K-01 and Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4?

**rzarector** · 04-24-2013, 08:58 AM

Hello all,

I have a K200d and looking to get an upgrade. Cant pay for K-5 so I was looking at getting by with a smaller K-01.

Would my Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 work for this lens? I am guessing it would but figured Id ask the pros.

Thanks! Be gentle very much a noob.

:-)

VisualDarkness · 04-24-2013, 09:09 AM

It's a wonderful lens at least! Dunno how it works with the K-01 AF though but I expect is to work well as it works well with the older K-5 liveview.

**rzarector** · 04-24-2013, 09:19 AM

Sigh....I really would love a K5 but cant sell the K200d for anything. Kind of stuck at that spot

kindakaa · 04-24-2013, 09:47 AM

Works fine. The autofocus is fast enough. For example K-01 + 55/1.4 SDM

**Rondec** · 04-24-2013, 10:27 AM

It works well -- focus is more consistent with the K-01 and the DA *55 than with the K5 and it. Focus peaking works well with it as well.

ryan s · 04-24-2013, 10:31 AM

They work great together, probably my favorite lens to put on the K-01 due to focus peaking and contrast-detect AF. My K-5 front and back focuses it somehow using phase detect AF (the viewfinder).

Just be aware the LCD is hard--well, sometimes impossible--to use in bright sunlight.

**rzarector** · 04-25-2013, 02:19 PM

I was thinking that my K200d with kit lens can get me a 300 gift card on amazon for trade in.

That I can purchase a K-01 new on amazon. Then Ill have my 55mm 1.4 to use and just find another stock kit sort of lens.

thoughts? Is this a worth while upgrade from my k200? sure looks like it would be!

**rzarector** · 04-25-2013, 02:21 PM

Then i was looking to get this bad boy for the K-01 as my walk around camera setup.

http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-21987-35mm-Digital-cameras/dp/B0042RTQPC/ref=wl...I2LBDTK7ZJ1SLU

Na Horuk · 04-25-2013, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by rzarector

Then i was looking to get this bad boy for the K-01 as my walk around camera setup.

Amazon.com: Pentax 21987 DA 35mm f/2.4 AL Lens for Pentax Digital SLR cameras: Camera & Photo

I like my DA 35mm f2.4 on the K-01, but if you already have the 40mm XS it might be redundant, even though the 35mm is noticeably wider. I dunno, I usually prefer the 40mm over the 35mm these days on the K-01.

**rzarector** · 05-01-2013, 09:29 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. I went ahead and rented one from borrowlenses.com for the week and had some real fun walking around before sun down playing with it and my old 200d stock lens. Here are the snaps I took from my blog.

Benjamin's Angle

I do have to say the lack of the viewfinder is perplexing. I kept finding myself pushing my eye up to it only to feel like an idiot doing so. The focus detection is NUTS! supposedly my 200d has something like that but I have never been able to see if function at all. It reminds me of the same tech we have on our high end JVC video cameras here at work. It was incredible shooting at such high iso's compared to my limit on the 1600 end of my 200d. Very easy to blend out most of the noise with lightroom but some were still a wee bit too much noise.

So my thoughts after 1 day, the sensor and bump in megapixels shows a big difference for me and my photos. I really loved the look of my photos from that stock kit lens. I found the noise of the aperture changing even when not taking a picture annoying. Any way to turn that function off? I'm guessing not but figured id ask.

So if the K5 and the K-01 have the same sensor, what is the big perk of the k5 that I would be missing besides buttons and wheels? I just think that for about 300 I can upgrade from my 200d and not have to drop 900 on a k5 body only.

also I wonder if the refresh on video factors in. I know computers are 60hz and I believe TVs are too, but why do 50 vs 60? I guess I should google before asking but since I am here, why not ask!?

thanks y'all!

Na Horuk · 05-02-2013, 05:31 AM

Originally posted by rzarector

I do have to say the lack of the viewfinder is perplexing. I kept finding myself pushing my eye up to it only to feel like an idiot doing so.

Don't worry, i think that happens to anyone going from DSLR to K-01

But you learn after a month of casual usage.

Originally posted by rzarector

I found the noise of the aperture changing even when not taking a picture annoying. Any way to turn that function off? I'm guessing not but figured id ask.

A lot of people are bothered by this, but you won't even notice it in most ambients. Though, it is a little annoying when people think you are taking photos constantly, even though you arent. There is no way to turn this behaviour off, except maybe by using a completely manual lens, or by not mounting it all the way. Of course that means no automation at all. You can use the digital zoom in live view, that keeps the aperture steady for the duration.

