[atomx]

I have the 31mm ltd inbound, and plan on getting the other 2 members of the "three amigos". Ive been doing some research on the 50mm's and seem to be going around in circles.. The logical choice would be to get the FA 50mm f1.4 as it will work with FF (plan is to get the new Pentax FF when released) but it seems to get mixed reviews. Some love it, others seems to have mixed feeling... The older film manual focus 50mm's e.g. A- 50mm 1.7 or 1.4..etc seem to get good reviews and are cheap so i could get 2-3 for the same price as the FA-50 f1.4..

Should I just get the 43mm ltd and treat it as my 50mm? Or is it worthwhile getting a 50mm ? if so, is the FA 50 a good option or just get one of the old film lens ? (manual focus doesn't bother me.)


Any guidance would be appreciated..

[robthebloke]

My advice would be to get the 43 or da* 55 (unless old manual film slrs are your thing). The 50 1.4 is a good lens, the 43 and 55 are exceptional lenses. If you are struggling to decide, get the 77 next, and complete the set later on...

[Stavri]

There's is nothing wrong with the -F/FA 50mm f1.4, an excellent lens by all means, It does all that you need it to do and keeps going. People like the FA 43 ltd for the character and excellent IQ. My -F 50mm f1.4 also has a character which I prefer to more modern lenses like the Sigma EX 50mm f1.4. I know it has CA wide open and is not as sharp from f1.4-2 (it's tack sharp from f2.5 on) but I have the DA* 55 for that sort of thing. If you're looking at things from a budget point of view, the DA 50mm f1.8 is a excellent lens for the money. If we're to spend a little more we'd go into the FA 50mm f1.4 category (we're excluding the MF lenses). Now that you've mastered the 50mm focal length with many thousands shots under your belt, you want to establish a mood to your meticulously crafted compositions, the FA 43 ltd is the artistic, refined brush that you paint with.

Pentax-F 50mm f1.4 shot at f3.2


Same subject, shot with a VL Heliar 75 f2.5 (which IMO renders similar to the FA 77 ltd)

[atomx]

Hmm... I really like the DA* 55mm and I believe it will also work/cover the FF. My big concern with it is SDM. If it could be converted to screw drive I would get it without hesitation but it only has the SDM.. From all reports the SDM motors have been improved but I really don't want to be mucking around with having the lens repaired if it does fail.
I havent ruled out the plastic fantastic but its APS-C and would like (if possible) to have FF compatible lens (if possible).

[robthebloke]

The da 50 f1.8 works on full frame just fine (I've used it on film without any problems). It's a good lens (for the price) and can, in the right circumstances, give the 77 a run for its money. I still prefer the limiteds though....

[Stavri]

Hmm... I really like the DA* 55mm and I believe it will also work/cover the FF. My big concern with it is SDM. If it could be converted to screw drive I would get it without hesitation but it only has the SDM.. From all reports the SDM motors have been improved but I really don't want to be mucking around with having the lens repaired if it does fail.
I havent ruled out the plastic fantastic but its APS-C and would like (if possible) to have FF compatible lens (if possible).

Then you conundrum is whether to sell the DA* 55 and replace it with the FA 43, I believe you already made up you mind in that regard (not venturing on the DA* 55 thread will help with that decision) I share with you the concern over the SDM issues, crippling such amazing glass with these motors is not just on oversight, but a real shame. If I had my way I'd yank the SDM from all my lenses and go "Office Space" on them. Get the FA 43, you could always buy the DA* 55 (or the D-FA 85*) with the DC motors when it comes out a few years from now.

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

[Franky2step]

I have the 43 Ltd and the F50 f1.7 and love them both...but, while the 50 is a great lens, the 43 is SUBLIME

[gofour3]

43mm is the perfect focal length on FF, you will love it. However I find it useful to also have a fast 50 for low light or a slightly narrower field of view. You might even consider the K50/1.2 or A50/1.2.

I find 77mm on FF is not that useful and like 85mm better, especially for portrait shots. On FF you will probably find the FA77/1.8 to be you least used of the three FA LTD’s.

Phil.

[KDAFA]

The FA50 f1.4 is a good lens.

The FA43 Ltd f1.9 is in a league of its own. Characterful, complex, and capable of delivering jaw-dropping results.

It feels more like an instrument to create remarkable, artistic and stunningly beautiful pictures.

To be honest, I stopped using the 50 once I got the 43.

I recommend you give it serious consideration, assuming you don't need f1.4, and are comfortable with its effective focal length in APS-C.

[alamo5000]

In between a 43mm and 50mm I can say there are situations that call for both.

