[HoBykoYan]

if you have the opportunity to buy 1 or 2 of the m42 lenses listed below, which one would you choose and why?
smc tak 50 1.4
s-m-c tak 50 1.4
smc tak 55 1.8
fujinon 55 1.8
yashinon 50 1.7 dsm
yashica 50 2
yashica 50 1.4 dx
auto chinon 55 1.7
smc m50 1.7
thanks in advance

[HoBykoYan]

just included the m50 for comparison

[Lowell Goudge]

I have highlighted the ones I own in bold, and added a few more that I own that are not on the op's list in Italics

smc tak 50 1.4
s-m-c tak 50 1.4
smc tak 55 1.8
fujinon 55 1.8
yashinon 50 1.7 dsm
yashica 50 2
yashica 50 1.4 dx
auto chinon 55 1.7
smc m50 1.7
SMC-Pentax (K) 50 1.4
SMC Takumar 55 2.0
super tak 50 1.4 (8 element)
SMC-M 50 2.0
SMC - A 50 2.0

You should consider having at least one F1.4 lens. I have added others because they were cheap, and I wanted to play. the A50 is useful for the aperture contacts and flash / auto modes and an A lens should also be considered.

[boriscleto]

I would be biased towards the Taks, simply because I own both (several 50 1.4s) and I don't own any of the others. I would add the Helios 44-2 58/2 to the list.

[Na Horuk]

I have the Pentax M 50mm f1.7 and love it. Its bokeh is much smoother than that of most modern 'digital' lenses, so it has a great use. It is also pretty fast and sharp. Of the ones you listed I think all are pretty good, just get whichever is in best condition or one of the takumars because, well, you are a Pentaxian.

[HoBykoYan]

hi Lowell, thanks for your reply. what is the difference between the smc tak 55 1.8 & 2? are there any standout/s in the list including the lenses you included?

hi Boriscleto, what tak 50 1.4 is your best? whats the advantage of 44-2? thanks too man.

[Lowell Goudge]

the difference between F1.8 and F2 is, 0.2

Actually, my 55/1.8 is an S-M-C tak, and the 55/2 is an SMC tak. aside from 1/3 of a stop, the SMC tak has a rubberized focusing collar.

optically not a lot, but they really are only in my collection because they were cheap

when I shoot 50-58mm (I too have a helois 58/2) it is invariably with the 8 element supertak. speed, & sharpness mostly do this

[Fogel70]

IMO SMC Tak 50/1.4 is the best m42 50-55mm lens Pentax made.
It's better than my S-Tak and S-M-C Tak, and I can't really tell much diffetence between SMC Tak 50/1.4 and FA 50/1.4, except that Tak rendets colors warmer.

If I only had to keep two of my manual focus normal lenses, it would be SMC Tak 50/1.4 and M 50/1.7.

[Blue]

if you have the opportunity to buy 1 or 2 of the m42 lenses listed below, which one would you choose and why?
smc tak 50 1.4
s-m-c tak 50 1.4
smc tak 55 1.8
fujinon 55 1.8
yashinon 50 1.7 dsm
yashica 50 2
yashica 50 1.4 dx
auto chinon 55 1.7
smc m50 1.7
thanks in advance

the clear pick would be either the s-m-c 50/1.4 or SMC 50/1.4. They are the same optically and same coatings. The SMC Tak 55/1.8 would be the distant 2nd.

why all 50/55 choices?

[dms]

The pentax K 50mm f4 (macro) is a lovely lens--and thus I should think the Tak's would be also--believe same optically. As an all around backpacking kit it, along with a wide angle (24-28mm), for me it is likely the best compromise.

[dms]

As a follow up--as you really want a fairly fast 50--having used several Pentax, Nikon, and Alpa (Kert)--I think the best (unbelievable for the price) is the M 50 f1.7

[lytrytyr]

what is the difference between the smc tak 55 1.8 & 2

On my copies, there's no difference,
except that the diaphragm on the f/2
is blocked so that it won't open
all the way out to f/1.8.

[Lowell Goudge]

dms

the 50 mm macros are all the same except coatings (and mounts obviously) from super tak through M lenses.

Note that SMC taks had aperture coupling for open aperture metering, not an issue for a DLSR but really an issue for a spotty shooter.

the M1.7 and M2 are both pretty cheap ($30 or less) 55mm smc taks are now a little more at about 50

[Blue]

dms

the 50 mm macros are all the same except coatings (and mounts obviously) from super tak through M lenses.

Note that SMC taks had aperture coupling for open aperture metering, not an issue for a DLSR but really an issue for a spotty shooter.

the M1.7 and M2 are both pretty cheap ($30 or less) 55mm smc taks are now a little more at about 50

The Macro Tak 50mm is a preset lens and true 1:1 macro unlike the later macros by Pentax.

[boriscleto]

hi Boriscleto, what tak 50 1.4 is your best? whats the advantage of 44-2? thanks too man.

I wouldn't want to quantify which is 'best', but I like the 8-element the best. What's the advantage of the 44-2? Bokeh. Swirly, swirly Bokeh. It's said to be sharp stopped down, but I only use it for the wide open Bokeh.