| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: February, 2011 Location: Brno Posts: 295
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 31, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Optical resolution, 2nd hand price, works on any K mount camera | | Cons: | Autofocus is slow and sometimes not accurate | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 5
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K20D, K5, K3, MZ-10, Oly EPL-6
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Having DFA100/2.8 WR Macro for years, I wanted something shorter for product photos taken on table and to be able to work with shorter camera to object distance etc. So I bought this FA 50mm F2.8 Macro. It probably even outresolves the 100/2.8WR cousin by a hair. There is just some light purple fringing and a bit of CA when wide open, but F3.5+ images are very clean and sharp. Bokeh is very pleasant. Build quality is very good like most FA lenses with metal mechanisms like FA35/2 or FA50/1.4, just the clamp is a bit loose/worn on my 2nd hand copy. But it still helps to control MF when lens is pointed down. AF through OVF using phase detect mode is quite OK with obvious long screw between zero and infinity, but refocusing lets say from 2m to 5m is fast. Live View AF is horribly slow like on DFA100/2.8WR, SMC DA55-300 or similar lenses with long screw and it is barely usable handheld as it takes ages before camera runs through whole focusing range and then returns. Of course high magnification macro pics are mainly manual focus job with moving whole setup on slide, so it is not that critical there. But if you want to use this macro lens also for portraits or just general close-ups and product photos from cca 0,5-1m thanks to resolution and bokeh, then Live View AF is poor and it is easier to switch for MF in LV. AF accuracy in general is like with many other camera driven F/FA lenses a bit moody. Sometimes it hits, sometimes it misses. Both phase detect and LV have similar issues. The good thing is, that this lens has aperture ring, so it can easily be used on old film bodies or with various cheap extension tubes. Or even adapted to other systems.
| | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: July, 2022 Posts: 41
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 3, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $149.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, good contrast when stopped down | | Cons: | AF tends to hunt a lot, no focus limiter | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-1
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UPDATE: Initially I had some issues with my copy which was kindly explained to me as "slow iris" by a fellow Pentaxian from the forum. The issue cleared itself up after a bit of persistent shooting and now the lens works as it should. I have edited the review and my ratings accordingly, and I'm quite pleased with the lens.
First let me get this out of the way: this lens is seriously sharp, and excellent for macro photography (well... duh!).
Bokeh is nice and smooth. I was hoping for a smoother transition from sharp to unsharp. It's the same as most lenses today.
There's a bit of CA but not to the extent that it would pose a major headache.
Not much else to say about that. If all you care about is the quality of macro images, you don't need to read further.
The design of the lens is... I love it. Makes me want to collect all FA lenses. But I understand that some people find it repulsive. It's certainly different. Kids and I call it a coffee mug lens. Build quality is excellent. When I was ordering this lens, I did not expect it to be all metal (I did not carefully read any reviews), so I was surprised at the weight. It is well-balanced on the K-1, but the overall weight of the system is readily felt. I don't have any issues using this single-handed, and it feels only a bit lighter than the D FA 28-105mm.
If you are considering this lens as a general-purpose 50mm lens, go for it. It's a good lens overall at any focal length, and probably much sharper than most 50mm's. Although the maximum aperture is "only" F2.8 (which isn't even a big issue on a modern Pentax DSLR), you can shoot it wide open without any significant drop in quality.
The lens protrudes quite a bit when focused closely (to macro magnification) and I find I keep bumping into stuff as it does. Working distance is not so generous, which does not help. The front element will cast a visible shadow on the subject at the closest distances.
AF is... meh. It hunts quite a bit, and constantly, and the motor/lens noise, while not annoying, is not exactly music to my ears. If you manually focus during macro, you may be fine, but I shoot by hand-holding and using AF-C for focus with back-button focusing, and this lens is not that great for this type of shooting. I will probably need to switch to AF-S and manually activate AF when I need to refocus, or learn to use a tripod. A range limiter would probably make focusing a bit quicker, but there is none on this lens. At longer distances, the AF is good. Not too slow and quite accurate.
Manual focus is great. The focus ring is small but rubberized, smooth (both in operation and its surface texture, feels like leather), and easy to use. I find that its position is actually quite good as I have a stable non-moving lens barrel to rest my palm on while operating the ring with one finger. I cannot comment much on the usefulness of the clamp feature. I can feel that it makes the focus ring a bit tighter, but not to the extent it would have any impact on macro shooting.
I'm not familiar with any of the other Pentax macro lenses, but compared to the other glass I've used, like Olympus 60mm macro, Tokina 100mm macro, Laowa 65mm macro, I think you are getting a lot more glass for a lot less $$$ if you can live with slower AF.
