| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: December, 2016 Location: London Posts: 1,079 | | Review Date: May 15, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $22.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Smallish, very sharp | | Cons: | No aperture control | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 7
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I've tested a few different Pentax 110 lenses on a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 with a Pixco adapter
The 50mm lens I tried was in good condition and worked well, giving some very nice results, but I didn't feel that it was necessarily better than other 50mm lenses I've tried, such as an M39 Jupiter lens (from a Russian Leica clone) and various M42 lenses, although it has most of them beaten on smallness. Since I do a lot of close up work the lack of aperture control would be a bit of a deal-breaker for using this on a permanent basis, there isn't enough depth of field when close focused. Some examples:
the album is here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150868539@N02/albums/72157718461017862
Any file with the name beginning Pen110-50mm is with this lens. They start half-way down the page, after some pictures of the camera and adapter etc. I was using. Pictures of this camera with the 50mm lens fitted are currently at the bottom of the page.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2011 Location: Skåne, Sweden Posts: 482 | | Review Date: September 22, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Size, Fun, Cheap, Image quality | | Cons: | Lack of aperture control | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 10
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This review is for a near mint condition 50/2.8 bought second-hand in Sweden.
PROS- Fun
- Cheap
- Usable focal length
- Good image quality
CONS- Build quality
- Lack of aperture control
I have had five out of the six Pentax-110 lenses for several years now (lacking the Pan-focus), and used them on and off as fun lenses. A few things are inherent in the lenses as they where designed as super-compact somewhat cheaper lenses already from the beginning, e.g. the aperture control was in the camera body. There are still things to be said for each of the lenses.
The 50mm is my most used lens of them all. It is easy to find at very low prices, it performs optically very good, it covers APS-C without any issue and it's really small (but not gimmicky small like the 18 and 24). The build quality of the 18/24/50 is lower than the 70 and 20-40 zoom, but it is mostly choice of material (plastic) - as they feel very well assembled and focus feel is quite good in the 50. Focal length makes sense on both micro four thirds (~100mm equiv.) or APS-C (75mm equiv.) - a good portrait choice for both sensor sizes. I have only used it wide open due to lack of aperture control. I have not yet explored discs etc. to modify the adapters.
Fujifilm X-T2, PENTAX-110 50mm F2.8, 1/60 sec at f/2.8, ISO 1600.
Olympus OM-D E-M5, PENTAX-110 50mm F2.8, 1/160 sec at f/2.8, ISO 200.
My PENTAX-110 pictures on Flickr | | | | |
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 28, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $25.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ, size, handling | | Cons: | fixed aperture | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This is simply a wonderful lens, and the one I use most often on my Qs.
Its size, weight, and superb handling characteristics are exceeded by its unique image quality. It is as clinically sharp as a modern lens, but it has a "smoother" rendition. I generally use it at f4.5 with a rubber disc in the adapter, a little beyond the diffraction limit, but that setting gives it a very uniform edge to edge sharpness and illumination. At f4.5 with an extension tube it gives great macro results.
Wide open (no stop down disc) is good for dreamy portraits. You should use this with a deep hood. Get a 37.5mm to 37mm filter ring adapter to be able to use a common 37mm hood. It shoots OK into the sun, but it will fringe a little on high contrast edges—see example below:
Here is a link to a photo essay I shot with this lens:
https://flippistarchives.blogspot.com/2022/03/carmel-capers.html | | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2012 Posts: 118 | | Review Date: July 29, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ, price, size | | Cons: | fixed aperture | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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I use this with a Q-S1 with a rubber washer in the 110 adapter which gives it an aperture of f4.5. Very sharp edge to edge, with good contrast. Add a lens hood, tripod and an extension ring and it becomes a pocket-able macro set up. Noticeable fringing in back-lit situations. I've tested two different copies, one was a little better.
A must-have for any Q owner.
| | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: January, 2008 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,349 | | Review Date: January 30, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $40.00
| Rating: 10 |
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I'm going to agree with Mock in this one -- it's a real sleeper on the Q cameras and even better on the Q7.
In my limited experience to date it serves as the DA*200 of the Q-bodies. It will fringe a bit when pushed to foolish limits of contrast but generally behaves very well in all uses. Color and contrast are good. Handling is as good as these small lenses can be.
I've discovered that an ocular element (rear eye piece) from a 7x50 binocular inserted in the Fotodiox PTX110-PQ adapter makes this lens into an impressive 1:1 macro lens. It does need an aperture mask to stop the lens to f/4 to f/5.6 to optimize the sharpness and DoF. If you've always wanted a Tamron 180/2.5 macro lens try this one. Working distance is only about 6-8 inches however.
If you use a Q7 camera and can live with manual focus get this one and enjoy as close to a DA* experience as you're likely to get with a Pentax 1:1.7 sensor. Easily the match to the 06 and 08 lenses.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 314
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 7, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $35.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Quick focusing, sharp images | | Cons: | Wee bit of PF on digital | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This is a fantastic lens to use on its intended 110 format, and on a Pentax Q.
The focus ring moves with a light touch and travels quickly and smoothly through its long throw, the image snaps into focus very well. It's a pleasure to use, you can rack from infinity to close focus and nail focus on your subject with ease very quickly.
On 110 the lens is perfect, the image is very sharp, has good Pentax contrast, there are no aberrations to speak of, and the lens handles flare exceptionally well. The 100mm equivalent field of view is a favourite of mine, good for street shooting and portraits.
10/10 on 110 
  
I picked up this lens primarily to use on the Pentax Q as a short telephoto, on that system is is equivalent to a 280mm field of view. Thankfully, the lens is just as good on digital as it is on 110. You do get a little bit of purple fringing on some subjects with this lens on the Q, but it is not so intrusive that it cannot be removed. The lens shines in rendering fine detail of close-up subjects, and it has a lovely circular bokeh. Like on film, I've never had an issue with flare, and the lens makes a beautiful image. Using the sweet spot of this lens on the Q, the picture is sharp corner-to-corner.
10/10 for digital use as well, this little lens is exceptional. 
   
$35 included an Auto 110 camera and the 24mm f/2.8 lens (which isn't so great).
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