Help me choose a 50mm

stevebrot · 10-12-2010, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by hcc

Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4

Recently discontinued in Pentax K-mount and sure to become scarce fast. The last I saw, it was also available at cameraquest.com.

Steve

agsy · 10-12-2010, 05:04 PM

I owned a SMC Takumar 50 1.4 and I sold it to get the Pentax A 50 1.7 just because of convenience of use (no m42 adapter to deal with, auto aperture and aperture data in EXIF). I loved the built quality and ease of focusing of the Takumar. The Pentax is also a great lens and pretty sharp wide open. For a film body I would probably choose the Takumar.

paperbag846 · 10-12-2010, 06:52 PM

I can vouch for the SMC A 1.7 being sharp from f 2.0 on, but not wide open. My K 55mm f.18 is sharper wide open, and also seems to let more light in then the 1.7.

I got both for the same price. I like the SMC A more for general photography, as it has more contrast and the A function. I like the K 55 1.8 for wide open shots / portraits.

I quite like the 50 1.7, but if you can afford the jump to 1.4, I would go for it, since the 50 1.7 does not really look so hot at 1.7. I've heard people say it is sharper at 1.7 then the 1.4 is at 1.7, but I doubt the 1.4 has as much fringing. Also, the 1.7 has cheap looking out-of-focus areas when you stop the lens down (hexagons). Either way, the K 55 handles wide open better, and I'm going to guess that the 50mm 1.4 (M or K series) might be the best bang-for-the-buck, with the 50mm 1.7 being the best deal for the penny pincher (i.e., me!)

JohnBee · 10-12-2010, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by Mark R

I've been shooting a 50mm F2 lense for ages and am thinking about upgrading. What are your thoughts on the 1.7 vs, 1.4 issue, and then which series lense would you choose, Super Tak, SMC Tak, A, M etc. I've read quite a bit in the forums and I think ultimately I'm confusing the hell out of myself. By the way I use an ME Super, n MX and a K2. If you could give me some guidance I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks very much.

Mark

If price is no object then I'd say go for the 1.2
However the 1.4 seems to be the best overall with regards to aperture performance and price imo.

stover98074 · 10-12-2010, 08:22 PM

Interesting article on 50mm lens selection - in the end the author picked a Takumar.

The 50mm Lens and Metaphysical Doubt

..

..

..

seacapt · 10-12-2010, 08:57 PM

If you can stand a lens that doesn't say Pentax on it there are a ton of great quality dirt cheap 50ish lenses out there in K or M42.
Vivitar 50 /1.8 by Cosina
Mamiya Sekor 55/1.4
Ricohnon , Yashinon , Sears 55/1.4
Chinon 55/1.7
JUST TO NAME A FEW

Mark R · 10-12-2010, 10:36 PM

Thanks for your input all. I think I've got it narrowed down to the S-M-C Takumar 50 1.4, the K SMC 55 1.8, and the M 50 1.7. Now to figure out which one. From what you've said and what I've read there is no bad choice.

agsy · 10-13-2010, 05:19 AM

I'd go with the Takumar

. This thread is dedicated to just Takumars with lots of impressive shots. Like you said, between those lenses there is no bad choice.

stover98074 · 10-13-2010, 06:27 AM

Originally posted by Mark R

Thanks for your input all. I think I've got it narrowed down to the S-M-C Takumar 50 1.4, the K SMC 55 1.8, and the M 50 1.7. Now to figure out which one. From what you've said and what I've read there is no bad choice.

Out of the bunch you have selected, I would pick the one that you believe is in the best shape including smooth focus and smooth aperture movement.

Pentaxor · 10-13-2010, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by Mark R

Thanks for your input all. I think I've got it narrowed down to the S-M-C Takumar 50 1.4, the K SMC 55 1.8, and the M 50 1.7. Now to figure out which one. From what you've said and what I've read there is no bad choice.

it's a close call between the Takumar and 55. both are just wonderful.