Please note that in some of the images below I didn't quite nail the focus, so they may not appear as sharp. Rest assured that the lens is extremely sharp if you can nail focus.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: March, 2021 Posts: 8 | | Review Date: April 16, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $130.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp, great colours, powerful macro | | Cons: | Not weather sealed, not the best handling | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5iis
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This lens being a film lens for full frame, its colours are amazing and sharpness is practically excellent at all apertures. It is slightly large and heavy, and the focus ring may be slightly annoying to use (plus forget about reliable autofocus at close ranges, but further away it is actually quite fast and accurate), but the image quality more than makes up for those shortcomings. This will be my main 50mm lens from now on!
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2018 Location: Paris Posts: 8 | | Review Date: October 15, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp at po, crazy sharp above. COLOR contrast clarity | | Cons: | Clamp quite useless | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K1
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Amazing good value
Feed the k1 36mp sensor perfectly
Very sharp at po, crazy sharp above, maybe the sharpest lens I own
Contrast and COLOR rendition. Kind 3D pop effect .
Macro mode gorgeous but close ;\
Some say it’s ugly and yes small focus ring, af hunting sometimes (macro but use manual so...and fast on normal mode), some ac at 2,8/4 sometimes
But every pentaxian should test it.
This is unbelieve good value For the price and high grade optics with allround uses (normal, macro, landscape, portrait)
Nice balance on k1 , no hood required, weight ok. No zoom extension like dfa, metal barrel .
The kind of lens you always bring with you. A MUST HAVE
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: June, 2011 Posts: 485 | | Review Date: December 21, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | super sharp, good build quality, versatile | | Cons: | Manual focus ring, not the fastest AF | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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I think lens is a great way into Pentax Macro. I have this and the normal FA 50mm 1.4. They share the same aesthetic, though the macro one is quite a bit larger. Autofocus feels about the same for normal shooting. Just a little bit dated but very usable. Macro images come out looking really spectacular. Very close focusing, great sharpness.
Manual focusing (which is really a must for close-up work) is a little hard because of a tiny little focus ring. You can see it in the pics, it's the little plastic piece at the front. Not specially marked or anything. I always found it kind of strange to use and not my favorite design.
It's affordable, well built, and very sharp. Would recommend!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Prevost, Quebec, Canada Posts: 508
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 9, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, easy manual focus, color and Bokeh areexcellent | | Cons: | My copy has defective auto-focus, Manual focus ring is small | |
The Auto-focus does not work on my copy/lens but for macrophotography where I use Manual Focus only, it works like a charm. With the K1 FF it seems to outperform my previous Vivitar 105mm (Kiron) in sharpness and colour (Maybe that now I tend to use LiveView and focus confirmation...). Stepped down to 5.6 and 8 shows excellent sharpness and butyfull Bokeh at 3.5. I highly recommend this lens for macrophotography.
1: F:8
 Pentax K1 MarkII & FA 50mm Macro by Robert Amiot, sur Flickr
2 : at F:8
 Pentax K1 MarkII & FA 50mm Macro by Robert Amiot, sur Flickr
3: F:3.5
 Pentax K1 MarkII & FA 50mm Macro by Robert Amiot, sur Flickr
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: December, 2018 Location: California Posts: 103 | | Review Date: March 4, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $125.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, Good Bokeh | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-1
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I chose the 50mm version over the 100mm because I wanted a lens that could double as a walk around as well. It's sharp, even focusing all the way down to 1:1 which is very very nice. The bokeh is pleasant as well but doesn't stand out as much like some russian lenses.
Only negative is that focus distance on FF is very very close, I find myself hoping that I don't scratch the front element while focusing a rock or something. So if that's going to be a worry then get the 100mm 1:1 even though it's more expensive.
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2013 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 87 | | Review Date: February 20, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $120.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, small and reasonably well constructed | | Cons: | Focus clamp not really clamping | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K1
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I got this for a real bargain, along with the FA 20-35 f4, here in Australia.
It really is very sharp lens indeed, even wide open @ 2.8. For a non Limited FA lens, it is constructed rather well and feels far more robust than the 20-35, which feels very light and plasticky in comparison.
The focus clamp, as mentioned in previous reviews, only moderately tightens the focus ring for manual focusing when utilising the macro feature. I'm not too concerned with this, as it seems more than adequate for macro purposes.
Overall, it's a very good lens, especially given the cost I paid. Along with the 20-35mm, it's a very light and portable duo that covers landscape, street photography, portrait(ish) and macro. Get one for a bargain and get into it!
| | | | | New Member Registered: May, 2018 Location: Denver CO Posts: 1 | | Review Date: February 15, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $160.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, excellent build quality, great macro capability, affordable | | Cons: | long focus throw, small focus ring, poor AF | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K70
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Sharpest 50 I've used, great macro capability, and relatively cheap. Only complaints are the small focus ring and AF tendency to search, but these are minor. Overall an excellent lens generally, and especially given the price I paid! One question for other users, for my copy, the clamp doesn't seem to do all that much fully engaged and does nothing when less than fully engaged, how much of a difference in focus ring resistance. What sort of difference have you noticed with the clamp engaged?
