Anything special about the SMC-K 55 2.0?

KungPOW · 05-17-2008, 07:39 PM

Just as the tittle says, is there anything special about the smc-K 55 2.0? At least I think it is a K and not an M...

I have one, I never use it, and unless I can find a reason to keep it, it has to go.

I have a SMC-M 50 1.4 so I think the lens is a little redundant.

So... anything special about a 55mm lens?

Falcons · 05-17-2008, 08:29 PM

You may like to read the reviews of this lens on this site (if you haven't allready)
Pentax Lens Review Database - 55mm F2

I have the F1.8 version of the K series 55mm and would not part with it ever, well built lens with very high resolution.

I think that the F2 version is a cheaper one designed more for the mass market but has pretty much the same build quality.

KungPOW · 05-17-2008, 09:24 PM

Falcons,

Thanks for the input!

Yes I had a look at the lens database here. It's an awsome resorce!

But is the lens really that different then the M series 50 1.4? Why did Pentax make two lenses that are only 5mm apart? Is it sharper then the 50mm, or better bokah?

I want to slim down my collection of 50's, but I don't want find out a year from now that the 55mm was a legend among lenses.

Maybe I should take it out for a spin and see if it does anything for me.

Zewrak · 05-18-2008, 12:07 AM

The review
http://www.mflenses.com/asahi-pentax-smc-takumar-55mm-f-2-lens-review.html

The gallery
SMC Takumar 55mm f/2

VF-19 · 05-18-2008, 03:57 AM

I have both a 50 and a 55 in K mount (FA 50 1.4, and K 55 1.8). And the main difference between the two of them, when mounted on a KX, is that the 55 is exactly the field of view of one eye. If you put the camera in a vertical orientation, and you open the other eye, the two images in from your eyes (one viewing the scene raw, the other through your camera) will overlap exactly in your brain, no double images. On a 50 mm lens, which is a little bit wider, you will see a small bit of double images.

If it sounds confusing, which it probably is, it's my best shot at explaining what it looks like to me after lots of experimenting.

KungPOW · 05-18-2008, 11:54 AM

VF-19,

Thats how I shoot street scenes with my ME. The 50mm, on my ME works perfectly with both eyes open (to my eyes at least). So the 55mm works the same way with the K series of bodies? Never thought of that, but if the viewfinder has a different magnification, that would make sense.

Thanks for the answer.

05-17-2008, 07:39 PM	#1
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699	Anything special about the SMC-K 55 2.0? Just as the tittle says, is there anything special about the smc-K 55 2.0? At least I think it is a K and not an M... I have one, I never use it, and unless I can find a reason to keep it, it has to go. I have a SMC-M 50 1.4 so I think the lens is a little redundant. So... anything special about a 55mm lens?

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05-17-2008, 08:29 PM	#2
Falcons Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Perth Photos: Gallery Posts: 669	You may like to read the reviews of this lens on this site (if you haven't allready) Pentax Lens Review Database - 55mm F2 I have the F1.8 version of the K series 55mm and would not part with it ever, well built lens with very high resolution. I think that the F2 version is a cheaper one designed more for the mass market but has pretty much the same build quality.

05-17-2008, 09:24 PM	#3
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699 Original Poster	Falcons, Thanks for the input! Yes I had a look at the lens database here. It's an awsome resorce! But is the lens really that different then the M series 50 1.4? Why did Pentax make two lenses that are only 5mm apart? Is it sharper then the 50mm, or better bokah? I want to slim down my collection of 50's, but I don't want find out a year from now that the 55mm was a legend among lenses. Maybe I should take it out for a spin and see if it does anything for me.

05-18-2008, 12:07 AM	#4
Zewrak Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nowhere, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 654	The review http://www.mflenses.com/asahi-pentax-smc-takumar-55mm-f-2-lens-review.html The gallery SMC Takumar 55mm f/2

05-18-2008, 03:57 AM	#5
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	I have both a 50 and a 55 in K mount (FA 50 1.4, and K 55 1.8). And the main difference between the two of them, when mounted on a KX, is that the 55 is exactly the field of view of one eye. If you put the camera in a vertical orientation, and you open the other eye, the two images in from your eyes (one viewing the scene raw, the other through your camera) will overlap exactly in your brain, no double images. On a 50 mm lens, which is a little bit wider, you will see a small bit of double images. If it sounds confusing, which it probably is, it's my best shot at explaining what it looks like to me after lots of experimenting.

05-18-2008, 11:54 AM	#6
KungPOW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,699 Original Poster	VF-19, Thats how I shoot street scenes with my ME. The 50mm, on my ME works perfectly with both eyes open (to my eyes at least). So the 55mm works the same way with the K series of bodies? Never thought of that, but if the viewfinder has a different magnification, that would make sense. Thanks for the answer.