Prime Lens Azalia

Stefan...first couple of shots with new DA 55...with comparatives.

Poor light, no flash, green mode, depth of field and landscape settings no filters at all.

First shot with 35-80 zoom...



Second with DA 55...




My first impressions....depth of field much more with DA 55, focusing critical.

Hope this allows more of an objective opinion of the lenses rather than my crap photography skills

Sorry images are big but didn't want to colour anything.

Probably it is much LESS depth of field with the DA 55.... in the end its 3/4 stops faster...

Focusing can be very tricky on f 1.4, but I reckon the bokeh is actually very very nice.

Enjoy the lens to the fullest, its a great one, and galaxies away from the other lenses you have

At what aperture have you shot this one? definitely not f1.4...

Exif says; 1/250 at f3,5.

Martin.

Yes, less depth of field.

Rob...PS see if I can do one stopped right down to F1.4. watch this space...the sun is out but low.

F1.4....1/500, camera set to P, Cēterīs paribus.

Flowering buds at front and rear just out of focus but the centre area just about ok? Need to be very careful when focusing on lowest f setting when there is depth of field of subject?????

You can really see what the bokeh does in your last photo.
I'm no expert at it but it does look very decent at that aperture, I believe.

This is a useful website for calculating DOF. Sadly, the Pentax fact sheet for this lens doesn't have DOF tables. Whatever happened to putting the DOF indicators on the lens?

Kris, there is a DOF indicator on the DA* 55mm, on any prime lens from Pentax so far as I know.
It its harder to get a DOF indicator on a zoom lens since DOF is depended on the focal length you're on.
There are some zooms who has it but they won't fit in our image/design of the lens anymore.
I've looked up some zoom lenses and it seems only the A Series has a indicator on the lens.

I'd love to see a comparison between this lens and the old screw-mount or SMC-K 55mm. Anybody got both?

G

I have the SMC K1.8/55.(sold the takumar recently, optical they are the same) There are no 1.4 versions of the 55, other than the new DA*.(to my knowledge)
I won't be tempted to buy the new one. Seeing several results wide open I don't like the background bokeh. And it is very sensitive for PF when used wide open. Something the Old Takumars and K's are not.
Right up till now, I haven't seen any pictures of the DA*, that justify a new purchase for me.


Martin.

Hi George,
Welcome back!

A bit of sunlight from behind right.....f1.4 therefore requiring 1/3000th
ISO 100.

No flash, hood on, tripod. Cēterīs paribus.

Focus difficult with little depth of field.

Here are some shots compares to the FA43 if you are interested link
He sayd the resolution is better of the DA*55 but it looks like the FA43 produce more vibrant colours. He didn't use manual mode it seems since the shots whit the FA43 have a longer exposure so I don't know how much that will effect the colours.

There are some photos further back in the topic and I much say the DA*55 is more appealing to me then the FA43

Edit: And of course the DA*55 vs FA50 link

Stefan,

VERY useful...thanks for your valued input...will post again when azalia in full bloom....a few days of fine weather should do it.



Rob