DA*55/1.4 available already?

lithos · 11-23-2008, 05:22 AM

Originally posted by Stratman

For $800 it had better be MUCH better then the FA 50 1.4 eh? Price seems really steep to me....

It better come with a kitten that creates peace in the Middle East and gives us a cheap, renewable alternative to fossil fuels.

Albert Siegel · 11-23-2008, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by lithos

It better come with a kitten that creates peace in the Middle East and gives us a cheap, renewable alternative to fossil fuels.

Don't ask too much.... It's one or the other

rburgoss · 11-23-2008, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by thibs

It is no replacement for the FA50, it replaces the FA*85/1.4 and is priced as such.

Although I agree this new lens is intended to replace the FA*85/1.4 (full frame format for film), its focal length and max aperture is damm close to the FA 50/1.4, so yes, it better be a damm good lens with which you can notice with bare eyes the quality difference with the FA50/1.4. I say that if you need colimators, microscopes, analysers, or any other "image analysing device" to tell the difference, then the price difference is not worth it.

Of course, this is purely from a practical point of view (that is, picture taking!). OTOH, I guess there are many Pentax enthusiasts that will go for it for other subjective reasons, as pride, collector's item, brag about it or whatever. For me, its about the pictures. Period.

lithos · 11-23-2008, 07:05 AM

Originally posted by AlbertSiegel

Don't ask too much.... It's one or the other

Renewable fuel, then. The other problem would solve itself after that.

nixcamic · 11-23-2008, 08:28 AM

Let us not forget the recent FA 50mm price hike, which brings the prices a lot closer.

ll_coffee_lP · 11-23-2008, 09:23 AM

DA*55mm is gonna replace my FA50 and FA77 - "if" the image quality is on par with the FA77. Can't wait to see it...

c[_]

Stratman · 11-23-2008, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by nixcamic

Let us not forget the recent FA 50mm price hike, which brings the prices a lot closer.

It is still listed @ $199 on B&H, so I'd say it is still the choice I would make for a "fast 50" AF lens. But who knows? Maybe the DA* 55 will be something really special...

**rparmar** · 11-23-2008, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by lithos

Renewable fuel, then. The other problem would solve itself after that.

And what of the kitten?

**rparmar** · 11-23-2008, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by rburgoss

Although I agree this new lens is intended to replace the FA*85/1.4 (full frame format for film), its focal length and max aperture is damm close to the FA 50/1.4, so yes, it better be a damm good lens with which you can notice with bare eyes the quality difference with the FA50/1.4. I say that if you need colimators, microscopes, analysers, or any other "image analysing device" to tell the difference, then the price difference is not worth it.

People pay the difference for the FA*85, so there is indeed a market. Maybe it's just a prestige thing. Or maybe the subtle difference in bokeh are worth it. Either way, Pentax has a reputation for its prime lenses. Continuing to release products that enhance that reputation is no doubt a good move.

I won't be queuing up to buy this lens. But I can see why others might.

Zebooka · 11-25-2008, 06:12 AM

Has anyone seen some full size samples taken with this lens?

**ManuH** · 11-25-2008, 07:40 AM

The DA* 55 will be weathersealed and SDM. I expect it to be also better optically than the FA50. Better particularly from f/1.4 to f/2.8. A Better bokeh and probably more contrast, less CA and PF.

roentarre · 11-25-2008, 01:29 PM

I already have funds for this lens. It better gets released soon

Adrian Owerko · 11-25-2008, 02:57 PM

The aussie dollar better improve soon James USD $729.00. Wish this lens was released 6 months ago. I do miss the 0.95 AUD ):

lol101 · 11-25-2008, 10:21 PM

Originally posted by thibs

It is no replacement for the FA50, it replaces the FA*85/1.4 and is priced as such.

A 55 f1.4 is a 55 f1.4... or would you agree if Pentax had priced the DA*200f2.8 as a 300f2.8?

Whatever happened to the "APS-C lenses are more compact and less pricey than FF ones" dogma?

The list price is outrageous, period. $400 would be a reasonable maximum price.

**GaryM** · 11-26-2008, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by lol101

A 55 f1.4 is a 55 f1.4... or would you agree if Pentax had priced the DA*200f2.8 as a 300f2.8?

Whatever happened to the "APS-C lenses are more compact and less pricey than FF ones" dogma?

The list price is outrageous, period. $400 would be a reasonable maximum price.

It's a premium lens, and I'm glad Pentax still makes premium-level primes. The focal length has nothing to do with its pricing, and in any case the FA50/1.4 is still available. It sounds like the DA*55 is going to be a special lens, and if it's as good as they claim it's going to be, it will be worth every penny. Hopefully it will be a solid performer even wide open - which the FA50 is not.