Originally posted by rzarector

So if the K5 and the K-01 have the same sensor, what is the big perk of the k5 that I would be missing besides buttons and wheels? I just think that for about 300 I can upgrade from my 200d and not have to drop 900 on a k5 body only.

I think compared to the original K-5, the K-01 might produce slightly better IQ, but the K-5 still has a lot of perks. The K-01 has lower burst rate (especially in raw), no OVF, not WR, fewer buttons and dials, no PD AF (only CD AF), smaller bit depth... but it has better video options, focus peaking, is much smaller, has better CD AF,.. basically, if you can take a little time for each photo, the K-01's weaknesses disappear. If you need photos of fast moving subjects or out in the rain or if you need to be able to quickly change settings without looking, then the K-5 is the better choice. The K-5 is a great camera, the K-01 should be inferior, but since it has the same sensor (with a lighter highpass filter), it becomes an odd competition.

Originally posted by rzarector

also I wonder if the refresh on video factors in. I know computers are 60hz and I believe TVs are too, but why do 50 vs 60? I

I think that is just a setting that you can use to prevent flickering? Sometimes a screen might appear to be flickering in and out, so you just change that setting and hopefully it solves the problem.

Edit: Oh, and I see you took some nice photos with it already. If you get it with the 40mm XS, you will be astounded by the sharpness.

**rzarector** · 05-02-2013, 03:39 PM

aaaaaaaargh 250 for yellow body only, I can keep my 200d, but I dont get that kit 40mm xs. I guess I can wait for that and buy it later. hmmmm

**THoog** · 05-02-2013, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

Don't worry, i think that happens to anyone going from DSLR to K-01 But you learn after a month of casual usage.

After you whack yourself in the forehead a few times, it all starts to make sense....

I think the 50Hz setting is for use in Europe and countries where they don't use 60Hz. (Japan has both!)

**rzarector** · 05-03-2013, 09:43 AM

Took it to my it's concert shoot last night and boy o boy was it fun. I got to say, having that focus peak is just killer in low light situations. I made the foolish mistake of leaving it on spot metering but I was happy with the lack luster shots I took. Ill be posting them shortly and hopefully the video I got will work okay too.

**rzarector** · 05-03-2013, 11:44 AM

Here is the video

You Tube

04-24-2013, 08:58 AM	#1
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161	*K-01 and Pentax-DA 55mm F1.4?** Hello all, I have a K200d and looking to get an upgrade. Cant pay for K-5 so I was looking at getting by with a smaller K-01. Would my Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 work for this lens? I am guessing it would but figured Id ask the pros. Thanks! Be gentle very much a noob. :-)

05-02-2013, 05:31 AM	#11
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by rzarector I do have to say the lack of the viewfinder is perplexing. I kept finding myself pushing my eye up to it only to feel like an idiot doing so. Don't worry, i think that happens to anyone going from DSLR to K-01 But you learn after a month of casual usage. Originally posted by rzarector I found the noise of the aperture changing even when not taking a picture annoying. Any way to turn that function off? I'm guessing not but figured id ask. A lot of people are bothered by this, but you won't even notice it in most ambients. Though, it is a little annoying when people think you are taking photos constantly, even though you arent. There is no way to turn this behaviour off, except maybe by using a completely manual lens, or by not mounting it all the way. Of course that means no automation at all. You can use the digital zoom in live view, that keeps the aperture steady for the duration. Originally posted by rzarector So if the K5 and the K-01 have the same sensor, what is the big perk of the k5 that I would be missing besides buttons and wheels? I just think that for about 300 I can upgrade from my 200d and not have to drop 900 on a k5 body only. I think compared to the original K-5, the K-01 might produce slightly better IQ, but the K-5 still has a lot of perks. The K-01 has lower burst rate (especially in raw), no OVF, not WR, fewer buttons and dials, no PD AF (only CD AF), smaller bit depth... but it has better video options, focus peaking, is much smaller, has better CD AF,.. basically, if you can take a little time for each photo, the K-01's weaknesses disappear. If you need photos of fast moving subjects or out in the rain or if you need to be able to quickly change settings without looking, then the K-5 is the better choice. The K-5 is a great camera, the K-01 should be inferior, but since it has the same sensor (with a lighter highpass filter), it becomes an odd competition. Originally posted by rzarector also I wonder if the refresh on video factors in. I know computers are 60hz and I believe TVs are too, but why do 50 vs 60? I I think that is just a setting that you can use to prevent flickering? Sometimes a screen might appear to be flickering in and out, so you just change that setting and hopefully it solves the problem. Edit: Oh, and I see you took some nice photos with it already. If you get it with the 40mm XS, you will be astounded by the sharpness. Last edited by Na Horuk; 05-02-2013 at 05:38 AM.

