A-50mm F/2.8 Macro Must Buy?

pezmaker · 11-06-2011, 09:42 AM

Is $69 for this lens a steal? Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

So, I'm on a self imposed lens buying moratorium (semi reinforced by the significant other), but I found one locally in pristine condition, took a couple shots with it on my K200D, and it was sharper than I've ever gotten my M 1.7 to be, and I thought that lens was sharp.... So, is this lens so good that I break my integrity to buy it when I said I wasn't buying anymore? Curse you, LBA, curse you!

joe.penn · 11-06-2011, 10:13 AM

Well, ya, absolutely you buy it. Why? For $69 even after/if you get bored with it you can sell it and make a little bit off of it.

--

rvannatta · 11-06-2011, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by pezmaker

Is $69 for this lens a steal? Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

So, I'm on a self imposed lens buying moratorium (semi reinforced by the significant other), but I found one locally in pristine condition, took a couple shots with it on my K200D, and it was sharper than I've ever gotten my M 1.7 to be, and I thought that lens was sharp.... So, is this lens so good that I break my integrity to buy it when I said I wasn't buying anymore? Curse you, LBA, curse you!

the price is right and the A's give a full use of the exposure automation as well as being optically excellent.

**tr1ckyn1ck** · 11-06-2011, 11:09 AM

I bought this lens off of ebay a while ago for $265, and while I got gouged for sure, I am still glad I bought it. I mostly bought it for macro (which is great), but I have been using it instead of my FA 50mm 1.4 lately because it is so sharp and the close-focus abilities are useful. I have been missing a lot of shots because of it not having autofocus for sure, but it is just such a fun lens to use.

dgaies · 11-06-2011, 12:01 PM

There are two reasons to buy a given lens; either because you need the lens or because the lens is a great deal. An A50/2.8 macro for $69 (assuming ther are no issues) certainly qualifies as the latter, so I'd buy it and worry about whether you want/need it later

RioRico · 11-06-2011, 12:14 PM

It's a steal of a deal. If you don't like it, I'll rob a minimart and pay you US$100 for it. Now where did I put my ski mask... ???

pezmaker · 11-06-2011, 01:51 PM

I did it! I couldn't say no. the S.O. wasn't surprised, or apparently angry (time will tell for sure...) So it's not completely pristine - some slight cosmetics on the aperture ring, but that's all. Focus is super smooth, snappy aperture blades, no oil whatsoever, aperture ring turns and clicks and works as expected, auto works. Not a scratch or pockmark in the glass on either side. I'll try to get some shots of it and with it later to post.

11-06-2011, 09:42 AM	#1
pezmaker Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276	A-50mm F/2.8 Macro Must Buy? Is $69 for this lens a steal? Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database So, I'm on a self imposed lens buying moratorium (semi reinforced by the significant other), but I found one locally in pristine condition, took a couple shots with it on my K200D, and it was sharper than I've ever gotten my M 1.7 to be, and I thought that lens was sharp.... So, is this lens so good that I break my integrity to buy it when I said I wasn't buying anymore? Curse you, LBA, curse you!

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11-06-2011, 10:13 AM	#2
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Well, ya, absolutely you buy it. Why? For $69 even after/if you get bored with it you can sell it and make a little bit off of it. --

11-06-2011, 10:56 AM	#3
rvannatta Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Apiary, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,181	Originally posted by pezmaker Is $69 for this lens a steal? Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro Reviews - A Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database So, I'm on a self imposed lens buying moratorium (semi reinforced by the significant other), but I found one locally in pristine condition, took a couple shots with it on my K200D, and it was sharper than I've ever gotten my M 1.7 to be, and I thought that lens was sharp.... So, is this lens so good that I break my integrity to buy it when I said I wasn't buying anymore? Curse you, LBA, curse you! the price is right and the A's give a full use of the exposure automation as well as being optically excellent.

11-06-2011, 11:09 AM	#4
tr1ckyn1ck Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ON Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 60	I bought this lens off of ebay a while ago for $265, and while I got gouged for sure, I am still glad I bought it. I mostly bought it for macro (which is great), but I have been using it instead of my FA 50mm 1.4 lately because it is so sharp and the close-focus abilities are useful. I have been missing a lot of shots because of it not having autofocus for sure, but it is just such a fun lens to use.

11-06-2011, 12:01 PM	#5
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	There are two reasons to buy a given lens; either because you need the lens or because the lens is a great deal. An A50/2.8 macro for $69 (assuming ther are no issues) certainly qualifies as the latter, so I'd buy it and worry about whether you want/need it later

11-06-2011, 12:14 PM	#6
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	It's a steal of a deal. If you don't like it, I'll rob a minimart and pay you US$100 for it. Now where did I put my ski mask... ???

11-06-2011, 01:51 PM	#7
pezmaker Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 276 Original Poster	I did it! I couldn't say no. the S.O. wasn't surprised, or apparently angry (time will tell for sure...) So it's not completely pristine - some slight cosmetics on the aperture ring, but that's all. Focus is super smooth, snappy aperture blades, no oil whatsoever, aperture ring turns and clicks and works as expected, auto works. Not a scratch or pockmark in the glass on either side. I'll try to get some shots of it and with it later to post.