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pakinjapan · 08-06-2018, 05:13 PM - **2 Likes**

URL: SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ????

it is in Korean and seem to be a new test from 2018/08/06
all tested at ISO100 f1.4. you can save the photo and view its properties to see shooting information.

I might be wrong but I think, the second test shots from the last (some kind of cute birds clay) of the 55*, it misfocus.

Last edited by pakinjapan; 08-06-2018 at 08:41 PM.

**kiwi_jono** · 08-06-2018, 05:38 PM - **2 Likes**

Interesting comparison. I like the look of the DFA bokeh a little better and the DFA has better contrast, but clearly the DA*55 is no slouch.

garywakeling · 08-06-2018, 08:26 PM

Fascinating comparison, I love the google translate option to read the comments, might be time to have a loom at my 55 again

IgorZ · 08-06-2018, 09:00 PM

Interesting comparison. Granted, I am looking at the photos on my phone and I am not pixel peaking (that can wait until the morning), but there is less of a difference than I would have expected...

Kiwipixter · 08-06-2018, 09:05 PM

To my eyes the pictures showed the DFA is sharper, rounder bokeh balls and generally better bokeh. Vignetting is more noticeable on the DA*55 but thats understandable since its a APS-C lens. I have this lens on my K1 and generally shoot at F2 or smaller aperture for better sharpness and DOF. My only main complaint is the slow AF.

Kozlok · 08-06-2018, 09:21 PM - **1 Like**

The DA55 is renowned for having great bokeh, and the DFA is better by a fair margin.

biz-engineer · 08-06-2018, 10:12 PM

I'v had the da*55 , found it really good optically but slow to af, vignette on ff wide open and it is not cheap either...

**clackers** · 08-06-2018, 11:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by biz-engineer

I'v had the da*55 , found it really good optically but slow to af, vignette on ff wide open and it is not cheap either...

Photozone's historical tests of the DA*55 (which is a Jun Hirakawa design) have it vignetting less than the FA50 and the FA31.

**Rondec** · 08-07-2018, 02:41 AM

The DA *55 is a very nice lens, the DFA *50 is clearly better with respect to wide open performance. I will say as well that I don't think the DA *55's hood is full frame compatible and when shooting it on my K-1 I turn it around. I suppose I should get a wider one, because the lens itself is pretty good from f1.8 on on full frame.

**clickclick** · 08-07-2018, 01:24 PM - **2 Likes**

I knew this was going to be a dangerous thread to click on. It was. It has done nothing to lessen my need for the DA*55 for those days when I need to travel lighter. It has done nothing to lessen my need for the DFA* 50, even if that need is a bit sketchy when compared to other stuff, like food. Oh well, LBA 1, clickclick 0

**jhaji** · 08-09-2018, 11:28 AM

Looks like the DA55 holds up.

normhead · 08-09-2018, 11:59 AM - **2 Likes**

A brief glance at images reduced to web size says the 55 1,4 overall, if you take into account, weight, size, portability and cost, might be the better option. And it's a lot easier to go for the 55 now that you know how it stacks up against the DFA*50 1.4, and secure in the knowledge there is not better coming for a long time if ever.

---------- Post added 08-09-18 at 03:09 PM ----------

Originally posted by biz-engineer

I'v had the da*55 , found it really good optically but slow to af, vignette on ff wide open and it is not cheap either...

At Henry's, currently $700 for the 55,
At Henry's, currently $1700 for the 50,

If the 55 is not that cheap, the 50 is doubly not that cheap.

IgorZ · 08-09-2018, 01:11 PM

Originally posted by normhead

A brief glance at images reduced to web size says the 55 1,4 overall, if you take into account, weight, size, portability and cost, might be the better option. And it's a lot easier to go for the 55 now that you know how it stacks up against the DFA*50 1.4, and secure in the knowledge there is not better coming for a long time if ever.

---------- Post added 08-09-18 at 03:09 PM ----------

At Henry's, currently $700 for the 55,
At Henry's, currently $1700 for the 50,

If the 55 is not that cheap, the 50 is doubly not that cheap.

How good is the motor on the 55 though? I've been wanting this lens for a while, but if I wanted a very expensive manual focus lens, I'd finally get that Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan...

**jhaji** · 08-09-2018, 01:12 PM

Originally posted by normhead

At Henry's, currently $700 for the 55,

A lot cheaper at the McBain Inventory Clearance - DA* 55/1.4 for Canadians.

Originally posted by IgorZ

How good is the motor on the 55 though?

Slow as molasses

Optically good & you could always focus manually.

pakinjapan · 08-09-2018, 04:15 PM

Originally posted by jhaji

...

Slow as molasses ...

Every time I tell myself, I AM GOING TO GET THAT 55* ... riggght now! [I already put my belove FA50 macro on sale and about to reduce its price to make it easier for people to make a decision so I can move on to 55*.]

Then...I "always" see people talk about its slow auto focus which lead me to worry about the weak and potential motor failure.... now I go back to the full cycle. I am not sure again if I should go for it! I am totally agree with @IgorZI "I don't want a very expensive manual focus lens".

