Which nifty 50 to buy?

Dlanor Sekao · 02-10-2015, 06:13 PM

Just Three ?? I think there will soon be 7 in my bag....now that I have a "Confirmed Need" for the 50mm "A" lens....lol.

**boriscleto** · 02-10-2015, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao

Just Three ?? I think there will soon be 7 in my bag....now that I have a "Confirmed Need" for the 50mm "A" lens....lol.

Those are just the K-mount 50/1.4s...

I have 24 50s at the moment, in 4 different mounts, with another one on the way. 6 55s and 2 58s.

uday029 · 02-10-2015, 06:55 PM

Damn!

Originally posted by boriscleto

Those are just the K-mount 50/1.4s...

I have 24 50s at the moment, in 4 different mounts, with another one on the way. 6 55s and 2 58s.

Dlanor Sekao · 02-10-2015, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by uday029

Damn!

Double Damn....

Grampz52 · 02-10-2015, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Those are just the K-mount 50/1.4s...

I have 24 50s at the moment, in 4 different mounts, with another one on the way. 6 55s and 2 58s.

You Sir, braggeth to much. I am however very jealous.

bassek · 02-11-2015, 12:54 AM

The F35-70 should count as a nifty fifty too.

Seb

seacapt · 02-11-2015, 09:19 PM

The cool thing about 50mm glass is that each lens has it's own traits. One previous member here might have said it best "I have a bucket of 50's and can't bear to part with any of them.

Last edited by seacapt; 02-11-2015 at 09:36 PM.

DSims · 02-12-2015, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by seacapt

The cool thing about 50mm glass is that each lens has it's own traits. One previous member here might have said it best "I have a bucket of 50's and can't bear to part with any of them.

I only have one 50 left - the A50/1.7. I even sold the F50 macro. But no one's going to cry for me - I have a very useful kit.

However, it was a lot of fun trying them, and appreciating their various characteristics. If I find I actually need one again I'll know what to look for.

seacapt · 02-13-2015, 09:11 AM

Yeah the A /1.7 is probably my favorite too

Mike.Y · 02-16-2015, 02:30 AM

For portrait, I preferre 85 or longer, but the question is which 50 to buy.
Each one of them have advantage and disadvantage against others, it's hard to suggest.
My answer, anything is fine except M50/1.4 having an issue of glue running out which suppose to stick 1st and 2nd lenses (if I remember right) together. 50/1.7 doesn't have this problem.
To check this, set aperture ring open (f1.4) look toward the bright light and check inside from rear. If you see somethig wavey around the lens then this is it.
I have no idea if this thing affect on DSLR since there seems no one noticed anything wrong, I shoot film only.

Jonathan Mac · 02-16-2015, 03:32 AM

Of those three I'd recommend the FA 50/1.7, unless you want a manual focus one. As a rule the slower Pentax 50 to 55mm lenses (f/1.7 or f/1.8) are sharper and have more contrast than the f/1.4s, but the f/1,4s have better bokeh. Colour rendition and flare rendition are very similar. The M and A f/2 ones are reputedly poorer in every respect and as they sell for similar prices to the f/1.7s, there's not much point to them.

My favourite for IQ is probably the FA 50/1.7, but I do also love manual lenses, so I have a few of them too.

jeverettfine · 02-17-2015, 11:51 AM

I personally love my A 50 1.4. Wouldn't mind an FA 1.4, but I don't find auto-focus terribly necessary. The 50 f/1.4 and my A 35 f/2 are always with me when shooting film and usually available to use on my K-3.

I have an old Ricoh Rikenon f/2 I got free with a K2 body and it is as good or better than anything I have ever seen, including my Leitz Summicron 50. You could probably find one of those for about $5.

Basically, in any manufacturer's lens line, the 50 "standard" lens will be good to great.

02-10-2015, 06:18 PM	#32
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao Just Three ?? I think there will soon be 7 in my bag....now that I have a "Confirmed Need" for the 50mm "A" lens....lol. Those are just the K-mount 50/1.4s... I have 24 50s at the moment, in 4 different mounts, with another one on the way. 6 55s and 2 58s. Last edited by boriscleto; 02-10-2015 at 06:27 PM.

02-17-2015, 11:51 AM	#42
jeverettfine Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 328	What 50? I personally love my A 50 1.4. Wouldn't mind an FA 1.4, but I don't find auto-focus terribly necessary. The 50 f/1.4 and my A 35 f/2 are always with me when shooting film and usually available to use on my K-3. I have an old Ricoh Rikenon f/2 I got free with a K2 body and it is as good or better than anything I have ever seen, including my Leitz Summicron 50. You could probably find one of those for about $5. Basically, in any manufacturer's lens line, the 50 "standard" lens will be good to great.

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02-10-2015, 06:13 PM	#31
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Just Three ?? I think there will soon be 7 in my bag....now that I have a "Confirmed Need" for the 50mm "A" lens....lol.

02-10-2015, 06:55 PM	#33
uday029 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 505 Original Poster	Damn! Originally posted by boriscleto Those are just the K-mount 50/1.4s... I have 24 50s at the moment, in 4 different mounts, with another one on the way. 6 55s and 2 58s.

02-10-2015, 07:22 PM	#34
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by uday029 Damn! Double Damn....

02-10-2015, 10:23 PM	#35
Grampz52 New Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 5	Originally posted by boriscleto Those are just the K-mount 50/1.4s... I have 24 50s at the moment, in 4 different mounts, with another one on the way. 6 55s and 2 58s. You Sir, braggeth to much. I am however very jealous.

02-11-2015, 12:54 AM	#36
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	The F35-70 should count as a nifty fifty too. Seb

02-11-2015, 09:19 PM	#37
seacapt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina , USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,271	The cool thing about 50mm glass is that each lens has it's own traits. One previous member here might have said it best "I have a bucket of 50's and can't bear to part with any of them. Last edited by seacapt; 02-11-2015 at 09:36 PM.

02-12-2015, 10:12 PM	#38
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by seacapt The cool thing about 50mm glass is that each lens has it's own traits. One previous member here might have said it best "I have a bucket of 50's and can't bear to part with any of them. I only have one 50 left - the A50/1.7. I even sold the F50 macro. But no one's going to cry for me - I have a very useful kit. However, it was a lot of fun trying them, and appreciating their various characteristics. If I find I actually need one again I'll know what to look for.

02-13-2015, 09:11 AM	#39
seacapt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina , USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,271	Yeah the A /1.7 is probably my favorite too

02-16-2015, 02:30 AM	#40
Mike.Y New Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 3	For portrait, I preferre 85 or longer, but the question is which 50 to buy. Each one of them have advantage and disadvantage against others, it's hard to suggest. My answer, anything is fine except M50/1.4 having an issue of glue running out which suppose to stick 1st and 2nd lenses (if I remember right) together. 50/1.7 doesn't have this problem. To check this, set aperture ring open (f1.4) look toward the bright light and check inside from rear. If you see somethig wavey around the lens then this is it. I have no idea if this thing affect on DSLR since there seems no one noticed anything wrong, I shoot film only.

02-16-2015, 03:32 AM	#41
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,902	Of those three I'd recommend the FA 50/1.7, unless you want a manual focus one. As a rule the slower Pentax 50 to 55mm lenses (f/1.7 or f/1.8) are sharper and have more contrast than the f/1.4s, but the f/1,4s have better bokeh. Colour rendition and flare rendition are very similar. The M and A f/2 ones are reputedly poorer in every respect and as they sell for similar prices to the f/1.7s, there's not much point to them. My favourite for IQ is probably the FA 50/1.7, but I do also love manual lenses, so I have a few of them too.