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peterjcb · 02-11-2015, 05:15 PM

I've been intrigued by this lens and just picked up a copy...
Mamiya / Sekor 55mm F 1.4 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

it appears to be in excellent condition, the glass is pristine and cosmetically I'd rate it a 9.
The only problem is that my M42 screw adaptor hasn't come in from Ebay yet so I can't use it on my Pentax bodies...
It would be an 83 FOV on Pentax APS-C sensor so I'm thinking it might be an excellent portrait lens....looking forward to the day I can put it on a Pentax FF

Does anyone have any experience with this lens?

Rimfiredude · 02-11-2015, 05:17 PM

I have a 55mm f1.4 SX that is all tricked out. Very sharp also and it is for sale.

peterjcb · 02-11-2015, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by Rimfiredude

I have a 55mm f1.4 SX that is all tricked out. Very sharp also and it is for sale.

what is the "SX" designation?

Rimfiredude · 02-11-2015, 05:43 PM

Originally posted by peterjcb

what is the "SX" designation?

The SX has a pin for metering on the Mamiya SX Camera. It also had a lip which prevents mounting on a dslr. The pin has to be removed and the lip filed off to be used on a dslr. There also is NO Auto/Manual switch, so another pin has to be Jerry Rigged. Quite a pain in the you know what, but when you get that all done you have quite a unique lens.

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peterjcb · 02-11-2015, 06:07 PM

Thanks, mine is not SX and has a M/A switch.
I should be good to go with just the M42 to Pentax K adapter...can't wait to try it out...

**Just1MoreDave** · 02-11-2015, 07:15 PM

Mine looks like Ramseybuckeye's photo in the review thread. I did some informal comparison shots and sharpness is right there with lenses of similar vintage. I was always worried about flare, so I did not shoot with it much until I got a hood. I think I worried too much. The 55mm filter thread was an oddball for me. Look at a depth of field calculator to see how small the DOF is at f1.4 and short distances. Because of that and SMC, I end up using the K55/1.8 more often.

**mike.hiran** · 02-11-2015, 08:09 PM

Took mine out a few weeks ago and really liking it's bokeh and how sharp it is. Bokeh can be a bit busy at times, but in the right situation, it's a treat.

seacapt · 02-11-2015, 08:26 PM

This was my first "keeper" M42 lens ...well at least since I was shooting a Yashica back in the 70's. It came in a box of stuff I bought to get another lens that I thought I would like.
I've used the Mamiya extensively for indoor / no flash work as well as at concerts if I can get up front access. It's very sharp , contrasty and has real nice blue / red color. I've not had an issue with flare as some report but there can sometimes be a bit of CA with backlit subjects. I think there are some of my first test pics with it in the M42 Club thread and if memory serves me my avatar pic was taken with it.

**grahame** · 02-11-2015, 11:19 PM

I really like the "painterly" bokeh from this lens.

siamthai · 02-12-2015, 04:38 AM

Great lens, I think I like it even more than my Takumar 50mm f 1.4

02-11-2015, 05:15 PM	#1
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	Mamiya / Sekor 55mm f1.4 I've been intrigued by this lens and just picked up a copy... Mamiya / Sekor 55mm F 1.4 Lens Reviews - Miscellaneous Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database it appears to be in excellent condition, the glass is pristine and cosmetically I'd rate it a 9. The only problem is that my M42 screw adaptor hasn't come in from Ebay yet so I can't use it on my Pentax bodies... It would be an 83 FOV on Pentax APS-C sensor so I'm thinking it might be an excellent portrait lens....looking forward to the day I can put it on a Pentax FF Does anyone have any experience with this lens?

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02-11-2015, 05:17 PM	#2
Rimfiredude Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Washington Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,176	I have a 55mm f1.4 SX that is all tricked out. Very sharp also and it is for sale.

02-11-2015, 05:28 PM	#3
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468 Original Poster	Originally posted by Rimfiredude I have a 55mm f1.4 SX that is all tricked out. Very sharp also and it is for sale. what is the "SX" designation?

02-11-2015, 06:07 PM	#5
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468 Original Poster	Thanks, mine is not SX and has a M/A switch. I should be good to go with just the M42 to Pentax K adapter...can't wait to try it out...

02-11-2015, 07:15 PM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Mine looks like Ramseybuckeye's photo in the review thread. I did some informal comparison shots and sharpness is right there with lenses of similar vintage. I was always worried about flare, so I did not shoot with it much until I got a hood. I think I worried too much. The 55mm filter thread was an oddball for me. Look at a depth of field calculator to see how small the DOF is at f1.4 and short distances. Because of that and SMC, I end up using the K55/1.8 more often.

02-11-2015, 08:09 PM	#7
mike.hiran Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: portland Photos: Albums Posts: 1,491	Took mine out a few weeks ago and really liking it's bokeh and how sharp it is. Bokeh can be a bit busy at times, but in the right situation, it's a treat.

02-11-2015, 08:26 PM	#8
seacapt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Carolina , USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,271	This was my first "keeper" M42 lens ...well at least since I was shooting a Yashica back in the 70's. It came in a box of stuff I bought to get another lens that I thought I would like. I've used the Mamiya extensively for indoor / no flash work as well as at concerts if I can get up front access. It's very sharp , contrasty and has real nice blue / red color. I've not had an issue with flare as some report but there can sometimes be a bit of CA with backlit subjects. I think there are some of my first test pics with it in the M42 Club thread and if memory serves me my avatar pic was taken with it.

02-11-2015, 11:19 PM	#9
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	I really like the "painterly" bokeh from this lens.

02-12-2015, 04:38 AM	#10
siamthai Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Svealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 172	Great lens, I think I like it even more than my Takumar 50mm f 1.4

Mamiya / Sekor 55mm f1.4

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