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Reportage · 06-13-2010, 07:24 PM

I really could use one a couple of times but the only ones i could find were really old manual lens which work well if subject did not move or happen to move into the pre-focused area.

Wheatfield · 06-13-2010, 07:40 PM

If you look at what Pentax has been introducing as lenses over the past while, you would notice a trend towards rather pricey lenses, which would indicate a lack of interest.
Also, starting an assembly line isn't as easy as saying "lets make an old lens new again".
It involves retooling, and probably would involve stopping production on one of those expensive lenses that Pentax is more interest in making.

Blue · 06-13-2010, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by Reportage

I really could use one a couple of times but the only ones i could find were really old manual lens which work well if subject did not move or happen to move into the pre-focused area.

What 50mm f1.8? There has never been such a lens from Pentax. There was the m42 55mm f1.8. They are still making the FA 50mm f1.4.

Blue · 06-13-2010, 09:51 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

If you look at what Pentax has been introducing as lenses over the past while, you would notice a trend towards rather pricey lenses, which would indicate a lack of interest.
Also, starting an assembly line isn't as easy as saying "lets make an old lens new again".
It involves retooling, and probably would involve stopping production on one of those expensive lenses that Pentax is more interest in making.

They made a batch of A 50mm f1.2 lenses. Of course those were at ~ $900.

Marc Sabatella · 06-13-2010, 10:52 PM

Manual lenses work fine for moving subjects too - people managed to shoot that way for a hundred years before AF was invented, and many of us still do.

axl · 06-13-2010, 11:46 PM

Originally posted by Reportage

I really could use one a couple of times but the only ones i could find were really old manual lens which work well if subject did not move or happen to move into the pre-focused area.

If you want one, have a look at F50/1.7. It's AF and it's stunning lens!
---

as to your thread title, it's not hard but there isn't a big point to it. I've said this many times and I'll say it again:
Pentax are (at the moment at least) comitted to build line up of lenses that will cover APSC equivalent of the classic film line up. 50mm doesn't fit into this theory in any way other than to have 50/1.2 as replacement for 77ltd. There have never been cheap 70-85mm lenses in the old(er) days so why would we expect them now???

my 2p

RolloR · 06-14-2010, 12:12 AM

EF 35/2
EF 50/1.8 II
EF 85/1.8
EF 100/2

They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too.

axl · 06-14-2010, 12:36 AM

Originally posted by RolloR

EF 35/2
EF 50/1.8 II
EF 85/1.8
EF 100/2

They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too.

Yes but Canon has FF cameras to use them on so it makes sense for them to make them.
Pentax doesn't have FF camera!!!

Mike Cash · 06-14-2010, 12:42 AM

When did Pentax make a 50/1.8?

pop4 · 06-14-2010, 02:18 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

When did Pentax make a 50/1.8?

Good question. I don't think they ever did.

axl · 06-14-2010, 04:23 AM

you are correct. There only was 55/1.8 and then 50/1.7

bdery · 06-14-2010, 05:17 AM

The FA50 f1,4 is excellent, and not really expensive. the F50 f1,4/f1,7 are often available used, and are excellent too (and fast for focus). Manually focusing is possible, the best-known photographers of the last century all used manual lenses.

Blue · 06-14-2010, 05:52 AM

Originally posted by RolloR

EF 35/2
EF 50/1.8 II
EF 85/1.8
EF 100/2

They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too.

Some of these Canon lenses have been out since 1990.

Pentax:

FA 31/1.8
FA 35/2 (discontinued over a year ago)
FA 43/1.9
FA 50/1.4
DA* 55/1.4
FA 77/1.8

I'll put any of these against anything on your list or any of the equivalent glass on film or APS-c.

Edit: The biggest problem in the Pentax lineup is that they stopped making theFA 35mm f2, FA* 85mm f1.4 and the FA 135mm f2.8.

FlashCube · 06-14-2010, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by RolloR

EF 35/2
EF 50/1.8 II
EF 85/1.8
EF 100/2

They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too.

Canon is the largest manufacturer out there at the moment and Pentax is currently one of the smallest. Pentax needs to concentrate on being the best at what they do and not try be a lemming chasing after Canon. I don't even think Nikon does that but rather, Canon chase Nikon.

Reportage · 06-14-2010, 11:32 AM

They didnt but sure could use a less then $100 lens that is F/1.8 or faster.

as much as i want to, very hard to drop the money for pancakes which is what Pentax supposedly does best for the photography i do.

