DA 50/1.8 yes or no

Na Horuk · 11-26-2014, 04:19 PM

Maybe the DFA 50mm f2.8 macro instead? :P or the DA* 55mm portrait lens! Haha sorry, these are even more itching LBA targets, because they cost so much more!

kp0c · 11-26-2014, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Redirect your LBA to something more exciting!

I'd say quite the opposite! Use that opportunity to please your LBA need with a cheap lens. I have the DA 50mm and I don't get the hate it gets in this thread. The lens is sharp wide open, focusses very fast, has rounded aperture blade that creates a nice bokeh, costs next to nothing and makes for a good combo for party and other places where you would not be confortable bringing a more expansive lens.
What is there to not like?

RAART · 11-26-2014, 05:00 PM

The DA 50mm 1.8 is very sharp and delivers the 90% performance of the highly acclaimed DA*55mm 1.4. Had tested them both and kept my DA50mm (cannot justify price difference there) and will go for Sigma 50mm ART (even if I need to change the mount) whenever I have the funds for it. My uncle has 35mm ART lens and I use it whenever I need it and this is a fantastic lens, assuming that 50mm ART will be the same. Short story DA50mm 1.8 is good lens however I do not have FA43 and never had it in my hands and cannot compare them. Just my 2c.

Sandy Hancock · 11-26-2014, 05:08 PM

There is no hate for the DA50 here. It seems to be an excellent lens. I just don't think it makes much sense for the OP who already has a FA43.

Na Horuk · 11-26-2014, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by RAART

The DA 50mm 1.8 is very sharp and delivers the 90% performance of the highly acclaimed DA*55mm 1.4.

Well that is the big thing with prime lenses in the 40-60mm range. Its hard to get a really bad one. You can find really bad 28mm lenses, or bad 85mm lenses, but around 50mm a premium price only gives a small advantage - which might even be irrelevant in some cases! Think about the Zeiss Otus, Sigma 50mm art, DA* 55mm, Sony Zeiss 55mm, and FA 50mm. The cost difference between these is huge, and while the optics are different, I would not say the FA 50mm is "bad" just because it is the most affordable

Docrwm · 11-26-2014, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by kp0c

I'd say quite the opposite! Use that opportunity to please your LBA need with a cheap lens. I have the DA 50mm and I don't get the hate it gets in this thread. The lens is sharp wide open, focusses very fast, has rounded aperture blade that creates a nice bokeh, costs next to nothing and makes for a good combo for party and other places where you would not be confortable bringing a more expansive lens.
What is there to not like?

No hate as far as I can see, simply a preference for a much more expensive lens that the OP already owns. As I said, I own both but if I had the 43 before the 50 I would not have the 50. Is the 50 sharp, fast, with nice bokeh, and inexpensive - yes. Is it better than the 43, not IMHO. YMMV.

**crewl1** · 11-26-2014, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

I have both and the 43 gets used all the time - the 50 nearly never. It's a nice lens and certainly cheaper than the 43 (and a better bargain IMHO) but if you already have the 43 then its just LBA, really, to want it IMHO.

Robert! Has it been a year since you were on here?

Docrwm · 11-26-2014, 09:20 PM

Originally posted by crewl1

Robert! Has it been a year since you were on here?

15 months, but who is counting. Good to see you're still here helping out others.

**crewl1** · 11-26-2014, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

15 months, but who is counting. Good to see you're still here helping out others.

Glad to have you back. Hope you can stay for a spell.

iamwhoiam · 11-27-2014, 02:05 AM

Thanks for the responses. After careful consideration I will not be purchasing a 50/1.8. My 43/1.9 is good enough for me and it appears to be sharp wide open, although I don't have the 50 to compare it to. If I do get a 50 it will probably be a used 1.7 or 1.4 A or M.

Docrwm · 11-27-2014, 07:30 AM

Originally posted by iamwhoiam

Thanks for the responses. After careful consideration I will not be purchasing a 50/1.8. My 43/1.9 is good enough for me and it appears to be sharp wide open, although I don't have the 50 to compare it to. If I do get a 50 it will probably be a used 1.7 or 1.4 A or M.

M50s are rather nice and I own several, there are probably more manual 50s out there from more makers than any other lens. The M50 Macro is a nice little lens. Bottom line is that they're specialty lenses and not walk around lenses IMHO.

dcpropilot · 11-27-2014, 09:52 AM - **1 Like**

I just got a used copy of the DA 50 1.8 with the intent of keeping either this one or the 50 F 1.7. I may end up keeping both. So far I am very happy with the DA 50. With that said, my favorite prime is the DA 40 Limited, but the DA50 gives me better low light capability.

Some shots with the DA 50 1.8 and K-30:

ogl · 11-27-2014, 10:13 AM

Originally posted by iamwhoiam

I already have the FA 43/1.9 is there any reason to purchase the DA 50/1.8? LBA is not an acceptable reason.

YES. Different lenses. DA50/1.8 is one of the best lens optically. I have both.

stevebrot · 11-30-2014, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

the DA 50, which BTW is a full frame lens. I use it on my later era film cameras.

Interesting. I shot my DA 50/1.8 side-by-side with my A 50/1.7 and the DA had visible vignette on the negative when shot wide open on my Super Program. It may be usable on FF, but obviously has a smaller image circle than legacy 50mm glass.

Stee

**blackcloudbrew** · 12-01-2014, 10:59 PM

Hmmmm...I'm going to have to go look at my negatives now.

