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03-18-2020, 01:20 PM   #271
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Pentax FA 50/1.4 -- sold, very poor performance wide open, strange longitudinal CAs, erratic AF
Pentax FA 50/1.7 -- sold, poor performance wide open, erratic AF

Pentax D-FA 50/2.8 Macro -- it's okay, but the mechanics are not satisfying
Sigma 50/1.4 EX -- not so bad, few longitudinal CAs, good sharpness and bokeh, stronger focus shift from f/1.4 to f/2.4, a bit nervous AF

Pentax D-FA* 50/1.4 -- best lens ever, have two pieces for business and at home

03-18-2020, 06:50 PM - 1 Like   #272
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
all of my 50's have gone, except for two:

D FA 50mm f2.8 Macro
SMC A 50mm f1.4
I recently added a D FA 50mm f2.8 macro to my collection. This has become my all-purpose 50, with the FA 50 f1.4 as a low-light extra. Pretty similar to yours as the top-priority lenses.

My second body (either K-30 or K-m) is committed to the A 50mm f1.7 when I have a zoom on the K-70 and I want to avoid lens changes.

The fun unit that I use because I can is the K series 55mm f1.8, which I am about to try on a full-frame Sony A7.
03-18-2020, 06:56 PM   #273
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I just got another 50 today! Auto Sears f1.7 MC, 49mm filter threads & all white lettering on the trim ring. It's a rebadged Chinon. I like how it handles out of focus highlights based on a few test shots. Needs a CLA which I plan to do myself as these lenses are not completely unknown and there's guidance here and there online.

I don't see it replacing my Pentax M 50 1.7 but it doesn't seem so bad, just soft wider than f2.8, and not badly so. Came attached to a Chinon CE-4 that I got very cheap via an online auction. This brings me up to five 50's; three Pentax, two Chinon (I count the Sears in with the other Chinon, a wobbly 50 f1.9 that I've never used).
03-19-2020, 08:58 AM   #274
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Just couldn't help myself getting another Super-Tak 50/1.4 8 elements recently. The poor thing was priced way too low...
And, just out of curiosity a D-FA 50/2.8 Macro. Don't regret that one, despite the plastic. It's really superb.

03-20-2020, 12:26 PM   #275
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I've managed to accumulate a number of 50's and 50oids withiut really trying. By age, oldest to newest:

Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 (seven element)
Super Multi Coated Takumar 55mm f1.8
Super Multi Coated Macro Takumar 50mm f4
Helios 44-2 58mm f2
Pentax K 50mm f4 macro
Pentax M 50mm f1.7
Pentax A 50mm f1.7
Pentax F 50mm f1.7
Sigma EX DG Macro 50mm f2.8

I think that's the lot.... As a bug chaser, the Sigma tends to get the most use, with the Pentax A f1.7 in second place. I really should give the rest a good workout now and then.
03-20-2020, 05:52 PM   #276
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This is my list for my K-mount cameras, indicating how I bought them, and my primary use:
  • F 50/1.7 (used) - my reliable nifty fifty workhorse, which I bought because I liked the build better than the
  • FA 50/1.7 (used) - now most times residing in my daughter's bag
  • D-FA 50/2.8 Macro (new) - often used in documentary photography when I want the ability to go into macro ranges without changing lenses, or for digitizing negatives,
  • FA 50/1.4 (used) - still not fully at terms with it, but after careful re-calibration of focus I'm trying to learn to use it more for it's smoother bokeh than the 1.7,
  • Schneider Componon-S 50mm/2.8 (used) - by now inexpensive enlarger lens with outstanding resolution at f/4 around 3:1 magnification, reverse-mounted to Bellows-K for focus stacking,
  • Pentacon-Six Flektogon 50mm/4.0 (used) medium format lens on a Hartblei Pentax-K tilt-adapter - for focal plane tilts when I have lots of time to compose and don't need to carry it far,
  • Revuenon 50/1.7 (used) - my first K-mount 50mm, now usually on my Program-A, Cosina-built, superb mechanical quality, in need of some UV light
  • Still 50-ish as in the original post, a Helios-44M4 58mm/2.0 with a permanently affixed K-adapter and hole for the mount pin for portraits on APS-C (K-5 with S-type screen).
Except for special uses, I recognized that I much prefer lenses with A-settings and thus have ruled out getting into adapted or legacy lenses any further for general photography.

I have a number of other ~50mm lenses in different mounts and look forward to clean and lube that Carl Zeiss Jens Biotar 58mm/2.8 on the Praktina FX, from which the Helios is said to have used the optical design. Others include various Praktica-B mount 50s, which have for a long time been my most used lenses and through which I acquired the '50mm-eye'.


I did buy a DA50mm/1.8, but sold the plastic fantastic later on because of the vignetting on my then new K-1 and the similarity to the F50mm/1.7. I thought of re-acquiring one for the KP for its light weight, rounded aperture and nicer manual focusing feel, but the above ~7 lenses already don't really see enough use.


