[Jonathan Mac]

I've included 55mm/58mm lenses here as they're also standard primes.

K-mount:

K 55mm f/1.8
K 50mm f/1.4
M 50mm f/1.7 (x3)
M 50mm f/1.4
Auto Revuenon 50mm f/1.4
A 50mm f/2.8 macro
FA 50mm f/1.7
Centon 50mm f/1.7

Minolta SR mount:

Minolta 50mm f/1.7

Canon EF mount:

Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM

M42 mount:

Takumar 55mm f/1.8
Takumar 55mm f/2
Yashinon 50mm f/1.4
Helios 58mm f/2

I'd be hard pressed to choose a favourite - the M f/1.7 has fantastic image quality for the price and size and is my go-to 50mm for film, especially when travelling. The Auto Revuenon has build quality as good as Pentax and great rendering, and it's sharper wide open than my other 50/1.4s. The Minolta is a real pleasure to use on my old SR-T cameras and is possibly even sharper than the Pentax M. The Takumars are great and have given me some very nice images too, sharp with great rendering.

This is the beauty of the 50mm prime - so many good qualities and none possesses them all, it's impossible to get bored.

One's I've let go:

A 50mm f/1.7 - I've had and sold two of these. They're probably even sharper than the M version and yet I found I almost never used them as they lack the quality feel and the scratchy aperture ring when used on an old film SLR is too unpleasant.
Takumar 50mm f/1.4 - decent image quality but inferior to the much cheaper 55mm lenses, so better off selling and using the money for something that lives up to it's reputation.
M 50mm f/1.4 - only because I got a second copy essentially free.
M 50mm f/4 macro - only sold it because I have the faster A version, but it's a hell of a good lens.
Rikenon 50mm f/2 - a very sharp lens but mine had some fungus and in the end it's only slightly smaller & lighter than the superior M 50/1.7.

[boriscleto]

How is it that I've never posted in this thread before?

K-mount:

1. A 50/2
2. A 50/1.7 x2
3. A 50/1.4
4. FA 50/1.7
5. K 50/1.4
6. M 50/2
7. M 50/1.7
8. M 50/1.4
9. Promaster 50/1.9
10. Ricoh P 50/2
11. Ricoh XR S 50/2
12. Sears 50/1.7 (Chinon)
13. Sigma A 50/2.8 Macro

M42:

1. Industar 50/3.5
2. Mamiya/Sekor 50/2
3. S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4
4. Super Takumar 50/1.4 (7 element)
5. Super Takumar 50/1.4 (8 element)

Non-Pentax mount:

1. Canon FD 50/1.8
2. Canon FD 50/1.4
3. Kalimar 50/1.7 (Minolta S)
4. Kalimar 50/1.7 (C/Y)

The longer than 50mm list:

1. Pentax K 55/2
2. Pentax K 55/1.8
3. Sears 55/1.4
4. Auto Takumar 55/1.8 (2nd model)
5. SMC Takumar 55/1.8
6. Super Takumar 55/2
7. Helios 44-2 58/2
8. Helios 44M 58/2

Equivalent to 50mm:

1. Pentax Q 8.5/1.9

Somewhat wider than 50mm:

1. M 40/2.8

And what is this talk of letting things go?

So many more accumulated in the last 4 or so years...

[monochrome]

I think they produce offspring in the dark of night.

K-mount 50’s:
K50/1.2
K50/1.4
K50/4 Macro
M50/1.7 x2
A50/1.2
A50/1.4
F50/1.7
FA50/1.4
FA50/2.8 Macro
DFA*50/1.4

M42 50’s:
Super Takumar 50/1.4 8-element
Super Takumar 50/1.4 7-element
S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4

Carl Zeiss Ultron 1,8 50mm

Many others between 43 - 58mm including a
Takumar 58mm f=1:2

Honestly, many of my lenses including most of the 50’s came with cameras I’ve acquired over the years and they’ve just stuck around. I think I have four K55/1.8’s and two K55/2’s and I’ve given away or sold several of each over the years. Oddly, I don’t have a single M50/2 or A50/1.7.

[TaoMaas]

You need some Taks. Trust me

You're probably right! Although I've never had a 50mm Tak, it was using Takumar lenses on my old Yashica TL Electro that got me hooked on Pentax.