Mark R · 10-13-2010, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the help. I think the no-brainer choice would be the M 1.7 or the SMC 55 1.8, however I find the legandary status of the Takumar really appealing. I think my next thread will be about S-M-C Takumar issues when used on M bodies.

Mark

**NaClH2O** · 10-13-2010, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by JeffJS

If you keep your eyes open on both the marketplace and ebay you can grab a good 50mm f1.4 for under $100. Sometimes, even the A version. I always tell people that the best bang for the buck is the A50 f1.7. Compact, silly sharp at most ranges of use, and not so overpriced you need to amputate one of the kid's arms to pay for it. In reality, both would serve you quite well.

Agrees 100% with Jeff. I've owned/own FA 50mm 1.4. K 50mm F1.2 and the A 50mm F1.7. I gave the FA to my bro-in-law as a birthday present, and have kept the other two. Considering everything the A has a smigdge better IQ, and I like its bokeh better. Thats not to say that the K 50 F1.2 isn't a great lens, it is, but the A 50 F1.7 is a LOT cheaper and easier to find also.

NaCl(put me in the A camp)H2O

KxBlaze · 10-13-2010, 09:18 AM

If you have the money I would say the A 1.2 which is pretty expensive. If not then the M 1.7 is probably the best bang for your buck. I got one for $55 and the pics are very sharp. For the $ I think it's one of Pentax's best all around lenses.

Recercare · 10-13-2010, 10:01 AM

I have owned the M 50/1.7 which is (optically) the same as A 50/1.7.
Today I own the K 55/1.8 which is in a different league if you ask me. Its bokeh and colors are much nicer.

Kind regards
.lars

Pentaxor · 10-13-2010, 10:05 AM

did somebody mention me?

50/1.2

10-13-2010, 05:19 AM	#23
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	I'd go with the Takumar . This thread is dedicated to just Takumars with lots of impressive shots. Like you said, between those lenses there is no bad choice. Last edited by agsy; 10-13-2010 at 05:27 AM.

10-13-2010, 06:27 AM	#24
stover98074 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	Originally posted by Mark R Thanks for your input all. I think I've got it narrowed down to the S-M-C Takumar 50 1.4, the K SMC 55 1.8, and the M 50 1.7. Now to figure out which one. From what you've said and what I've read there is no bad choice. Out of the bunch you have selected, I would pick the one that you believe is in the best shape including smooth focus and smooth aperture movement. Last edited by stover98074; 10-13-2010 at 06:55 AM.

10-13-2010, 08:27 AM	#26
Mark R Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: LaGrange, GA Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks for the help. I think the no-brainer choice would be the M 1.7 or the SMC 55 1.8, however I find the legandary status of the Takumar really appealing. I think my next thread will be about S-M-C Takumar issues when used on M bodies. Mark Last edited by Mark R; 10-13-2010 at 08:28 AM. Reason: sigature

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10-12-2010, 04:51 PM	#16
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by hcc Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 Recently discontinued in Pentax K-mount and sure to become scarce fast. The last I saw, it was also available at cameraquest.com. Steve

10-12-2010, 05:04 PM	#17
agsy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 551	I owned a SMC Takumar 50 1.4 and I sold it to get the Pentax A 50 1.7 just because of convenience of use (no m42 adapter to deal with, auto aperture and aperture data in EXIF). I loved the built quality and ease of focusing of the Takumar. The Pentax is also a great lens and pretty sharp wide open. For a film body I would probably choose the Takumar.

