[krs]

I have been thinking about purchasing my first prime lens, and have been looking at 50mm F1.4 options.

I see that there are lots of M-50mm F1.4 lenses available for a bit under $100, a few A-50MM F1.4 available for a bit more. Then there is the SMCP-FA 50MM F/1.4, which is currently $199 on B&H.

Thoughts regarding these various lenses and performance for the price, and the best place to find the lens?

Regards,
Kevin

[Lowell Goudge]

I have been thinking about purchasing my first prime lens, and have been looking at 50mm F1.4 options.

I see that there are lots of M-50mm F1.4 lenses available for a bit under $100, a few A-50MM F1.4 available for a bit more. Then there is the SMCP-FA 50MM F/1.4, which is currently $199 on B&H.

Thoughts regarding these various lenses and performance for the price, and the best place to find the lens?

Regards,
Kevin

go for the FA if you have the $
I have a SMC 50mm F1.4 and use it a bit for low lighting situations, the AF version is very well respected, I am not sure today, if I would get MF or AF, I've had mine for 20+ years

[ankit]

Kevin,

From what I have read, the various 50/1.4s have very similar optics (if not identical), with somewhat different optical coatings. The build is very different though - the older M and A series are all metal, while the newer FA is plastic. The real difference though is that the FA gives you auto-focus; A is manual focus, but it does have the "A" setting in the aperture ring that lets you use the lens in aperture priority and other exposure modes; the "M" and "K" is manual focus and requires stop-down metering.

And then there is the extremely rare "F" 50/1.4 lens that some people believe is far better than any other pentax 50/1.4, and should fetch $500+ on the used market!

[krs]

Any thoughts as to when Pentax will come out with a DA 50mm F1.4? What advantages could we expect?

[jsherman999]

Kevin,


And then there is the extremely rare "F" 50/1.4 lens that some people believe is far better than any other pentax 50/1.4, and should fetch $500+ on the used market!

That thing is so extremely rare, it might as well be a unicorn. If that were to be purchased on ebay somehow for less than $500, it would be a 'miracle'. If it were to appear in the marketplace forum for less than $2000, it should be purchased immedit WHAAAA...? HOLY CRAP LOOK AT THAT!?!?! (fumbling frantically for Paypal bookmark...)




.

[aegisphan]

Any thoughts as to when Pentax will come out with a DA 50mm F1.4? What advantages could we expect?

Faster AF is the one thing I can think of-SDM goodness. However, IQ-wise, I don't think it would be any better than the FA, since they're likely to keep the same design and similar coatings. To be honest, just grab the FA if you're not comfortable with manual focus, grab the A if you're (since it would be cheaper in most cases).

[Lowell Goudge]

Kevin,
And then there is the extremely rare "F" 50/1.4 lens that some people believe is far better than any other pentax 50/1.4, and should fetch $500+ on the used market!

I'm not so sure it is only an issue of being rare, but as I heard in a photo store on the weekend while looking for an 85mm F1.8 the problem with the nice lenses is that the people who own them just aren't selling.

They know the lenses are good, and still use them.

[John Kovarik]

That $500 remark should get you a reward. Ha! That thread has been the most fun here in along time...............

[andyhewitt3]

I just got the FA 50mm and though I've only taken a few shots, it seems to be a great little lens. $194 at Amazon.

[heatherslightbox]

Any thoughts as to when Pentax will come out with a DA 50mm F1.4? What advantages could we expect?

I know that Pentax has a DA55/1.4 on their lens roadmap, but I have no idea when it will be available.

Heather

[clawhammer]

Hopefully soon- that lens looks really sweet. SDM, weather sealing, mmmmmm......