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bdery · 08-23-2013, 04:50 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Even though it is labeled a DA it still has a more or less FF image circle...

That bears no relation to the field of view. Only the focal length and the size of the sensor will drive the FOV.

To answer the question, a 50 is a 50 so the FOV will be identical.

**boriscleto** · 08-23-2013, 05:04 AM

Originally posted by bdery

That bears no relation to the field of view.

I wasn't implying that it did. It was more of a BTW statement.

jwc77 · 08-23-2013, 06:17 AM

I can second that Tamron 28-75. It's a great walk around lens and good for portraits.

pdxfive · 08-25-2013, 06:33 PM

So I think I've narrowed it down to either the DA 1.8 50mm new for $181 at Adorama/B&H, or the FA 1.4 50mm used, of which there are 4 or 5 currently in the marketplace from the low to mid $200 range. Anyone have experience with both?

Colbyt · 08-26-2013, 06:13 AM

Originally posted by pdxfive

So I think I've narrowed it down to either the DA 1.8 50mm new for $181 at Adorama/B&H, or the FA 1.4 50mm used, of which there are 4 or 5 currently in the marketplace from the low to mid $200 range. Anyone have experience with both?

Have you read the reviews in this section? Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Some time spent there might help make a tough choice easier.

**boriscleto** · 08-26-2013, 06:42 AM

I don't have the FA, but I do have the A 50/1.4.

Index of Lenses in Lens Sample Archive

The A, like most 1.4s does have a bit of halo at 1.4.

Personally, I think some softness is desirable in a portrait lens.

I don't have the DA 50/1.8 either, but I do have the FA 50/1.7. It is sharp wide open. Maybe not razor sharp, but good enough...

Fat Albert · 08-26-2013, 07:37 AM

OP, I have a new baby and both the DA 35 2.4 and an FA 50 1.7. I'd really urge you to go with the 35. It is PLENTY sharp with great color reproduction, and it's much more useable than the 50. It focuses very well up close, so if you want to get tight you can just move closer. Working with a 50mm focal length indoors can be a real PITA, especially if you want to get baby and Mom in the same frame. I'll post some examples when I get home.

HawaiianOnline · 08-27-2013, 12:11 AM

If you don't mind used, then an F50mm 1.7 from KEH.com may be one to consider...

Here's a few samples taken with an F50 1.7 that I've had since 1989:

SemPai · 08-31-2013, 12:40 PM

When my wife was pregnant of our second it gave me a good excuse to buy the Sigma 50 1.4.
But my most used lens for our little boy was my good old 30 1.4

wowarning · 08-31-2013, 06:21 PM

I was using an M50 1.4 and decided I needed a fifty with autofocus too. I got some wonderful pictures with that lens, and the bokeh is melted butter, but the ability to determine whether you nailed the focus in the viewfinder led to a lot of 'almost nailed it' shots when reviewing on the big screen. After lots of reading I picked up the F50 1.7 that bdery also referred to. It is a fantastic lens and I haven't regretted it one bit. A wider field of view could be handy, but the 40's can't touch the max 1.7 aperture of that lens and it is wonderfully sharp wide open. I would recommend that, but I am admittedly quite biased.

08-26-2013, 06:42 AM	#21
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	I don't have the FA, but I do have the A 50/1.4. Index of Lenses in Lens Sample Archive The A, like most 1.4s does have a bit of halo at 1.4. Personally, I think some softness is desirable in a portrait lens. I don't have the DA 50/1.8 either, but I do have the FA 50/1.7. It is sharp wide open. Maybe not razor sharp, but good enough... Last edited by boriscleto; 08-26-2013 at 06:52 AM.

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08-23-2013, 04:50 AM	#16
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by boriscleto Even though it is labeled a DA it still has a more or less FF image circle... That bears no relation to the field of view. Only the focal length and the size of the sensor will drive the FOV. To answer the question, a 50 is a 50 so the FOV will be identical.

08-23-2013, 05:04 AM	#17
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Originally posted by bdery That bears no relation to the field of view. I wasn't implying that it did. It was more of a BTW statement.

08-23-2013, 06:17 AM	#18
jwc77 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 269	I can second that Tamron 28-75. It's a great walk around lens and good for portraits.

08-25-2013, 06:33 PM	#19
pdxfive Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 48 Original Poster	So I think I've narrowed it down to either the DA 1.8 50mm new for $181 at Adorama/B&H, or the FA 1.4 50mm used, of which there are 4 or 5 currently in the marketplace from the low to mid $200 range. Anyone have experience with both?

08-26-2013, 06:13 AM	#20
Colbyt Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Central Kentucky Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,418	Originally posted by pdxfive So I think I've narrowed it down to either the DA 1.8 50mm new for $181 at Adorama/B&H, or the FA 1.4 50mm used, of which there are 4 or 5 currently in the marketplace from the low to mid $200 range. Anyone have experience with both? Have you read the reviews in this section? Pentax Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Some time spent there might help make a tough choice easier.

08-26-2013, 07:37 AM	#22
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	OP, I have a new baby and both the DA 35 2.4 and an FA 50 1.7. I'd really urge you to go with the 35. It is PLENTY sharp with great color reproduction, and it's much more useable than the 50. It focuses very well up close, so if you want to get tight you can just move closer. Working with a 50mm focal length indoors can be a real PITA, especially if you want to get baby and Mom in the same frame. I'll post some examples when I get home.

08-27-2013, 12:11 AM	#23
HawaiianOnline Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 613	If you don't mind used, then an F50mm 1.7 from KEH.com may be one to consider... Here's a few samples taken with an F50 1.7 that I've had since 1989:

08-31-2013, 12:40 PM	#24
SemPai Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 4	When my wife was pregnant of our second it gave me a good excuse to buy the Sigma 50 1.4. But my most used lens for our little boy was my good old 30 1.4

08-31-2013, 06:21 PM	#25
wowarning Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 60	I was using an M50 1.4 and decided I needed a fifty with autofocus too. I got some wonderful pictures with that lens, and the bokeh is melted butter, but the ability to determine whether you nailed the focus in the viewfinder led to a lot of 'almost nailed it' shots when reviewing on the big screen. After lots of reading I picked up the F50 1.7 that bdery also referred to. It is a fantastic lens and I haven't regretted it one bit. A wider field of view could be handy, but the 40's can't touch the max 1.7 aperture of that lens and it is wonderfully sharp wide open. I would recommend that, but I am admittedly quite biased.

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