Pentax M 50mm 1.4 vs Pentax DA 50mm 1.8

The Observer · 08-25-2016, 01:39 AM

Hi guys,
I have a old lense Pentax M 50mm 1.4. This is all manual: SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

I have see the new lens 50mm 1.8: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Recommended the move to this new 1.8?

This new target has the worst opening ( 1.8 vs 1.4 ) , however, has all modern automation .

You think??

**clackers** · 08-25-2016, 02:01 AM - **1 Like**

You get modern coatings as well as more blades for the bokeh, and it''s so cheap you might as well, Observer. :-)

Stopped down there'll be little difference in sharpness.

**BigMackCam** · 08-25-2016, 02:16 AM

Welcome to the forums!

I don't have the M50 F1.4, but I can tell you the DA50 F1.8 is a fantastic little lens. The only thing I would point out is build quality - it's perfectly solid, but mostly plastic, as befits a very inexpensive lens. You need to set your expectations accordingly. From an optical perspective, though, it's a great bit of glass, and very, very usable wide open. Better still if you stop down a little, of course

Tekmongoose · 08-25-2016, 03:26 AM

IIRC there was an optical re-design between the M and A series, and historically Pentax's 1.7/1.8 50s have always been better within their aperture range than the 1.4's

I'd be surprised if the DA 50 1.8 isn't optically better than the M 1.4 in every measurable respect from 1.8 onwards, obviously if you need the extra third of a stop then there's only one choice but if that were the case you wouldn't be asking the question.

Build quality wise the small light plastic primes are as solid as they can be given the materials, unless you're in the habit of being very nasty indeed to your lenses I wouldn't worry about it.

Jonathan Mac · 08-25-2016, 03:54 AM

If you want full automation and probably slightly better optics then the DA version would be the way to go. I have the M 50/1.4 and I like it a lot but I wouldn't use it wide open, unlike my FA 50/1.7 which has an identical (or nearly) optical design to the newer DA 50/1.8.

Al alternative would be to hunt down an FA 50/1.7 which would give you full automation plus better build quality than the DA lens and compatibility with film SLRs. However, a used one costs around double what a new DA costs.

**bobbotron** · 08-25-2016, 06:48 AM

I strangely have both of these lenses. My DA 1.8 gets way more use, and is a better lens in my opinion.

Tekmongoose · 08-25-2016, 07:27 AM

I made a not totally disimilar upgrade to my kit by going Zeiss Flektogon 35mm to DA 35 f/2.4

The Flek is still a lovely lens and now resides in my "manual lenses for fun and no profit" kit, but the DA35 gets all the use on my main DSLR. The convinience of full AF/AE is just too much for any difference in the optics to matter. I have never actually compared to see which is optically better, both are excellent and to tell a difference would require more pixel peeping than I generally do, but my hit rate is deffinitely higher with the DA lens due to better integration with the modern camera

lytrytyr · 08-25-2016, 07:28 AM

Originally posted by Tekmongoose

IIRC there was an optical re-design between the M and A series

Optically, the special feature of the M f/1.4 is its slightly flatter cemented join,
which may account for its superb performance at infinity.

The other 7-element 50mm f/1.4 lenses seem to be optimized for closer focus ranges.

So enjoy your M 50/1.4 for landscape,
and get a second lens (like the plastic-fantastic) if you need it for other uses.

**pres589** · 08-25-2016, 07:58 AM

Let me suggest something *crazy*; search on the bay of E's for an F 50 1.7. There's a film camera, an F 50 1.7, and a Sigma 70-210 AF (no idea what that lens is like) for less than a DA 50 1.8 right now. Buy now pricing. Assuming the shipping isn't crazy to your location, you'd be money ahead going with the 50 1.7 and have enough other stuff in the kit to sell off (or keep!) to make this a very low cost way into a fast AF 50.

That's what I'd do this minute if I had any money to spend on camera stuff.

Tekmongoose · 08-25-2016, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by pres589

Let me suggest something *crazy*; search on the bay of E's for an F 50 1.7. There's a film camera, an F 50 1.7, and a Sigma 70-210 AF (no idea what that lens is like) for less than a DA 50 1.8 right now. Buy now pricing. Assuming the shipping isn't crazy to your location, you'd be money ahead going with the 50 1.7 and have enough other stuff in the kit to sell off (or keep!) to make this a very low cost way into a fast AF 50.

That's what I'd do this minute if I had any money to spend on camera stuff.

if that listing's available, buy it, buy it now before it gets away! that's what I'd do if I didn't already have an FA 50 1.4

Na Horuk · 08-25-2016, 09:25 AM

Hey, welcome!
Do you really miss autofocus on your M 50mm? If you think you lose photos because of MF, then you might want to upgrade. Image quality will not only slightly better with the new lens, almost indistinguishable from f4 onward. Both 50mm lenses are good.
If you do not already have a lot of other lenses, I would recommend you instead think about the DA 35mm f2.4 or DA 40mm XS. This will still give you modern automation, lens coatings, at a good price, and also a different Field of view.

I think there is no point in buying many 50mm lenses if you already have one that you like. If you do not like your old 50mm, get the new one. But otherwise it is better to buy a different focal length, one you do not already have.

