Fast 50 1.4!

gryphongryph · 08-21-2011, 09:46 PM

Hi guys and girls. Can you reconmend me a fast 50 lens for my K5.
I have the 18-135mm, 40DA Limited and the 70DA Limited, but would like a fast 50, I was set on the 55, but I see by some on this forum that it is not very fast to focus, is that true? would otherwise love that lens, I would prefer a lens that had automatic focus.

Regards

yeatzee · 08-21-2011, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by gryphongryph

Hi guys and girls. Can you reconmend me a fast 50 lens for my K5.
I have the 18-135mm, 40DA Limited and the 70DA Limited, but would like a fast 50, I was set on the 55, but I see by some on this forum that it is not very fast to focus, is that true? would otherwise love that lens, I would prefer a lens that had automatic focus.

Regards

FA 50mm F/1.4 is the obvious choice

adpo · 08-21-2011, 09:59 PM

the sigma 50 f/1.4 is pretty good too if silent af is a must. Otherwise, i say go for the FA

hcc · 08-21-2011, 10:39 PM

The Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 is a great choice. Although MF, the IQ is superb and the lens is very sturdy. I use the VL58mm a lot outdoor and it is a breeze to use.

Hope that the comment will help.

Last edited by hcc; 08-21-2011 at 11:03 PM.

**Ash** · 08-21-2011, 11:12 PM

You want autofocus? Then the FA 50/1.4 is the fast and cost-effective choice. There are some manual focus 55mm f/1.4 lenses aroubnd, but they aren't common. Some 58mm lenses around also - just a matter of finding one.

axl · 08-21-2011, 11:18 PM

DA*55 is not too fast in AF and definitely slower than FA/F50/1.4. But it's no slouch either. There is a shot in DA* club thread by TOUGEFC where the lens on K-5 managed to lock on boy on swing without trouble....

paperbag846 · 08-21-2011, 11:20 PM

If you want the WR / SDM, get the DA* 55. The FA 50 1.4 is the obvious choice for the best "deal", but I think the 55 looks better, to be honest.

joakimfors · 08-21-2011, 11:20 PM

The DA* 55/1.4 might not have super fast AF but I still love mine.

Quiet, excellent IQ and very sharp.

RXrenesis8 · 08-21-2011, 11:24 PM

The size and price differences between the DA* 55 and the FA 50 (ƒ/1.4) are things to consider as well.

Also: 50mm ƒ1.4 is a popular combination, if you aren't afear'd of a little manual focusing, and dare I say manual metering, many more cheaper and just as good (or better*) options become available in the way of older pentaxes, takumars, and 3rd party lenses.

TOUGEFC · 08-21-2011, 11:25 PM

The DA*55 is not super quick but its not as slow as everyone makes out it to be, its no slower than a FA77 but it is very accurate and ive NEVER seen it hunt yet. Only had it for a few weeks now but I like it ALOT!
It had no problems locking onto my son on this swing at f/2.0 (taken on the first few days of ownership)-

Id say thats fast enough for most shots

JohnX · 08-22-2011, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by gryphongryph

Hi guys and girls. Can you reconmend me a fast 50 lens for my K5.
I have the 18-135mm, 40DA Limited and the 70DA Limited, but would like a fast 50, I was set on the 55, but I see by some on this forum that it is not very fast to focus, is that true? would otherwise love that lens, I would prefer a lens that had automatic focus.

Regards

Sure it's a 50 you want, or 50 equivalent?

50 was the standard on 35mm film cameras, but due to the 1.5 crop factor on Pentax DSLR's the equivalent to the film 50 FOV would be a 35mm.

RioRico · 08-22-2011, 04:23 AM - **1 Like**

The FA50/1.4 is my gotta-get-the-shot lens and my only AF prime. Agile, small, brilliant. Don't leave home without it. Yes, the DA*55 is WR; it and the Sigma are larger, heavier, costlier than the FA50. I have about 50 Fifty's and the FA50 is the most-used. Many of my manual Fifty's are superb, but they're for a different pace of photography. If you're in a hurry, the FA50 is IT!

**ManuH** · 08-22-2011, 07:03 AM

If you want to mimick the field of view of 50mm on film cameras, you'd need a 30-35mm on K-5. Obvious choices are the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, FA 31mm f/1.8, DA L 35mm f/2.4 and FA 35mm f/2.0

JHD · 08-22-2011, 07:34 AM

The FA50 is way too soft at f1.4; I replaced mine with a Sigma 30mm f1.4 (30mm on APS-C is like 50mm on a FF). Unlike the FA50, the Sigma 30 is very usable at f1.4. It's even sharper in the center than the FA31!

sameagle · 08-22-2011, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by TOUGEFC

The DA*55 is not super quick but its not as slow as everyone makes out it to be, its no slower than a FA77 but it is very accurate and ive NEVER seen it hunt yet. Only had it for a few weeks now but I like it ALOT!
It had no problems locking onto my son on this swing at f/2.0 (taken on the first few days of ownership)-

Id say thats fast enough for most shots

I just gotta point out that there is a HUGE difference between getting a focus lock on a swing from the SIDE as opposed to from the FRONT.

I have a DA40/K-x and trying snap a photo of my daughter swinging towards and away from me is quite a challenge. Best to just pick point and focus manually.

Sorry for the aside.