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04-24-2013, 09:09 AM	#2
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	It's a wonderful lens at least! Dunno how it works with the K-01 AF though but I expect is to work well as it works well with the older K-5 liveview.

04-24-2013, 09:19 AM	#3
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	Sigh....I really would love a K5 but cant sell the K200d for anything. Kind of stuck at that spot

04-24-2013, 09:47 AM	#4
kindakaa Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tatarstan, Russia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 307	Works fine. The autofocus is fast enough. For example K-01 + 55/1.4 SDM

04-24-2013, 10:27 AM	#5
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,663	It works well -- focus is more consistent with the K-01 and the DA *55 than with the K5 and it. Focus peaking works well with it as well.

04-24-2013, 10:31 AM	#6
ryan s Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,383	They work great together, probably my favorite lens to put on the K-01 due to focus peaking and contrast-detect AF. My K-5 front and back focuses it somehow using phase detect AF (the viewfinder). Just be aware the LCD is hard--well, sometimes impossible--to use in bright sunlight.

04-25-2013, 02:19 PM	#7
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	I was thinking that my K200d with kit lens can get me a 300 gift card on amazon for trade in. That I can purchase a K-01 new on amazon. Then Ill have my 55mm 1.4 to use and just find another stock kit sort of lens. thoughts? Is this a worth while upgrade from my k200? sure looks like it would be!

04-25-2013, 02:21 PM	#8
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	Then i was looking to get this bad boy for the K-01 as my walk around camera setup. http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-21987-35mm-Digital-cameras/dp/B0042RTQPC/ref=wl...I2LBDTK7ZJ1SLU

04-25-2013, 03:45 PM	#9
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by rzarector Then i was looking to get this bad boy for the K-01 as my walk around camera setup. Amazon.com: Pentax 21987 DA 35mm f/2.4 AL Lens for Pentax Digital SLR cameras: Camera & Photo I like my DA 35mm f2.4 on the K-01, but if you already have the 40mm XS it might be redundant, even though the 35mm is noticeably wider. I dunno, I usually prefer the 40mm over the 35mm these days on the K-01.

05-01-2013, 09:29 AM	#10
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	Thanks everyone for your input. I went ahead and rented one from borrowlenses.com for the week and had some real fun walking around before sun down playing with it and my old 200d stock lens. Here are the snaps I took from my blog. Benjamin's Angle I do have to say the lack of the viewfinder is perplexing. I kept finding myself pushing my eye up to it only to feel like an idiot doing so. The focus detection is NUTS! supposedly my 200d has something like that but I have never been able to see if function at all. It reminds me of the same tech we have on our high end JVC video cameras here at work. It was incredible shooting at such high iso's compared to my limit on the 1600 end of my 200d. Very easy to blend out most of the noise with lightroom but some were still a wee bit too much noise. So my thoughts after 1 day, the sensor and bump in megapixels shows a big difference for me and my photos. I really loved the look of my photos from that stock kit lens. I found the noise of the aperture changing even when not taking a picture annoying. Any way to turn that function off? I'm guessing not but figured id ask. So if the K5 and the K-01 have the same sensor, what is the big perk of the k5 that I would be missing besides buttons and wheels? I just think that for about 300 I can upgrade from my 200d and not have to drop 900 on a k5 body only. also I wonder if the refresh on video factors in. I know computers are 60hz and I believe TVs are too, but why do 50 vs 60? I guess I should google before asking but since I am here, why not ask!? thanks y'all!

05-02-2013, 03:39 PM	#12
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	aaaaaaaargh 250 for yellow body only, I can keep my 200d, but I dont get that kit 40mm xs. I guess I can wait for that and buy it later. hmmmm

05-02-2013, 05:08 PM	#13
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	Originally posted by Na Horuk Don't worry, i think that happens to anyone going from DSLR to K-01 But you learn after a month of casual usage. After you whack yourself in the forehead a few times, it all starts to make sense.... I think the 50Hz setting is for use in Europe and countries where they don't use 60Hz. (Japan has both!)

05-03-2013, 09:43 AM	#14
rzarector Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 161 Original Poster	Took it to my it's concert shoot last night and boy o boy was it fun. I got to say, having that focus peak is just killer in low light situations. I made the foolish mistake of leaving it on spot metering but I was happy with the lack luster shots I took. Ill be posting them shortly and hopefully the video I got will work okay too.