06-13-2010, 07:24 PM	#1
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739	50mm f/1.8 is it so hard for Pentax to restart the line? I really could use one a couple of times but the only ones i could find were really old manual lens which work well if subject did not move or happen to move into the pre-focused area.

06-14-2010, 05:52 AM	#13
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by RolloR EF 35/2 EF 50/1.8 II EF 85/1.8 EF 100/2 They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too. Some of these Canon lenses have been out since 1990. Pentax: FA 31/1.8 FA 35/2 (discontinued over a year ago) FA 43/1.9 FA 50/1.4 DA* 55/1.4 FA 77/1.8 I'll put any of these against anything on your list or any of the equivalent glass on film or APS-c. Edit: The biggest problem in the Pentax lineup is that they stopped making theFA 35mm f2, FA* 85mm f1.4 and the FA 135mm f2.8. Last edited by Blue; 06-14-2010 at 05:59 AM.

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06-13-2010, 07:40 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	If you look at what Pentax has been introducing as lenses over the past while, you would notice a trend towards rather pricey lenses, which would indicate a lack of interest. Also, starting an assembly line isn't as easy as saying "lets make an old lens new again". It involves retooling, and probably would involve stopping production on one of those expensive lenses that Pentax is more interest in making.

06-13-2010, 09:50 PM	#3
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Reportage I really could use one a couple of times but the only ones i could find were really old manual lens which work well if subject did not move or happen to move into the pre-focused area. What 50mm f1.8? There has never been such a lens from Pentax. There was the m42 55mm f1.8. They are still making the FA 50mm f1.4.

06-13-2010, 09:51 PM	#4
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by Wheatfield If you look at what Pentax has been introducing as lenses over the past while, you would notice a trend towards rather pricey lenses, which would indicate a lack of interest. Also, starting an assembly line isn't as easy as saying "lets make an old lens new again". It involves retooling, and probably would involve stopping production on one of those expensive lenses that Pentax is more interest in making. They made a batch of A 50mm f1.2 lenses. Of course those were at ~ $900.

06-13-2010, 10:52 PM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Manual lenses work fine for moving subjects too - people managed to shoot that way for a hundred years before AF was invented, and many of us still do.

06-13-2010, 11:46 PM	#6
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Reportage I really could use one a couple of times but the only ones i could find were really old manual lens which work well if subject did not move or happen to move into the pre-focused area. If you want one, have a look at F50/1.7. It's AF and it's stunning lens! --- as to your thread title, it's not hard but there isn't a big point to it. I've said this many times and I'll say it again: Pentax are (at the moment at least) comitted to build line up of lenses that will cover APSC equivalent of the classic film line up. 50mm doesn't fit into this theory in any way other than to have 50/1.2 as replacement for 77ltd. There have never been cheap 70-85mm lenses in the old(er) days so why would we expect them now??? my 2p

06-14-2010, 12:12 AM	#7
RolloR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 264	EF 35/2 EF 50/1.8 II EF 85/1.8 EF 100/2 They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too.

06-14-2010, 12:36 AM	#8
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by RolloR EF 35/2 EF 50/1.8 II EF 85/1.8 EF 100/2 They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too. Yes but Canon has FF cameras to use them on so it makes sense for them to make them. Pentax doesn't have FF camera!!!

06-14-2010, 12:42 AM	#9
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	When did Pentax make a 50/1.8?

06-14-2010, 02:18 AM	#10
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Originally posted by Mike Cash When did Pentax make a 50/1.8? Good question. I don't think they ever did.

06-14-2010, 04:23 AM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	you are correct. There only was 55/1.8 and then 50/1.7

06-14-2010, 05:17 AM	#12
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	The FA50 f1,4 is excellent, and not really expensive. the F50 f1,4/f1,7 are often available used, and are excellent too (and fast for focus). Manually focusing is possible, the best-known photographers of the last century all used manual lenses.

06-14-2010, 06:27 AM	#14
FlashCube Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: In Transition Posts: 173	Originally posted by RolloR EF 35/2 EF 50/1.8 II EF 85/1.8 EF 100/2 They're all full frame lenses with autofocus. Prices are OK too. Canon is the largest manufacturer out there at the moment and Pentax is currently one of the smallest. Pentax needs to concentrate on being the best at what they do and not try be a lemming chasing after Canon. I don't even think Nikon does that but rather, Canon chase Nikon.

06-14-2010, 11:32 AM	#15
Reportage Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 739 Original Poster	They didnt but sure could use a less then $100 lens that is F/1.8 or faster. as much as i want to, very hard to drop the money for pancakes which is what Pentax supposedly does best for the photography i do.

50mm f/1.8 is it so hard for Pentax to restart the line?

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