08-25-2016, 01:39 AM	#1
The Observer New Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1	Pentax M 50mm 1.4 vs Pentax DA 50mm 1.8 Hi guys, I have a old lense Pentax M 50mm 1.4. This is all manual: SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database I have see the new lens 50mm 1.8: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 Reviews - DA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Recommended the move to this new 1.8? This new target has the worst opening ( 1.8 vs 1.4 ) , however, has all modern automation . You think??

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08-25-2016, 02:01 AM - 1 Like	#2
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	You get modern coatings as well as more blades for the bokeh, and it''s so cheap you might as well, Observer. :-) Stopped down there'll be little difference in sharpness.

08-25-2016, 02:16 AM	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,670	Welcome to the forums! I don't have the M50 F1.4, but I can tell you the DA50 F1.8 is a fantastic little lens. The only thing I would point out is build quality - it's perfectly solid, but mostly plastic, as befits a very inexpensive lens. You need to set your expectations accordingly. From an optical perspective, though, it's a great bit of glass, and very, very usable wide open. Better still if you stop down a little, of course

08-25-2016, 03:26 AM	#4
Tekmongoose Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 43	IIRC there was an optical re-design between the M and A series, and historically Pentax's 1.7/1.8 50s have always been better within their aperture range than the 1.4's I'd be surprised if the DA 50 1.8 isn't optically better than the M 1.4 in every measurable respect from 1.8 onwards, obviously if you need the extra third of a stop then there's only one choice but if that were the case you wouldn't be asking the question. Build quality wise the small light plastic primes are as solid as they can be given the materials, unless you're in the habit of being very nasty indeed to your lenses I wouldn't worry about it.

08-25-2016, 03:54 AM	#5
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894	If you want full automation and probably slightly better optics then the DA version would be the way to go. I have the M 50/1.4 and I like it a lot but I wouldn't use it wide open, unlike my FA 50/1.7 which has an identical (or nearly) optical design to the newer DA 50/1.8. Al alternative would be to hunt down an FA 50/1.7 which would give you full automation plus better build quality than the DA lens and compatibility with film SLRs. However, a used one costs around double what a new DA costs.

08-25-2016, 06:48 AM	#6
bobbotron Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ottawa, ON Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,349	I strangely have both of these lenses. My DA 1.8 gets way more use, and is a better lens in my opinion.

08-25-2016, 07:27 AM	#7
Tekmongoose Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 43	I made a not totally disimilar upgrade to my kit by going Zeiss Flektogon 35mm to DA 35 f/2.4 The Flek is still a lovely lens and now resides in my "manual lenses for fun and no profit" kit, but the DA35 gets all the use on my main DSLR. The convinience of full AF/AE is just too much for any difference in the optics to matter. I have never actually compared to see which is optically better, both are excellent and to tell a difference would require more pixel peeping than I generally do, but my hit rate is deffinitely higher with the DA lens due to better integration with the modern camera

08-25-2016, 07:28 AM	#8
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Tekmongoose IIRC there was an optical re-design between the M and A series Optically, the special feature of the M f/1.4 is its slightly flatter cemented join, which may account for its superb performance at infinity. The other 7-element 50mm f/1.4 lenses seem to be optimized for closer focus ranges. So enjoy your M 50/1.4 for landscape, and get a second lens (like the plastic-fantastic) if you need it for other uses.

08-25-2016, 07:58 AM	#9
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Let me suggest something crazy; search on the bay of E's for an F 50 1.7. There's a film camera, an F 50 1.7, and a Sigma 70-210 AF (no idea what that lens is like) for less than a DA 50 1.8 right now. Buy now pricing. Assuming the shipping isn't crazy to your location, you'd be money ahead going with the 50 1.7 and have enough other stuff in the kit to sell off (or keep!) to make this a very low cost way into a fast AF 50. That's what I'd do this minute if I had any money to spend on camera stuff.

08-25-2016, 08:31 AM	#10
Tekmongoose Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 43	Originally posted by pres589 Let me suggest something crazy; search on the bay of E's for an F 50 1.7. There's a film camera, an F 50 1.7, and a Sigma 70-210 AF (no idea what that lens is like) for less than a DA 50 1.8 right now. Buy now pricing. Assuming the shipping isn't crazy to your location, you'd be money ahead going with the 50 1.7 and have enough other stuff in the kit to sell off (or keep!) to make this a very low cost way into a fast AF 50. That's what I'd do this minute if I had any money to spend on camera stuff. if that listing's available, buy it, buy it now before it gets away! that's what I'd do if I didn't already have an FA 50 1.4

08-25-2016, 09:25 AM	#11
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Hey, welcome! Do you really miss autofocus on your M 50mm? If you think you lose photos because of MF, then you might want to upgrade. Image quality will not only slightly better with the new lens, almost indistinguishable from f4 onward. Both 50mm lenses are good. If you do not already have a lot of other lenses, I would recommend you instead think about the DA 35mm f2.4 or DA 40mm XS. This will still give you modern automation, lens coatings, at a good price, and also a different Field of view. I think there is no point in buying many 50mm lenses if you already have one that you like. If you do not like your old 50mm, get the new one. But otherwise it is better to buy a different focal length, one you do not already have.