08-06-2018, 05:13 PM - 2 Likes	#1
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	*DFA50 vs DA55 (found it on internet - not my test)* URL: SLRCLUB, ??? ???? ?? ???? it is in Korean and seem to be a new test from 2018/08/06 all tested at ISO100 f1.4. you can save the photo and view its properties to see shooting information. I might be wrong but I think, the second test shots from the last (some kind of cute birds clay) of the 55, it misfocus. Last edited by pakinjapan; 08-06-2018 at 08:41 PM.*

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08-06-2018, 05:38 PM - 2 Likes	#2
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Interesting comparison. I like the look of the DFA bokeh a little better and the DFA has better contrast, but clearly the DA*55 is no slouch.

08-06-2018, 08:26 PM	#3
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,774	Fascinating comparison, I love the google translate option to read the comments, might be time to have a loom at my 55 again

08-06-2018, 09:00 PM	#4
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Interesting comparison. Granted, I am looking at the photos on my phone and I am not pixel peaking (that can wait until the morning), but there is less of a difference than I would have expected...

08-06-2018, 09:05 PM	#5
Kiwipixter Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Auckland Posts: 248	To my eyes the pictures showed the DFA is sharper, rounder bokeh balls and generally better bokeh. Vignetting is more noticeable on the DA*55 but thats understandable since its a APS-C lens. I have this lens on my K1 and generally shoot at F2 or smaller aperture for better sharpness and DOF. My only main complaint is the slow AF.

08-06-2018, 09:21 PM - 1 Like	#6
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	The DA55 is renowned for having great bokeh, and the DFA is better by a fair margin.

08-06-2018, 10:12 PM	#7
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,249	I'v had the da*55 , found it really good optically but slow to af, vignette on ff wide open and it is not cheap either...

08-06-2018, 11:58 PM - 1 Like	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by biz-engineer I'v had the da55 , found it really good optically but slow to af, vignette on ff wide open and it is not cheap either... Photozone's historical tests of the DA55 (which is a Jun Hirakawa design) have it vignetting less than the FA50 and the FA31.

08-07-2018, 02:41 AM	#9
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	The DA 55 is a very nice lens, the DFA 50 is clearly better with respect to wide open performance. I will say as well that I don't think the DA *55's hood is full frame compatible and when shooting it on my K-1 I turn it around. I suppose I should get a wider one, because the lens itself is pretty good from f1.8 on on full frame.

08-07-2018, 01:24 PM - 2 Likes	#10
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,904	I knew this was going to be a dangerous thread to click on. It was. It has done nothing to lessen my need for the DA55 for those days when I need to travel lighter. It has done nothing to lessen my need for the DFA 50, even if that need is a bit sketchy when compared to other stuff, like food. Oh well, LBA 1, clickclick 0

08-09-2018, 11:28 AM	#11
jhaji Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,141	Looks like the DA55 holds up.

08-09-2018, 11:59 AM - 2 Likes	#12
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	A brief glance at images reduced to web size says the 55 1,4 overall, if you take into account, weight, size, portability and cost, might be the better option. And it's a lot easier to go for the 55 now that you know how it stacks up against the DFA50 1.4, and secure in the knowledge there is not better coming for a long time if ever. ---------- Post added 08-09-18 at 03:09 PM ---------- Originally posted by biz-engineer I'v had the da55 , found it really good optically but slow to af, vignette on ff wide open and it is not cheap either... At Henry's, currently $700 for the 55, At Henry's, currently $1700 for the 50, If the 55 is not that cheap, the 50 is doubly not that cheap.

08-09-2018, 01:11 PM	#13
IgorZ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ottawa Posts: 1,735	Originally posted by normhead A brief glance at images reduced to web size says the 55 1,4 overall, if you take into account, weight, size, portability and cost, might be the better option. And it's a lot easier to go for the 55 now that you know how it stacks up against the DFA*50 1.4, and secure in the knowledge there is not better coming for a long time if ever. ---------- Post added 08-09-18 at 03:09 PM ---------- At Henry's, currently $700 for the 55, At Henry's, currently $1700 for the 50, If the 55 is not that cheap, the 50 is doubly not that cheap. How good is the motor on the 55 though? I've been wanting this lens for a while, but if I wanted a very expensive manual focus lens, I'd finally get that Meyer Optik Gorlitz Trioplan...

08-09-2018, 01:12 PM	#14
jhaji Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,141	Originally posted by normhead At Henry's, currently $700 for the 55, A lot cheaper at the McBain Inventory Clearance - DA* 55/1.4 for Canadians. Originally posted by IgorZ How good is the motor on the 55 though? Slow as molasses Optically good & you could always focus manually.

08-09-2018, 04:15 PM	#15
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041 Original Poster	Originally posted by jhaji ... Slow as molasses ... Every time I tell myself, I AM GOING TO GET THAT 55* ... riggght now! [I already put my belove FA50 macro on sale and about to reduce its price to make it easier for people to make a decision so I can move on to 55*.] Then...I "always" see people talk about its slow auto focus which lead me to worry about the weak and potential motor failure.... now I go back to the full cycle. I am not sure again if I should go for it! I am totally agree with @IgorZI "I don't want a very expensive manual focus lens".

DFA*50 vs DA*55 (found it on internet - not my test)

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

DFA50 vs DA55 (found it on internet - not my test)