FA 50 f/1.4- why didn't someone tell me?!?!

miniman82 · 05-26-2008, 03:44 AM

Seriously!

I wasn't even considering buying this lens, because all the internet adds make it look like some cheap plasticky looking thing. That, and the price at some of these online places in NY seem to reinforce the idea. BUT-I was at the camera store in Fresno looking to buy a replacement for my recently sold *ist body, and they had one on the shelf. WTH, I figure. As long as I'm here I might as well check it out, and see if it's as cheesy as the pictures make it out to be.

Well, I couldn't have been more wrong people, and I apologize for even thinking it. I figured I'd end up with an older 50 someday, maybe a Super Tak or something along those lines. It's got some weight to it, it's tack sharp, goes wide as I'll ever need, and the price is oh so right.
I took some quick shots in the store, and they even let me go into the dimly lit stockroom to try out that fast aperture! Needless to say, I bought the lens without even thinking twice about it, and I couldn't be happier.

If I can figure out what's wrong with my Pentax photo software ATM, I'll post some shots.

Again, I'm dumbfunded I didn't buy this sooner.

ftpaddict · 05-26-2008, 03:47 AM

Nice story.

As the old saying goes, don't knock it until you've tried it.

lbam · 05-26-2008, 03:50 AM

For it's cost, build, and aperture, performance, it's almost impossible to sell once owned I'd say. Just get a hood for it.

I actually looking for a better one (hood), for mine. On a DSLR it's equiv to a 75mm focal length, so I guess a 49mm threaded 75mm equivalent hood would give me maximum stray light protection. i.e. something more narrow and longer perhaps than a standard 50mm hood.

ll_coffee_lP · 05-26-2008, 03:57 AM

Best lens ever.

c[_]

benjikan · 05-26-2008, 04:01 AM

Great Lens...Here is a sample

Shot at f2.8 100 iso

Ben

jms698 · 05-26-2008, 04:31 AM

How would you say the FA 50mm f/1.4 compares with an old Takumar? Obviously AF is an advantage, but would you say there is much difference image quality wise?

Mechan1k · 05-26-2008, 05:10 AM

I love my FA50

There may be better ones out there that were older ... but I have used my FA50 to great success ... produces lovely images ... and for the price of it new (with AF) ... it's a top little lens.

It is always in my bag at all times.

clawhammer · 05-26-2008, 02:11 PM

honestly, if you want a toy try the Canon EF 50/1.8- their 50/1.4 is great, but the 1.8 costs less than $100, and you can definitely feel it.

The FA 50 is a great lens and is well-built, especially for $200.

AndrewShirley · 05-26-2008, 02:17 PM

I overlooked this lens for quite some time until I picked up an M-50/1.7. Then my eyes opened and I started looking at posts for ALL the 50's. I wish I had paid more attention sooner!

- Andrew

maxwell1295 · 05-26-2008, 02:22 PM

I love this lens. The DOF at F1.4 is sick...

konraDarnok · 05-26-2008, 02:26 PM

It should be the kit lens.

Syb · 05-26-2008, 02:32 PM

You seem to forget that responses you get to your post are quite similar to the other critiques this lens gets. Simply check out the lens review database. It shows the average price tag and gives detailed info on how the lens is appreciated here... so do not blame us for your looking another way!

Oh, by the way: congrats on a great piece of glass!

k100d · 05-26-2008, 05:00 PM

Originally posted by jms698

How would you say the FA 50mm f/1.4 compares with an old Takumar? Obviously AF is an advantage, but would you say there is much difference image quality wise?

This extensive test by Sean Carpenter may give you some insight
the Normal Lens Shootout Photo Gallery by Sean Carpenter at pbase.com

**rparmar** · 05-26-2008, 06:48 PM

No-one ever went wrong buying a fast 50.

Strange thing is I have never bought one. So I hope there is no corollary to my first statement!

K100Dave · 05-26-2008, 07:03 PM

This lens is a no brainer for Pentaxians. If you've got the LBA fever, and don't have this lens. Shame on you, b/c you're missing out on one of the best bargains out there.

