Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

Buddha Jones · 02-10-2009, 07:01 PM

Well, not here as in I have one in my hands, but here as in you can now order one from Pentax online from the webstore. I guess that means that it is officially released.

PentaxWebstore smc PENTAX DA* 55mm f/1.4

Albert Siegel · 02-10-2009, 07:29 PM

It's on my must try list. Might replace my FA50 in time. Thanks for the news. How much longer do you think the FA50 will be around now that the FA35 is gone?

Buddha Jones · 02-10-2009, 07:47 PM

Not much longe I would think, but Pentax needs to keep a line of inexpensive prime lenses around. I would of kept the FA35 IMO. I will continue to say this until the do it, you can't make $500 cameras (entry level) and expect people to put $800 lenses (Pro Grade DA* & LTD's) on them.

Albert Siegel · 02-10-2009, 07:56 PM

Would be nice if they made a low-cost DA35 like the Nikon DX 35 1.8 just released. I'm sure it would be a big help to those who don't want to spend a fortune on a fast prime.

MidwestMax · 02-10-2009, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by Buddha Jones

Not much longe I would think, but Pentax needs to keep a line of inexpensive prime lenses around. I would of kept the FA35 IMO. I will continue to say this until the do it, you can't make $500 cameras (entry level) and expect people to put $800 lenses (Pro Grade DA* & LTD's) on them.

Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50.

nixcamic · 02-10-2009, 08:04 PM

I think the DA 40 is supposed to be pentaxes cheap prime, but its a bit slow in comparison to the competitions.

ghost · 02-10-2009, 08:13 PM

Originally posted by AlbertSiegel

Would be nice if they made a low-cost DA35 like the Nikon DX 35 1.8 just released. I'm sure it would be a big help to those who don't want to spend a fortune on a fast prime.

I'd buy one.

**dadipentak** · 02-10-2009, 08:19 PM

I have to say, with all the very good 50mm options out there, I'm a bit mystified by all the buzz about this lens (but then, it's a FL I'm not particularly partial to in any case.) Of course, saying that pretty much guarantees that I'll have a 50mm epiphany, shoot nothing else for a couple of months and rob a liquor store for the sole purpose of buying one of these. ;~)

cousinsane · 02-10-2009, 08:46 PM

The $800 is just MSRP. Actual street price will be a lot lower.

For reference, the lens goes for around 3900 Chinese yuan in China, which equals $571 American dollars.

Buddha Jones · 02-10-2009, 08:48 PM

Originally posted by MidwestMax

Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50.

Originally posted by ghost

I'd buy one.

Originally posted by dadipentak

I have to say, with all the very good 50mm options out there, I'm a bit mystified by all the buzz about this lens (but then, it's a FL I'm not particularly partial to in any case.) Of course, saying that pretty much guarantees that I'll have a 50mm epiphany, shoot nothing else for a couple of months and rob a liquor store for the sole purpose of buying one of these. ;~)

I will buy this lens eventually, it is not at the top of my list, but it is on it.

But the best way for Pentax to justify this lens, as far as the price point is concerned, IMO is to show it worth. And how do you do that, make the same lens, with the same optical formula, lose the metal casing in lieu of plastic, drop some of the extra coatings, drop the HSM and the weather seals and whalla, a ~$300 versio of this lens is made.

This is a proven model, it works. Cheap Acura = Honda, cheap Infinity = Nissan, cheap Lexus = Toyota. Cheap DA*/LTD = ?? Canon has the "L" lenses for crying out loud...

whatever7 · 02-10-2009, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by MidwestMax

Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50.

Its selling for 4000RMB in China. Divided by 6.8 for USD.

HermanLee · 02-10-2009, 09:02 PM

I can't wait to see the sample images taken with this lens.

I wonder if one day someone will sell their FA*85/1.4 for this 55/1.4.....

yakiniku · 02-10-2009, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by MidwestMax

Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50.

