Pentax DFA*50mm 1.4

I’m just curious about it, I’m thinking of purchasing the dfa*50 1.4 ,maybe by Christmas
I’ve very recently got my hands on a k1ii with 400 odd shutter count and I’m thrilled to be back in full frame or 35mm as was to myself in the film days.
I know some of the members on here have far more skills than I possess and quite a few of you are professionals for many a year.
I like the versatility of the fifty as it is the closest to the human eyes perspective
So as a walk about lens that offers more , having viewed photos taken by it I was 😍
I know it’s not a popular focal length these days with 31 and 43 and the new dfa 21mm just about to become available which I would also love.
I think it’s just getting back to the basics I understand
I threw on the A50 1.7 on k1 today for a feel and all was well I knew instinctively where to position myself when composing, the crop sensor has not offered me that comfort.
Any thoughts and experiences will be greatly appreciated
Yours sincerely Flan

The DFA* 50mm 1.4 is a terrific lens exhibiting sharpness across the whole frame even wide open. The bokeh is superb. If you want a modern 50mm in your bag that surpasses all others optically, this is the one.

But....... it is not a walkabout lens in my view. It is big and heavy. Take it out on a shoot by all means, but carrying it around all day attached to the camera would not be fun. For that, the 50mm A 1.7 you have, or a FA 50mm 1.4 would be more suitable.

The choice is yours. If you are anything like me you wil buy it anyway, and you will not be disappointed I can assure you

Here are some photos I have taken with the DFA* 50mm 1.4 , the most recent one last week.........


IMGP4848 by Peter Schluter, on Flickr


IMGP3071 by Peter Schluter, on Flickr


IMGP2412 by Peter Schluter, on Flickr


IMGP0604 by Peter Schluter, on Flickr


IMGP0603 by Peter Schluter, on Flickr

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Peter



My Flickr page

It is a superb lens, but it is indeed very heavy. It is also great in the rain. I carried one around Pickering for several hours in solid rain and it came out of it unscathed.

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Best regards, John

Thank you for responding both Peter and John.
I already knew the lens was bigger and heavier but after getting the k1ii in my hands which I never had before or even seen physically I was pleasantly surprised that ergonomically it doesn’t feel the beast that I had envisioned.
If anything it’s a revelation , now I did have the neck strap on something I normally didn’t need with the k70 and it will stay on the k1 . Nice strap as well very easy to lug from ones single shoulder when hanging downwards concealed by ones rain jacket ( time of year)
I walked around with the DA 200 in this fashion and wasn’t too overwhelmed with the weight , hence my thinking about the dfa1.4
Thanks again

Hi Flan - sorry I'm late to the party but to be honest Peter has pretty much nailed how I feel about it and I would mirror his advice. I'm with you on the angle of view of the 50, it feels right - whether that's due to us being so used to it from earlier photography days I'm not sure

I'm out for walks quite frequently and it has to be a specific choice to put the DFA*50 in the bag rather than have it in there as one of the core lenses (due to overall increase in weight), saying that I have never come back from a trip where I used it and been disappointed! If I was choosing to go out with a single lens (as I think you may be suggesting) then I would have no hesitation - it's heavy, but not too heavy if the K1 is on a shoulder strap.

Have you ever considered using a DA*55/1.4 instead? It is heavily criticised for its slower AF and the fact it's not designed for FF, but IMO it's not a million miles away from the DFA*50/1.4 in sharpness and IQ (it doesn't come close at max aperture, but then again nor do any other Pentax standards). I've used it on the K1 without notable vignetting and it's IQ and Bokeh have been superb compared to any previous fast fifty I'd used. The other thing about this lens is that it can be had for relatively little money - under £300 used and £450 new!