11-23-2008, 05:22 AM	#16
lithos Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS Posts: 3,261	Originally posted by Stratman For $800 it had better be MUCH better then the FA 50 1.4 eh? Price seems really steep to me.... It better come with a kitten that creates peace in the Middle East and gives us a cheap, renewable alternative to fossil fuels.

11-23-2008, 06:25 AM	#17
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372	Originally posted by lithos It better come with a kitten that creates peace in the Middle East and gives us a cheap, renewable alternative to fossil fuels. Don't ask too much.... It's one or the other

11-23-2008, 06:38 AM	#18
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Originally posted by thibs It is no replacement for the FA50, it replaces the FA85/1.4 and is priced as such. Although I agree this new lens is intended to replace the FA85/1.4 (full frame format for film), its focal length and max aperture is damm close to the FA 50/1.4, so yes, it better be a damm good lens with which you can notice with bare eyes the quality difference with the FA50/1.4. I say that if you need colimators, microscopes, analysers, or any other "image analysing device" to tell the difference, then the price difference is not worth it. Of course, this is purely from a practical point of view (that is, picture taking!). OTOH, I guess there are many Pentax enthusiasts that will go for it for other subjective reasons, as pride, collector's item, brag about it or whatever. For me, its about the pictures. Period.

11-23-2008, 07:05 AM	#19
lithos Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisbane, QLD, AUS Posts: 3,261	Originally posted by AlbertSiegel Don't ask too much.... It's one or the other Renewable fuel, then. The other problem would solve itself after that.

11-23-2008, 08:28 AM	#20
nixcamic Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Guatemala Posts: 354	Let us not forget the recent FA 50mm price hike, which brings the prices a lot closer.

11-23-2008, 09:23 AM	#21
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	DA*55mm is gonna replace my FA50 and FA77 - "if" the image quality is on par with the FA77. Can't wait to see it... c[_]

11-23-2008, 10:29 AM	#22
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Originally posted by nixcamic Let us not forget the recent FA 50mm price hike, which brings the prices a lot closer. It is still listed @ $199 on B&H, so I'd say it is still the choice I would make for a "fast 50" AF lens. But who knows? Maybe the DA* 55 will be something really special...

11-23-2008, 01:17 PM	#23
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Originally posted by lithos Renewable fuel, then. The other problem would solve itself after that. And what of the kitten?

11-23-2008, 01:22 PM	#24
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	Originally posted by rburgoss Although I agree this new lens is intended to replace the FA85/1.4 (full frame format for film), its focal length and max aperture is damm close to the FA 50/1.4, so yes, it better be a damm good lens with which you can notice with bare eyes the quality difference with the FA50/1.4. I say that if you need colimators, microscopes, analysers, or any other "image analysing device" to tell the difference, then the price difference is not worth it. People pay the difference for the FA85, so there is indeed a market. Maybe it's just a prestige thing. Or maybe the subtle difference in bokeh are worth it. Either way, Pentax has a reputation for its prime lenses. Continuing to release products that enhance that reputation is no doubt a good move. I won't be queuing up to buy this lens. But I can see why others might.

11-25-2008, 06:12 AM	#25
Zebooka Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Russia, Siberia, Novosibirsk Posts: 323	Has anyone seen some full size samples taken with this lens?

11-25-2008, 07:40 AM	#26
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	The DA* 55 will be weathersealed and SDM. I expect it to be also better optically than the FA50. Better particularly from f/1.4 to f/2.8. A Better bokeh and probably more contrast, less CA and PF.

11-25-2008, 01:29 PM	#27
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	I already have funds for this lens. It better gets released soon

11-25-2008, 02:57 PM	#28
Adrian Owerko Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South Australia Posts: 435	The aussie dollar better improve soon James USD $729.00. Wish this lens was released 6 months ago. I do miss the 0.95 AUD ):

11-25-2008, 10:21 PM	#29
lol101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Garennes sur Eure France Photos: Gallery Posts: 899	Originally posted by thibs It is no replacement for the FA50, it replaces the FA85/1.4 and is priced as such. A 55 f1.4 is a 55 f1.4... or would you agree if Pentax had priced the DA200f2.8 as a 300f2.8? Whatever happened to the "APS-C lenses are more compact and less pricey than FF ones" dogma? The list price is outrageous, period. $400 would be a reasonable maximum price.

11-26-2008, 12:18 AM	#30
GaryM Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montclair, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 426	Originally posted by lol101 A 55 f1.4 is a 55 f1.4... or would you agree if Pentax had priced the DA200f2.8 as a 300f2.8? Whatever happened to the "APS-C lenses are more compact and less pricey than FF ones" dogma? The list price is outrageous, period. $400 would be a reasonable maximum price. It's a premium lens, and I'm glad Pentax still makes premium-level primes. The focal length has nothing to do with its pricing, and in any case the FA50/1.4 is still available. It sounds like the DA55 is going to be a special lens, and if it's as good as they claim it's going to be, it will be worth every penny. Hopefully it will be a solid performer even wide open - which the FA50 is not.