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02-11-2018, 02:32 PM   #16
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Get a used F50 1.7 and I do not think that you can even get better even up to 500$. Also look at that cat pictures above... gorgeous.
I have DA50 1.8 and Sigma DG EX 50mm 1.4 HSM. Sigma is better but not for so much than DA50mm but also more expensive but if Sigma fits your budget than go for it.

02-11-2018, 02:52 PM   #17
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I own the f 50 f1.7 myself. Good lens, but on a k-1 the roughly 1 2/3 stop difference is probably not huge on that camera. DOF will be shallower - sometimes maybe too shallow. However focus acquisition should be much faster since you won't have the "macro miss".
02-11-2018, 02:59 PM   #18
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I'll chime in with another recommendation for the F 50/1.7. Cheap (mine was $80 on ebay), tiny, sharp, very nice rendering, and fast accurate AF on the K-1.

The F 50/1.7 and the DA 50/1.8 appear to have nearly identical optical formulas. Fast 50s have been a solved problem for decades. The diagrams look very similar to the formulas for the 55/1.8 Takumars dating back to the late 1950s, even (which are also still nice lenses!). Coatings have gotten better over the decades, but I'd just get whichever I found the best price on.

The F has a metal mount and the DA is all-plastic, which was an influential factor for me, but I'd have jumped on a DA 50 for the right deal.
02-11-2018, 04:36 PM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by Craigbob Quote
The DA 1.8 vs the F 1.7 which do you think is better? I have seen the 1.7 in my price range on e-bay.
Pardon me, I meant the F 50/1.7. It is designed for the full 35mm image circle, the DA isn't. I had an F50/1.7 for many, many years. It was excellent. I let an ex-girlfriend talk me out of it.
I have absolutely no experience with the DA lens.

02-11-2018, 06:03 PM   #20
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I've got a Pentax D FA 50 Macro F 2.8 and a FA 50 F 1.4. Both good lenses. I realize that you want faster than an F 2.8, but my question is why ? I find F 2.8 provides ok Bokeh and good clarity of the subject. My 50mm F 1.4 is of course faster, but I don't use it at F 1.4...in fact I find F 2.2 plus...more to my liking. Depth of field is pretty narrow at F 1.4, F 1.8, etc.

I got my F 1.4 first and you know, if I were to do things all over again, I don't think I would get the F 1.4. It's a good lens, but to be honest I feel I have too many 50's. In retrospect I would just get one 50mm if I were to do things all over again and that 50 would be the 50 Macro F 2.8. I'd sacrifice some speed, but I would more than compensate with the macro function and considering both are 50's...the portraits with both are nice and sharp.

Another lens that I have that is within striking distance of a 50, is my 40mm F 2.8 Limited. It is an ASP-C lens but it seems to work very well on my K-1. I really like the sheer quality, clarity and 'look' of pictures from this lens. It is exceptional IMO.

It's not an easy question to answer and as always we have to do/decide what is right for us, individually. Maybe you might want to give your Sigma 50 Macro another look.
02-11-2018, 07:02 PM   #21
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You mention low-light as a need, which spells a fast lens, and you want AF. I'll add my vote for the suggested "F" 50mm f/1.7 which gives good results, even wide open. It is well-made, so if you find one in good shape, you will be impressed. It's screw-driven AF is fast and accurate on the camera bodies I've used it. If you also own a Pentax APS-C DSLR, it makes a very fine portrait lens with its 50mm FL and f/1.7 capability. I think Pentax did make the same lens, same optics, in the FA style body later, which might cost more used. It is also well-made, but somehow the earlier F body feels more rugged, although just as small.
02-12-2018, 01:29 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by Craigbob Quote
I would like to stay below $200.00 on the lens, so the DA* 55 1.4 while desired, is out of the question.
I sold my F50 1.7 when I got the DA*55. The difference in IQ was night and day to my eyes. I got mine for $250 so just beyond your budget, but considering the upcoming DFA50 1.4 in the $1000 and up range the DA*55 will be seen as a budget lens.

