What is the Best Low Light Pentax 50 ?

daacon · 01-02-2008, 04:31 PM

The title says it all of all the Pentax50’s (50 1.4 / 50 1.7 / 50 2.8 ) is the best low light performer ?

I assume all need to be stopped down for best sharpness so using that theory the 50 1.4 would be best ?

ddhytz · 01-02-2008, 04:45 PM

50/1.4 is very soft @1.4, and more expensive than 1.7
so I voted for 1.7

mawz · 01-02-2008, 04:49 PM

The 50/1.4. It's optically better than the 50/1.2 (which your poll is lacking) and a half stop faster than the 1.7

Sure, the 1.7 is sharper, but it doesn't render as nicely. I find the 1.4 the better all-round lens.

daacon · 01-02-2008, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by mawz

The 50/1.4. It's optically better than the 50/1.2 (which your poll is lacking) and a half stop faster than the 1.7

Sure, the 1.7 is sharper, but it doesn't render as nicely. I find the 1.4 the better all-round lens.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh the 50 1.2 knew I hit submit too quick thanks Can I edit a poll ?

davef · 01-02-2008, 05:01 PM

I seldom shoot the 50 1.7 wide open but don't hesitate with the 35/2. Based on the user comments, many people shoot the limiteds and A*s wide open. In my opinion, that certainly clouds the issue of "best" low light performer. Dave

mawz · 01-02-2008, 05:08 PM

Originally posted by davef

I seldom shoot the 50 1.7 wide open but don't hesitate with the 35/2. Based on the user comments, many people shoot the limiteds and A*s wide open. In my opinion, that certainly clouds the issue of "best" low light performer. Dave

If you're working in low light, you usually don't have much of a choice. I often don't have enough light to get decent shutter speeds at f2 even at ISO 1600 on my K10D.

carpents · 01-02-2008, 05:09 PM

I asked myself the same question earlier this year...and three months later came up with the A50/1.2.

The Normal Lens Shootout

daacon · 01-02-2008, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by carpents

I asked myself the same question earlier this year...and three months later came up with the A50/1.2.

The Normal Lens Shootout

Wow thanks for that !

**NaClH2O** · 01-02-2008, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by mawz

The 50/1.4. It's optically better than the 50/1.2 (which your poll is lacking) and a half stop faster than the 1.7

Sure, the 1.7 is sharper, but it doesn't render as nicely. I find the 1.4 the better all-round lens.

I own both the K 50 1.2 and the FA 50 1.4 and I wouldn't say that the 1.2 is optically inferior. I think it's a bit harder to focus than the 1.4 so maybe that's why everyone thinks it's worse. I certainly don't. I would say that it's marginally better than the 1.4 but it's a fully manual lens, so it's a bit more work. But judge for yourself.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/3052-you-allowed-fall-love-lens.html

NaCl(don't believe all you read)H2O

edit: Sean, I forgot all about your fine work!

NaCl(It's good to feel stupid sometimes...leastwise I keep telling myself that)H2O

mattdm · 01-02-2008, 07:18 PM

I have the 50 f/2, and it's pretty bad. So not that one.

pixelpruner · 01-02-2008, 07:39 PM

i love my A 1.7... but i don't have any others

... but i don't care cos i love my A 1.7. bokeh so smoooooothhh

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Kaimarx · 01-03-2008, 12:15 AM

I have the screw mount 50 1.4 and the M 50 f2...1.4 is my favourite by far. Thanks to Little Laker i use the 'beep' confirmation trick and at 1.4 its stunning and simple to use wide open.

wavecurrent · 01-03-2008, 05:45 AM

There can only be one

Mike

gpaual · 01-03-2008, 07:12 AM

very rarely use this lens, given to me years ago by a friend asahi pentax smc 50/1:1.2.k,m ; after browsing this this a.m. i decided to shoot an image and see what occured......a little pp on color cast of yellow from rising sun, and slight exp' adj....no sharpening......
f/4 -1/180th- iso 100- hh k10d

not having shot the other 50's i don't really feel qualified to offer an opinion,- but i do like mine.

WendyB · 01-03-2008, 07:45 AM

Originally posted by carpents

I asked myself the same question earlier this year...and three months later came up with the A50/1.2.

The Normal Lens Shootout

I concur, the A 1.2 is the winner hands down.

View Poll Results: Which Pentax 50 is the best Low Light Performer
50 1.4	35	70.00%
50 1.7	12	24.00%
50 2.8	0	0%
Other ?	3	6.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

01-02-2008, 04:31 PM	#1
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	What is the Best Low Light Pentax 50 ? The title says it all of all the Pentax50’s (50 1.4 / 50 1.7 / 50 2.8 ) is the best low light performer ? I assume all need to be stopped down for best sharpness so using that theory the 50 1.4 would be best ?

