Pentax DA*55mm f/1.4

sumitkar1971 · 11-14-2015, 09:47 PM

I've been wanting this lens for a while despite having the FA 50mm f/1.4. I have been waiting for a price that I can afford for this lens and I finally pulled the trigger on it today - $469.05 on Amazon. That's the lowest I've seen for this lens. I have the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, the FA 50 mm f/1.4, the DA* 50-135 mm f/2.8, the DA 100 mm f/2.8 and the 60-250 mm f/4. I have read nothing but glowing reviews of this lens. What are your thoughts if you are an owner of this lens?

dcpropilot · 11-14-2015, 10:12 PM

I have it and really like it. What sold me was the IQ and WR.

rob1234 · 11-15-2015, 12:44 AM

Superb lens, miles sharper than any of the Pentax 1.4/1.7 offerings wide-open in my experience.

Had problems with missing AF on my K10 and K5 though due to the shallow DoF, and the SDM was a bit temperamental if you didn't use the lens for a week or more.

Also superb on film, albeit bulky - should be great on the new FF.

Go on then...

K5
DA*55 @ f/1.7

biz-engineer · 11-15-2015, 02:57 AM

I own the DA*55 f1.4. I'm amazed by the DA*55 for for its brightness and color rendering. The SDM AF works fine with the copy I have. I use that lens for photographying in low light, medium short distance such as jazz concert. It should normally be more of a portrait lens, but I tend to use the DA70ltd more often for that purpose. The only thing I don't like much this 55mm focal length on APSC, IMO too wide for portraits and too narrow for full body or group photo where I think a fast 60mm and 30mm would work better, but I guess that's only my impression since 55mm on APSC should have the FoV of a 82.5mm on FF.

aurele · 11-15-2015, 03:05 AM

Originally posted by sumitkar1971

I've been wanting this lens for a while despite having the FA 50mm f/1.4. I have been waiting for a price that I can afford for this lens and I finally pulled the trigger on it today - $469.05 on Amazon. That's the lowest I've seen for this lens. I have the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, the FA 50 mm f/1.4, the DA* 50-135 mm f/2.8, the DA 100 mm f/2.8 and the 60-250 mm f/4. I have read nothing but glowing reviews of this lens. What are your thoughts if you are an owner of this lens?

the lens is a bit bigger than the FA 50/1.4, as you know.
The SDM is not very fast (i have a K-x so i guess the AF module isn't thunder fast either).

The interesting part : it's sharper than the FA50 /1.4. And it's very sharp from f1.6-1.8 and beyond f2.4 is razor sharp.
The definition offered @f1.4 is really high already, and to be quite honest it's simply the best lens i have ever used. The rendering skills are very well balanced. The color rendering is very true, color pops far more with this lens than any other i've used. The contrast and micro-contraste are awesome.

the best 400€ i've spend so far.

**Rondec** · 11-15-2015, 03:46 AM - **1 Like**

I've always like the DA *55. A really nice portrait lens, but usable for landscape shots as well and as aurele says, really sharp from f1.8 on (it is usable wide open but the bokeh can get a little funky).

**pres589** · 11-15-2015, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by rob1234

... should be great on the new FF.

Not to split hairs, but none of the DA lenses cover an image circle larger than APS-C. D FA lenses do, but this isn't one of them, and would leave dark rounded-off corners on the FF. Right?

VisualDarkness · 11-15-2015, 10:17 AM

I could almost glue it to one of my bodies, that is what I think of it.

---------- Post added 11-15-15 at 06:18 PM ----------

Originally posted by pres589

Not to split hairs, but none of the DA lenses cover an image circle larger than APS-C. D FA lenses do, but this isn't one of them, and would leave dark rounded-off corners on the FF. Right?

No, this lens covers FF for sure. Actually a bunch of DA lenses do.

**pres589** · 11-15-2015, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

No, this lens covers FF for sure. Actually a bunch of DA lenses do.

Huh. Well, I went out on a quick 'net search, and found an article reviewing this lens on a Sony A7R via an adapter, and sure enough you're correct. Some issues with it but nothing impossible and the lens got some positive comments on that body.

I stand corrected.

Eric4 · 11-15-2015, 10:43 AM

Can confirm, used this lens of my a7r and it worked wonderfully. Sold the camera but eager to use this lens on the full frame pentax. My only quirk with the lens is it seems to hesitate on the first AF attempt after the camera is turned on. Otherwise, the image quality and build quality are excellent.

**Rondec** · 11-15-2015, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by pres589

Not to split hairs, but none of the DA lenses cover an image circle larger than APS-C. D FA lenses do, but this isn't one of them, and would leave dark rounded-off corners on the FF. Right?

Here are a couple of DA 55 shots on film:

The 55 definitely covers a full frame circle, albeit with some vignetting wide open that is comparable to lenses like the FA 50 f1.4 and would not be hard to fix in post.

rob1234 · 11-15-2015, 12:33 PM

Yep just shame it didn't autofocus on my old Z-1P...

