I am a pro-amateur photographer and this is the first prime lens I've ever purchased. I currently own an all-Pentax system, including a K200D body with all the other SMC DA* lenses except the 200mm. My intention in buying the 55mm was to have a razor-sharp lens for candid and formal portrait photography. I've shot close to a hundred pictures with this wonderful lens over the course of the past couple of weeks, and it's ability to capture images in low light is awesome at f/1.4, but not quite as sharp as when set to f/2.0. It has marvelously creamy bokeh in the low f-stop range, including a truly magical ability to capture shading and colors not perceived by the human eye. Although I really love this lens, it probably gets a little less time on my camera than others, due to the fact that I still like the flexibility of zooms (the SMC DA* 50-135mm being a magnificent example!)
I highly recommend this for anyone wanting to experience the minimalist pleasures of a prime lens. That is, if you're willing to shell out for the SMC DA's amazingly quiet motor and superior build quality as compared with it's less glamorous brother, the 50mm f/1.4. Believe me, after trying both, the SMC DA* is worth the expense, and it capably delivers absolutely gorgeous image quality in the right hands. Five stars all the way, and kudos to Pentax.
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