f2.8-f6.3 with it. On my copy f6.3 seems to be the "sweet" spot. That new DFA 50 sure looks amazing. I'm holding out for the DFA85.

The standard Japanese double Gauss designs for fast primes (all brands) don't get sharp until stopped down … the DFA 50 Macro is sharp wide open but it's a trick because it begins at f2.8.

What makes the DFA*50 different from the K50 f1.2, DA*55, FA 50 f1.4 and so on is the lack of that soft glow wide open … spherical aberration.

If you read the Development story on the Ricoh website, designer Masazuko Saori put an extra corrective group to the front to lift the performance of this thing up into and maybe above Sigma and Zeiss levels, never mind Canon, Nikon and Sony. Size, weight and cost wasn't his concern so he was able to do this.

And yes, the 85mm will benefit from his exciting design template. It was actually the first scheduled of the Star series, but market research caused them to do the Fifty first.

08-13-2018, 01:05 AM - 2 Likes	#845
LennyBloke Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 677	*Comparison of DA55/1.4 and DFA50/1.4* A quick test of the DA* 55/1.4 and the DFA* 50/1.4 - the first two are full frame no PP, the next two are crops of the first two with adjustments to highlights/shadows, exposure + CA adjustment - no sharpening. Focus is one the word "one" on the face-on pound coin. Click for larger versions on Flickr.... 1. DFA* 50/1.4 @ f1.4: 2. DA* 55/1.4 @ f1.4: 3. DFA* 50/1.4 @ f1.4 - cropped and PP: 4. DA* 55/1.4 @ f1.4 - cropped and PP: No particular reason for this test apart from showing the basic differences between these two Star series lenses without the usual processing we're used to seeing. The DA* is of course designed for APS-C, but this test doesn't aim to show edge to edge sharpness, just the quality wide open. I'd say that the DFA50/1.4 is sharper and more contrasty wide open, but the DA55/1.4 is no slouch - it certainly doesn't need to be stopped down to f8 to compete (IMO) These are the shots in a mini Flickr album if anyone wants to look closer... DA55/1.4 v DFA50/1.4 \| Flickr

08-13-2018, 03:39 AM - 1 Like	#846
phoebus Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire (UK) / Morbihan (FR) Photos: Gallery Posts: 470	Thanks @LennyBloke That's a pretty convincing difference wide open in the centre. I've found the DFA* 50 appears to keep that performance towards the edge as well, though I don't have the DA* 55 to compare against. Apart from the inevitable purple/green fringing in extreme contrast OOF edges, I'd say the DFA* 50 is fairly close to perfection. Shame DPR didn't compare like-for-like... ;-) Last edited by phoebus; 08-13-2018 at 04:30 AM. Reason: Trying to fix everything being bold

08-13-2018, 10:15 AM - 1 Like	#851
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,231	The DFA50 is as sharp as needed to cut thin slices into the Canikon pie :-) Last edited by biz-engineer; 08-13-2018 at 10:21 AM.*

08-14-2018, 05:29 AM - 2 Likes	#853
phoebus Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire (UK) / Morbihan (FR) Photos: Gallery Posts: 470	ExifTool has new version out that recognises the DFA* 50 : https://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/exiftool-11.09.zip for PC https://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/ExifTool-11.09.dmg for Mac *Code:* ... Data Scaling : 8158 Preview Image Borders : 0 0 0 0 Lens Type : HD PENTAX-D FA* 50mm F1.4 SDM AW Extender Status : Not attached Camera Temperature : 30 C ... Enjoy! :-)

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08-11-2018, 02:43 PM	#841
samgam New Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Bonn Posts: 1	Originally posted by beholder3 Yes and no. I do run all my images through exiftoolGUI anyway prior to import. And there I fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go until Phil updates exiftool (I did report the 8/64). I would bet some beer on the DFA* 85mm F1.4 having LensID 8/65. ;-) LR then picks up the lens name and automatically chooses the right profile. Can you please explain, how you manage it to fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go with exiftoolGUI - for many pictures? ---------- Post added 08-11-18 at 02:48 PM ---------- Originally posted by beholder3 Yes and no. I do run all my images through exiftoolGUI anyway prior to import. And there I fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go until Phil updates exiftool (I did report the 8/64). I would bet some beer on the DFA* 85mm F1.4 having LensID 8/65. ;-) LR then picks up the lens name and automatically chooses the right profile. Can you please explain, how you manage it to fill the relevant lens name fields by hand in one go with exiftoolGUI for many pictures?