[ehrwien]

I started with the DA 50/1.8, then wanted a manual lens so I got the M 50/1.7, and couldn't resist a good price for a used FA 50/1.4

So I'm at 3 now, but I kind of want to have "one of each" some time... a K (the 1.2?), M, A, F, FA, DA, DFA (the macro) (, DA* (the 55), DFA*?)... because why not? (If I should ever win a few millions in the lottery.. but I would have to play first.. )

[robbiec]

I have one 50 left, an A50/1.2

I have left go of the following:
Super Takumar 50/1.4
Super Takumar 55/1.8
SMC K50/1.4
SMC K50/1.2
SMC K55/1.8
SMC M50/1.4
SMC M50/4 Macro
SMC A50/1.7
SMC FA50/1.7
SMC FA50/1.4
SMC DA*55/1.4
Zeiss Makro-Planar 2/50

I kept the A50/1.2 because it is just a bit better than the 1.7s or 1.4s. My favourite 1.7 was the FA version, my favourite 1.4 the Super Takumar. I will probably revisit the K55/1.8 as it has its own distinct colour rendition that is that bit richer than usual Super Takumars or K's of that period. The DA*55 disappointed me to be honest, my sample returned images that were a bit meh when compared to the A50/1.2 or the Zeiss Makro.
The Zeiss Makro-Planar was left go very reluctantly but it was sacrificed for a unexpected 6K engine rebuild. Worth €700? probably, build alone is worth half of that and then the micro contrast and sharpness will return the second half. I have a suspicion that the DFA50/2.8 Macro might show it a thing or two but I won't get one until Pentax updates the cheap plastic body.
Tactile wise, I would rate in following order of preference, Super Takumar, Zeiss, A50/1.2 (built as an A* really), DA*, K's, FA's, M's and standard A's come last.
All the 1.7s and especially the 1.4s need a suitable hood. Improves contrast no end wide open.
Flare handling was worst with the older 55s and the 50 improved with each generation. The DA* suffered from a lot of purple fringing wide open.
Bokeh, 1.2 then Zeiss, then 1.4s then 1.7s. The 55/1.8s has rough bokeh from f2.8 onwards.

I now have 3 50s, an all metal F50/2.8 Macro, and the DFA*50/1.4 which is better than all of the others but can't do macro. I also got in another K55/1.8 because I just like it as a portrait specialist on my K-3.

[pepperberry farm]

funny how time flies...


since this post (8/15), I've since traded that M50/4 Macro and purchased two other 50's: a K55/2 and a Helios 44K-4...


I guess I'm not all that interested in the 50-ish lengths, since most of my purchases since then have been 40mm and under.....

two years later, more changes... I still have the K55/2 and Helios 44K-4, but have added:

FA43 Limited
Sigma 50/1.4 EX DG HSM
SMC A 50/1.4
D FA 50/2.8 Macro
Porst 55/1.2
Cosina 55/1.4 (M42)
Super Takumar 55/1.8 (M42)
Fujinon 55/2.2 (M42)
Auto Takumar 55/2.2 (M42)
Vivitar 55/2.8 Macro
Helios 44-M

and to stretch the 50mm topic about as far as you can go: Mamiya Macro 60/2.8 (M42)


it's been a fun two years....

[c.a.m]

My current kit touches 50-55mm with the following lenses:

Auto-Takumar 55/2
S-M-C Macro Takumar 50/4
SMC Takumar 50/1.4

SMC Pentax 'K' 50mm f/1.2
K 55/1.8

M 50/1.7
M 50/1.4

A 50/2

Pentacon 50/1.8 (M42)
Tamron Adaptall-2 35-70/3.5-4.5 (09A)

Pentax-F 50/1.7
Pentax-F 35-70

DA 50-200
DA* 50-135
DA 18-135


So, 15 lenses between the primes and several zooms. I've picked up most of these at thrift stores, local online classifieds, or flea markets. Funny thing, though, 50mm is not one of my most-used focal lengths on APS-C.

Favourite 50mm prime
Hmmm...

• Auto-Takumar 55/2 is a joy to use because of its age, excellent condition, and good optical properties.
• SMC Takumar 50/1.4, the lens that never disappoints.
• K 50/1.2 -- my fastest lens, and it's in near-mint condition.
• F 50/1.7. This one renders beautiful images in low light, and its lightning-quick autofocus is remarkable (ZZip-clunk, is that the sound?).