Z-1P
DA*55
Expired Ektachrome 100S
Rubbish minicab scan

11-14-2015, 09:47 PM	#1
sumitkar1971 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 100	*Pentax DA55mm f/1.4** I've been wanting this lens for a while despite having the FA 50mm f/1.4. I have been waiting for a price that I can afford for this lens and I finally pulled the trigger on it today - $469.05 on Amazon. That's the lowest I've seen for this lens. I have the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, the FA 50 mm f/1.4, the DA* 50-135 mm f/2.8, the DA 100 mm f/2.8 and the 60-250 mm f/4. I have read nothing but glowing reviews of this lens. What are your thoughts if you are an owner of this lens?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax SMC DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM - price DROP	Lukinosity	Sold Items	6	07-20-2015 04:56 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM (Free Shipping)	crisi2000	Sold Items	7	08-10-2014 05:07 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax DA* 55mm f/1.4 New	DRabbit	Sold Items	3	07-02-2014 01:48 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* with dying SDM	comprock	Sold Items	3	05-10-2014 02:54 PM
Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 VS Pentax SMC DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM	joodiespost	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	12-27-2009 08:24 PM

11-14-2015, 10:12 PM	#2
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	I have it and really like it. What sold me was the IQ and WR.

11-15-2015, 12:44 AM	#3
rob1234 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wiltshire/Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 1,760	Superb lens, miles sharper than any of the Pentax 1.4/1.7 offerings wide-open in my experience. Had problems with missing AF on my K10 and K5 though due to the shallow DoF, and the SDM was a bit temperamental if you didn't use the lens for a week or more. Also superb on film, albeit bulky - should be great on the new FF. Go on then... K5 DA*55 @ f/1.7

11-15-2015, 02:57 AM	#4
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,236	I own the DA55 f1.4. I'm amazed by the DA55 for for its brightness and color rendering. The SDM AF works fine with the copy I have. I use that lens for photographying in low light, medium short distance such as jazz concert. It should normally be more of a portrait lens, but I tend to use the DA70ltd more often for that purpose. The only thing I don't like much this 55mm focal length on APSC, IMO too wide for portraits and too narrow for full body or group photo where I think a fast 60mm and 30mm would work better, but I guess that's only my impression since 55mm on APSC should have the FoV of a 82.5mm on FF.

11-15-2015, 03:05 AM	#5
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by sumitkar1971 I've been wanting this lens for a while despite having the FA 50mm f/1.4. I have been waiting for a price that I can afford for this lens and I finally pulled the trigger on it today - $469.05 on Amazon. That's the lowest I've seen for this lens. I have the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, the FA 50 mm f/1.4, the DA* 50-135 mm f/2.8, the DA 100 mm f/2.8 and the 60-250 mm f/4. I have read nothing but glowing reviews of this lens. What are your thoughts if you are an owner of this lens? the lens is a bit bigger than the FA 50/1.4, as you know. The SDM is not very fast (i have a K-x so i guess the AF module isn't thunder fast either). The interesting part : it's sharper than the FA50 /1.4. And it's very sharp from f1.6-1.8 and beyond f2.4 is razor sharp. The definition offered @f1.4 is really high already, and to be quite honest it's simply the best lens i have ever used. The rendering skills are very well balanced. The color rendering is very true, color pops far more with this lens than any other i've used. The contrast and micro-contraste are awesome. the best 400€ i've spend so far.

11-15-2015, 03:46 AM - 1 Like	#6
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	I've always like the DA *55. A really nice portrait lens, but usable for landscape shots as well and as aurele says, really sharp from f1.8 on (it is usable wide open but the bokeh can get a little funky).

11-15-2015, 10:17 AM	#7
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Originally posted by rob1234 ... should be great on the new FF. Not to split hairs, but none of the DA lenses cover an image circle larger than APS-C. D FA lenses do, but this isn't one of them, and would leave dark rounded-off corners on the FF. Right?

11-15-2015, 10:17 AM	#8
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	I could almost glue it to one of my bodies, that is what I think of it. ---------- Post added 11-15-15 at 06:18 PM ---------- Originally posted by pres589 Not to split hairs, but none of the DA lenses cover an image circle larger than APS-C. D FA lenses do, but this isn't one of them, and would leave dark rounded-off corners on the FF. Right? No, this lens covers FF for sure. Actually a bunch of DA lenses do.

11-15-2015, 10:29 AM	#9
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	Originally posted by VisualDarkness No, this lens covers FF for sure. Actually a bunch of DA lenses do. Huh. Well, I went out on a quick 'net search, and found an article reviewing this lens on a Sony A7R via an adapter, and sure enough you're correct. Some issues with it but nothing impossible and the lens got some positive comments on that body. I stand corrected.

11-15-2015, 10:43 AM	#10
Eric4 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Napa, CA Posts: 33	Can confirm, used this lens of my a7r and it worked wonderfully. Sold the camera but eager to use this lens on the full frame pentax. My only quirk with the lens is it seems to hesitate on the first AF attempt after the camera is turned on. Otherwise, the image quality and build quality are excellent.

11-15-2015, 11:06 AM	#11
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	Originally posted by pres589 Not to split hairs, but none of the DA lenses cover an image circle larger than APS-C. D FA lenses do, but this isn't one of them, and would leave dark rounded-off corners on the FF. Right? Here are a couple of DA 55 shots on film: The 55 definitely covers a full frame circle, albeit with some vignetting wide open that is comparable to lenses like the FA 50 f1.4 and would not be hard to fix in post.

11-15-2015, 12:33 PM	#12
rob1234 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wiltshire/Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 1,760	Yep just shame it didn't autofocus on my old Z-1P... Z-1P DA*55 Expired Ektachrome 100S Rubbish minicab scan