DPReview Published Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW Lens Review

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DPReview published their full in-depth review for the Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW Lens. And this Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art lens got an impressive 89% overall score and Silver Award from the experts at DPReview.

Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW Lens Key Features:

  • K-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • 1 Aspherical Element
  • Anomalous Dispersion Aspherical Element
  • Ultrasonic Motor SDM
  • Aero Bright Coating II & HD Coating
  • Front Element SP Coating
  • Rounded 9-blade Diaphragm
  • Weather Sealed

What we like:

  • Truly excellent sharpness at F1.4
  • Superb build, plus weather resistance
  • Relatively quiet and smooth AF motor
  • Generally nice defocused characteristics
  • Curvilinear distortion almost non existent
  • Vignetting noticeable but very well controlled overall

What we don’t:

  • Noticeable LoCA at wide/medium apertures
  • Heavy and bulky, even by modern 50mm F1.4 lens standards
  • Costly
  • KAF4 standard means limited compatibility with older Pentax DSLRs

From DPReview Conclusion:

Excellent build quality and superb sharpness make this lens an ideal companion for Ricoh’s high-resolution DSLR bodies. In favorable conditions, the HD 50mm F1.4 also delivers beautifully smooth bokeh, but overall performance is slightly marred by longitudinal chromatic aberration. This can be distracting in some shooting situations. Read the full review at DPReview.

Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW Lens: 996 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama