Pentax smc DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

frankaolson
( Expert)

Review Date
April 19, 2009

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
1 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 3

Price Paid: $715.00 from Amazon

Summary:

Severe back-focus on my K10D and I don't understand why Pentax changed the (in my opinion great screw-motor) with the slower SDM, the image quality (manually focused because the SDM AF shows back-focus) is great by the way. I bought this DA* 55mm 1.4 especially the AF (already have the manual Zeiss Planar 50mm 1.4 and Takumar SMC 50mm 1.4)m I am very displeased with the AF accuracy.

Strengths:

very sharp, great build and weather-sealing

Weaknesses:

price is too high, back-focus problems on the K10D (I guess on the K100Ds too) and the accuracy of the SDM system

Similar Products Used:

(manual focus only)
Planar 50mm 1.4
Takumar SMC 50mm 1.4

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Rating
Reviewed by: John Roberts
(Professional)

Review Date
February 25, 2009

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 3

Price Paid: $742.00 from Amazon

Summary:

Heavy CAs, otherwise good, slow AF

Strengths:

Tested on K20D:
Very good optics
tack sharp already at f1.4
no flare.

Weaknesses:

Strong ooF CAs
Very slow AF compared to my Canon stuff. Uuuh, ohhh ...
Rather harsh bokeh.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 50/1.8
Canon 85/1.8
Pentax A50/1.2

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Rating
Reviewed by: Willy Wien
(Expert)

Review Date
February 24, 2009

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 3

Price Paid: $550.00 from Tekade

Summary:

I have tested the lens.
Optically good, AF speed slow.

Strengths:

Optically it is very good.
Compared to the FA50 contrast and sharpness are improved.
Bokeh is about the same, perhaps the DA is slightly smoother.
CAs are normal for this kind of lens.

Weaknesses:

The main disadvantage of the lens is that the autofocus is sloooow.
Compared to the FA85, which it should replace, the DA focusses about 3 times slower.
This is disapointing.
It is very difficult to follow playing children with this lens.
This lens is for static motives.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax FA50
Pentax FA85
Voigtlander Nocton 58mm

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