10-12-2010, 06:52 PM	#18
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	I can vouch for the SMC A 1.7 being sharp from f 2.0 on, but not wide open. My K 55mm f.18 is sharper wide open, and also seems to let more light in then the 1.7. I got both for the same price. I like the SMC A more for general photography, as it has more contrast and the A function. I like the K 55 1.8 for wide open shots / portraits. I quite like the 50 1.7, but if you can afford the jump to 1.4, I would go for it, since the 50 1.7 does not really look so hot at 1.7. I've heard people say it is sharper at 1.7 then the 1.4 is at 1.7, but I doubt the 1.4 has as much fringing. Also, the 1.7 has cheap looking out-of-focus areas when you stop the lens down (hexagons). Either way, the K 55 handles wide open better, and I'm going to guess that the 50mm 1.4 (M or K series) might be the best bang-for-the-buck, with the 50mm 1.7 being the best deal for the penny pincher (i.e., me!)

10-12-2010, 06:55 PM	#19
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by Mark R I've been shooting a 50mm F2 lense for ages and am thinking about upgrading. What are your thoughts on the 1.7 vs, 1.4 issue, and then which series lense would you choose, Super Tak, SMC Tak, A, M etc. I've read quite a bit in the forums and I think ultimately I'm confusing the hell out of myself. By the way I use an ME Super, n MX and a K2. If you could give me some guidance I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks very much. Mark If price is no object then I'd say go for the 1.2 However the 1.4 seems to be the best overall with regards to aperture performance and price imo.

10-12-2010, 08:22 PM	#20
stover98074 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 153	Interesting article on 50mm lens selection - in the end the author picked a Takumar. The 50mm Lens and Metaphysical Doubt .. .. ..

10-12-2010, 08:57 PM	#21
seacapt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina , USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,271	If you can stand a lens that doesn't say Pentax on it there are a ton of great quality dirt cheap 50ish lenses out there in K or M42. Vivitar 50 /1.8 by Cosina Mamiya Sekor 55/1.4 Ricohnon , Yashinon , Sears 55/1.4 Chinon 55/1.7 JUST TO NAME A FEW

10-12-2010, 10:36 PM	#22
Mark R Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: LaGrange, GA Posts: 14 Original Poster	Thanks for your input all. I think I've got it narrowed down to the S-M-C Takumar 50 1.4, the K SMC 55 1.8, and the M 50 1.7. Now to figure out which one. From what you've said and what I've read there is no bad choice.

10-13-2010, 06:51 AM	#25
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Mark R Thanks for your input all. I think I've got it narrowed down to the S-M-C Takumar 50 1.4, the K SMC 55 1.8, and the M 50 1.7. Now to figure out which one. From what you've said and what I've read there is no bad choice. it's a close call between the Takumar and 55. both are just wonderful.

10-13-2010, 09:15 AM	#27
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by JeffJS If you keep your eyes open on both the marketplace and ebay you can grab a good 50mm f1.4 for under $100. Sometimes, even the A version. I always tell people that the best bang for the buck is the A50 f1.7. Compact, silly sharp at most ranges of use, and not so overpriced you need to amputate one of the kid's arms to pay for it. In reality, both would serve you quite well. Agrees 100% with Jeff. I've owned/own FA 50mm 1.4. K 50mm F1.2 and the A 50mm F1.7. I gave the FA to my bro-in-law as a birthday present, and have kept the other two. Considering everything the A has a smigdge better IQ, and I like its bokeh better. Thats not to say that the K 50 F1.2 isn't a great lens, it is, but the A 50 F1.7 is a LOT cheaper and easier to find also. NaCl(put me in the A camp)H2O

10-13-2010, 09:18 AM	#28
KxBlaze Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,602	If you have the money I would say the A 1.2 which is pretty expensive. If not then the M 1.7 is probably the best bang for your buck. I got one for $55 and the pics are very sharp. For the $ I think it's one of Pentax's best all around lenses.

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10-13-2010, 10:01 AM	#29
Recercare Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sweden Posts: 359	I have owned the M 50/1.7 which is (optically) the same as A 50/1.7. Today I own the K 55/1.8 which is in a different league if you ask me. Its bokeh and colors are much nicer. Kind regards .lars

10-13-2010, 10:05 AM	#30
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	did somebody mention me? 50/1.2