[timw4mail]

There are a LOT of ~50mm (50-58mm) lenses out there. What is your favorite?

Mine is currently the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4

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Last edited by timw4mail; 06-12-2017 at 08:35 AM.

[D1N0]

mine too

[ChristianRock]

Rikenon P 50 1.4. Optical performance is the same as my Sigma 30mm 1.4 Art. In other words - outstanding.

[ripper2860]

That's a really tough one. As much as I love the 50/1.4 Super and SMC Taks, I have to go with the Carl Zeiss Jena Pancolar 50/1.8 (8-blade / Lanthanum) lens. Superbly sharp and wonderful rendering of colors and bokeh.

[pathdoc]

I never understood what the bokeh freaks were on about until I shot with the 55/2.0 Super Takumar, IIRC no more than a slightly aperture-crippled version of the 55/1.8 - regarding which much good has been said.

I am sure my 50/4.0 S-M-C Macro Takumar is objectively better and sharper and more flare-resistant on sensor, paper and film, but we all know that art is not objective.

For sheer versatility, however, I would vote for my FA50/1.4 - goes on all my K-mount bodies without an adapter, works with them all thanks to the aperture ring, good enough damping to use in manual focus if care is taken, and yet gives me AF, full in-body aperture control, unquestioned full frame coverage, and all the other automatic goodies when slapped on a DSLR. Unless I was going all the way back to M42 film only, this is the last lens I would give up.

[Wheatfield]

There are a LOT of ~50mm (50-58mm) lenses out there. What is your favorite?

Mine is currently the S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4

A50mm f/1.2.

[timw4mail]

A50mm f/1.2.

I just knew someone would list a 1.2.

Is it really worth the 5x cost premium over a 1.4 lens?

[ripper2860]

I am sure my 50/4.0 S-M-C Macro Takumar is objectively better and sharper and more flare-resistant on sensor, paper and film, but we all know that art is not objective.

Ooooh. Forgot about this beauty!!

[ismaelg]

My personal favorite is the 50 1.7. I use the F and the A versions.

[monochrome]

A50mm f/1.2.

I was about to list that lens

I just knew someone would list a 1.2.

Is it really worth the 5x cost premium over a 1.4 lens?

For manual focusing on a digital camera (especially APSc), yes, yes it is. There's so much more light.

My answer really is whichever one I happen to be using this month. Recently I bought a cosmetically challenged BGN A50/1.2 and had dcshooter CLA and silver it. All-in I paid about the same as a legacy C/Y CZ T* 50/1,4, so I think I'm justified.

For all-around enjoyment though my choice is a tie between K55/1.8 and a pristine S-M-C Takumar 50/1.4 I have.

[lytrytyr]

There are a LOT of ~50mm (50-58mm) lenses out there. What is your favorite?

Wow, that's like asking "Which child is your favorite?"

Sure, there are the over-achievers: A 50/1.2, Nokton, Makro-Planar, ... .
But the funky little Ludwig Meritar triplet has its own special place.

[timw4mail]

Wow, that's like asking "Which child is your favorite?"

Sure, there are the over-achievers: A 50/1.2, Nokton, Makro-Planar, ... .
But the funky little Ludwig Meritar triplet has its own special place.

Hmm, not heard of several of those. Are those all German lenses?

[paulh]

Of the 50s I own, I like the SMC Tak 55/1.8 the best.

[lytrytyr]

Hmm, not heard of several of those. Are those all German lenses?

The A 50/1.2 that several posters have mentioned is a classic Pentax lens.

The "Voigtländer" Nokton and "Zeiss" Makro-Planar are Japanese-made (Cosina) lenses pretending to be German.

The Ludwig Meritar was made by a small firm in the old East Germany:

[Kerrowdown]

Your favorite 50?

That'll be my "Special Lady” and “Femme Fatale”.

Especially so, as these are the only two Pentax 50s I have... but don't tell the "Ladies" that's why.