Pentax 1:2.0 50mm smc-M lens

Jesus · 01-18-2009, 03:24 PM

Anyone have have any good or bad info about this lens ??
There is one for sale in my area and considering buying it .

Thanks in advance

MrApollinax · 01-18-2009, 03:29 PM

The forums has probably one of the best user-based lens databases I have seen. Here is what is in the database for the M version (18 reviews):

Pentax Lens Review Database - 50mm F2

and for the A version (14 reviews):

Pentax Lens Review Database - 50mm F2

code4code5 · 01-18-2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Jesus

Anyone have have any good or bad info about this lens ??
There is one for sale in my area and considering buying it .

Thanks in advance

I really like my M 1:2. I would like to have the FA version, but it is by far the best $20 lens available anywhere. Good color, a little soft wide open, but stopped down one step it's a champ.

**Marc Sabatella** · 01-18-2009, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jesus

Anyone have have any good or bad info about this lens ??
There is one for sale in my area and considering buying it .

Not nearly as good at wide apertures as the f/1.7 or f/1.4 versions, and the 1.7 in particular is also very widely available and very cheap (around $30, usually). If you already have the f/2 version, I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to upgrade, but I don't see the point of getting the f/2 version when the f/1.7 is almost as easily available and practically just as cheap.

B Grace · 01-18-2009, 04:09 PM

I bought my M50/2 new as my first lens with my K1000 and I used it for about 20 years. It's a very basic design which provides good results although the out of focus areas of images taken at wide apertures get pretty busy. Also, under certain conditions with a strong light source in the view and the lens stopped down you get hexagonal flare spots from the aperture blades. I use an M50/1.7 now as well as a SMC Tak 50/1.4. The M50/2 was the standard kit lens for the later K1000.

Having stated all of that, it's quite small so it easily fits in a coat pocket. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for outdoor daylight shots with it stopped down a bit. I'd just be sure to keep the sun out of the view. For five years I paired it with my K24/2.8 for a very nice hiking kit.