[kmurphy220]

So a few months ago I cracked down and bought the SMC A 50mm f1.4 and read that out of the manual 50's of the 1.4, 1.7,2 range that the A series was the sharpest and best lens of the group. So I figured for a $40 gamble, why not right. On the first test run it seemed pretty nice auto aperture and more light with small DoF and sharpness by f2.8 but as I use the lens more and more I find myself using it less and less to my K55 f1.8 and my new M42 find. The Mamiya 55 f1.4 which was the best $15 I have ever spent. Has anyone else had a lackluster experience with the A series lenses or am I just crazy. And this both on film and digital I don't really like the colors and "sharpness"

[boriscleto]

Nope. Not my experience. I'm selling off all my A 50 1.7s and FA 50 1.7 because I have all 3 50 1.4s plus the 8-element Super Tak.

[kmurphy220]

I think its the way it handles as well. The plasticky build and plastic aperture ring annoy me. And the fact I don't have to set the ring manually bugs me. Odd complaints lol.

[kiwi_jono]

I thought my A 50 f1.4 was wonderful. Only subsequent purchases of a FA50 f1.4 and DA70 f2.4 have rendered it largely unused.

I found it better than my A 50 f1.7 which I used previously. More control and better sharpness as equal apertures (my copies anyway). Better generally and much more convenient that my SMC Takumar 55 f1.8 (although that is a good lens).

Certainly have some great images from A 50 f1.4

Granted the build of A 50 could be better.

[drypenn]

So a few months ago I cracked down and bought the SMC A 50mm f1.4 and read that out of the manual 50's of the 1.4, 1.7,2 range that the A series was the sharpest and best lens of the group. So I figured for a $40 gamble, why not right. On the first test run it seemed pretty nice auto aperture and more light with small DoF and sharpness by f2.8 but as I use the lens more and more I find myself using it less and less to my K55 f1.8 and my new M42 find. The Mamiya 55 f1.4 which was the best $15 I have ever spent. Has anyone else had a lackluster experience with the A series lenses or am I just crazy. And this both on film and digital I don't really like the colors and "sharpness"

I used to have an A50/1.4 too. It was sharp, and produces smooth OOF. Easy to focus too. Sold it when I got the FA 50/1.4. Truth be told, my A50/1.4 was better than the FA sibling. Anyway, I also sold the FA50 when I got hold of the FA43.

Throughout that time, I've had a K55/1.8. And it has managed to stay, and I still have no plan of flipping it. The K55/1.8 punches well above its weight, and I must agree, I preferred, and still will prefer it over an A50/1.4.

[kmurphy220]

The 55 just has something about it that looks better. The A to me seems like it renders a more modern look. Like that "lets get this image as sharp as humanly possible" image. But the 55 is sharp but it smooths everything out in a pleasing way. The Mamiya is right now my most 3-D rendering of my lenses. I guess I'll have to sell the A. I'll probably end up picking up a Super Tak and use that as my Pentax fast fifty. Plus my copy at least has some serious green abberations up to f2. The Mamiya is CA free even at f1.4 with little to no purple fringing either.

[jlstrawman]

Has anyone else had a lackluster experience with the A series lenses or am I just crazy. And this both on film and digital I don't really like the colors and "sharpness"

Not my experience either. Had my copy since the early 1980s. Great colors and sharpness. Have used it on film, digital, and now full frame.
Great small lens, IMHO.

[Dipsoid]

Mine is fantastic for portraits. The glow it has at 1.4 makes portraits very dreamy, sharpness is excellent at 2.8 and it handles beautifully. It's a pretty poor copy at infinity however, maybe the calibration is off, but I have a hard time getting sharp images at close to the horizon.