02-12-2018, 11:36 AM   #23
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Thanks all. I found a few 50mm F 1.7s online including one for a ridiculosly low price and I have a bid on it. the auction ends in something like 5 days so I'm hoping no one comes and bids it up.

There are a few at the Buy-it-Now price of around $100-125 that I'll get if I don't win the aution.
02-12-2018, 03:41 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by Craigbob Quote
  1. I am looking for a faster lens.
  2. Would I really be able to tell the difference between a 50mm1.4, 1.7,1.8 or my current 2.8 (which I am looking to replace with a Pentax AF version.).
  3. I would like to stay below $200.00 on the lens, so the DA* 55 1.4 while desired, is out of the question.
  4. What is the opinion of the DA 50 vs the FA 50 vs the 50 2.8 macro?
  1. faster aperture, faster AF or booth?
  2. difference about what?
  3. get the DA 50mm 1.8
  4. DA 50: Best budget lens - FA 50: there are three - D FA 50: too short focal length for Macro
Since the lens is the most important part of a camera system, i'd recommend to reconsider the budget.
<= F1.9 Prime Lenses between 43mm and 55mm with Autofocus | PentaxForums.com

The D FA* 50mm SDM AW is already on the roadmap for spring 2018.
HD Pentax D FA? 50mm F1.4 Coming Soon - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com
02-12-2018, 04:05 PM   #25
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I've got an M 50 1.4, an F 50 1.7, and a DA 50 1.8. I prefer the 1.8 unless I want to play with thin depth of field and that goes to the M 50 1.4. I should sell the F 50 1.7; it's a decent lens but does nothing better than the DA and I think the out of focus rendering is a bit nicer with the DA. The DA is also a lot lighter weight which I think is a bonus.
02-12-2018, 05:31 PM   #26
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QuoteOriginally posted by angerdan Quote
  1. faster aperture, faster AF or booth?
  2. difference about what?
  3. get the DA 50mm 1.8
  4. DA 50: Best budget lens - FA 50: there are three - D FA 50: too short focal length for Macro
Since the lens is the most important part of a camera system, i'd recommend to reconsider the budget.
<= F1.9 Prime Lenses between 43mm and 55mm with Autofocus | PentaxForums.com

The D FA* 50mm SDM AW is already on the roadmap for spring 2018.
HD Pentax D FA? 50mm F1.4 Coming Soon - Pentax Announcements | PentaxForums.com

I'd love to reconsider my budget, however my bank account tends to disgree vehemently about increasing the budget. So I make do with what I can afford.

Faster aperture/shallower DOF. Since my current 50 is MF any AF is better.

Differnce in image quality mainly, Bokeh secondary.

The new D FA 50 1.4 due out is expected to be way outside my price range. If I had that much money, I'd get the 15-30 first.
02-12-2018, 06:18 PM   #27
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QuoteOriginally posted by Craigbob Quote
I'd love to reconsider my budget, however my bank account tends to disgree vehemently about increasing the budget.
How to Get Money to Buy Camera Gear - The-Digital-Picture.com
For LBAs
02-13-2018, 12:42 AM   #28
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Just get the FA50/1.4.
Its cheap for a 50mm f1.4, its the fastest of the Pentax AF options, and its really a good all rounder 50mm in terms of size, AF, bokeh in most situations, sharpness when its needed.
At one point I had all the M and A 50mms (f1.4-f2).

The 6 aperture blades is the downside of the 50/1.7 for an otherwise good lens.
The OOF highlights show up as a "hex" from f2.8 onwards which can be distracting or even "inappropriate" in some situations.

The "softness" comments about the FA50/1.4 is not really taken in context imo.
This is an older lens that is not the all round sharp from wide open modern 50mm, in which the user will have to also pay the penalty of size and weight.
Its certainly sharp in the center even at f1.4, provided its within a few meters and focus is properly obtained.
Nowadays, I will often switch to LVAF to nail focus when shooting at f1.4 and f1.8 as its more accurate than PDAF imo.
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