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02-10-2015, 01:03 AM   #1
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Which nifty 50 to buy?

Hello all,

I am looking to buy a 50 mm lens for basic portraits. I have been reading reviews on "Pentax Lens Reviews" section and seems like there are quite a few options.

SMC Pentax A 50mm f 1.4 - Legacy lens and has very good reviews. Sells for about 80-100 on ebay.
FA 50mm f 1.7 - Auto focus and sells for about 150-175
DA 50mm f 1.8 - Latest version. Sells for about 120-130

I am used to manual focus lenses do I do not mind using SMC-A lens. How do the optics compare for above three lenses? All three lenses have very good reviews but I am having a hard time comparing optics and IQ between these lenses.

Any recommendation as to which one to buy? Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.

02-10-2015, 01:19 AM   #2
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I love my nifty fifty. It is a Auto Sears MC 50mm f/1.7. Sharp as a tack and picked up for only 20 bucks. No autofocus, but that isn't a huge deal. Of course if you plan to use flashes they have to be manual since the manual nature of the lens precludes correct metering.
02-10-2015, 01:30 AM   #3
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I don't have the DA 50 f1.8 but I do have a SMC Pentax A 50mm f 1.4, M 50 f1.4 and also the FA 50 f1.4

The A 50 and the FA 50 f1.4 are basically the same optically and my tests on my two copies find them to be very similar performance.

The M 50 f1.4 (can be had pretty cheap) is a good lens too but the A 50 (and FA 50) have a tweaked optical design and are slightly better optically according a number resources (tests on my copies supports this). That said the K and M variants are optically very nearly as good and have superior build quality to the A 50..

So if you don't mind manual focus the A50 f1.4 is pretty good value. From what I have seen from results on tests (and sample photos), the DA 50 is also a great option.
02-10-2015, 01:35 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by uday029 Quote
SMC Pentax A 50mm f 1.4 - Legacy lens and has very good reviews. Sells for about 80-100 on ebay. FA 50mm f 1.7 - Auto focus and sells for about 150-175 DA 50mm f 1.8 - Latest version. Sells for about 120-130
If you are OK with manual focusing, that A50/1.4 is a lot more interesting to me than the other ones. (I've sold the DA50/1.8 to get A50/1.4 and has no regret doing so)

But betweek FA50/1.7 and DA50/1.8, my vote goes to the latter, for wonderful flare resistance, and updated coatings for digital, and having 7 rounded blades for better bokeh balls.

02-10-2015, 01:50 AM   #5
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Actually ...you really cant go wrong with ANY 50mm you buy ! I just picked up a little jewel on ebay for $9 ! Its a Sears Auto MC and is considered slow at f/2.0. However it just shines and does wonderful for general use.
Also have a SMC-K 50mm I believe its f/1.8 and it is tack azz sharp....scary sharp.... Paid like $45 bucks for it also on Ebay.
Another favorite is the Ricoh Rikenon 50mm f/2.0 ( not XR or P version).....Paid a whopping unheard of sum for it $3.00 at a yardsale. Its very very nice also with good bokeh , and quite sharp....nice !
I have a "F" 50mm that is AF and is just stellar all around. Its a ugly , noisy lens but just surpasses anything Ive used before. $99 shipped on Ebay.
It just simply doesnt matter what 50mm lens you buy.....Just get one !
Even a very crappy 50mm by ratings on this forum will just "shine" when you have the know how and experience to master it. Good luck !
Remember...its NOT about pixel peeping....its capturing the final image ! You did say basic portraits right ?
02-10-2015, 02:01 AM   #6
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The DA 50 f1.8 is a stunning 50. I've got the M1.7, the M1.4, Russian 50's and 58s,a Vivitar 50 1.8. The DA 50 streets them all.
02-10-2015, 02:11 AM   #7
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what people seem to forget while talking of pure image quality is the unique rendering of each lens, no doubt they are all great performers but which pictures from which lens do YOU like the best? I for instance, dont like the DA 50 1.8's rendering, no doubt its a great performer, but to me the pictures look a little too generic. just hop over on to flickr or have a look through the forums to find which suits you best

02-10-2015, 04:04 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by mtux Quote
If you are OK with manual focusing, that A50/1.4 is a lot more interesting to me than the other ones. (I've sold the DA50/1.8 to get A50/1.4 and has no regret doing so)
And I think the M50/1.4 may be even more interesting that it.