I think we should stop seeing DA*55 as an upgrade of FA50. It's designed focusing on bokeh right from scratch (according to the lens designer). IMO It could be misleading to what Pentax is trying to do to the new lens lineup.

MidwestMax · 02-10-2009, 10:21 PM

Originally posted by yakiniku

I think we should stop seeing DA*55 as an upgrade of FA50. It's designed focusing on bokeh right from scratch (according to the lens designer). IMO It could be misleading to what Pentax is trying to do to the new lens lineup.

You're right—it's not an official upgrade of the FA 50. But considering the closeness in focal length and the shared maximum aperture, it's impossible not to directly compare the two.

jsherman999 · 02-10-2009, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by AlbertSiegel

Would be nice if they made a low-cost DA35 like the Nikon DX 35 1.8 just released. I'm sure it would be a big help to those who don't want to spend a fortune on a fast prime.

I'm going to be ordering the Nikon DX 35 1.8 for my D80 as soon as it's available in mid-March - MSRP is supposed to be $200, and it's optically supposed to be superior to the existing Nikkor 35 f/2. I bought the D80 for low-light indoor fast AF, and this lens will be a perfect compliment to the 50 1.8.

If it's 80% as sharp as the Pentax FA 35 f/2, I'll be happy

I really, really hope that DA* 55 gets down into reasonable territory soon and doesn't hang up around $6-700 like the 16-50 & 50-135, 77ltd, etc.

.

02-10-2009, 07:01 PM	#1
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587	*DA55mm f/1.4mm is here!** Well, not here as in I have one in my hands, but here as in you can now order one from Pentax online from the webstore. I guess that means that it is officially released. PentaxWebstore smc PENTAX DA* 55mm f/1.4

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: K20D - DBG Grip - DA18-55mm WR - 18-55mm DAL	VaughnA	Sold Items	7	03-13-2010 05:40 PM
Is this lens going to be better or the same than my A50 f1.4mm??	dragonfly	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	03-01-2010 12:32 PM
DA 18-55mm AL II vs DAL 18-55mm (kit lens) vs DA 18-55mm WR	rustynail925	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	01-08-2010 02:06 PM
Fuji Fujinon 1:1.8 55mm vs. Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1:1.8 55mm	carpents	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	06-27-2007 05:25 PM

02-10-2009, 07:29 PM	#2
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372	It's on my must try list. Might replace my FA50 in time. Thanks for the news. How much longer do you think the FA50 will be around now that the FA35 is gone?

02-10-2009, 07:47 PM	#3
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587 Original Poster	Not much longe I would think, but Pentax needs to keep a line of inexpensive prime lenses around. I would of kept the FA35 IMO. I will continue to say this until the do it, you can't make $500 cameras (entry level) and expect people to put $800 lenses (Pro Grade DA* & LTD's) on them.

02-10-2009, 07:56 PM	#4
Albert Siegel Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 372	Would be nice if they made a low-cost DA35 like the Nikon DX 35 1.8 just released. I'm sure it would be a big help to those who don't want to spend a fortune on a fast prime.

02-10-2009, 08:00 PM	#5
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199	Originally posted by Buddha Jones Not much longe I would think, but Pentax needs to keep a line of inexpensive prime lenses around. I would of kept the FA35 IMO. I will continue to say this until the do it, you can't make $500 cameras (entry level) and expect people to put $800 lenses (Pro Grade DA* & LTD's) on them. Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50.

02-10-2009, 08:04 PM	#6
nixcamic Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Guatemala Posts: 354	I think the DA 40 is supposed to be pentaxes cheap prime, but its a bit slow in comparison to the competitions.

02-10-2009, 08:13 PM	#7
ghost Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Barrie, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 174	Originally posted by AlbertSiegel Would be nice if they made a low-cost DA35 like the Nikon DX 35 1.8 just released. I'm sure it would be a big help to those who don't want to spend a fortune on a fast prime. I'd buy one.

