[JeffJS]

I had the m-version of the 50/1.4. Loved the colors, hated the fact I was missing the focus most of the time.
Must have something to do with low contrast wide open. Stopping down a bit while focusing might help.
If it doesn't work: Don't bother, you allready have one of the best 50mm lenses.

So then what do you do with your Voigtlander lenses? What will stopping the 50mm do for focusing? All K mount lenses on Pentax DSLRs are wide open until the picture is taken.

[abacus07]

my two cents

you have 3 MF 50's, 1 really good AF 50 and the kit lens. Find out if you like the K50 and if you will actually use it. If you won't use it then you might as well sell it since it is a fairly valuable lens (probably 80ish imo).

It should be noticeably sharper wide open than your A 50/1.4. Different rendering, too.

Is this true? Isn't the 50/1.4 the same optical design from K to FA series (and possibly the SMC tak)?

I want to get a 50/1.4 sometime but I already have two 1.7's, an f2, a macro and an SMC tak 55/1.8. I don't need anymore fast 50's right now.

[boriscleto]

I want to get a 50/1.4 sometime but I already have two 1.7's, an f2, a macro and an SMC tak 55/1.8. I don't need anymore fast 50's right now.

Blasphemy! You can never have enough 50s. <Looks at 15 50s and awaits Helios 44-2>

[RioRico]

I want to get a 50/1.4 sometime but I already have two 1.7's, an f2, a macro and an SMC tak 55/1.8. I don't need anymore fast 50's right now.

The obvious cure for you is a K50/1.2, eh? But then you'll want a 58/1.2, then a 50/0.95, and then a unicorn. Once the impossible has us in its thrall, we're doomed.

[Just1MoreDave]

It should be noticeably sharper wide open than your A 50/1.4. Different rendering, too.

Is this true? Isn't the 50/1.4 the same optical design from K to FA series (and possibly the SMC tak)?

The K might be the same as the SMC Takumar, but the M design is different, and the A design was another change. Then the design is supposed to be the same. There is definitely an evolution in coatings from the A onward. There may in fact be a different look to all of these lenses. I decided early on not to be too curious about it.

I want to get a 50/1.4 sometime but I already have two 1.7's, an f2, a macro and an SMC tak 55/1.8. I don't need anymore fast 50's right now.

Everyone with a dozen of these lenses has probably said that before.

[abacus07]

The obvious cure for you is a K50/1.2, eh? But then you'll want a 58/1.2, then a 50/0.95, and then a unicorn. Once the impossible has us in its thrall, we're doomed.

How I hate thee.

I'm taking LBA in a different direction than fast 50's. Although a helios is always a possibility.

[RioRico]

I don't need anymore fast 50's right now.

Everyone with a dozen of these lenses has probably said that before.

"Everybody calls me Cleopatra
Because I am de queen of de-nial..."

How I hate thee.

I'm taking LBA in a different direction than fast 50's. Although a helios is always a possibility.

Haters gonna hate.

The thang with Fast Fifty's is that there are so MANY of them, so many GREAT ones, and so many of them are still so CHEAP! Even not-so-fast ones are good. I'd like to find an old Petzval Portrait type around f/7. I think my slowest now is a Simmon Omega Anastigmat 51/4.5 (9 iris blades). Slow glass is groovy too.

[VaSA]

I picked this 50mm 1.4 up today at a yardsale for 3$. yup. 3$. I am thinking I am going to sell it, because I have a 50 FA 1.7 I use all the time, and a 55mm M that I love. I could use a few extra $$$'s, BUT this lens doesnt say "M". It is an M right?? I cant really tell what its worth if I dont know exactly what I have!

I know I've come to the right place with this question. Thanks in advance

There is no "55mm M"... it's probably a K as well.

[boriscleto]

There is no "55mm M"... it's probably a K as well.

If you check her sig line you will see that it is a Rikenon.

[CEWren]

yes boriscleto is right its Rikenon, if I said pentax before I apologize. Either way I love its bokeh. Its a great lens Tried out the 50 this evening. Played with it wide open just because. Not bad I actually used my 50 FA first, then used the 50 K and got about the same amt of OOF vs Focused pictures despite the AF on the FA (my kid moves fast, ha ha)

I think I will hang onto it for a little while

[CEWren]

my garden girl seems to be my go to new lens tester... probably because she doesnt move?? The bubble picture (sorry about the background distractions, lol) I had AP at 2, rest were wide open. fun little lens

[Lowell Goudge]

Ok so here is the question for all the real lens savvy people.

Seeing comments regarding the optical design ofnthe K50/1.4 and whether it is the same or not as the SMC tak or them M series.

While all 50/1.4 lenses have 7 elements EXCEPT the version 1 super tak which has 8, are the lens elements thinner in later designs? I met a nikon shooter in a camera store who claimed at one point nikon learned how to grind thinner elements and that later designs were lighter but also optically better. He was weighing 50/1.7 lenses to find the later lighter ones? Did ps tax do the same? Tat could explain the possible evolution and changes in optical forumla over time.

[JeffJS]

my garden girl seems to be my go to new lens tester... probably because she doesnt move?? The bubble picture (sorry about the background distractions, lol) I had AP at 2, rest were wide open. fun little lens

I would say this lens is a keeper. I have one but haven't tried it yet. My camera has been married to the Voigtlander 58mm f1:1.4 for the month of September.