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2012 Posts: 205 | | Review Date: August 11, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $144.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp from wide open to through f/8 | | Cons: | Plastics feels cheap; the autofocus is noisy and sometimes slow. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5
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[IMG]https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/photo-sample-pentax-fa-50mm-f-2-8-macro-f-8-55243/[/IMG]This is a sharp lens! It is extremely sharp wide open on an APS-C through f/8. As a macro, it works well with both autofocus and manual focus. It also works well as a shorter portrait lens. Center sharpness is about as sharp wide open as it is stopped down, with almost no difference in the corners on an APS-C. I have had almost no issues with CA or PF and the bokeh is reasonable.The only negatives are the noisy autofocus (mid-2000's screw drive technology), the seemingly cheaper build as compared to the older all-metal lens housings (e.g., the M and A), and the occasional hunting. I rated the lens a "7" for the handling due to the hunting and noisy autofocus, and a "10" for sharpness. Occasionally, good copies can be found for very reasonable prices since this lens is not current and macros are off the radar screen for many. It certainly isn't the fastest of the 50mm lenses Pentax made, but it is as sharp or sharper as any wide open and doubles as a macro.
| | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2017 Posts: 12
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 9, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, robustness | | Cons: | big for its focal length, focus a bit noisy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-50
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Bought for 90 euros in mint condition (I mean, really mint. Seems to have just been unboxed), a real steal. Enough giggling!
This lens is definitely super-sharp, I struggled to find some softness in the extreme corners at f2.8, I must say I could find a bit but it's really hard to notice; at f4 the lens is PERFECT on APS-C and 16MP.
The bokeh is very good even though not exceptional while the aberrations are essentially negligible.
I found some purple borders where a strong light reflection hits a surface but again, I'm really looking for the smallest flaws.
This glass is awesome!
Autofocus is somewhat noisy and sometimes not so precise.
One reason why I bought this lens is to combine it with a slide duplicator tube... and slides duplication is going very very well! Believe me, it is not an easy thing to accomplish this with any lens, you really need something like this jewel: it can focus so near (and without curvature issues) that I can work with a slide duplicator intended for full frame cameras and fill the APS-C frame with the slide image.
I also changed my mark on autofocus, an 8 is proper, 7 was too punishing in spite of some inconsistencies.
I hope I can find the time to test the lens on my Fuji XT-20, ruling out the anti-aliasing filter and raising the bar to 24MP, stay tuned!
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2016 Location: New York City Posts: 100
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 15, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast, bokeh | | Cons: | not really | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
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Very sharp, need +1 to +2 AF adjust on my K5IIs body. Aberrations is very very good, rarely see any.
AF was a little off, but after the AF adjustment, it is perfect.
Only problem I have is focus distance a little too short. hit my aquarium from time to time.
The picture of Yamato Shrimp is before AF adjustment, crystal shrimp after.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Florence Posts: 7 | | Review Date: October 21, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharp | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-1
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 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2016 Location: Duluth, MN Posts: 141
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 17, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast accurate focus on K1 | | Cons: | Heavy, but feels good on K1. Bokeh busy in some situations. | |
This is my third of three FA lenses for my new K1, and my best yet by far. I love my FA 35 2.0 and FA 50 1.4, but this lens is in another class. It's surprisingly quick to focus and very accurate, even with a single point. It slows down in dim light of course, but it's still decent. I haven't had it rack through the focus range once yet. I suspect I'll be using it the most from here on out because the sharpness and contrast are kind of addictive (at least until I spring for a limited).
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 261
5 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 6, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $135.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, versatile, flare resistant, superb optics | | Cons: | a little big and heavy, hunts at 1:1 | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5IIs
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Prices for this classic Pentax lens have dropped considerably in recent years which amazes me considering the fact that the full frame camera will be out soon. I am convinced that this high resolving lens will be absolutely perfect on FF.
I can't imagine how much it would cost to make this lens today. It would probably cost a fortune, so I feel very lucky to have found one for a mere $135.00. It's a sharp, solid performer that does the job both in the field and in the studio. Nice for portraits at 2.8. ( If it's too sharp for you at 2.8 I would recommend using a Tiffen Soft FX1 filter.) 1:1 and 1:2 macro can be problematic. You need to stop way down because the depth of field is so incredibly thin. Every serious macro photographer knows the drill. Focus stack.
This lens has been called ugly by many people. it is indeed a spare unadorned tube, but it is still beautiful to me. It has very rugged durable metal build quality. An amazing, truly classic lens. Believe me!
PS. Most of the pictures here don't do this lens justice.
6 MONTH UPDATE: Best AF lens I've ever owned.
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