I did not buy the DFA* 50mm/1.4 yet, because the 15-30mm was first in line during the last specials season and didn't want to be too greedy. The DA* 55mm/1.4 still looks interesting as a fairly universal, not too big and quiet-focusing replacement for at least the FA 50/1.4. I don't mind the whirring, but that 'Crack!' at the focus limits of the classic 50s is simply brutal. I'd still keep the compact f/1.7. The Sigma 50mm/1.4 HSM would be another contender, but given its size I feel it would just be an unnecessary step towards the close-to-perfect looking DFA* anyway. If I shall ever come across the Zeiss Macro-Planar 50mm/2.0 in ZK mount at a reasonable price, I'll for sure buy it. The regular 1.4 Planar however doesn't seem to exhibit the typical Zeiss character that much. Another dream with almost diametrically different character would be the Voigtländer Nokton 58mm, but I've almost given up on it as used prices have risen beyond reason. The remaining options with at least KA mount -Samyang 50mm/1.4 and Sigma 50mm/2.8 macro, don't seem to bring anything special to the table. Did I miss any other than the Pentax-A 50mm/1.2?

I have started a write-up of a subjective comparison of the 'classic' AF 50s (50mm/1.7, 50mm/1.4, 50mm/2.8 Macro, 50mm/1.8) backed by actual photos to illustrate their character. It was triggered by a number of questions on how they compare. Would there still be any interest?
03-23-2020, 12:51 AM   #277
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12 assorted 50mm ranging in age from 1959 through to 1981.

I have 12 bodies all from the big 5 manufacturers from the golden age, mostly late 60s to mid 70s.

Favourites would be the Pentax M series 50mm f1.7 as its compact, has a good ‘snap’ to focus, buttery smooth focus ring and is nice and sharp with good color rendition.

Its aced by my Minolta MC 50mm f1.4 PG in terms of pictures but the PG is incredibly heavy to cart around. In terms of blow the cost lets get it right its an amazing bit of glass but it does demonstrate why the big 5 ended up making things out of plastic to get the weight down.

03-25-2020, 10:05 AM   #278
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I do love my nifty fifties...

Currently:
SMC Pentax-M 50 1.7
- my 2nd 50 and the one I still keep even though I don't use it much. Rough cosmetic condition but the optics and handling are just perfect. And the image quality? It's to die for...
Rikenon XR 50 1.4 - currently the aperture is stuck wide open. I took many wonderful pictures with this lens, and it's very much the proof - to me - that sharpness and image quality are not synonymous. It takes f5.6 to catch up to other 50s in terms of sharpness but image quality at f2 and f2.8 is just delightful to look at, delicate and beautiful. It's also an absolute bokeh monster, nothing I have is quite like it. I hope to get it fixed some day...
Rikenon P 50 f1.4 - Renders differently from Pentax. Not as contrasty, colors not as bold. But it has what I would call an absolutely wonderful "delicate" rendering to it. For flowers and portraits, it is very complimenting. It's also a very unique look, different from everything else out there (though non-photographers would probably not notce...) Bokeh is good but I wish it was as good as the XR version.
SMC Pentax-F 50 f1.7 - I bought it so I could have an AF version of the 50 1.7 design. I don't like it quite as much as my M version but it's still an amazing lens.
SMC Pentax-M 50 f4 Macro - wonderful wide open, beautiful colors, and the Tessar design also has some of that "beautifully delicate" look I was talking about in the Rikenon P 50 1.4.
SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 - That is the most recent one. I can't find a flaw in it (and yes it's heavy but as they say, there's no magic in optics... you need all that glass for the results that you get). It has some fungus but I'll get it cleaned soon, I already found a place locally where they'll do it. Hopefully it won't cost much and I'll be able to get some other lenses cleaned as well.

No longer have:
SMC-M 50 f2
- my first 50! And I liked it right off the bat, though it had fungus. It came as a freebie with my first DSLR, the K20D. First I tried to open it up to see if I could clean it and I basically ruined it without getting to clean it - the aperture blades wouldn't close past f2.8 anymore. I put it on a broken A3000 for my kids to play with. it got dropped several times and was left laying in the way around the house until camera and lens were both thrown in the trash can by my wife at some point...
Sears (Rikenon) 50 1.7 - wonderful lens! Best bokeh in any 50 1.7 lens I've seen. Why did I sell it? Too many 50s.... that's the one I keep thinking about buying back.
Sears (Rikenon) 50 f2 - wonderful lens! But focus throw is too short for me.
SMC Pentax-A 50 f1.7 - I liked the look and sharpness wide open of the SMC-M 1.7 version better.
SMC Pentax-M 50 f1.7 - that came with a K1000 I bought and I sold it because it was in better shape than the one I already had. Optically I could see no difference between the two.
SMC Pentax-M 50 f1.4 - wonderful lens but I think the Rikenon P 50 1.4 and the SMC 50 f1.2 are better... too many 50s.
SMC Pentax-M 50 f4 Macro - sold it because I had two...

So, I still have 5 working ones and one that needs to get fixed... probably more than enough!
03-26-2020, 03:34 AM - 1 Like   #279
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Still just the two, my "Special Lady” Pentax-A 50mm F1.2 and the “Femme Fatale” Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro.

