[rp_dxn]

Hello guys, i would to start a discussion about ''your best 50/2 lens'' in pentax k or m42 mount... This will also help me decide which one to buy for both me and my younger sister.. I currently have k30 and buy her k01 as well. Im leaning towards k mount but m42 suggestion will be considered...50-55-58mm f2 only please

Thanks guys! Looking forward to your responses....

[gofour3]

The K55/2 which has the same optics as the K55/1.8.

These two lenses will be a better choice than the M50/2 or A50/2.
Since the K55/1.8 is easier to find and about the same price as the K55/2, you might as well go for the faster K55/1.8

Phil.

[dms]

The K55 f/2 has two advantages.
1. you said it must be f/2.
2. The f/2 being identical to the f/1.8 except the iris does not open as wide. Thus when its fully open the lens actually is stopped down 1/3 stop--so it is sharper, and yet has nice circular (not hexagonal) out of focus areas.
I read 2 somewhere here on the forum but don't know where, or I would give credit.

[Billy Joe]

May I ask why you limit to F2? It is easily my least fave of my bucket full of 50's...

As mentioned the 55 1.8 or 50 1.7 both kick the F2's buttocks

And in my humble opinion you should scrap them both and get some Helios 44 Magic

[nono]

Any Helios 44. The 44-2 in particular is dirt cheap and really easy to find. They are m42 though; AFAIK the 44K4 is the only K-mount version and it is much more expensive (I paid mine more than 40 euros if memory serves).

[rp_dxn]

@BillyJoe Simply because i have a bucketloads of 50mils including 1.4, 1.7, 1.8...i do have 50 f2 zenitar k2 and bunch of helioses, 44-2, 44--3M (rare version), 44M.
The reason i need an f2 right now is to give it to my younger sister as her starter 50. If she goes well with this hobby i might buy her an auto 50.

pentax k 55/2, as much as a want this lens, its seems highly priced!

[Pablom]

Rikenon-P 50/2

sharp sharp sharp, sometimes bokeh can be noisy but cheap cheap cheap

[rp_dxn]

@pablom: Thank you for your suggestion.. noted..
ricoh pin's pretty scary

[Pablom]

@pablom: Thank you for your suggestion.. noted..
ricoh pin's pretty scary

This lens is safe, at least on my old k-x and current K-5.
I think I might be the only one to benefit from it and actually use these lenses on a Ricoh P body.

[Billy Joe]

@BillyJoe Simply because i have a bucketloads of 50mils including 1.4, 1.7, 1.8...i do have 50 f2 zenitar k2 and bunch of helioses, 44-2, 44--3M (rare version), 44M.
The reason i need an f2 right now is to give it to my younger sister as her starter 50. If she goes well with this hobby i might buy her an auto 50.

pentax k 55/2, as much as a want this lens, its seems highly priced!

Well, if you want her to truly get a good result get one the lenses you have... the pentax F2's are soft at f2 and unimpressive at even higher f-stops... Why not spend a few dollars more and get her a decent lens? Or give her one of yours?


What is the price limit you are looking to achieve?

[Billy Joe]

In fact, I have an A50 f2 you can have, cause it is one of the worst lenses I have... give me shipping and I will box it up...

[rp_dxn]

Thanks Billy Joe, my sister's kinda clumsy, so im thinking of giving her a "budget" 50 f2 so just in case she'll broke it, its ok. $50-60 tops.
I cant have her any of my treasured (well-cared) lens, like i said, she's kinda clumsy. If she gets good at handling things in this hobby, still, i wont let her borrow my lens
i rather buy her a new one

How much for your A50 f2?

[southlander]

You can buy M50/1.7's for only a few dollars more, and will be much better lenses.

[rp_dxn]

i have 50/1.7 already sir... f2 is a must for now

[Na Horuk]

I'll do you one better than f2 - Get the Industar 50-2 and its f3.5 wide open! Of course, it is a silly lens, kind of a hassle to use with a fiddly preset aperture. But its one of the slowest 50mm lenses I've ever seen for this format. And pretty cheap, if you already have the m42 adapter. Very sharp in center, but terrible edges, even on APSC