Modern Fast 50mm Shootout

Pentax-DA* 55mm, Rokinon 50mm, Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4

By bdery in Review Announcements on Apr 3, 2019

50mm is an almost universal focal length, available since the beginning of modern photography. With the recent launch of the Pentax-D FA* 50mm F1.4 lens, users of the K-mount now have several choices of high-quality lenses near 50mm.

Today we are happy to present a comparative review where we pitch the D FA* and see how it compares to the former normal star lens from Pentax, the DA* 55mm F1.4 and the Samyang/Rokinon 50mm F1.4. Officially designed for APS-C sensors, the 55mm can be used on full frame bodies as it covers the 35mm image circle. For its part, the Rokinon is a full frame, manual focus lens said to offer high optical performances. Launched in 2014, it was until now the most modern 50mm available on the K-mount.

How do these lenses compare? Read our review to find out!