- Sam

08-21-2011, 09:46 PM	#1
gryphongryph Forum Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Faroes Islands Photos: Gallery Posts: 74	Fast 50 1.4! Hi guys and girls. Can you reconmend me a fast 50 lens for my K5. I have the 18-135mm, 40DA Limited and the 70DA Limited, but would like a fast 50, I was set on the 55, but I see by some on this forum that it is not very fast to focus, is that true? would otherwise love that lens, I would prefer a lens that had automatic focus. Regards

08-21-2011, 11:24 PM	#9
RXrenesis8 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Orlando, FL (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 523	The size and price differences between the DA* 55 and the FA 50 (ƒ/1.4) are things to consider as well. Also: 50mm ƒ1.4 is a popular combination, if you aren't afear'd of a little manual focusing, and dare I say manual metering, many more cheaper and just as good (or better) options become available in the way of older pentaxes, takumars, and 3rd party lenses. Last edited by RXrenesis8; 08-21-2011 at 11:36 PM.*

08-21-2011, 11:25 PM	#10
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	The DA55 is not super quick but its not as slow as everyone makes out it to be, its no slower than a FA77 but it is very accurate and ive NEVER seen it hunt yet. Only had it for a few weeks now but I like it ALOT! It had no problems locking onto my son on this swing at f/2.0 (taken on the first few days of ownership)- Id say thats fast enough for most shots Last edited by TOUGEFC; 08-22-2011 at 04:38 AM.*

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08-21-2011, 09:52 PM	#2
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by gryphongryph Hi guys and girls. Can you reconmend me a fast 50 lens for my K5. I have the 18-135mm, 40DA Limited and the 70DA Limited, but would like a fast 50, I was set on the 55, but I see by some on this forum that it is not very fast to focus, is that true? would otherwise love that lens, I would prefer a lens that had automatic focus. Regards FA 50mm F/1.4 is the obvious choice

08-21-2011, 09:59 PM	#3
adpo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery Posts: 888	the sigma 50 f/1.4 is pretty good too if silent af is a must. Otherwise, i say go for the FA

08-21-2011, 10:39 PM	#4
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	The Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 is a great choice. Although MF, the IQ is superb and the lens is very sturdy. I use the VL58mm a lot outdoor and it is a breeze to use. Hope that the comment will help. Last edited by hcc; 08-21-2011 at 11:03 PM.

08-21-2011, 11:12 PM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	You want autofocus? Then the FA 50/1.4 is the fast and cost-effective choice. There are some manual focus 55mm f/1.4 lenses aroubnd, but they aren't common. Some 58mm lenses around also - just a matter of finding one.

08-21-2011, 11:18 PM	#6
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	DA55 is not too fast in AF and definitely slower than FA/F50/1.4. But it's no slouch either. There is a shot in DA club thread by TOUGEFC where the lens on K-5 managed to lock on boy on swing without trouble....

08-21-2011, 11:20 PM	#7
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	If you want the WR / SDM, get the DA* 55. The FA 50 1.4 is the obvious choice for the best "deal", but I think the 55 looks better, to be honest.

08-21-2011, 11:20 PM	#8
joakimfors Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lund, Sweden Posts: 237	The DA* 55/1.4 might not have super fast AF but I still love mine. Quiet, excellent IQ and very sharp.

08-22-2011, 02:24 AM	#11
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Originally posted by gryphongryph Hi guys and girls. Can you reconmend me a fast 50 lens for my K5. I have the 18-135mm, 40DA Limited and the 70DA Limited, but would like a fast 50, I was set on the 55, but I see by some on this forum that it is not very fast to focus, is that true? would otherwise love that lens, I would prefer a lens that had automatic focus. Regards Sure it's a 50 you want, or 50 equivalent? 50 was the standard on 35mm film cameras, but due to the 1.5 crop factor on Pentax DSLR's the equivalent to the film 50 FOV would be a 35mm.

08-22-2011, 04:23 AM - 1 Like	#12
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	The FA50/1.4 is my gotta-get-the-shot lens and my only AF prime. Agile, small, brilliant. Don't leave home without it. Yes, the DA*55 is WR; it and the Sigma are larger, heavier, costlier than the FA50. I have about 50 Fifty's and the FA50 is the most-used. Many of my manual Fifty's are superb, but they're for a different pace of photography. If you're in a hurry, the FA50 is IT!

08-22-2011, 07:03 AM	#13
ManuH Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,249	If you want to mimick the field of view of 50mm on film cameras, you'd need a 30-35mm on K-5. Obvious choices are the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, FA 31mm f/1.8, DA L 35mm f/2.4 and FA 35mm f/2.0

08-22-2011, 07:34 AM	#14
JHD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,406	The FA50 is way too soft at f1.4; I replaced mine with a Sigma 30mm f1.4 (30mm on APS-C is like 50mm on a FF). Unlike the FA50, the Sigma 30 is very usable at f1.4. It's even sharper in the center than the FA31!

08-22-2011, 01:38 PM	#15
sameagle Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 323	Originally posted by TOUGEFC The DA*55 is not super quick but its not as slow as everyone makes out it to be, its no slower than a FA77 but it is very accurate and ive NEVER seen it hunt yet. Only had it for a few weeks now but I like it ALOT! It had no problems locking onto my son on this swing at f/2.0 (taken on the first few days of ownership)- Id say thats fast enough for most shots I just gotta point out that there is a HUGE difference between getting a focus lock on a swing from the SIDE as opposed to from the FRONT. I have a DA40/K-x and trying snap a photo of my daughter swinging towards and away from me is quite a challenge. Best to just pick point and focus manually. Sorry for the aside. - Sam