05-26-2008, 03:44 AM	#1
miniman82 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Waukegan, IL Photos: Gallery Posts: 83	FA 50 f/1.4- why didn't someone tell me?!?! Seriously! I wasn't even considering buying this lens, because all the internet adds make it look like some cheap plasticky looking thing. That, and the price at some of these online places in NY seem to reinforce the idea. BUT-I was at the camera store in Fresno looking to buy a replacement for my recently sold *ist body, and they had one on the shelf. WTH, I figure. As long as I'm here I might as well check it out, and see if it's as cheesy as the pictures make it out to be. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong people, and I apologize for even thinking it. I figured I'd end up with an older 50 someday, maybe a Super Tak or something along those lines. It's got some weight to it, it's tack sharp, goes wide as I'll ever need, and the price is oh so right. I took some quick shots in the store, and they even let me go into the dimly lit stockroom to try out that fast aperture! Needless to say, I bought the lens without even thinking twice about it, and I couldn't be happier. If I can figure out what's wrong with my Pentax photo software ATM, I'll post some shots. Again, I'm dumbfunded I didn't buy this sooner.

05-26-2008, 04:01 AM	#5
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Great Lens...Here is a sample Shot at f2.8 100 iso Ben Attached Images

05-26-2008, 03:47 AM	#2
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Nice story. As the old saying goes, don't knock it until you've tried it.

05-26-2008, 03:50 AM	#3
lbam Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 442	For it's cost, build, and aperture, performance, it's almost impossible to sell once owned I'd say. Just get a hood for it. I actually looking for a better one (hood), for mine. On a DSLR it's equiv to a 75mm focal length, so I guess a 49mm threaded 75mm equivalent hood would give me maximum stray light protection. i.e. something more narrow and longer perhaps than a standard 50mm hood.

05-26-2008, 03:57 AM	#4
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	Best lens ever. c[_]

05-26-2008, 04:31 AM	#6
jms698 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 133	How would you say the FA 50mm f/1.4 compares with an old Takumar? Obviously AF is an advantage, but would you say there is much difference image quality wise?

05-26-2008, 05:10 AM	#7
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	I love my FA50 There may be better ones out there that were older ... but I have used my FA50 to great success ... produces lovely images ... and for the price of it new (with AF) ... it's a top little lens. It is always in my bag at all times.

05-26-2008, 02:11 PM	#8
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	honestly, if you want a toy try the Canon EF 50/1.8- their 50/1.4 is great, but the 1.8 costs less than $100, and you can definitely feel it. The FA 50 is a great lens and is well-built, especially for $200.

05-26-2008, 02:17 PM	#9
AndrewShirley Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 421	I overlooked this lens for quite some time until I picked up an M-50/1.7. Then my eyes opened and I started looking at posts for ALL the 50's. I wish I had paid more attention sooner! - Andrew

05-26-2008, 02:22 PM	#10
maxwell1295 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,703	I love this lens. The DOF at F1.4 is sick...

05-26-2008, 02:26 PM	#11
konraDarnok Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Albums Posts: 969	It should be the kit lens.

05-26-2008, 02:32 PM	#12
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	You seem to forget that responses you get to your post are quite similar to the other critiques this lens gets. Simply check out the lens review database. It shows the average price tag and gives detailed info on how the lens is appreciated here... so do not blame us for your looking another way! Oh, by the way: congrats on a great piece of glass!

05-26-2008, 05:00 PM	#13
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Originally posted by jms698 How would you say the FA 50mm f/1.4 compares with an old Takumar? Obviously AF is an advantage, but would you say there is much difference image quality wise? This extensive test by Sean Carpenter may give you some insight the Normal Lens Shootout Photo Gallery by Sean Carpenter at pbase.com

05-26-2008, 06:48 PM	#14
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	No-one ever went wrong buying a fast 50. Strange thing is I have never bought one. So I hope there is no corollary to my first statement!

05-26-2008, 07:03 PM	#15
K100Dave Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 111	This lens is a no brainer for Pentaxians. If you've got the LBA fever, and don't have this lens. Shame on you, b/c you're missing out on one of the best bargains out there.