Pentax D-FA*50/1.4 introduced by Ricoh (UK) and SRS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t-Lc0jm7QI

Not very good video lighting for a camera manufacturer.. Theyre all pink....!! Lens looks great.. But im not likely to be an owner...

Not looking pink here, but why is the lens so much larger than the old F & FA 50mm f/1.4s?
Is it really 10 times the price better?
Mmmm!

Is this a joke ? Shot only in 360p

Camera Ville does up to 2160p (4k) ...... and points and waves his hands about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8_lmSr_wQ

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That'll be due to the zoom ring...

It has more than twice as many elements as the F or FA lenses. It has a focusing motor and the aperture controller inside. It is going to be bigger.

Don't forget it is a "*" lens. Pentax get enough detractors moaning about the lack of lenses or the quality of zooms on some forums (thankfully not this one), so I commend them for not holding back and producing an outstanding lens that is worthy of its name.

i always thought the more elements the less light which makes it slower

It would be interesting to see some direct comparisons with the older F & FA equivalents. He proof in the pudding... !

I think it has a "ring" type autofocus drive (is that what he meant perhaps?) .... This type of AF design adds to the circumference (thickness) of the lens. I imagine the extra elements referred to add to the length, and it all adds to the weight .......oh, and the price!

It's most certainly not a "nifty fifty". I was surprised that they chose to bring such a beast to market as I have viewed such a thing as a gimmicky extravagance, not at all necessary given the ISO performance of the camera it's actually meant to go on.

However I've seen some interesting images taken with it and there is a certain elan and lushness apparent to the best shots I've seen, certainly enough to justify it for those who can afford it. ..... But still an unnessesary luxury for those of us who can't!

Here is a site where the lens is described in detail by Ricoh/Pentax http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/star_lens/special/sp_dfa50-14/?u...

They state that they asked their largest market, Japanese Pentax owners, what they wanted. The answer was a Star 50mm fast lens. So they made one. Can't really knock that approach.

They also state that this is the first of a series of Star lenses. The 85mm is already in the pipeline. So we can expect more exceptional lenses, and none of these will be cheap or light either.

It is interesting to look at the second hand market for old Pentax lenses. The ones that hold their value well are the FA*85mm and the FA* zooms, the A-series green star lenses are extremely expensive. They are regarded as the best quality lenses of their time.

I think Pentax, by aiming for quality over quantity in the current DSLR/lens marketplace might just be the right approach.

At the end of the day. I think we may have to look at it as "What's the alternative" If you have purchased a top of the range Pentax camera.

Put on an old film lens ? Last one was made over 30 years ago. From the video's I've seen this new lens knocks the spots off those.
https://youtu.be/JTq2bKK2AXU He does wave his arms a bit...lol

Use a manual focus lens ? Surely not.

Stop a zoom lens at 50mm..? possibly, Not got the speed of the 50mm. If the quality.

With the backing away from Pentax by third party manufacturers not a great deal in the way of alternatives !! Though their new 50mm prime offerings are just as big, bulky and pricey.

Use an APSC lens and crop the vignette...? No.

If your like me at the end of the day I love the idea of a new lens. I just struggle with modern day pricing....

There are lots of things I cannot afford but I still love that they are made, This is a pro quality lens probably aimed at the portrait market which I don’t do so I doubt if I will get one but that isn’t a criticism. Instead I applaud the chutzpah of Ricoh declaring their intention to surpass Sigma Art and Zeiss lenses, new lenses from whom are not available to Pentax users. Or less politely, “f*** you, who needs you?”

The nicest thing about it is that it opens up the DA*55 away from the pro and enthusiasts, now that they've got a new tool (I'd say toy but does it look like a toy?!). For the majority of us, the DA*55 does a splendid job. For those of us that can afford it and would like to experience the absolute best that Pentax can offer, we've got the new 'fat fifty'. I'd love to try it one day, having been more than impressed by the DA*55 on the K-1.