I haven't a clue about the Taks etc. But I am really getting to appreciate my FA50/1.4. At f/2 it is simply fantastic in every way, colour, bokeh and clarity. And it goes to 1.4 too. There's nothing backward about it relative to the DA. I'm liking the 50 more than I did the FA43 limited I had. Less contrast for sure, but also less nervous. The DA's seem to be a little more clinical. I vote for the FA.

[Docrwm]

I put the DA50/1.8 up for sale in the Marketplace last night, along with my DA40 Limited.

[Clavius]

1. The FA 50 stopped down to 1.8, will be sharper then the DA 50 wide open at 1.8.

2. And then there's 1.4 when you need/want it to boot. So I would get rid of the DA, if I were you.

3. The FA 50 looks much cooler.

EDIT: Sorry, I see you have already made up your mind.

[Docrwm]

1. The FA 50 stopped down to 1.8, will be sharper then the DA 50 wide open at 1.8.

2. And then there's 1.4 when you need/want it to boot. So I would get rid of the DA, if I were you.

3. The FA 50 looks much cooler.

EDIT: Sorry, I see you have already made up your mind.

Thanks, and I agreed with your reasoning (except for #3 ).

[bdery]

Erm... How about that but end off with the DA50/1.8 instead, freeing some more cash for other stuffs...?

By all accounts the f1,7 is sharper. But when comparing 50s you are splitting hairs anyway, they are all excellent.

[Blue]

Sell both and get an F50

---

f1.4

sorry, I couldn't resist.

[pinholecam]

I've had all the A and M 50mm, still keeping all the A
Also have s.tak 55/1.8, and others.
I have the FA50/1.4 too.

To me the FA50/1.4 is the best if I was ever forced to keep only one.
FA and A versions have the best bokeh, sharpness is on par against any of the others, usually ppl get the focus wrong and/or don't use a hood to maximize contrast.
Its also confirmed FF compatible (I've used the A version on a 5D), and has an aperture ring.
Not much more 2nd hand compared to the DA50/1.8 too.


But then, all the 50s don't cost too much and are all unique, so I keep all of them.

[bdery]

FA and A versions have the best bokeh, sharpness is on par against any of the others, usually ppl get the focus wrong and/or don't use a hood to maximize contrast.

The f1,7 have the advantage of needing no hood to preserve contrast wide open. But they are indeed quite similar.

[twitch]

I think that I read in Falconeye's thread that the DA 50/1.8 was FF capable like the DA 35/2.4 ... need to double check because I have neither of these lenses and I am debating between these two 50's as a possible "next" acquisition ... I have a few MF 50 glass at 1.4 & 1.7+, but no AF 50 ... J

Who would have thought Pentax would never allow an option to override SDM to use the inbuilt screw drive? So what's to say the same bone-headed engineer wont put auto-crop on all DA lenses? That's why I said the FA50 is "guaranteed" to be FF compatible. The DA lenses thought to be FF are likely to be OK, but I've seen stranger things....

[SyncGuy]

Who would have thought Pentax would never allow an option to override SDM to use the inbuilt screw drive? So what's to say the same bone-headed engineer wont put auto-crop on all DA lenses? That's why I said the FA50 is "guaranteed" to be FF compatible. The DA lenses thought to be FF are likely to be OK, but I've seen stranger things....

You know, it suddenly hits me... Maybe they could allow the option for screw-drive for slightly faster speed whereas SDM will be more silent mode..

But anyway, sure, the bone-headed engineer could insist on putting auto-crop for all DA lenses but users sure know that we can "short" the crap out of the metal pins to fool the system, right?

Like they say, knowing your gear... LOL!