[LesDMess]

I've said it - all of them are sharper and with more pleasing bokeh than FA 50 1.4.

Thanks for clarifying.

[jatrax]

Third page of discussion and the OP never came back........................

[simbon4o]

Thanks for clarifying.

only wide open!!!

[bricamry]

I have read the article on the Pentax Forums home page on 50mm lens.

Pentax 50mm Prime Lens Shootout - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

I am wondering how some of the older prime lens stack up against these?

When I have been researching into different lens in the past someone told me that one of the older Pentax prime lens was really exceptional. I'm not sure if it was an A or M lens but I'm certain they said that between the two that were available between the F1.4 and F1.7 the latter was the one to get as it was outstanding. Could it have been the Asahi Pentax-M SMC f1.7 50mm? And does anyone know what the difference is between the A and M designations? I also wonder if it is the case that the 1.7 was considered the better lens I am wondering what the reasons for that would be?

Thanks,

John

imho you can buy A 50/1,4 i bought it before month and it is awesome! one stop down to F2 and i can do epic portraits... very sharp... on F5,6 is sharp as razor, i think, have good focus feel and long throw...
if you have $200-250 you can have it!

[Kerrowdown]

Exceptional should be the K/A 50/1.2

Exceptional, well I guess that's all a matter of opinion, I must admit I'm happy enough with my SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2

[simbon4o]

imho you can buy A 50/1,4 i bought it before month and it is awesome! one stop down to F2 and i can do epic portraits... very sharp... on F5,6 is sharp as razor, i think, have good focus feel and long throw...
if you have $200-250 you can have it!

For that kind of money it is better to buy the DA 50 1.8, The A 50 1.4 is no different from the other 50 1.4 from pentax that much to cost more than 100-120$ after all it is a MF lens. A better lens for the 250$ will be 2 other MF lenses if MF is the important thing. For 250$ I can buy Zenitar-M 50 1.7 and SMC Takumar 50 1.4 plus M42-K adapters, this is a way to have 50 1.4 and something pretty usable at 1.7(Zenitar) and the 50 1.4 classics. And with those 2 you can shoot in Aperture priority mode too.

[bricamry]

For that kind of money it is better to buy the DA 50 1.8, The A 50 1.4 is no different from the other 50 1.4 from pentax that much to cost more than 100-120$ after all it is a MF lens. A better lens for the 250$ will be 2 other MF lenses if MF is the important thing. For 250$ I can buy Zenitar-M 50 1.7 and SMC Takumar 50 1.4 plus M42-K adapters, this is a way to have 50 1.4 and something pretty usable at 1.7(Zenitar) and the 50 1.4 classics. And with those 2 you can shoot in Aperture priority mode too.

yes... yes... i dont think so is not about what is better, it is about what you prefer. i prefer solid build quality, but i want to have aperture ring and A setting.
imho for that price is best solution used FA 50/1,4

[simbon4o]

yes... yes... i dont think so is not about what is better, it is about what you prefer. i prefer solid build quality, but i want to have aperture ring and A setting.
imho for that price is best solution used FA 50/1,4

Well it is my opinion because I prefer it . As for the build quality - the A lens is not that good as the M lens or the takumar which are build much more solid! The most important for me is the IQ which is the same.

[bricamry]

Well it is my opinion because I prefer it . As for the build quality - the A lens is not that good as the M lens or the takumar which are build much more solid! The most important for me is the IQ which is the same.

i agree with you... best build has K and M... but i am high-fed by A setting )

[Blue]

My favorite k-mount mf 50 is the A 50/1.2. My favorite m42 is the ST 50/1.4 8 element design. I also like the AT 55/1.8 'Zebra.' I wouldn't mind getting my hands on the Tak 58/2.

[Rev163]

I used to dismiss my K mount 50 1.4 M SMC far too easily - now it lives on my K5 as my first go to lens. Love it!

[simbon4o]

For go out and shoot casually I always chose my Zenitar or Pancolar, they both are much more interesting wide open than pentax 50 1.4 .
Here you can see why:
battle of my 50s