Pentax smc DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM

24 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
usability (2)
reliability (1)

Negative
price (2)

General overview
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alaTest has collected and analyzed 24 reviews of Pentax smc DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM. The average rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average rating of 4.4/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. People really like the usability, but there are some mixed comments about the reliability. Some have doubts about the price.

usability

price

On average, users rate this product 92/100.

Review analysis

(Based on 24 reviews)

3 expert reviews

User Reviews

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Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Pentax smc DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1 user review of Pentax smc DA* 55mm f/1.4 SDM from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.5/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers are impressed by the usability. There are some mixed opinions about the price.

usability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : Andy Westlake (dpreview.com)

Pentax SMC DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM Lens Review

The Pentax smc DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM is one of the company's more recent creations, announced in September 2008. Unlike the 50mm F1.4 primes which have appeared in the past year or so from the likes of Sigma and Nikon, this lens's DA* designation indicates...

Good balance of optical properties for its intended (portrait) role ; Near-silent autofocus thanks to SDM system ; Very good build quality, including weathersealing

Relatively slow autofocus ; Inaccurate focusing unless using camera's AF adjust, varying in behavior across camera models ; Very expensive for its class

Let's talk about the positives first; the Pentax smc DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM is undoubtedly a lens capable of producing wonderful images, with a blend of optical characteristics near-perfectly suited to its intended purpose as a portrait lens. Shoot at F1.4...

Jul, 2009

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Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Pentax 55mm f/1.4 SDM SMC DA* Review

There isn't much to add that we haven't already covered: excellent results for sharpness, great resistance to CA, little to no corner shading or distortion.

Mar, 2009

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Consumer review (warehouseexpress.com)

My favourite Lens

Great for portraiture. Using 1.4 throws the background out of focus concentrating on the subject. Ideal for low light situations. An ideal general use lens.

Consistent Output ; Durable ; Easily Interchangeable ; Professional ; Quality ; Quick Focus ; Rugged ; Sharp Focus ; Strong Construction

Sep, 2014

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Consumer review (slrgear.com)

Pentax 55mm f/1.4 SDM SMC DA* review by 3systemuser

this lens can be the sharpest portrait lens , if not it at least as sharp as any of other manufactures 85mm f1,2 or 1.4 lenses.

IMO, this lens is sharper than all similar portrait lenses +it is sealed

just played around with it a few days a go and did not get it yet

Feb, 2011

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Consumer review (cameraworld.com)

Incredible images!

This lens gives amazing depth of field. It pulls the colors out in an image better and brighter that what your eye can see. Professional portrait quality images every time. This lens is so fast I can capture my daughter dancing Irish Dance indoors in...

Consistent Output ; Durable ; Easily Interchangeable ; Fast / accurate auto-focus ; Nice Bokeh ; Strong Construction

Jun, 2010

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Consumer review (slrgear.com)

Pentax 55mm f/1.4 SDM SMC DA* review by Franks

I have this lens for a week now, it back focuses severely. I took a lot of shots in all kinds of different conditions, but it's clear that the lens is badly calibrated. All my other AF lenses work great on my K10D. When I manually correct the AF I get...

image quality, weather sealing

SDM reliability, backfocus problem

Apr, 2009

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Consumer review (slrgear.com)