M f/1.7 Vs. 1.4

RichyX · 02-20-2011, 10:01 AM

I'm looking to pick up a 50mm in the next few days.

Does anyone have experience with both the M 1.7 and 1.4 lenses?

Half a stop isn't a huge difference, so I was wondering how they compare when it comes to sharpness and contrast, especially when wide open.

It'll spend 95% of its time on a Panasonic GH1, so I'm not worried about the A lenses.

**paulh** · 02-20-2011, 10:20 AM

They are both great lenses. I only have the f/1.7 and totally love it. The bokeh & sharpness are to die for! But I've seen what the 1.4 can do and will be getting one also. I would check the lens review section of the forums for user testimonials on both lenses. IMO you cannot go wrong with either one, but if cost is a factor, the 1.7 can usually be had for less.

edit: as Hawk1500 noted, you already have the A50/1.4, so I'd go for the M/1.7 this time if you want to try manual.

hawk1500 · 02-20-2011, 10:46 AM

it seems like you already have a 50mm f1.4? I think optically they are the same, the A and the M f1.4, but I could be wrong. You can't share the lens between your Pentax and your GH1?

BTW, I just got a GH1 also and need to figure out what lens(es) to mate to it for video use.

CarbonR · 02-20-2011, 11:10 AM

A comparison I have done some time ago with the 50/2, 50/1.7 and 50/1.4 :
?[Topic Unique] Objectifs pour Pentax - "K" - #FOK, lire 1er post - Page : 885 - Objectif - Photo numérique - FORUM HardWare.fr

liukaitc · 02-20-2011, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by CarbonR

A comparison I have done some time ago with the 50/2, 50/1.7 and 50/1.4 :
?[Topic Unique] Objectifs pour Pentax - "K" - #FOK, lire 1er post - Page : 885 - Objectif - Photo numérique - FORUM HardWare.fr

seems 50/1.4 one has the best sharpness

RichyX · 02-20-2011, 12:57 PM

Sadly my A f/1.4 is a fungus infested mess. It's very soft and lacking in contrast til f/2.8, so not the best for film making.

It's hard to judge the shots in the link above. The focus seems to be different for each lens so it's not much of a test.

The f/1.7 does look pretty reasonable though.

johnmflores · 02-20-2011, 01:29 PM

Pentax + Panasonic =

I've used the M50 F1.7 on my Panasonic GH2 and have been happy with the results.

Haven't shot video with it yet, hope to soon...

Damian · 02-20-2011, 03:37 PM

I have the 'A' versions of both the 50 1.7 and 1.4. I recently did a comparison between the two and, though I love the 1.7, the 1.4 is better overall. Sharper then the 1.7 from 1.7 to 2.8. About equal from there up with maybe a slight advantage to the 1.4 up to 5.6 with the 1.7 being sharper at f8. Better bokeh overall for the 1.4, thought the 1.7 is no slouch either.

**mtngal** · 02-20-2011, 04:14 PM

I can only speak to my own two M 50 1.7 and M 50 1.4 lenses. My experience is that from f2 and smaller they are both the same. The 1.4 is too soft wide open, while the 1.7 is very sharp at 1.7. I keep saying I'm going to sell the 1.4 but never quite get around to doing anything about it, and I do use it occasionally reversed in front of another lens for macro. In my experience the M 50 1.4 is not worth the extra cost - I'd buy the M 1.7 in a heart-beat.

Metalwizards · 02-20-2011, 05:12 PM

Both are a challenge to focus, I have the M 50mm 1.7 and when it nails focus the pictures are to die for. But again it's very difficult, for me, to nail the focus on it. I'd go for the 1.7 since the iq isn't terrible different between the two and the 1.7 is like $40.

Jewelltrail · 02-20-2011, 08:12 PM

Rich:

I owned both lenses, and sold the M 1.4 because it was difficult to focus wide open anyway. Also, the M 1.7 is amazingly sharp, even wide open, and seemed no different than the M 1.4 from f2 down. The M 1.4 fetches twice the price, sometimes three times the price.

I would get the M 1.7 if I were you.

JT

Jewelltrail · 02-20-2011, 08:16 PM

Originally posted by johnmflores

Pentax + Panasonic =

I've used the M50 F1.7 on my Panasonic GH2 and have been happy with the results.

Haven't shot video with it yet, hope to soon...

Hi John:

I am thinking of buying into M 4/3rds with a GH1 or 2. Can you tell me how Manual Focusing is on that camera? I would be grateful--thanks.

JT

uptheriver · 02-20-2011, 08:23 PM

I have the 1.7 , had it since I bought an ME Super in the 80's.
I was not going to bother with it because it was a manual lens..
Then one day I twisted it on to my K200D and was I pleasantly surprised. I think you can get them for around $30.
Tack sharp at 5.6 but a little fuzzy w/o but all in all a joy to use.
You won't be sorry. Enjoy !

johnmflores · 02-20-2011, 08:52 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Jewelltrail

Hi John:

I am thinking of buying into M 4/3rds with a GH1 or 2. Can you tell me how Manual Focusing is on that camera? I would be grateful--thanks.

JT

Manual Focusing is excellent on the GH1/GH2, thanks to the EVF, magnification, and in-EVF chimping...

epqwerty · 02-20-2011, 09:48 PM

For the price difference the m1.7 is a perfectly capable lens. The m1.4 is very good I love mine but the price for one ive seen recent sold for 100$ but a m1.7 was going for only 60$ I saw. I'd go for m1.7.

I got my m1.4 for 40$ so it was a bargain too good to pass up.