QuoteOriginally posted by quh86 Quote
what people seem to forget while talking of pure image quality is the unique rendering of each lens, no doubt they are all great performers but which pictures from which lens do YOU like the best?
This is the point. But I like to look at:

The PPG: PENTAX : Select a PENTAX interchangeable lens camera or a lens model
pBase: Pentax-DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens Sample Photos and Specifications
Pixel-peeper: https://pixelpeeper.com/lenses/?lens=12279
02-10-2015, 04:06 AM - 1 Like   #9
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Best AF - SMC-F 50mm f1.7 , best MF M42=Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 8-element, K-mount= SMC-A 50mm 1.4 ooooorr - not for faint hearted , SMC-A 50mm f1.2 ( which I am actually approaching :P )
02-10-2015, 04:55 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by manntax Quote
Best AF - SMC-F 50mm f1.7 , best MF M42=Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 8-element, K-mount= SMC-A 50mm 1.4 ooooorr - not for faint hearted , SMC-A 50mm f1.2 ( which I am actually approaching :P )
Near enough the way I worked up to the A50 f/1.2, I don't think that it would like to be classed as 'nifty' though, it has a separate aura altogether that suggests that it eats nifty 50s and that the only thing it has in common with them is 50, nothing else.

---------- Post added 02-10-2015 at 12:01 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by uday029 Quote
Hello all,

I am looking to buy a 50 mm lens for basic portraits. I have been reading reviews on "Pentax Lens Reviews" section and seems like there are quite a few options.

SMC Pentax A 50mm f 1.4 - Legacy lens and has very good reviews. Sells for about 80-100 on ebay.
FA 50mm f 1.7 - Auto focus and sells for about 150-175
DA 50mm f 1.8 - Latest version. Sells for about 120-130

I am used to manual focus lenses do I do not mind using SMC-A lens. How do the optics compare for above three lenses? All three lenses have very good reviews but I am having a hard time comparing optics and IQ between these lenses.

Any recommendation as to which one to buy? Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.
Portrait? K55 f/1.8 is just that bit better for portraiture than the 50s. Cheaper too.
02-10-2015, 05:09 AM   #11
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Don't forget that Pentax is still producing the FA 50mm f1.4, you can buy it as new.
QuoteOriginally posted by manntax Quote
Best AF - SMC-F 50mm f1.7 , best MF M42=Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 8-element, K-mount= SMC-A 50mm 1.4 ooooorr - not for faint hearted , SMC-A 50mm f1.2 ( which I am actually approaching :P )
This is a quite good list. Just add the DA* 55mm f1.4 in there.
One thing to keep in mind is that MF with f1.4 lenses is difficult - modern DSLRs are not really made for that. DA 50mm f1.8 can be found very affordable these days, especially used. It is the same design as FA 50mm f1.7, F 50mm f1.7, A 50mm f1.7 and M 50mm f1.7, if I remember correctly. This is a lineage, with optical differences between the lenses mostly stemming from coatings, aperture shape, and precision of machining. There are other differences, for example the M 50mm is metal, while the DA is plastic. Anyway, just buy one of them, you can always resell at a minimum loss if it is disappointing.
02-10-2015, 05:53 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by IsaacT Quote
I love my nifty fifty. It is a Auto Sears MC 50mm f/1.7. Sharp as a tack and picked up for only 20 bucks. No autofocus, but that isn't a huge deal. Of course if you plan to use flashes they have to be manual since the manual nature of the lens precludes correct metering.
My favorite fast fifty is a variation on this model, I think. I have a Vivitar 50/1.7 and a Promaster 50/1.7 and they are identical. SUPER sharp, decent close-focusing abilities, and really easy to use. I also have the Pentax-A 50/2, which I got for $15 (!!) and it produces beautiful colors. Small, light weight, sharp, and all the convenience of an A-setting. :-)
02-10-2015, 06:06 AM   #13
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The trouble with listing great 50s is that it's always incomplete The smc 55s are worthy, check the K Club images - and the A50/2.8 macro is most impressive also! I've also owned fine Rikenon and Sears fifties.
02-10-2015, 07:05 AM   #14
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The FA43 is the obvious choice...

Seb
02-10-2015, 07:20 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by robbiec Quote
Portrait? K55 f/1.8 is just that bit better for portraiture than the 50s. Cheaper too.
VERY VERY TRUE ! Out of any lens I have that is the absolute best ! But then again its a 55mm.....lol.
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