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08-05-2015, 09:35 PM   #1
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Best 50mm fast prime (30-35mm on a K-3) lens

The classic fast 50mm portrait lens. One of the three focal lengths of street photographers (35mm and 28mm being the other two) and a good compromise of DOF and integrating the subject with the background.

So what 50mm lens do you recomend? (notice, 50mm AFTER the crop factor, so a 30mm to 35mm lens)

I own a Pentax K-3 and want a lens that can truly show what this camera can do at this focal length.

I also own an Olympus om-d M10 with an Olympus 25mm f1.8 lens (50mm after crop factor). The pictures are superb but if I could get a a similar quality lens for the Pentax K-3 (that I KNOW has a better sensor) I would be most pleased.

Please advice:

08-05-2015, 09:51 PM   #2
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So you're looking for a normal lens? The crop factor doesn't change the focal length, after all.

I'd recommend the Sigma 35mm F1.4. Probably the best lens in its class if you can justify the added weight compared to something like the 35mm F2.8 Macro or the FA 31mm F1.8.

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08-05-2015, 09:53 PM   #3
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I have shot with the DA 35 f/2.4 and the SMC DA 40 f/2.8 Limited - both work very well. Of the two I actually prefer the DA 40 but not for length but overall size and rendering. The 35 has a slightly better field of view (52 vs. 60).
08-05-2015, 09:56 PM   #4
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A fifity is a 50mm lens, not a 35mm! My best fast fifty is my Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. I heard a lot of good thing about the DA*55mm f1.4, but I have already fast fifty (A50mm f1.2, FA50mm f1.7, VL 58mm f1.4) and my VL58mm is my fav by far!


Last edited by hcc; 08-05-2015 at 11:37 PM.
08-05-2015, 10:02 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by hcc Quote
A fifity is a 50mm lens, not a 35mm! My best fast fifty is my Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. I heard a lot of good thing about the DA*55mm f1.4, but I have already fast fifty (FA50mm f1.2, FA50mm f1.7, VL 58mm f1.4) and my VL58mm is my fav by far!
I think the OP just wants something with the Field Of View of a 50. The ask is the best "normal" lens.

To the OP: The info above is correct. The crop factor doesn't change focal length only the way it appears - the field of view is similar to a lens of the focal length = crop factor times actual focal length.

Last edited by UncleVanya; 08-05-2015 at 10:24 PM.
08-05-2015, 10:18 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by hcc Quote
I heard a lot of good thing about the DA*55mm f1.4, but I have already fast fifty (FA50mm f1.2, FA50mm f1.7, VL 58mm f1.4) and my VL58mm is my fav by far!
I'm not aware that there's an FA 50/1.2 or is this a typo (1.4?)?

Back to the topic, my best 50-ish is the 43. Yup, it's a long 30-ish and a short 50-ish, so it's a catch "weight" for me, and at times it may be a bit awkward. I've had the 40xs (similar to 40Ltd optically once). My 58mm (Helios K mount) is also one of my favorite focal length, and is quite very good at artsy shoots.

---------- Post added 08-06-15 at 01:22 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
I have shot with the DA 35 f/2.4 and the SMC DA 40 f/2.8 Limited - both work very well. Of the two I actually prefer the DA 40 but not for length but overall size and rendering. The 35 has a slightly better field of view (52 vs. 60).

I love the size and feel of the 40s too, but, subjectively for my tastes, the 40's rendition is just too clean, sharp and perfect!

I like the softer edges of the 35/2.4
08-05-2015, 10:34 PM   #7
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I have the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art, Aldorp. You probably won't better it for sharpness, performance in poor light, etc. The FA31 is another big lens.


The other philosophy (especially for street photography) is to go light and small, and the DA35 is terrific - and cheap!

08-05-2015, 10:34 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by drypenn Quote
I love the size and feel of the 40s too, but, subjectively for my tastes, the 40's rendition is just too clean, sharp and perfect!

I like the softer edges of the 35/2.4
I wouldn't complain about being made to shoot either one if I needed a normal lens and had to get shots - there is nothing wrong with either one and the DA 35 f/2.4 is such a bargain. I like using a hood with it - and maybe that's what I like about the 40 - the built in hood is tiny and hard to leave off.
08-05-2015, 10:55 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
I wouldn't complain about being made to shoot either one if I needed a normal lens and had to get shots - there is nothing wrong with either one and the DA 35 f/2.4 is such a bargain. I like using a hood with it - and maybe that's what I like about the 40 - the built in hood is tiny and hard to leave off.
I agree, the 35 is a very good bargain, and not worth much to sell second hand. But its IQ is far from being cheap. On a side note, I'm using the DA40's hood on the 35, noticeably improving contrast, but I use a cheap "Canon" DVR' pinch cap to cover that hood Before I had the GR, I use my KX with the DA35/2.4 as my walk around, worry free camera.
08-05-2015, 11:37 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by drypenn Quote
I'm not aware that there's an FA 50/1.2 or is this a typo (1.4?)?
Thanks. Typo. I meant A50mm f1.2
08-05-2015, 11:45 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by hcc Quote
Thanks. Typo. I meant A50mm f1.2

Oh, "only" an "A"! I only have a K.

I hate you!
08-06-2015, 12:18 AM   #12
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FA 35 f/2 if you can find it... But the DA 35 f/2.8 Macro Limited is probably the sharpest one, I really love mine. It's my allround general purpose standard lens.
It has a long focus throw and is a bit noisy when focusing.. but oh I love it.
08-06-2015, 12:21 AM   #13
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I have no intention of even trying anything other than my FA31/1.8 in the fast normal range. It is very sharp in the centre wide open and its bokeh is unparalleled in that focal length range. I have the DA35/2.8 and it is sharper edge to edge, as one would expect from a macro lens, but it doesn't have the same magic for general use.

The Sigma 35/1.4 is by all reports optically superb, but it is considerably bigger than the FA31 (an inch longer, 67mm filter thread and nearly twice the weight) if that's an issue. It is less expensive though.
08-06-2015, 12:21 AM   #14
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My personal favorite normalish focal length on APSC is 28mm, but it seems this FL is a bit out of fashion on digital Pentax.

In current use I only have the K 28/2.0 and M 28/2.0 which I'd both highly recommend if you like manual lenses and if you can find them.

I'm currently looking for a 28mm Takumar, but got distracted by a 135/3.5 and a Q-S1...
08-06-2015, 12:22 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by aldorp Quote
The classic fast 50mm portrait lens. One of the three focal lengths of street photographers (35mm and 28mm being the other two) and a good compromise of DOF and integrating the subject with the background. So what 50mm lens do you recomend? (notice, 50mm AFTER the crop factor, so a 30mm to 35mm lens) I own a Pentax K-3 and want a lens that can truly show what this camera can do at this focal length. I also own an Olympus om-d M10 with an Olympus 25mm f1.8 lens (50mm after crop factor). The pictures are superb but if I could get a a similar quality lens for the Pentax K-3 (that I KNOW has a better sensor) I would be most pleased. Please advice:

Best considering all factors ( IQ, cost, FOV, AF etc.. ) is FA 35mm F2.0. Next in line, slightly slower but wider would be the SMC-F 28mm f2.8. Both will give you approximate 45-50mm fov of full frame / film camera.

From the two I would pick FA 35mm - although I own both of them, the FA is just faster and so suits more as a normal lens substitute.
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