02-20-2011, 10:01 AM	#1
RichyX Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 84	M f/1.7 Vs. 1.4 I'm looking to pick up a 50mm in the next few days. Does anyone have experience with both the M 1.7 and 1.4 lenses? Half a stop isn't a huge difference, so I was wondering how they compare when it comes to sharpness and contrast, especially when wide open. It'll spend 95% of its time on a Panasonic GH1, so I'm not worried about the A lenses.

02-20-2011, 10:20 AM	#2
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,308	They are both great lenses. I only have the f/1.7 and totally love it. The bokeh & sharpness are to die for! But I've seen what the 1.4 can do and will be getting one also. I would check the lens review section of the forums for user testimonials on both lenses. IMO you cannot go wrong with either one, but if cost is a factor, the 1.7 can usually be had for less. edit: as Hawk1500 noted, you already have the A50/1.4, so I'd go for the M/1.7 this time if you want to try manual. Last edited by paulh; 02-20-2011 at 11:08 AM.

02-20-2011, 08:52 PM - 1 Like	#14
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Originally posted by Jewelltrail Hi John: I am thinking of buying into M 4/3rds with a GH1 or 2. Can you tell me how Manual Focusing is on that camera? I would be grateful--thanks. JT Manual Focusing is excellent on the GH1/GH2, thanks to the EVF, magnification, and in-EVF chimping... Vimeo

02-20-2011, 10:46 AM	#3
hawk1500 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 270	it seems like you already have a 50mm f1.4? I think optically they are the same, the A and the M f1.4, but I could be wrong. You can't share the lens between your Pentax and your GH1? BTW, I just got a GH1 also and need to figure out what lens(es) to mate to it for video use.

02-20-2011, 11:10 AM	#4
CarbonR Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Clermont-Ferrand, France Posts: 363	A comparison I have done some time ago with the 50/2, 50/1.7 and 50/1.4 : ?[Topic Unique] Objectifs pour Pentax - "K" - #FOK, lire 1er post - Page : 885 - Objectif - Photo numérique - FORUM HardWare.fr

02-20-2011, 12:55 PM	#5
liukaitc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,008	Originally posted by CarbonR A comparison I have done some time ago with the 50/2, 50/1.7 and 50/1.4 : ?[Topic Unique] Objectifs pour Pentax - "K" - #FOK, lire 1er post - Page : 885 - Objectif - Photo numérique - FORUM HardWare.fr seems 50/1.4 one has the best sharpness

02-20-2011, 12:57 PM	#6
RichyX Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 84 Original Poster	Sadly my A f/1.4 is a fungus infested mess. It's very soft and lacking in contrast til f/2.8, so not the best for film making. It's hard to judge the shots in the link above. The focus seems to be different for each lens so it's not much of a test. The f/1.7 does look pretty reasonable though.

02-20-2011, 01:29 PM	#7
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361	Pentax + Panasonic = I've used the M50 F1.7 on my Panasonic GH2 and have been happy with the results. Haven't shot video with it yet, hope to soon...

02-20-2011, 03:37 PM	#8
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278	I have the 'A' versions of both the 50 1.7 and 1.4. I recently did a comparison between the two and, though I love the 1.7, the 1.4 is better overall. Sharper then the 1.7 from 1.7 to 2.8. About equal from there up with maybe a slight advantage to the 1.4 up to 5.6 with the 1.7 being sharper at f8. Better bokeh overall for the 1.4, thought the 1.7 is no slouch either.

02-20-2011, 04:14 PM	#9
mtngal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wherever I’m Parked Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,003	I can only speak to my own two M 50 1.7 and M 50 1.4 lenses. My experience is that from f2 and smaller they are both the same. The 1.4 is too soft wide open, while the 1.7 is very sharp at 1.7. I keep saying I'm going to sell the 1.4 but never quite get around to doing anything about it, and I do use it occasionally reversed in front of another lens for macro. In my experience the M 50 1.4 is not worth the extra cost - I'd buy the M 1.7 in a heart-beat.

02-20-2011, 05:12 PM	#10
Metalwizards Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Santa Cruz Photos: Albums Posts: 124	Both are a challenge to focus, I have the M 50mm 1.7 and when it nails focus the pictures are to die for. But again it's very difficult, for me, to nail the focus on it. I'd go for the 1.7 since the iq isn't terrible different between the two and the 1.7 is like $40.

02-20-2011, 08:12 PM	#11
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Rich: I owned both lenses, and sold the M 1.4 because it was difficult to focus wide open anyway. Also, the M 1.7 is amazingly sharp, even wide open, and seemed no different than the M 1.4 from f2 down. The M 1.4 fetches twice the price, sometimes three times the price. I would get the M 1.7 if I were you. JT

02-20-2011, 08:16 PM	#12
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Originally posted by johnmflores Pentax + Panasonic = I've used the M50 F1.7 on my Panasonic GH2 and have been happy with the results. Haven't shot video with it yet, hope to soon... Hi John: I am thinking of buying into M 4/3rds with a GH1 or 2. Can you tell me how Manual Focusing is on that camera? I would be grateful--thanks. JT

02-20-2011, 08:23 PM	#13
uptheriver Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 50	I have the 1.7 , had it since I bought an ME Super in the 80's. I was not going to bother with it because it was a manual lens.. Then one day I twisted it on to my K200D and was I pleasantly surprised. I think you can get them for around $30. Tack sharp at 5.6 but a little fuzzy w/o but all in all a joy to use. You won't be sorry. Enjoy !

02-20-2011, 09:48 PM	#15
epqwerty Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 550	For the price difference the m1.7 is a perfectly capable lens. The m1.4 is very good I love mine but the price for one ive seen recent sold for 100$ but a m1.7 was going for only 60$ I saw. I'd go for m1.7. I got my m1.4 for 40$ so it was a bargain too good to pass up.