Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR USA
The Pentax 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens is a compact and bright short-telephoto lens of the highest order, made exclusively for Pentax digital SLR cameras. In a stocky housing ready for harsh conditions, you'll get a bright f/1.4 aperture-worlds away from the experience you're used to with more common zooms-that opens up new creative doors to you as a photographer.
This lens was born to shoot between f/1.4 and f/2.8, and comes with a 9-bladed aperture diaphragm which shows up as perfectly round when you stay between f/1.4-2.8. Shoot dramatic portraits with bright point light sources behind the subject, and you'll be dazzled with lovely diffuse, circular out-of-focus highlights that make everybody look better. Beyond portraits, this lens works well any time you would use a moderate telephoto focal length.
The focusing system of this lens is SDM only; there is no screw on the rear of the lens barrel to have the AF driven by a body-based motor. This allows the lens to move incredibly quick, driven by an internal motor and with the Quick-Shift system providing manual override capacity to you any time you want it with no buttons to switch; but you'll need a Pentax body which allows SDM autofocus (all current Pentax bodies support SDM, but the *IST series does not).
Note! Does NOT provide autofocus upon non-SDM-enabled Pentax cameras.
- Brilliantly-sharp portrait lens which gathers plenty of light
- Completely-rounded aperture diaphragm from f/1.4-2.8 for beautiful out-of-focus highlights
- Speedy SDM autofocus motor provides fast, silent response with Quick-Shift full-time manual override
- Pentax's unique SP water and dirt-repelling coating on both external surfaces
- Pentax's "Aero Bright" internal lens yields high transmissivity and reduced flare
- Dust and moisture-resistant housing
- Essentially equivalent to an 85mm f/1.4 lens upon 35mm SLR cameras
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length |
55 mm Comparable APS-C Focal Length: 82.5 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/1.4 Minimum: f/22 |
| Camera Mount Type | Pentax K |
| Format Compatibility | Pentax Digital (APS-C) |
| Angle of View | 28.6° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.48' (45 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.17x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:5.7 |
| Groups/Elements | 8/9 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 58 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 2.8 x 2.6" (7.11 x 6.60 cm) |
| Weight | 13.23 oz (375 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 15 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easily interchangeable (11)
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (11)
- Consistent output (10)
- Strong construction (10)
- Durable (9)
Cons
Best Uses
- Low light (11)
- Night photography (8)
- Portraits (7)
- Weddings (7)
- Landscape/scenery (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (9)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (9)
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 15 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-15
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
This is a great lens. Super sharp and wonderful blur. Backfocus WAS a big issue, needing and adjustment of +10 (ie maximum possible) with my k5, and impossible to use with my k10. However, contacted Pentax service (Belgium) and sent in the lens and both bodies. Backfocus fixed on both bodies (needing just -2 adjustment on k5, ever soooo slight backfocus on my k10). I've tested the lens on both cameras from about 25cm to infinity. Great across the whole range!
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
I use this lens for night shooting-- often at our commercial boat basin where lighting is low with wildly mixed colors. I needed weather sealing for this and the DA* 55mm f1.4 delivers-- and it's also very well built. Re sharpness and contrast: useable wide open and criticly sharp by f2.8. My only problem was significant back focus and I had to micro adjust +9 to 10 units to get accurate focus(I have 2 K5s). But it was worth it as the lens is both very sharp and contrasty. I don't find this lens heavy on the K5.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Critically sharp at f28
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Micro-adjust needed
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
I bought this lens almost exclusivly for outdoor night time use, but I'm discovering that it's an excellent general purpose lens with other uses as well such as scenics, portrait situations, and general nature shooting. Build quality is excellent and it's a bit larger/heavier than a typical 50mm f1.4 lens. When I first got the 55 f1.4, I found it to be very very soft wide open, in fact so soft I considered returning it, but I have a K5 and decided to see if micro-adjustment could correct the problem. It did, but I had to go to +10 on one body and +8 on my 2nd K5. Once corrected, this lens is still a bit soft wide open, but now quite useable-- part of that is low contrast-- f2 is better, and it's critacally sharp at f2.8 through f11. I'm glad I went the micro-adjust route as it is now optically an excellent performer, but really a lens this expensive shouldn't have that kind of issue in the first place IMO. Although a bit heavy, it feels good in use on the K5. I only gave this lens a 4 star rating because of the need for significant micro-adjusting-- once adjusted it's a five star.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
very quiet lens. Quick acquisition of subject matter. Great for close-ups. Really love that it picks up a lot of ambient light
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
Have not used this lens extensively yet, but thus far very pleased that I chose this as my 1st prime lens. It is sharp, fast and crisp. It has a nice heft to it on the camera body.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
Very nice lens, would give 5 stars if it focused faster.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
The lens I use most of the time. I really like to shoot portraits of them. The lens has excellent bokeh, sometimes it seems to me that the picture painted with colored pencils%)
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Fast accurate auto-focus
- SDM focusing
- Sharp at all focal length
Cons
Best Uses
- General Purpose
- Low Light
- Portraits
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
I needed a lens for low light photography and debated about getting this or the Pentax 16-50mm f2.8 zoom. This won out because of the greater low light capability. In terms of convenience the zoom would have been better perhaps but in the situations I work in I can move to get the perspective I need. I also like the wonderful bokeh and with f1.4 I can isolate my subject nicely. It is also less money than the zoom. While nevertheless expensive, it is quality, and I've never regretted buying quality.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
after you touch this lens, I am sure you would love it and have it! But the price is little high.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
With open hole it is great for portraits, starting with 5.6 - for landscape panoramas.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Bad design
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Portraits
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
I love the lens in almost all ways. It's sharp, fast focusing, needs very little light in F1.4 and the quick shift to manual focus is really OK to have.
The downside is its' sunscreen. When I mounted a B&W Protection filter on the lens the sunscreen would not attach anymore hence the filter built out an extra 0,5 mm all around. That's poor design!
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Quick Focus
- Rugged
- Sharp Focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
Great lens for portraits paired with the K7, really great bokeh and very sharp images. Could have a little more weight to it for such an expensive lens, but still great build quality.
Pros
- Versitility
Cons
Best Uses
- Everyday use
- Macro Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
First, this lens produces an accurate reproduction. The f/1.4 aperature has opened-up a whole new range of photo oppurtunities.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Quick Focus
- Rugged
- Sharp Focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraiture
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
A great portrait lens for APS-C.
Rendering is much like the FA50/1.4 only much sharper at wide apertures (f1.4-2.0).
Like the FA50/1.4 bokeh can hard edged if the background is complex, but this also leads to wonderful disc rendering of background lights in night shots.
Focus is very accurate on my k-7 (no adjustment required).
Build quality is excelent.
Love this lens.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Pentax Telephoto 55mm f/1.4 DA* SDM Autofocus Lens for Digital SLR:
The DA*55 f1.4 is great lens and like great lenses cost more than your average lens. The lens is very sharp from f2.0. The boken is smooth. There is not PF even wide open. With SDM the AF is fast enough and it doesn't "hunt" any.
Displaying reviews 1-15
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