02-10-2009, 08:19 PM	#8
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I have to say, with all the very good 50mm options out there, I'm a bit mystified by all the buzz about this lens (but then, it's a FL I'm not particularly partial to in any case.) Of course, saying that pretty much guarantees that I'll have a 50mm epiphany, shoot nothing else for a couple of months and rob a liquor store for the sole purpose of buying one of these. ;~)

02-10-2009, 08:46 PM	#9
cousinsane Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: madison Posts: 239	The $800 is just MSRP. Actual street price will be a lot lower. For reference, the lens goes for around 3900 Chinese yuan in China, which equals $571 American dollars.

02-10-2009, 08:48 PM	#10
Buddha Jones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,587 Original Poster	Originally posted by MidwestMax Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50. Originally posted by ghost I'd buy one. Originally posted by dadipentak I have to say, with all the very good 50mm options out there, I'm a bit mystified by all the buzz about this lens (but then, it's a FL I'm not particularly partial to in any case.) Of course, saying that pretty much guarantees that I'll have a 50mm epiphany, shoot nothing else for a couple of months and rob a liquor store for the sole purpose of buying one of these. ;~) I will buy this lens eventually, it is not at the top of my list, but it is on it. But the best way for Pentax to justify this lens, as far as the price point is concerned, IMO is to show it worth. And how do you do that, make the same lens, with the same optical formula, lose the metal casing in lieu of plastic, drop some of the extra coatings, drop the HSM and the weather seals and whalla, a ~$300 versio of this lens is made. This is a proven model, it works. Cheap Acura = Honda, cheap Infinity = Nissan, cheap Lexus = Toyota. Cheap DA*/LTD = ?? Canon has the "L" lenses for crying out loud...

02-10-2009, 09:02 PM	#11
whatever7 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 278	Originally posted by MidwestMax Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50. Its selling for 4000RMB in China. Divided by 6.8 for USD.

02-10-2009, 09:02 PM	#12
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	I can't wait to see the sample images taken with this lens. I wonder if one day someone will sell their FA*85/1.4 for this 55/1.4.....

02-10-2009, 09:52 PM	#13
yakiniku Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 74	Originally posted by MidwestMax Well put. The $800 price tag is way too steep for a standard prime. Aside from the weather seals, etc., we'll see how much of an upgrade the DA* 55 actually is from the FA 50. I think we should stop seeing DA*55 as an upgrade of FA50. It's designed focusing on bokeh right from scratch (according to the lens designer). IMO It could be misleading to what Pentax is trying to do to the new lens lineup.

02-10-2009, 10:21 PM	#14
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199	Originally posted by yakiniku I think we should stop seeing DA*55 as an upgrade of FA50. It's designed focusing on bokeh right from scratch (according to the lens designer). IMO It could be misleading to what Pentax is trying to do to the new lens lineup. You're right—it's not an official upgrade of the FA 50. But considering the closeness in focal length and the shared maximum aperture, it's impossible not to directly compare the two.

02-10-2009, 10:48 PM	#15
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by AlbertSiegel Would be nice if they made a low-cost DA35 like the Nikon DX 35 1.8 just released. I'm sure it would be a big help to those who don't want to spend a fortune on a fast prime. I'm going to be ordering the Nikon DX 35 1.8 for my D80 as soon as it's available in mid-March - MSRP is supposed to be $200, and it's optically supposed to be superior to the existing Nikkor 35 f/2. I bought the D80 for low-light indoor fast AF, and this lens will be a perfect compliment to the 50 1.8. If it's 80% as sharp as the Pentax FA 35 f/2, I'll be happy I really, really hope that DA* 55 gets down into reasonable territory soon and doesn't hang up around $6-700 like the 16-50 & 50-135, 77ltd, etc. .

DA*55mm f/1.4mm is here!

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!