I have a 43mm and a F50 f1.7 and I like both. As a general rule I like the images that come from the 43mm a little better. It's just got that magic touch. But a fast 50 is always kind of nice to have.

I only have one lens left to buy and that will complete my collection. That lens is the 77mm.

After all is said and done though I might re-try a foray into zoom lenses again at some point. I am shooting primes now (with one exception the Tamron 70-200)

Eventually at some point when my K3 wears out I will have the new FF so any forays into something 'different' will keep that in mind. I have the other two amigos and I love them to death. I just haven't had the money or inclination to get the 77 yet as I already have the 70mm and to be honest I don't use that focal length a lot so I am putting it off.

If I had the opportunity to take pictures of people more often I would have a 77mm in my bag right now.

Personally I could see myself with the new FF and only have 3 lenses in the bag. 31mm, 43mm, and the 77mm. I would hope Pentax comes out with a 4th amigo though, which would be a 20mm FA Limited along the same lines as the other three.

[Stavri]

In between a 43mm and 50mm I can say there are situations that call for both.

I have a 43mm and a F50 f1.7 and I like both. As a general rule I like the images that come from the 43mm a little better. It's just got that magic touch. But a fast 50 is always kind of nice to have.

I only have one lens left to buy and that will complete my collection. That lens is the 77mm.

After all is said and done though I might re-try a foray into zoom lenses again at some point. I am shooting primes now (with one exception the Tamron 70-200)

Eventually at some point when my K3 wears out I will have the new FF so any forays into something 'different' will keep that in mind. I have the other two amigos and I love them to death. I just haven't had the money or inclination to get the 77 yet as I already have the 70mm and to be honest I don't use that focal length a lot so I am putting it off.

If I had the opportunity to take pictures of people more often I would have a 77mm in my bag right now.

Personally I could see myself with the new FF and only have 3 lenses in the bag. 31mm, 43mm, and the 77mm. I would hope Pentax comes out with a 4th amigo though, which would be a 20mm FA Limited along the same lines as the other three.

I'd petition for two more amigos, a 18mm and a 135mm one and be all set...

[hoopsontoast]

I have the 43mm, FA50 f1.7 and K55 f1.8 and since getting the 43 (my second copy) the FA50 has not touched the camera (film or digital).

The FA50 f1.7 is sharp enough but seems to miss something compared to the 43mm and 55mm.

The 43mm really is magic on the 35mm film format and I guess the new FF Digital.

[Franky2step]

I personally have two Dslr kits at my disposal, one geared towards the photographic style, the other is technological and valued for its user friendliness and all-round performance. The "photography connoisseur" mostly MF kit: Pentax K10D + VL color-ultron 50mm f1.8, VL Heliar 75mm f2.5, -A 50mm f1.2, Helios 58mm f2. K 24mm f3.5, Rokinon 35mm f1.4 UMC, Tokina At-X 90mm f2.5, Birding/Macro-All-rounder performance kit. Pentax K3 + Sigma 12-24, DA 35mm f2.4, DA 35mm f2.8 ltd, Sigma EX 30mm f1.4 (lots of overlap I know)DA* 55 f1.4, Sigma 70-200mm f2.8, Sigma Ex 180mm f3.5, Sigma Ex 300mm f2.8 (the bi-curious ones) -F 28mm f2.8, -F 50mm f1.4, -F 135mm f2.8, -F* 300mm f2.8.

Let's dedicate this thread to how many lenses each of has, that would really help the OP make a decision on the 50 vs 43mm

[Stavri]

Let's dedicate this thread to how many lenses each of has, that would really help the OP make a decision on the 50 vs 43mm

I had second thought to edit that list out, but you quoted me on that, now is not going anywhere.

Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it.

[6BQ5]

I have the FA 50mm f/1.4 which should be the same basic formula as the manual focusing A version. It is a very, very sharp lens and works great for portraits on APS. I try to shoot at f/5 or less to balance subjection isolation, depth of field to capture the capture, and sharpness. I would rank its sharpness right up there with the best of the FA Limiteds. Excellent lens all around for daytime use!

I also have the FA 43mm Ltd and I agree with Frank2Step. That lens is sublime! Sharp? Yes, it will have all of that. It's beauty is in the softer pastel colors while maintaining excellent contrast. Well, at least my copy feels like that. This lens is great when the light is bright and harsh. It softens it a bit.

I don't think you can go wrong getting either optical formula first followed by the other next. Whatever you get first will keep you satisfied, motivated, and interested while you save up for the other. The 43mm and 50mm lenses are two monuments in the Pentax universe. When people ask why shoot with Pentax I point them to the FA collection.