[ChristianRock]

Thanks, sharpness is preferable here. How much is the difference?

Well I couldn't afford both so someone else might help more... But from looking at a lot of pics I think the older 50 1.7 design is noticeably sharper wide open. The DA 50 might be a bit sharper stopped down.

[Na Horuk]

I think there was a small test of Pentax 50mm f1.7 and the F version was the sharpest, but not by very much - they were all sharp enough. But the tester also said the F has the loudest AF.

[UncleVanya]

This may help you decide. In a shootout with the FA 1.4 and the D FA 2.8 when the lens cost a LOT more than it does now... the DA 1.8 won the contest.

Pentax 50mm Prime Lens Shootout Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I realize that the F/FA 1.7 wasn't in the running - but if you don't require an aperture ring I would jump on this one now.

[Archimedes the Dog]

Alright, I went with the DA due to the sale despite leaning towards the F, thanks folks. I'm sure I'll not fret over the sharpness too much. Doing actor and corporate headshot, but nothing that is going to get such close scrutiny I suspect.

[ChristianRock]

I'm sure you'll be happy with the DA. But you can always buy a manual focus M 50 1.7 for 30 dollars to see if you can tell if there is a difference. It's basically the same lens as the F/FA 50 1.7.

Share some pics when you can

[Archimedes the Dog]

I'm sure you'll be happy with the DA. But you can always buy a manual focus M 50 1.7 for 30 dollars to see if you can tell if there is a difference. It's basically the same lens as the F/FA 50 1.7.

Share some pics when you can

I have the 55 manual focus and *love* it. I just need the autofocus to help keep subjects in focus in the shallow DOF, low-key lighting style I shoot.

[ChristianRock]

I have the 55 manual focus and *love* it. I just need the autofocus to help keep subjects in focus in the shallow DOF, low-key lighting style I shoot.

I have the manual focus Pentax 55mm as well (mine is the f2 but the f2 and f1.8 are basically the same lens). It's very good stopped down, but wide open the 50 1.7 is better. Just go back to AldaCZ's pictures on page 1. THAT is what you can expect from the 50 1.7. I don't think the 55 (or the DA 50) can quite match it wide open. But it's really splitting hairs - they are all great lenses

This is my 55 f2 wide open, with a bit of PP of course.



It really shines when stopped down. This is at f5.6.



And this is my M 50 1.7, wide open.

[Archimedes the Dog]

I have the 1.8, and I feel the 55 gets better color and contrast than the 50s I have seen.

[UncleVanya]

I have the 1.8, and I feel the 55 gets better color and contrast than the 50s I have seen.

Sorry there are multiple 55's - do you mean the 55 / 1.8 or the DA 55 / 1.4 SDM?

[Archimedes the Dog]

Sorry there are multiple 55's - do you mean the 55 / 1.8 or the DA 55 / 1.4 SDM?

The 55 1.8.

[mwilky55]

I know longer have the DA 50, but you will need to pull my FA50 1.7 from my cold dead hands

---------- Post added 08-25-15 at 07:03 PM ----------

I have the manual focus Pentax 55mm as well (mine is the f2 but the f2 and f1.8 are basically the same lens). It's very good stopped down, but wide open the 50 1.7 is better. Just go back to AldaCZ's pictures on page 1. THAT is what you can expect from the 50 1.7. I don't think the 55 (or the DA 50) can quite match it wide open. But it's really splitting hairs - they are all great lenses

This is my 55 f2 wide open, with a bit of PP of course.



It really shines when stopped down. This is at f5.6.



And this is my M 50 1.7, wide open.

Really nice photos of the car....

[Archimedes the Dog]

I know longer have the DA 50, but you will need to pull my FA50 1.7 from my cold dead hands

---------- Post added 08-25-15 at 07:03 PM ----------


Really nice photos of the car....

Don;t make me regret my purchase before it even ships!!

[bdery]

I for one am scared to death of the AF noise the DA50 f1.8 makes. It's by far the loudest lens I've ever used. The F50 f1.7 or FA50 f1,7/f1,4 are much more subtle, much less distracting, and just as good optically (if not better).

[robtcorl]

I for one am scared to death of the AF noise the DA50 f1.8 makes

I recently bought a DA 50 f1.8 and mine is not louder than my other screw drives, but does have a strange higher pitch.
Focus is pretty darn fast.
Here is one of my first test shots, cross posted from the K-S2 forum.

[Archimedes the Dog]

My DA supposedly comes Friday. I'll post comparisons shots with the 55 1.8 in this thread.