08-13-2018, 12:02 AM - 4 Likes	#842
OoKU Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 740 Original Poster	SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ????

08-13-2018, 12:14 AM - 1 Like	#843
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by OoKU SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ???? Wow, that direct comparison of DFA50 vs DA55 is mean to the DA55, which is a very good lens. That's how good the DFA is.

08-13-2018, 12:40 AM - 1 Like	#844
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by OoKU SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ???? DA55 is really good at f8 with K-1II....DFA50 at f1.4 already

08-13-2018, 04:02 AM - 1 Like	#847
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	Clear difference wide open. The in focus area's of the DA* 55 have the characteristic soft glow of a 1.4 lens (though modest) The D FA* is already tack sharp. Also the DA* shows some green fringing on the back of the plateau. Since the DA* is a portrait lens for APS-C the glow isn't a bad thing.

08-13-2018, 04:20 AM	#848
bxf Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lisbon area Posts: 1,660	Years ago, when I was trying to decide between the DA* 55 and the then new SIgma 50mm f1.4, I concluded that the latter was a better performer wide open. i.e. as good as the DA* 55 may be, its wide-open performance is not its strong attribute. It's pleasing to see that the new DFA* 50 takes care of that shortcoming..

08-13-2018, 04:51 AM - 1 Like	#849
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by bxf Years ago, when I was trying to decide between the DA* 55 and the then new SIgma 50mm f1.4, I concluded that the latter was a better performer wide open. i.e. as good as the DA* 55 may be, its wide-open performance is not its strong attribute. It's pleasing to see that the new DFA* 50 takes care of that shortcoming.. As D1NO wrote, the DA55 is an APS targeted replacement for FA85 i.e. portrait lens. The softness wide open, in that era is perfectly normal: it is wanted.

08-13-2018, 09:54 AM	#850
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Great comparaison ! Both lenses are very decent, the DFA is really far sharper ! ... but all those longitudinal fringing on 2px near the coin

08-13-2018, 02:52 PM	#852
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Originally posted by LennyBloke A quick test of the DA* 55/1.4 and the DFA* 50/1.4 - the first two are full frame no PP, the next two are crops of the first two with adjustments to highlights/shadows, exposure + CA adjustment - no sharpening. Focus is one the word "one" on the face-on pound coin. Click for larger versions on Flickr.... Thanks for posting the comparison. There's a very clear difference between the two, as expected. @RonHendriks1966 will be interested in this. I know he was curious if there'd be a difference, given that the DA*55/1.4 is so well-regarded

08-14-2018, 02:40 PM - 1 Like	#854
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,005	Thank you for the comparison. My copy of the DA 55 does not get really sharp until about f2.2. From f2.8 on it is very sharp. I typically shoot between f2.8-f6.3 with it. On my copy f6.3 seems to be the "sweet" spot. That new DFA 50 sure looks amazing. I'm holding out for the DFA85.

08-14-2018, 06:57 PM - 6 Likes	#855
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Scorpio71GR Thank you for the comparison. My copy of the DA 55 does not get really sharp until about f2.2. From f2.8 on it is very sharp. I typically shoot between f2.8-f6.3 with it. On my copy f6.3 seems to be the "sweet" spot. That new DFA 50 sure looks amazing. I'm holding out for the DFA85. The standard Japanese double Gauss designs for fast primes (all brands) don't get sharp until stopped down … the DFA 50 Macro is sharp wide open but it's a trick because it begins at f2.8. What makes the DFA50 different from the K50 f1.2, DA55, FA 50 f1.4 and so on is the lack of that soft glow wide open … spherical aberration. If you read the Development story on the Ricoh website, designer Masazuko Saori put an extra corrective group to the front to lift the performance of this thing up into and maybe above Sigma and Zeiss levels, never mind Canon, Nikon and Sony. Size, weight and cost wasn't his concern so he was able to do this. And yes, the 85mm will benefit from his exciting design template. It was actually the first scheduled of the Star series, but market research caused them to do the Fifty first.