11-26-2014, 05:11 PM	#20
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by RAART The DA 50mm 1.8 is very sharp and delivers the 90% performance of the highly acclaimed DA55mm 1.4. Well that is the big thing with prime lenses in the 40-60mm range. Its hard to get a really bad one. You can find really bad 28mm lenses, or bad 85mm lenses, but around 50mm a premium price only gives a small advantage - which might even be irrelevant in some cases! Think about the Zeiss Otus, Sigma 50mm art, DA 55mm, Sony Zeiss 55mm, and FA 50mm. The cost difference between these is huge, and while the optics are different, I would not say the FA 50mm is "bad" just because it is the most affordable Last edited by Na Horuk; 11-26-2014 at 05:24 PM.

11-27-2014, 09:52 AM - 1 Like	#27
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	I just got a used copy of the DA 50 1.8 with the intent of keeping either this one or the 50 F 1.7. I may end up keeping both. So far I am very happy with the DA 50. With that said, my favorite prime is the DA 40 Limited, but the DA50 gives me better low light capability. Some shots with the DA 50 1.8 and K-30: Last edited by dcpropilot; 11-27-2014 at 09:57 AM.

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11-26-2014, 04:19 PM	#16
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Maybe the DFA 50mm f2.8 macro instead? :P or the DA* 55mm portrait lens! Haha sorry, these are even more itching LBA targets, because they cost so much more!

11-26-2014, 04:27 PM	#17
kp0c Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 761	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Redirect your LBA to something more exciting! I'd say quite the opposite! Use that opportunity to please your LBA need with a cheap lens. I have the DA 50mm and I don't get the hate it gets in this thread. The lens is sharp wide open, focusses very fast, has rounded aperture blade that creates a nice bokeh, costs next to nothing and makes for a good combo for party and other places where you would not be confortable bringing a more expansive lens. What is there to not like?

11-26-2014, 05:00 PM	#18
RAART Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oakville, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,095	The DA 50mm 1.8 is very sharp and delivers the 90% performance of the highly acclaimed DA*55mm 1.4. Had tested them both and kept my DA50mm (cannot justify price difference there) and will go for Sigma 50mm ART (even if I need to change the mount) whenever I have the funds for it. My uncle has 35mm ART lens and I use it whenever I need it and this is a fantastic lens, assuming that 50mm ART will be the same. Short story DA50mm 1.8 is good lens however I do not have FA43 and never had it in my hands and cannot compare them. Just my 2c.

11-26-2014, 05:08 PM	#19
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	There is no hate for the DA50 here. It seems to be an excellent lens. I just don't think it makes much sense for the OP who already has a FA43.

11-26-2014, 05:18 PM	#21
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by kp0c I'd say quite the opposite! Use that opportunity to please your LBA need with a cheap lens. I have the DA 50mm and I don't get the hate it gets in this thread. The lens is sharp wide open, focusses very fast, has rounded aperture blade that creates a nice bokeh, costs next to nothing and makes for a good combo for party and other places where you would not be confortable bringing a more expansive lens. What is there to not like? No hate as far as I can see, simply a preference for a much more expensive lens that the OP already owns. As I said, I own both but if I had the 43 before the 50 I would not have the 50. Is the 50 sharp, fast, with nice bokeh, and inexpensive - yes. Is it better than the 43, not IMHO. YMMV.

11-26-2014, 07:09 PM	#22
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by Docrwm I have both and the 43 gets used all the time - the 50 nearly never. It's a nice lens and certainly cheaper than the 43 (and a better bargain IMHO) but if you already have the 43 then its just LBA, really, to want it IMHO. Robert! Has it been a year since you were on here?

11-26-2014, 09:20 PM	#23
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by crewl1 Robert! Has it been a year since you were on here? 15 months, but who is counting. Good to see you're still here helping out others.

11-26-2014, 11:03 PM	#24
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by Docrwm 15 months, but who is counting. Good to see you're still here helping out others. Glad to have you back. Hope you can stay for a spell.

11-27-2014, 02:05 AM	#25
iamwhoiam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: So. California Posts: 153 Original Poster	Thanks for the responses. After careful consideration I will not be purchasing a 50/1.8. My 43/1.9 is good enough for me and it appears to be sharp wide open, although I don't have the 50 to compare it to. If I do get a 50 it will probably be a used 1.7 or 1.4 A or M.

11-27-2014, 07:30 AM	#26
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by iamwhoiam Thanks for the responses. After careful consideration I will not be purchasing a 50/1.8. My 43/1.9 is good enough for me and it appears to be sharp wide open, although I don't have the 50 to compare it to. If I do get a 50 it will probably be a used 1.7 or 1.4 A or M. M50s are rather nice and I own several, there are probably more manual 50s out there from more makers than any other lens. The M50 Macro is a nice little lens. Bottom line is that they're specialty lenses and not walk around lenses IMHO.

11-27-2014, 10:13 AM	#28
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by iamwhoiam I already have the FA 43/1.9 is there any reason to purchase the DA 50/1.8? LBA is not an acceptable reason. YES. Different lenses. DA50/1.8 is one of the best lens optically. I have both.

11-30-2014, 09:52 PM	#29
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew the DA 50, which BTW is a full frame lens. I use it on my later era film cameras. Interesting. I shot my DA 50/1.8 side-by-side with my A 50/1.7 and the DA had visible vignette on the negative when shot wide open on my Super Program. It may be usable on FF, but obviously has a smaller image circle than legacy 50mm glass. Stee

12-01-2014, 10:59 PM	#30
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Hmmmm...I'm going to have to go look at my negatives now.