Originally Posted by hinman 
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.
Thank you very much for remembering some of my portraits, Hin.
Yes, they are my passion.
And after reading some of your reviews, it's apparant that you are very knowledgeable on lenses and lens performance. You are a true asset to this forum!
I am really reconsidering what I will buy next.
Thank you again for your advice, and your kind words.
Mike
