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BlakeShellman · 09-03-2015, 10:12 AM

A month ago or so there was a Pentax ME Super and 50MM F1.7 for sale for a great price. I really wanted an MX to use for film but the seller said the camer was in like new condition so I bought the camera and lens. The camera is as the seller claimed. It has no scratches, dents, dings or any sign of wear and tear. All I had to do was pop some gresh batteries in and some film and it seems good to go. Being that old I will have it CLA'd because the seals seem a little hard and I imagine they could start to crumble once I put the camera to use. But that's ok. The camera really does look like new.

The lens on the hand is broken. Some here have suggested the spring or pin is broken and to try and find a donor lens to use for parts.

The thing is o already have an SMC-A 50mm F1.4. Many say the 1.7 has better IQ than the 1.4. Is this true? To me I should perhaps look at a telephoto prime or maybe a teleconverter instead of another 50mm prime.

Suggestions?

stillshot2 · 09-03-2015, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by BlakeShellman

Many say the 1.7 has better IQ than the 1.4. Is this true?

Never tried the f1.7 but my Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 is better than my DA 50mm 1.8 at the same apertures. The f1.4 should be similar to the f1.7 at similar apertures too, I would think, but the f1.4 has better bokeh as the f1.7 is known to produce razorblade bokeh in the right conditions.

**UncleVanya** · 09-03-2015, 10:39 AM

I've seen some comparisons that show that even at the same f/stop there is a slight advantage to the sharpness of the 50 f/1.7 vs. f/1.4 but the difference is slight. I would not worry about it. I would use the 1.4 and enjoy it and maybe send the 1.7 off for a refurb or trade.

**jatrax** · 09-03-2015, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

the sharpness of the 50 f/1.7 vs. f/1.4 but the difference is slight

So slight that I suspect sample variation would exceed it. They are somewhat different but picking one over the other is like arguing over whose Ferrari is nicer.

fwcetus · 09-03-2015, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

They are somewhat different but picking one over the other is like arguing over whose Ferrari is nicer.

The red one...

Ray-uk · 09-03-2015, 12:20 PM

See this thread:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/302634-1-7-vs-1-4-a.html

**UncleVanya** · 09-03-2015, 01:19 PM

Let's just say this is a religious area...
I haven't seen a huge difference in the past in performance once you stop down a couple of clicks.

BlakeShellman · 09-03-2015, 05:01 PM

I'm pretty sure I had an SMC-M F1.4 when I had my MX and I really liked the IQ back then.

09-03-2015, 10:12 AM	#1
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224	50MM Primes A month ago or so there was a Pentax ME Super and 50MM F1.7 for sale for a great price. I really wanted an MX to use for film but the seller said the camer was in like new condition so I bought the camera and lens. The camera is as the seller claimed. It has no scratches, dents, dings or any sign of wear and tear. All I had to do was pop some gresh batteries in and some film and it seems good to go. Being that old I will have it CLA'd because the seals seem a little hard and I imagine they could start to crumble once I put the camera to use. But that's ok. The camera really does look like new. The lens on the hand is broken. Some here have suggested the spring or pin is broken and to try and find a donor lens to use for parts. The thing is o already have an SMC-A 50mm F1.4. Many say the 1.7 has better IQ than the 1.4. Is this true? To me I should perhaps look at a telephoto prime or maybe a teleconverter instead of another 50mm prime. Suggestions?

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09-03-2015, 10:20 AM	#2
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by BlakeShellman Many say the 1.7 has better IQ than the 1.4. Is this true? Never tried the f1.7 but my Super Takumar 50mm f1.4 is better than my DA 50mm 1.8 at the same apertures. The f1.4 should be similar to the f1.7 at similar apertures too, I would think, but the f1.4 has better bokeh as the f1.7 is known to produce razorblade bokeh in the right conditions.

09-03-2015, 10:39 AM	#3
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	I've seen some comparisons that show that even at the same f/stop there is a slight advantage to the sharpness of the 50 f/1.7 vs. f/1.4 but the difference is slight. I would not worry about it. I would use the 1.4 and enjoy it and maybe send the 1.7 off for a refurb or trade.

09-03-2015, 10:43 AM	#4
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by UncleVanya the sharpness of the 50 f/1.7 vs. f/1.4 but the difference is slight So slight that I suspect sample variation would exceed it. They are somewhat different but picking one over the other is like arguing over whose Ferrari is nicer.

09-03-2015, 11:31 AM	#5
fwcetus Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New England Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,286	Originally posted by jatrax They are somewhat different but picking one over the other is like arguing over whose Ferrari is nicer. The red one...

09-03-2015, 12:20 PM	#6
Ray-uk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kent Photos: Gallery Posts: 159	See this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/8-pentax-film-slr-discussion/302634-1-7-vs-1-4-a.html

09-03-2015, 01:19 PM	#7
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,460	Let's just say this is a religious area... I haven't seen a huge difference in the past in performance once you stop down a couple of clicks.

09-03-2015, 05:01 PM	#8
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224 Original Poster	I'm pretty sure I had an SMC-M F1.4 when I had my MX and I really liked the IQ back then.

50MM Primes

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