Just a thought

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LennyBloke

Thanks Lenny, and yes it would be a one lens outings without carrying a camera bag.
I really didn’t consider the da 55mm for FF but it does take wonderful photos from what I saw on Flickr etc.
For the moment I’ll use the A50 and A28 and get some photos in and learn a bit about the k1 although it’s very intuitive to navigate.
I still might pull the trigger but I’ll take all the advice on board
Thanks again Flan

i know this is not where i started with the prime of FF primes the DFA 50 1.4 but since i have no digital FF lens bar the DA200 mm i have an opportunity to purchase a DFA 28 105 and DFA 100 Macro from the same seller described as excellent for the 28 105 and like new for the 100 macro with all pouches caps and boxes for 560 sterling (660 euros)
I'm going to collect tomorrow and hopefully as described of which I'm assured
it will give myself a window to different focal distance on the k1 ii before committing to the prime route
any thoughts are welcome and thanks in advance
Flan

Both are superb lenses, in very different ways. If the 100mm Macro is the WR version then you will have the latest version in a long line of superb Pentax 100mm macro's - the optics haven't changed that much (I suspect the coatings have) but when you have a formula that works why change it. If it's the earlier version (the D FA 100/2.8 as opposed to the WR version) then they would often be had for £50 - £100 less.
The D FA 28-105 punches well above its weight (IMO) - I prefer it to the D FA* 24-70 because of it's compact size and lesser weight. It may not have the wider angle or the faster aperture but it's IQ is excellent - I generally choose primes over zooms, but this zoom is in my bag for most travel trips.

Personally I don't think you can go wrong with this pair - although from my totally biased perspective the D FA* 50/1.4 is still the better lens

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LennyBloke

I don't own either lens myself, but from everything I have seen of them, I think you have got a super deal there.

You can always add the 50mm 1.4 later

This will give you a good flexible range.

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Peter



My Flickr page

Lenny yes it is the WR latest version and I'm thinking its a deal not to be passed on for the two and also i know you will no doubt sell me your dfa 1.4 for half the price you paid for it for my birthday next june
Peter pschlute that's exactly what i was thinking is to add later and meanwhile work with those two
Im not macro orientated but it will be an interesting extra to have
i hope i get a chance once the deal is done on the way home to grab a shot or two with the changeable light and rain forecast for tomorrow ,fingers crossed
thanking everyone for a great site Pentax User
Flan

Can I throw a question in here? Having enjoyed the 77mm Limited for a while, especially for superb portrait shots, the itch I am currently scratching is for a 43mm Limited. The 24-70mm is on my K1 for most of the time when I want excellent results but it is a bit heavy for longer outings so have a 50mm macro f2.8 as my lightweight prime option. My question is would adding the 43mm Limited give me a step up in quality and versatility? Much as I yearn for the new star primes the weight puts me off so i am looking at the Limited range to provide a decent lightweight alternative.

Short answer - No

The 43mm won't give you a step up in quality over your 50mm Macro - if it's a Pentax 50mm Macro then it has been shown to be one of the highest resolution and flat field lenses in their range. The 43mm will of course give you a slightly wider angle of view and a faster aperture but IQ will not be better (it may have a different "look"). That doesn't mean it isn't a good lens, and given the used prices of 43's it is probably worth getting one to see if the weight, size and aperture advantages work out better for you.

As someone who gets a lot of pleasure from my photography I firmly believe that you should try as many lenses as possible to find what suits you. It can be an expensive hobby but if you buy sensibly you can often pick up lenses for fair prices and if they don't suit you you can usually sell them on for similar money.

You're right about the size of the new D FA* primes - they are chunky and weighty, but they are top notch

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LennyBloke

Thanks Lennybloke, that has saved me some money!

Well after all the near misses of various lenses and my visa card not being confirmed for online shopping with all the raft of recent security measures(sorted it eventually with the bank)
I finally have purchased a 2018 DFA*50mm 1.4, used but described as 'like new' from MPB Germany for 789 euros about 665 sterling and ten euro postage.
Im very excited with this purchase and hopefully will arrive early next week.
Thanks to everyone who contributed and sound advice it was, as i looked at hundreds of images from all of the suggestions and alternatives but on this occasion my heart has ruled my head ?
As far as the weight issue goes time will tell but im used to lugging and i am delighted it has only a 72mm filter thread for obvious reasons
So on to the DFA*21 mm next, next year or maybe longer

Congratulations Flan - I'm sure you'll be more than happy with it

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LennyBloke