Really in the market for a fast 50

ajuett · 08-16-2008, 10:40 AM

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Right now I have a DA 40 f/2.8 but, its not getting much use even though the IQ is excellent. I just find the 40mm not bright enough for low light and indoor shots.

I'm considering the FA 50 f/1.4 ($200 CDN) which I have seen produces excellent IQ. I even have my eye on a K 50mm f/1.2 that's going for $129 US. AF or MF, doesn't really matter too much to me.

I guess I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on the f/1.2 to see if its really needed / worth it.

TIA

k100d · 08-16-2008, 11:24 AM

are you sure it's a 1.2 and not 1:2? if it's at $129, grab it, then resale later.

although fast lenses help in low light, it takes a lot of practice to get good with the thin depth of field.

see my talk about the A50 1.2 here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27090-pentax-5...on-photos.html

ajuett · 08-16-2008, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by k100d

are you sure it's a 1.2 and not 1:2? if it's at $129, grab it, then resale later.

although fast lenses help in low light, it takes a lot of practice to get good with the thin depth of field.

see my talk about the A50 1.2 here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27090-pentax-5...on-photos.html

Its definitely a f/1.2 and the images of the lens itself look good, no marks on the elements, etc. It's the K series, not the A.

Zewrak · 08-16-2008, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by ajuett

Its definitely a f/1.2 and the images of the lens itself look good, no marks on the elements, etc. It's the K series, not the A.

Buy it immediatly or give me the contact information of the seller

Marc Sabatella · 08-16-2008, 02:25 PM

If you can really get the 1.2 for that price, I'd go for it - you can probably sell it for twice that at least if you don't like it.

Note that DOF *really* starts to get narrow as you get wider and wider apertures. And the stock focus screen won't show you that, making MF harder and harder to get right the wider you go.

ajuett · 08-16-2008, 02:53 PM

The K 50mm f/1.2 is on eBay, for $121 US. I slowly bid up to $201 and kept being told I was outbid. That's fine, I think I'll go after the FA 50 f/1.4 or wait a bit and see if a A version f/1.2 crops up somewhere.

Here is the link if anyone is interested in pursuing this lens; Pentax 50mm 1.2 K mount Fast Prime portrait lens - (eBay.ca item 140256894756 end time 19-Aug-08 19:39:18 EDT)

08-16-2008, 10:40 AM	#1
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	Really in the market for a fast 50 Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Right now I have a DA 40 f/2.8 but, its not getting much use even though the IQ is excellent. I just find the 40mm not bright enough for low light and indoor shots. I'm considering the FA 50 f/1.4 ($200 CDN) which I have seen produces excellent IQ. I even have my eye on a K 50mm f/1.2 that's going for $129 US. AF or MF, doesn't really matter too much to me. I guess I'm looking for thoughts and opinions on the f/1.2 to see if its really needed / worth it. TIA

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08-16-2008, 11:24 AM	#2
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	are you sure it's a 1.2 and not 1:2? if it's at $129, grab it, then resale later. although fast lenses help in low light, it takes a lot of practice to get good with the thin depth of field. see my talk about the A50 1.2 here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27090-pentax-5...on-photos.html

08-16-2008, 11:39 AM	#3
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100 Original Poster	Originally posted by k100d are you sure it's a 1.2 and not 1:2? if it's at $129, grab it, then resale later. although fast lenses help in low light, it takes a lot of practice to get good with the thin depth of field. see my talk about the A50 1.2 here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/27090-pentax-5...on-photos.html Its definitely a f/1.2 and the images of the lens itself look good, no marks on the elements, etc. It's the K series, not the A.

08-16-2008, 01:51 PM	#4
Zewrak Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nowhere, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 654	Originally posted by ajuett Its definitely a f/1.2 and the images of the lens itself look good, no marks on the elements, etc. It's the K series, not the A. Buy it immediatly or give me the contact information of the seller

08-16-2008, 02:25 PM	#5
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	If you can really get the 1.2 for that price, I'd go for it - you can probably sell it for twice that at least if you don't like it. Note that DOF really starts to get narrow as you get wider and wider apertures. And the stock focus screen won't show you that, making MF harder and harder to get right the wider you go.

08-16-2008, 02:53 PM	#6
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100 Original Poster	The K 50mm f/1.2 is on eBay, for $121 US. I slowly bid up to $201 and kept being told I was outbid. That's fine, I think I'll go after the FA 50 f/1.4 or wait a bit and see if a A version f/1.2 crops up somewhere. Here is the link if anyone is interested in pursuing this lens; Pentax 50mm 1.2 K mount Fast Prime portrait lens - (eBay.ca item 140256894756 end time 19-Aug-08 19:39:18 EDT)