Both that I'm happy to keep in the "Harem", especially so the former.

Out locally recently, just before the "Lock Down" with my "Special Lady"
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Last edited by Kerrowdown; 03-27-2020 at 02:45 AM.
04-30-2020, 05:31 AM   #280
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I may have a 50-55mm breeding problem! They keep multiplying. Seems to happen when you collect cameras.
My list (I think):
Takumar (the original from 1958) 55/2.2
Auto-Takumar 55/2.2 (X2)
Auto-Takumar 55/1.8 (on a s l o w boat from Japan due to COVID19)
Auto-Takumar 55/1.8- actually the early Super Takumar
Super Takumar 55/1.8
Super Takumar 50/1.4 (X3)
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 55/1.8
Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50/1.4
Mamiya Sekor 55/2
SMC Takumar 55/1.8 (X3)
SMC Takumar 50/1.4 (X2)
Sears 50/2
SMC-M 50/2
SMC-M 50/1.7
SMC-A 50/1.7
SMC FA 50/2.8 Macro
SMC FA 50/1.4

The only lens purchased NEW in this list is the SMC FA 50/1.4 and it NEVER gets used. I prefer the Takumar rendering. The 50/2.8 macro is probably the sharpest lens under 100mm I’ve ever owned. The SMC Takumar 55/1.8s are great all around lenses, even reversed on a bellows.
04-30-2020, 07:26 AM   #281
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Having sold off my previous collections I decided to get another 50. This time a K 50mm f/1.2.
06-25-2020, 04:43 AM - 1 Like   #282
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This starts at 50 and stops at 58

Super-Multicoated-Takumar 50mm F1.4
SMC Pentax-m 50mm F1.7
Zenitar-m 50mm 1.7
Meyer-optik Domiplan 50mm F2.8
XR Rikenon 50mm F2
XR Rikenon 50mm L F2
Industar 50mm 50-2 F3.5
Volna 9 50mm F2.8 (1:2 Macro)
Cosinon Auto 50mm F/1:1.8
Pentacon auto 1.8/50mm Multi coated
SMC Pentax-a 50mm F1.4
Auto-Chinon multi-coated 50mm F1.7
Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Tessar 2.8 50
Auto-Chinon Multi-Coated 50mm F1.4
Auto Mamiya/Sekor 50mm 1:2
Auto Revuenon 50mm 1:1.9
Auto Yashinon-DS 50mm 1:1.7
Carl Zeiss Jena DDR Pancolar 1.8/50
Super-Takumar 50mm f/1:1.4 (7 elements)
SMC Pentax-A Macro 50mm 1:2.8
E. Ludwig Meritar 50mm 1:2.9
Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8
SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8
EBC Fujinon 55m F1.8
Porst Color reflex auto 55mm F1.4
Super-Takumar 55mm F1:2
Auto-Takumar 55mm 1:2.2
Fujinon 55mm F/1:2.2
XR Rikenon 55mm 1:2.2
Auto Chinon 55mm 1:1.7
Auto Mamiya Sekor 55mm 1:1.8
Auto Rikenon 55mm 1:2.8
Helios 44m 58mm F2
Helios 44-2 58mm F2
Helios 44m-6 58mm F2

Oh and I forgot the Pentax FA 50mm F1.7 because I list AF separately.

Last edited by D1N0; 06-25-2020 at 04:49 AM. Reason: forgot 1
06-25-2020, 04:57 AM - 1 Like   #283
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I've added a couple

so my " 50 ish " lenses are:

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7

SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro

SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM

SMC Pentax 55mm F 1.8

Last edited by aslyfox; 06-26-2020 at 09:40 AM.
06-25-2020, 03:05 PM   #284
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50s or 5Xs, as of today.

Takumar:
S-M-C Macro Tak 50mm f4
Super Tak 50mm f1.4
Super Tak 55mm f1.8
Auto Tak 55mm f2.2
Auto Tak 55mm f1.8
S-M-C Tak 55mm f1.8
Super Tak 55mm f2
SMC Tak 55mm f2

K series:
50mm f1.2
50mm f1.4
50mm f4 Macro
55mm f1.8

M series:
50mm f1.4
50mm f1.7

M42-M39
CZJ Pancolar 50mm f1.8
CZJ Pancolar Electric 50mm f1.8 MC
CZJ Biotar 58mm f2
Industar 50mm f3.5
Helios 44 silver 13 blades #0000xxx
Helios 44 silver 13 blades #000xxxx
Helios 44 8 blades Zebra
Helios 44 8 blades
Helios 44-2
Helios 44-2 (new barrell)
Helios 44-3
Helios 44-M
Helios 44M-4
Helios 44M-5
Helios 44M-6
Helios 44M-7
Pentacon 50mm f1.8
Fujinon 55mm f2.2
CZJ Tessar 50mm f2.8 silver
Volna-9 50mm f2.8
Revuenon 50mm f1.4
06-26-2020, 10:43 AM   #285
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Earlier this year I traded my SMC Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 for an RMC Tokina 400mm f5.6. It was the first time in decades that I let a lens go, but the Tokina is well worth having.
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