[shaolin95]

Hi!
I am thinking on getting a 50mm more than likely a 1.7 A 50mm or maybe a 2.0 A 50mm but I would love to see images of both PLUS the kit lens to see the differences and advantages that I will have with either.
Thanks for the help.

[egordon99]

I'm sure the primes would be a bit sharper at 50mm@f/5.6 then the kit lens (50mm@f/5.6 as well), BUT I would think the bigger advantage of the primes is the ability to shoot faster than f/5.6.

[Jodokast96]

I'm sure the primes would be a bit sharper at 50mm@f/5.6 then the kit lens (50mm@f/5.6 as well), BUT I would think the bigger advantage of the primes is the ability to shoot faster than f/5.6.

Hell, my 1.7 is sharper wide open let alone at f/5.6. The only advantage of the 18-55 is that it goes wider than 50mm and has AF. I'll see if I can dig up some comparison shots, but I'll be busy the next few days.

[shaolin95]

So it helps a lot when shooting at low light without having to use slow shutter speed...thats is one big advantage correct? I am learning so I may be confusing terms. :-)
I will check back for those images.

[Peter Zack]

The 50mm 1.7 will be the fastest lens in low light. That is correct. Then followed by the 50 F2 an the slower lens will be the kit lens. The zoom will also be a little softer.

Now this isn't a totally fair comparison since the images are of different subjects and speed/f stops. But to save some time waiting for posts (plus the space here is limited) have a look at these images:
50mm A f2:
PENTAX Photo Gallery

50mm A f1.7:
PENTAX Photo Gallery

And the 18-55 Kit lens:
PENTAX Photo Gallery

So as you can see, in the right hands and a decent understanding of shooting technique, you can get good results from all 3 lenses. The 1.7 is clearly the best and fastest lens but the kit lens has the added avantage of a zoom wide to mid telephoto focal range. It's about 2 stops slower at the wide end and about 3 at the long end.

[Jodokast96]

No need for me to dig up any shots now, unless I want to embarass myself. If you've got the extra few bucks laying around and don't mind manual focus, it's hard to go wrong with either 50mm. The 1.7 seems to be the sweet spot between the 50s with regards to IQ, availability, and price. But there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the 2.0 either, just a tad slower.

[jsherman999]

No need for me to dig up any shots now, unless I want to embarass myself. If you've got the extra few bucks laying around and don't mind manual focus, it's hard to go wrong with either 50mm. The 1.7 seems to be the sweet spot between the 50s with regards to IQ, availability, and price. But there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the 2.0 either, just a tad slower.

How timely, someone happens to have an SMC-A 50mm f/2 for sale in the marketplace for $35 + shipping...


Oh wait, that's me!






.

[shaolin95]

No need for me to dig up any shots now, unless I want to embarass myself. If you've got the extra few bucks laying around and don't mind manual focus, it's hard to go wrong with either 50mm. The 1.7 seems to be the sweet spot between the 50s with regards to IQ, availability, and price. But there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the 2.0 either, just a tad slower.

Actually I would still love to see some same image with both lenses comparison. :-)

[tux08902]

I've compared the F 50/1.7, the M 50/1.7, and the DA 18-55/3.5-5.6, and the F 50/1.7 is the sharpest followed by the M 50/1.7. Yes, the A and M lenses have only manual focus, but it's up to you to decide if that's a disadvantage. I wanted autofocus, which is why I sold two lenses to purchases my F 50/1.7. I don't have a problem with manual focus. I actually use my F 50/1.7 in MF most of the time. It's just convenient to have for those special times. See what you like and make a decision based on that, but there's no doubt that the either of those primes are faster and sharper than the kit lens at comparable aperture settings. Also, since I prefer prime lenses, I found the F 50/1.7 and M 50/1.7 much more pleasurable to shoot with than the kit lens.

[jsherman999]

Actually I would still love to see some same image with both lenses comparison. :-)

As of today I no longer have my 18-55 or my A-50 f/1.7, so I can't post any comparison shots taken of the same subject, but you may find this "50mm shootout page" a fun read, I did. It's like the final-four brackets except with 50mm's:

the Normal Lens Shootout Photo Gallery by Sean Carpenter at pbase.com


.

[Mikhail]

Well here are some comparison shots between the DA 18-55mm and the Pentax-M F1.7. The name tells you what lens and what aperture.
There is a clear IQ difference between the two, maybe not as much as you would expect, but this lens is also older than me! The 50mm F1.7 that is, the DA is virtually brand new!
Also as you can see from the F1.7 and F5.6 (best aperture for 50mm) there is a HUGE jump in IQ. And Im not saying there is more areas in DOF that makes it better, the parts that are equally in focus , far right of the crops , clearly shows the jump.

Pentax-M F1.7


DA F5.6


Pentax-M F5.6


DA F8


Pentax-M F8


DA F22


Pentax-M F22


Thanks

[nathancombs]

Well here are some comparison shots between the DA 18-55mm and the Pentax-M F1.7. The name tells you what lens and what aperture.
There is a clear IQ difference between the two, maybe not as much as you would expect, but this lens is also older than me! The 50mm F1.7 that is, the DA is virtually brand new!
Also as you can see from the F1.7 and F5.6 (best aperture for 50mm) there is a HUGE jump in IQ. And Im not saying there is more areas in DOF that makes it better, the parts that are equally in focus , far right of the crops , clearly shows the jump.

Pentax-M F1.7


DA F5.6


Pentax-M F5.6


DA F8


Pentax-M F8


DA F22


Pentax-M F22


Thanks

in your test the DA looks over all sharper BUT i find that the M 1.7 is sharper a cross the board ( not that i am nocking the kit lens ) i will look and see if i can find a comparison i for get witch lens i use when i am shooting LOL

[nathancombs]

Kit K100D



M 1.7 K1000



ok not the best Vs but i PS all my portrets lol

[shaolin95]

Very interesting comparison....at 5.6 I see the M looks sharper than the Kit but what surprised me is that at 1.7 the M looks soft and not only on the left but also the right side...maybe its just me though.
Thanks a lot for this btw. :-)

[Mikhail]

in your test the DA looks over all sharper BUT i find that the M 1.7 is sharper a cross the board ( not that i am nocking the kit lens ) i will look and see if i can find a comparison i for get witch lens i use when i am shooting LOL

Ohh? I didnt think the DA was sharper in any of the pictures.. which one exactly where you refering to?

Thanks