50 mm f1.4

kamisu · 03-29-2018, 07:57 PM

Hello,

Are all Pentax (not Takumar) 50mm f1.4 lenses, i.e. FA, F, M, A, and K, optically (sharpness and bokeh) similar?

Thanks.

Adam · 03-29-2018, 08:09 PM

Definitely not the D FA

The others have gotten better over time. I'd still consider them similar though.

**jbinpg** · 03-29-2018, 08:18 PM

Before eliminating Takumars from your list, you may wish to read this:

Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/2.0 M42 Vintage Lens Review

Jack

kamisu · 03-29-2018, 08:21 PM

Originally posted by jbinpg

Before eliminating Takumars from your list, you may wish to read this:

Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/2.0 M42 Vintage Lens Review

Jack

I already have SMC Tak 50 f1.4 and 55 f2, but I prefer to have a non radioactive one of similar or better IQ.

Jonathan Mac · 03-29-2018, 11:16 PM

I believe all the 50/1.4s are the same or very similar, certainly in terms of sharpness, aberrations and out-of-focus areas they are virtually identical. You will read about the eight-element version of the Takumar 50/1.4 being better but the comparisons I've seen with the later seven-element one show it also to perform very similarly.

If it's just sharpness you're interested in then the f/1.7 and f/1.8 versions are better at wider apertures (as are the optically identical f/2 versions of the 55mm Takumar and K series).

kamisu · 03-29-2018, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

I believe all the 50/1.4s are the same or very similar, certainly in terms of sharpness, aberrations and out-of-focus areas they are virtually identical. You will read about the eight-element version of the Takumar 50/1.4 being better but the comparisons I've seen with the later seven-element one show it also to perform very similarly.

If it's just sharpness you're interested in then the f/1.7 and f/1.8 versions are better at wider apertures (as are the optically identical f/2 versions of the 55mm Takumar and K series).

I am looking for a not expensive lens with good bokeh. It looks like A50 1.4 is the one. Based on reviews it should be sharper than FA 50 1.4.

MikeyBugs95 · 03-29-2018, 11:39 PM

I thought the M, A, and FA 50mm 1.4 were all optical like identical? Long shot guess but since the FA is still in production (well it's still on the Pentax website so I guess that means it's still being produced) then they might've updated the coatings to make it a bit better than the older A and M models.

kamisu · 03-29-2018, 11:43 PM

Based on reviews on PF and also what Adam said, I thought A50 and F50 should be better than FA50 1.4. Are they?

**pres589** · 03-30-2018, 01:13 AM

This sounds like a question for Digitalis.

My assumption is that the FA 50 1.4 is the best of all you asked about due to it having the most modern coatings. Another assumption is that the DA 50 1.8 is sharper at 1.8 than the lenses you asked about at 1.4 and possibly at 2.0.

MikeyBugs95 · 03-30-2018, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by kamisu

Based on reviews on PF and also what Adam said, I thought A50 and F50 should be better than FA50 1.4. Are they?

The A50 and M50 are older than the FA. I didn't even know there was a F50. But from what I understand, it's still the same optical formula.

Andrea K · 03-30-2018, 02:35 AM

Yep same optical formula but from FA better coating then performances.

Sandy Hancock · 03-30-2018, 03:33 AM

The K50/1.4 looks to be slightly different (same basic design but bigger filter size and subtle changes in the element shapes), but the M, A, F and FA all look identical.

bdery · 03-30-2018, 04:51 AM

The AF, electronic contacts (for program lines, among other things) and coatings are the most blatant differences. The designs evolved a bit over time, but the general double gauss design is the same.

stevebrot · 03-30-2018, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by kamisu

Based on reviews on PF and also what Adam said, I thought A50 and F50 should be better than FA50 1.4. Are they?

The optical formula for M, A, F, and FA 50/1.4 are all similar with slight changes made with the F-series lens that were carried over to the FA-series. In the field, it is unlikely that one would see much, if any, difference between any of the above.

As for the PF reviews...Take the scores with a grain of salt. For the most part, the reviews are biased high. With the exception of the recent (within last decade) designs, most 50mm f/1.4 lenses have similar performance characteristics with few standouts. Conventional wisdom is that if one does not need the additional 1/2 stop wider aperture, an f/1.7 stablemate will usually provide better performance overall.

Steve

stevebrot · 03-30-2018, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

The K50/1.4 looks to be slightly different (same basic design but bigger filter size and subtle changes in the element shapes)

It is basically the same optically as the SMC Takumar 50/1.4.