Zooms

• The Pentax-F 35-70mm is a sweet little lens, even with its charming seven-colour industrial labelling and body.
• The DA* 50-135mm is almost always in my bag.

I have never used the Pentax-A 50/2 (I think I picked it up at a junk shop for a modest price).

- Craig

[Astro-Baby]

Hang on.....I need to do an an inventory check

[photoptimist]

I'm just starting....

Pentax K 50/1.2 -- for the bOOkeh!
Pentax M 50/1.7 -- a thrifty nifty fifty
Pentax M 50/2 -- these are unavoidable at garage sales
SMC Takumar 55/1.8 -- for when I say "screw it" and go M42

Of course, a bunch of my zooms that span 50 for when it's not prime time but somehow 50 on a zoom just doesn't feel as special.

[Gary H Perth]

Not as many as most of the posters on this discussion:

M50/f1.4 - got this one very cheap in very good condition - feels perfect but sometimes a bit hard to focus
M50/f2 - cheap as part of a package deal - irresistibly easy to handle and focus
A50/f1.7 - acquired as part of a package of two lenses and a questionable body. Great colours and sharpness, but I use only on A setting due to a gritty aperture ring
FA50/f1.4 - feels a bit cheap but focuses very well automatically, always sharp

A bit wider -
M40mm/f2.8 - really light and simple
SMC DA 40/f2.8 - easier to use than the M due to dead-sharp focus and image quality

A bit longer -
K55/f1.8 - the oldest, but feels best and really great to focus manually. Great images

A bit closer -
Sigma EX 50mm/f2.8 Macro - stunningly sharp especially at close distances, but heavier than the others and does not look as good as the genuine Pentax lenses

A worthy alternative -
F35-70mm/f3.5-4.5 - nearly as sharp as the primes, similar size and weight to the K55, also with a 49mm thread

A surprising alternative -
FA35-80/f4-5.6 - light and slow with a pseudo-macro but feels awful in spite of good image quality and a 49mm thread

The only one that is always with me is the DA40, and usually in the bag is also the F35-70. The two that I often regret not having with me are the Sigma macro and the FA50/f1.4.
The one that is most joy to use is the K55.

[pepperberry farm]

two years later, more changes... I still have the K55/2 and Helios 44K-4, but have added:

FA43 Limited
Sigma 50/1.4 EX DG HSM
SMC A 50/1.4
D FA 50/2.8 Macro
Porst 55/1.2
Cosina 55/1.4 (M42)
Super Takumar 55/1.8 (M42)
Fujinon 55/2.2 (M42)
Auto Takumar 55/2.2 (M42)
Vivitar 55/2.8 Macro
Helios 44-M

and to stretch the 50mm topic about as far as you can go: Mamiya Macro 60/2.8 (M42)


it's been a fun two years....

adding a Fujinon 55/3.5 Macro (M42) to the list....


(:

[ChrisPlatt]

I have far too many 50/55mm lens, at least one for every camera body I own, mostly f/2.0, f/1.8 and f/1.7 models.
Since I seldom use this focal length - 35mm suits my viewpoint much better - one 50mm might be enough for me.
In general I will include one as a "throw in" with every camera body I sell or give away.

If I had to choose one 50/55mm lens it would likely be the SMC Pentax-A 50/2.8 Macro lens
for its excellent image quality, handy 1:2 reproduction ratio, and enough speed for SLR viewing.

Chris

[Wasp]

My current inventory of nifty fifties:

A 50/2.8 macro - my favorite, very versatile

A 50/1.7 - suffers from the broken plastic weld underneath the aperture ring syndrome, in the repair shop at the moment

M 50/1.4 - another favorite, a little bokeh monster but it can be tricky to nail focus

M 50/1.7 - said to be sharper than the f/1.4, but I haven't used it enough to have an opinion

M 50/2.0 - mine is in rough shape but the glass is still good, not used much

There is also a Ricoh XR 50/2.0 that I picked up very cheap. I have gotten some good images with it.

[pschlute]

Ok I will play:
Takumar SMC 50mm 1.4
Super Tak 55mm 1.7
SMC 55mm 1.8/2.0
SMC 50mm 1.2
M 50mm 1.4/1.7/2.0/4.0Macro
A 50mm 1.2/1.4/1.7
DFA 50mm 1.4

Can never have enough 50's