[Paul the Sunman]

No but two 50/1.4 in the range is a bit weird. For now there's the old one and the new one. Revamping the old 1.4 would be VERY weird IMO.
The 1.7 would be a different proposition.

Btw the kit lens rather was the 50/2 wasn't it ?

For most brands it was an f/1.8 I think.

[Mistral75]

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55mm f/1.8 with a Spotmatic II.

smc Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7 with an ME Super.

[JensE]

The 1.7 would be a different proposition.

The DA50/1.8 is basically that - not much of an optical formula change, mainly a nicer aperture, but then it doesn't need one urgently either (more or less a random page from the lens club). Unfortunately from the Pentax APS-C-only period. That also applies to the DA*55, which is optically quite a step up from the classic nifty fifties. I'd also throw in the HD DA 43 Ltd. - susceptible to PF, but has its own qualities. Together with the DFA*50 and the DFA50 macro, there is no shortage of 50ish lenses in the Pentax range that would justify an FA50/1.7 makeover - the FF-but-compact needs seem to be sufficiently covered by the HD FA 43mm. The macro should in my option be the next one to overhaul (mechanically and in terms of PF/LoCA), but I'm afraid that will not happen anytime soon, 50mm macros seem to have fallen out of fashion with the reduced need for 'copy' work. I like to use mine as a versatile lens for documentary work with a single camera/lens setup.

[Rondec]

But that would step on the toes of the DFA* 50 f/1.4, so is unlikely.

If it kept the f2.8 aperture, screw drive motor, and just improved PF, I don't see that it would affect DFA *50 sales that much. It would just bump the cost of the 50 macro by 100 or 150.

That said, I haven't heard many people complaining about PF with the 50 macro, although I'm sure they are out there.

[house]

This talk of clearly different lenses somehow competing within the lineup has become way to common and overstated.

If any of size, aperture, mfd, build, af method is different it's not an issue. On the contrary it's how brand segment the market and ensure sales. I will never buy the DFA*50 but would probably buy a new 50 that is better than the FA1.4/50 in some key areas buy maintain a modest size.

[Reed]

If it kept the f2.8 aperture, screw drive motor, and just improved PF, I don't see that it would affect DFA *50 sales that much. It would just bump the cost of the 50 macro by 100 or 150.

That said, I haven't heard many people complaining about PF with the 50 macro, although I'm sure they are out there.

DFA 50/2.8 was in my opinion better optically than both older versions of DFA 100/2.8 in that matter. The area it suffers the most is very bad chassis material/build quality- one I had almost broke in two parts from mild daily use. I would buy a revamped one with housing re-designed like new DFA 100 HD and new coatings applied.

[tregubovav]

Off-topic for last 1.5 pages.

[Wheatfield]

Off-topic for last 1.5 pages.

It happens. In this case, no harm done, but point taken.
Folks, could we bring it back to the thread topic?
If not, let's presume this thread has run it's course.
Start a new thread for other topics of interest. It will get more views.

[bladerunner6]

It happens. In this case, no harm done, but point taken.
Folks, could we bring it back to the thread topic?
If not, let's presume this thread has run it's course.
Start a new thread for other topics of interest. It will get more views.

I would lie, to see some more user reports, please.

[Wheatfield]

I would li(k)e, to see some more user reports, please.

I'm expecting mine to be arriving in the near future. I also have the fortune to be able to compare it to the previous version. Macro is kind of my thing, so I expect I will be doing a comparative user report not long after I get my copy.

[Ron Boggs]

Can't wait to see the comparison Wheatfield. I'm also a bit touched on the macro thing...
My new 100 Macro is delayed. Instead of today, arrival is now Wednesday. I also have the previous WR version but won't have time to do a decent comparison. I'll just sell off the old and move on with the new...

[pres589]

Wonder if the silver version of this lens matches the chassis of my Super Program...

[garywakeling]

I have a silver version on order, like Sandy, I guess December isn't too far away. Encouraging to see the side by side comparison photos and it does seem like a definite improvement over what was already a pretty nice macro lens. I succumbed to the black Friday deals here in Australia and ordered the HD DA 35mm in silver as well, that should just about finish my macro desires for this month and then I will get the new one next month

[reh321]

Wonder if the silver version of this lens matches the chassis of my Super Program...

I have always felt that black lenses look better on silver/black bodies and have always used silver lenses on bodies without any silver {like my all-blue K-30} on them - but that is just my preference.

My HD DFA Macro arived today.
I still have the old one so i can take pictures for comparison.
Serial No. 0000014 :-)