Best 50/55 vintage Pentax lens.

1r0nh31d3 · 03-19-2013, 12:33 PM

I have tried the tak smc 50 1.4 and I currently own the A smc 50mm 1.7 which sees about 15% use on my camera, I also have the 43mm 1.9. The A 50mm is really great when I hit focus in low light but hitting focus is a challenge and very challenging with a moving subject. So thats why the 43mm sees so much action over it. As far as image rendering goes I actually slightly prefer the 50mm 1.7 over the 43mm but it is a marginal gain in image quality which is heavily outweighed by the lack of autofocus.

That being said I'll never get rid of it and I am on the hunt for an A50mm 1.2. I actually think that lenses should be a grail for every pentaxian.

NitroDC · 03-19-2013, 02:13 PM

From what I've read and from personal experience (only owned one of them) I would go for the M50/1.7. Superb sharpness and contrast, amazing for indoor/dark photography. Hasn't impressed me much in outside use, though. But I rarely use 50mm outdoors anyways.

Cloapex · 03-24-2013, 12:43 PM

Little bit off topic, but what about the Sears 55 1.4??
I googled it but would prefer to here something about it.

Im gonna test out the Pentacon 50 1.8, it arrives in the mail any day.
(I bought it for 85$ together with a working Practica LTL 3 and the SMC Takumar 105 2.8 in mint C.)

stevebrot · 03-24-2013, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by Cloapex

Little bit off topic, but what about the Sears 55 1.4??
I googled it but would prefer to here something about it.

Assuming you are talking about the M42 version, most (all?) were sourced from Ricoh and are the same as the Auto Rikenon 55/1.4 of the same vintage. I have the Rikenon and while it is very well made, it suffers from low contrast and has average sharpness. There is also a problem of "center hot spot" at narrow apertures in bright light that happens with various fast lenses having large rear elements.

Soooo...if you find a nice one for less than $35 USD, it is well worth picking up, but I would not pay a premium price for one.

Steve

Cloapex · 03-24-2013, 01:59 PM

Thanks for the quick reply Steve. I pass then to pick it up.
I found some nice pics taken with it, but off course they didnt really post the less good pics, or the´re PP.

Well i might get the pratica out, I never tried those out but u guess there like spotmatics, only a little less desireable.

stevebrot · 03-24-2013, 03:28 PM

Originally posted by Cloapex

Thanks for the quick reply Steve. I pass then to pick it up.
I found some nice pics taken with it, but off course they didnt really post the less good pics, or the´re PP.

Well i might get the pratica out, I never tried those out but u guess there like spotmatics, only a little less desireable.

Here is a photo taken with the Auto-Rikenon 55/1.4 that turned out pretty good...

...and another that suffers from veiling flare.

Steve

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03-19-2013, 12:33 PM	#31
1r0nh31d3 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 136	I have tried the tak smc 50 1.4 and I currently own the A smc 50mm 1.7 which sees about 15% use on my camera, I also have the 43mm 1.9. The A 50mm is really great when I hit focus in low light but hitting focus is a challenge and very challenging with a moving subject. So thats why the 43mm sees so much action over it. As far as image rendering goes I actually slightly prefer the 50mm 1.7 over the 43mm but it is a marginal gain in image quality which is heavily outweighed by the lack of autofocus. That being said I'll never get rid of it and I am on the hunt for an A50mm 1.2. I actually think that lenses should be a grail for every pentaxian.

03-19-2013, 02:13 PM	#32
NitroDC Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 342	From what I've read and from personal experience (only owned one of them) I would go for the M50/1.7. Superb sharpness and contrast, amazing for indoor/dark photography. Hasn't impressed me much in outside use, though. But I rarely use 50mm outdoors anyways.

03-24-2013, 12:43 PM	#33
Cloapex Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 166 Original Poster	Little bit off topic, but what about the Sears 55 1.4?? I googled it but would prefer to here something about it. Im gonna test out the Pentacon 50 1.8, it arrives in the mail any day. (I bought it for 85$ together with a working Practica LTL 3 and the SMC Takumar 105 2.8 in mint C.)

03-24-2013, 01:09 PM	#34
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Cloapex Little bit off topic, but what about the Sears 55 1.4?? I googled it but would prefer to here something about it. Assuming you are talking about the M42 version, most (all?) were sourced from Ricoh and are the same as the Auto Rikenon 55/1.4 of the same vintage. I have the Rikenon and while it is very well made, it suffers from low contrast and has average sharpness. There is also a problem of "center hot spot" at narrow apertures in bright light that happens with various fast lenses having large rear elements. Soooo...if you find a nice one for less than $35 USD, it is well worth picking up, but I would not pay a premium price for one. Steve

03-24-2013, 01:59 PM	#35
Cloapex Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thanks for the quick reply Steve. I pass then to pick it up. I found some nice pics taken with it, but off course they didnt really post the less good pics, or the´re PP. Well i might get the pratica out, I never tried those out but u guess there like spotmatics, only a little less desireable.

03-24-2013, 03:28 PM	#36
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Cloapex Thanks for the quick reply Steve. I pass then to pick it up. I found some nice pics taken with it, but off course they didnt really post the less good pics, or the´re PP. Well i might get the pratica out, I never tried those out but u guess there like spotmatics, only a little less desireable. Here is a photo taken with the Auto-Rikenon 55/1.4 that turned out pretty good... ...and another that suffers from veiling flare. Steve