[axl]

I have tried/tested (layman's tests)/owned:
K50/1.2
K55/1.8
A50/1.7
F50/1.7
FA43/1.9 ltd
FA50/1.4
DA*55/1.4

out of these K50/1.2 is the best lens optically IMO. I'd love to get my hands on A version just to have the convenience of not having to press the green button.
My 2nd pick would be FA43 and 3rd F50/1.7

goo luck choosing

[Derridale]

And don't forget the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 - I bought one recently and have been mighty impressed with it. It is physically quite a big lens, but it is extremely fast at AF, virtually silent, and looks very awe-inspiring.

I'm very happy with it. In the use it has had so far, it seems to take pictures that are at least as good as, if not better than, my non-AF Pentax A 50mm f/1.2

[Kryosphinx]

The M50/1.7 is dirt cheap on ebay and ridiculously good.

Shooting with a fully manual lens has additional benefits of teaching you the physical concepts of photography, e.g. aperture, shutter speeds, DoF, etc.

I consider that far more valuable than having all the automation of modern lenses. Of course, once you understand the concepts, it transfers over to modern tech and you can make better decisions regarding shutter speed, aperture, and the like.

[Digitalis]

"If you don't want auto focus, can't get much better the K/A 50mm F/1.2"

I own 160 50mm lenses.I have used them all, and the Pentax K/A 50mm f/1.2 are easily the best 35mm SLR lens I have ever used.

[Ron_Man]

I have both the FA 50mm 1.4 and the DA* 55mm 1.4.... The FA 50mm tends to stay on my camera more because the AF is much faster. I use the DA* 55mm when I'm at venues (like a church) where the LOUD AF on the FA 50mm can be distracting..

You won't be disappointed in the FA 50mm 1.4 if, I got mine for $300 used on ebay and it was in excellent condition.

[bdery]

Having used 4 50s from Pentax I'd say:

1-the f2s are good but not as good as the rest

2-the f1,4s are best for bokeh

3-the f1,7s are sharper all around and especially at wide apertures

4-the f2,8 macros are on a league of their own regarding sharpness and bokeh. But they are not as fast and are larger/heavier

I own the F50 f1,7 and FA50 f2,8 macro. They serve different purposes and both have a place in my kit.

After trying the f2, f1,7, f1,4 versions, I stuck with the f1,7.

[Marc Sabatella]

Not sure what you mean by auto aperture..I usually take my pics in manual mode but sometimes use autofocus...so I think auto aperture is not useful for me?

Read the sticky thread at the top of the beginner's forum on using manual lenses to see how shooting manual mode is required - and only works in a more limited way than you are accustomed to (no full time metering). If that's acceptable to you, then $50 or less for an M50/1.7 is the way to go in my opinion - whatever *slight* improvement you might get with another lens won;t be worth ten times the price.

[axl]

160 50mms??? holy....
Digitalis have you heard of LBA?

[zxaar]

160 50mms??? holy....
Digitalis have you heard of LBA?

i have a chance to buy 50mm F4 macro and i am thinking what will i do of one more 50mm and i only have around 5 50mms.

[ducdao]

"If you don't want auto focus, can't get much better the K/A 50mm F/1.2"

I own 160 50mm lenses.I have used them all, and the Pentax K/A 50mm f/1.2 are easily the best 35mm SLR lens I have ever used.

Hahaha now I feel less guilty with my box of 60+ 50mm lenses

[zxaar]

has any of you ever tried, mamiya sekor 50mm F1.4 of 35mm.

I have pentax 50mm f1.2 from the same time i had this mamiya film camera too.

For me personally mamiya 50mm F1.4 is easily the best 50mm i have ever owned. I like it three times more than my 50mm F1.2.
I dunno but mamiya lense rendering on film was something special. While my pentax gave me good results. Most of the pics i got out of mamiya were more lively than what i got from pentax 50mm.
Hard to describe.

[Blue]

160 50mms??? holy....
Digitalis have you heard of LBA?

When I see Digitalis and Asahiflex, I know I don't have a problem.

[Blue]

has any of you ever tried, mamiya sekor 50mm F1.4 of 35mm.

I have pentax 50mm f1.2 from the same time i had this mamiya film camera too.

For me personally mamiya 50mm F1.4 is easily the best 50mm i have ever owned. I like it three times more than my 50mm F1.2.
I dunno but mamiya lense rendering on film was something special. While my pentax gave me good results. Most of the pics i got out of mamiya were more lively than what i got from pentax 50mm.
Hard to describe.

I have. The Mamiya lens is good but I think the Taks take it. I currently have the Mamiya 50mm f1.7 CS and I personally think its better than the older Sekor lenses. Unfortunately my NC1000 is having shutter issues.

[Pentaxor]

I have. The Mamiya lens is good but I think the Taks take it. I currently have the Mamiya 50mm f1.7 CS and I personally think its better than the older Sekor lenses. Unfortunately my NC1000 is having shutter issues.

I had tried the Mamiya Sekor 50/1.4 and I'll say it is a very good lens (maybe great) in it's own right. although I won't exactly say that it is better than the Tak equivalent. it's unique, but not better. as far as comparison between 1.2 and 1.4, the 1.2 has a much punchier and livelier vivid look with a great bokeh from wide open and even when compared at the same aperture as that of the mamiya at 1.4.
the Mamiya's bokeh is good but I wouldn't say great. also it has a cold feel to it and much darker. the 1.2 is much brighter even at 1.4 while the Mamiya has just a fair amount of light transmission.

[axl]

When I see Digitalis and Asahiflex, I know I don't have a problem.

I have come to the same realization
I can sleep very and I mean VERY peacefully now