Originally Posted by Mike Bokeh 
(Groan!)
Why did I click on this thread?
I'm on the verge of buying a 50 or 100mm macro, but reading this thread makes me want to run out and get an FA 50 f1.4 - a lens which I do want!
Must do more thinking.
Mike
Mike, I see your passion with portraits work, and I highly recommend this least expensive prime from Pentax. I answered these in another thread:
- Least expensive prime NEW from Pentax with AutoFocus
- Good for both digital, film and full frame
- Great speed at f/1.4, but I use it mostly at f/1.8 and f/2.0 for the widest
- Ideal speed for focusing for night time shooting
- Great and smooth bokeh for portrait
- Good color and contrast for daytime photos
- Good sharpness when stopped down to f/2.0 in my experience. Some people go higher as in f/1.8
- least PF/CA noted in my use
- Reasonable AF, and manual focus is NOT bad on this prime
I have an older write up that summed up my amateur impressions on this lens
The other alternatives will be Pentax FA 35mm f/2.0, DA 40mm f/2.8, and the latest DA * 35mm f/2.8 Macro. But none are as inexpensive as the FA 50 f/1.4. And for my amateur needs for nighttime photos and portraits, the lens does more than I can ask for.