FA 50/1.4, M 50/1.7, or SMC Tak 50/1.4?

[yenemy]

Okay, I've realized I'm probably not that suited to my full manual 50mm lenses at this point. They're lovely, and have a great feel to them -- somewhat akin to the old die-cast Transformers compared to the sad, plasticky toys sold now -- but I'm a fairly lazy guy, and I think an FA 50/1.4 would suit me a little better.

That said, I do treasure my two manual 50s, and I'm loath to sell them. So, between the three, does anyone have any thoughts whether there is any discernible difference in image quality? I figure I'll sell one, and maybe use that as a rather shabby excuse to buy the FA

[barbosas]

Sell them and buy the FA50, you won't regret it

Already had the F50/1.7, K50/1.2, M50/1.7, A50/1.7, A50/2, K55/2, S-M-C Tak 50/1.4, SMC Tak 50/1.4

not all at the same time, lol.

I found that differences between them where minimal when stopped down to F2 or F2.8, so i decided to keep the FA50/1.4 because it's the fastest (with the exceptionof the expensive K or A50/1.2), it's well built (although the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4 is better built in my opinion), and the FA50 has the BIG convenience of AF

In my opinion the decisive factor is: do you need (or want) AF or not?

if you feel you don't need the AF, stay with the SMC Takumar 50/1.4 otherwise go with the FA50/1.4

This is my humble opinion of course.

[k100d]

the 50's are all very close
check out this article the Normal Lens Shootout Photo Gallery by Sean Carpenter at pbase.com

[monochrome]

I have the K50/1.4 from my KX, the S-M-C Tak 50/1.4 and the FA50.

I sold my M50/1.4 from my MESuper and the M50/1,7 I got from some auction attached to a body I wanted.

I keep the K for sentimental reasons and the Tak because it is inexpensive (not worth selling) and fun. I take the FA with me regardless of whatever else is in my bag.

I can't tell any IQ difference between the three (not that I can see well enough anyway).

Besides, I still have the film bodies - I have yet to try the FA on film - but the other two are a blast.

Originally Posted by barbosas

Sell them and buy the FA50, you won't regret it

Already had the F50/1.7, K50/1.2, M50/1.7, A50/1.7, A50/2, K55/2, S-M-C Tak 50/1.4, SMC Tak 50/1.4

not all at the same time, lol.

I found that differences between them where minimal when stopped down to F2 or F2.8, so i decided to keep the FA50/1.4 because it's the fastest (with the exceptionof the expensive K or A50/1.2), it's well built (although the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4 is better built in my opinion), and the FA50 has the BIG convenience of AF

In my opinion the decisive factor is: do you need (or want) AF or not?

if you feel you don't need the AF, stay with the SMC Takumar 50/1.4 otherwise go with the FA50/1.4

This is my humble opinion of course.

[Igilligan]

If I am really going to take advantage of the F1.4, meaning I am going to be shooting in low light or really want that blurry bokeh... then I always grab my S-M-C tak 50 1.4. Especially if focus is critical. I trust my MF ability with the S-M-C 50 more than I trust the Auto focus of the FA 50 1.4 wide open.
At F2.8 up I love my FA 50 1.4 AF

I am not sure which of your 50's I could get rid of to get the FA.... they are both really good examples of the lens.

But until I am shooting with another brand. My S-M-C 50 at 1.4 is too good to get rid of.

[jsherman999]

FA 50 1.4 is a great lens, no doubt about it. Not to confuse the issue more, but the FA 50 1.7 is actually sharper at 1.7 and 2.0 than the FA 50 1.4 - which is why the 1.7 is my go-to AF low light 50 now. And as Gus said, sometimes MF is more accurate than AF at the high apertures.

I'd keep them all and find some other way to fund your FA 50. But look at my sig, maybe I'm not the person to ask about selling 50s.


.

[Igilligan]

You are definately not the person to ask about sellin' 50's

[yenemy]

Originally Posted by k100d

the 50's are all very close
check out this article the Normal Lens Shootout Photo Gallery by Sean Carpenter at pbase.com

Wooo, my SMC Tak 50 got 2nd place I'm almost sad that because of the fiddly M42 mount + adapter, when it is used, it's been as a reversed macro diopter.

I don't use the 50s I have now very often, and if others can put them to good use, all the better. So while I'm thoroughly impressed by jsherman's collection, I think I'm trying for something different