01-02-2008, 06:29 PM	#9
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	K 50 1.2 Originally posted by mawz The 50/1.4. It's optically better than the 50/1.2 (which your poll is lacking) and a half stop faster than the 1.7 Sure, the 1.7 is sharper, but it doesn't render as nicely. I find the 1.4 the better all-round lens. I own both the K 50 1.2 and the FA 50 1.4 and I wouldn't say that the 1.2 is optically inferior. I think it's a bit harder to focus than the 1.4 so maybe that's why everyone thinks it's worse. I certainly don't. I would say that it's marginally better than the 1.4 but it's a fully manual lens, so it's a bit more work. But judge for yourself. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-your-photos/3052-you-allowed-fall-love-lens.html NaCl(don't believe all you read)H2O edit: Sean, I forgot all about your fine work! NaCl(It's good to feel stupid sometimes...leastwise I keep telling myself that)H2O Last edited by NaClH2O; 01-02-2008 at 06:36 PM.

01-03-2008, 05:45 AM	#13
wavecurrent Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 147	K 50 1.2 There can only be one Mike

01-03-2008, 07:12 AM	#14
gpaual Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: fla Photos: Gallery Posts: 375	very rarely use this lens, given to me years ago by a friend asahi pentax smc 50/1:1.2.k,m ; after browsing this this a.m. i decided to shoot an image and see what occured......a little pp on color cast of yellow from rising sun, and slight exp' adj....no sharpening...... f/4 -1/180th- iso 100- hh k10d not having shot the other 50's i don't really feel qualified to offer an opinion,- but i do like mine. Last edited by gpaual; 01-26-2008 at 04:16 AM.

01-02-2008, 04:45 PM	#2
ddhytz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 602	50/1.4 is very soft @1.4, and more expensive than 1.7 so I voted for 1.7

01-02-2008, 04:49 PM	#3
mawz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 166	The 50/1.4. It's optically better than the 50/1.2 (which your poll is lacking) and a half stop faster than the 1.7 Sure, the 1.7 is sharper, but it doesn't render as nicely. I find the 1.4 the better all-round lens.

01-02-2008, 04:52 PM	#4
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914 Original Poster	Originally posted by mawz The 50/1.4. It's optically better than the 50/1.2 (which your poll is lacking) and a half stop faster than the 1.7 Sure, the 1.7 is sharper, but it doesn't render as nicely. I find the 1.4 the better all-round lens. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh the 50 1.2 knew I hit submit too quick thanks Can I edit a poll ?

01-02-2008, 05:01 PM	#5
davef Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Posts: 433	I seldom shoot the 50 1.7 wide open but don't hesitate with the 35/2. Based on the user comments, many people shoot the limiteds and A*s wide open. In my opinion, that certainly clouds the issue of "best" low light performer. Dave

01-02-2008, 05:08 PM	#6
mawz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 166	Originally posted by davef I seldom shoot the 50 1.7 wide open but don't hesitate with the 35/2. Based on the user comments, many people shoot the limiteds and A*s wide open. In my opinion, that certainly clouds the issue of "best" low light performer. Dave If you're working in low light, you usually don't have much of a choice. I often don't have enough light to get decent shutter speeds at f2 even at ISO 1600 on my K10D.

01-02-2008, 05:09 PM	#7
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	I asked myself the same question earlier this year...and three months later came up with the A50/1.2. The Normal Lens Shootout

01-02-2008, 05:20 PM	#8
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914 Original Poster	Originally posted by carpents I asked myself the same question earlier this year...and three months later came up with the A50/1.2. The Normal Lens Shootout Wow thanks for that !

01-02-2008, 07:18 PM	#10
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	I have the 50 f/2, and it's pretty bad. So not that one.

01-02-2008, 07:39 PM	#11
pixelpruner Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Leeds, NE UK Posts: 220	i love my A 1.7... but i don't have any others ... but i don't care cos i love my A 1.7. bokeh so smoooooothhh mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

01-03-2008, 12:15 AM	#12
Kaimarx Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Auckland Photos: Gallery Posts: 452	I have the screw mount 50 1.4 and the M 50 f2...1.4 is my favourite by far. Thanks to Little Laker i use the 'beep' confirmation trick and at 1.4 its stunning and simple to use wide open.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Dump my *st DL for a better low light Pentax?	Corvairfan	Pentax DSLR Discussion	16	10-22-2010 07:22 AM
Pentax K7 - Low Light Question	BigCTM	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	05-25-2010 01:31 AM
Pentax Low Light Focus	indy1984	Pentax DSLR Discussion	15	02-17-2010 09:42 AM
Low light shooting capabilities GX20 at low ISO	cabstar	Pentax DSLR Discussion	1	12-04-2008 11:01 AM
Pentax can't do action or low light...	mcleoud151	Post Your Photos!	33	10-02-2008 04:58 PM

01-03-2008, 07:45 AM	#15
WendyB Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Posts: 189	Originally posted by carpents I asked myself the same question earlier this year...and three months later came up with the A50/1.2. The Normal Lens Shootout I concur, the A 1.2 is the winner hands down.