Steve

03-29-2018, 07:57 PM	#1
kamisu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 130	50 mm f1.4 Hello, Are all Pentax (not Takumar) 50mm f1.4 lenses, i.e. FA, F, M, A, and K, optically (sharpness and bokeh) similar? Thanks.

03-29-2018, 08:09 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Definitely not the D FA The others have gotten better over time. I'd still consider them similar though. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: 3 ZK Lenses: Zeiss 35 mm F2, Zeiss 50 mm F2 Makro, and Zeiss 85 mm F1.4 Planar	Vantage-Point	Sold Items	10	08-31-2016 08:11 PM
For Sale - Sold: Brand New FA 31 mm, FA 77 mm, DA* 60-250 mm, DA* 300 mm	ppkkcao	Sold Items	14	11-02-2014 08:42 PM
Sigma 50 mm F1.4 EX DG HSM vs SMC Pentax FA 50 mm F1.4	JoepLX3	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	27	09-03-2010 09:03 AM
is my copy ok or??? 16-45's 45 mm vs 50-135 mm' s 50 mm	hll	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	06-20-2008 09:03 AM

03-29-2018, 08:18 PM	#3
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Before eliminating Takumars from your list, you may wish to read this: Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/2.0 M42 Vintage Lens Review Jack

03-29-2018, 08:21 PM	#4
kamisu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 130 Original Poster	Originally posted by jbinpg Before eliminating Takumars from your list, you may wish to read this: Asahi Super Takumar 55mm f/2.0 M42 Vintage Lens Review Jack I already have SMC Tak 50 f1.4 and 55 f2, but I prefer to have a non radioactive one of similar or better IQ.

03-29-2018, 11:16 PM	#5
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,897	I believe all the 50/1.4s are the same or very similar, certainly in terms of sharpness, aberrations and out-of-focus areas they are virtually identical. You will read about the eight-element version of the Takumar 50/1.4 being better but the comparisons I've seen with the later seven-element one show it also to perform very similarly. If it's just sharpness you're interested in then the f/1.7 and f/1.8 versions are better at wider apertures (as are the optically identical f/2 versions of the 55mm Takumar and K series).

03-29-2018, 11:25 PM	#6
kamisu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 130 Original Poster	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I believe all the 50/1.4s are the same or very similar, certainly in terms of sharpness, aberrations and out-of-focus areas they are virtually identical. You will read about the eight-element version of the Takumar 50/1.4 being better but the comparisons I've seen with the later seven-element one show it also to perform very similarly. If it's just sharpness you're interested in then the f/1.7 and f/1.8 versions are better at wider apertures (as are the optically identical f/2 versions of the 55mm Takumar and K series). I am looking for a not expensive lens with good bokeh. It looks like A50 1.4 is the one. Based on reviews it should be sharper than FA 50 1.4.

03-29-2018, 11:39 PM	#7
MikeyBugs95 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,206	I thought the M, A, and FA 50mm 1.4 were all optical like identical? Long shot guess but since the FA is still in production (well it's still on the Pentax website so I guess that means it's still being produced) then they might've updated the coatings to make it a bit better than the older A and M models.

03-29-2018, 11:43 PM	#8
kamisu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 130 Original Poster	Based on reviews on PF and also what Adam said, I thought A50 and F50 should be better than FA50 1.4. Are they?

03-30-2018, 01:13 AM	#9
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	This sounds like a question for Digitalis. My assumption is that the FA 50 1.4 is the best of all you asked about due to it having the most modern coatings. Another assumption is that the DA 50 1.8 is sharper at 1.8 than the lenses you asked about at 1.4 and possibly at 2.0.

03-30-2018, 01:23 AM	#10
MikeyBugs95 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,206	Originally posted by kamisu Based on reviews on PF and also what Adam said, I thought A50 and F50 should be better than FA50 1.4. Are they? The A50 and M50 are older than the FA. I didn't even know there was a F50. But from what I understand, it's still the same optical formula.

03-30-2018, 02:35 AM	#11
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Yep same optical formula but from FA better coating then performances.

03-30-2018, 03:33 AM	#12
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	The K50/1.4 looks to be slightly different (same basic design but bigger filter size and subtle changes in the element shapes), but the M, A, F and FA all look identical.

03-30-2018, 04:51 AM	#13
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	The AF, electronic contacts (for program lines, among other things) and coatings are the most blatant differences. The designs evolved a bit over time, but the general double gauss design is the same.

03-30-2018, 08:22 AM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kamisu Based on reviews on PF and also what Adam said, I thought A50 and F50 should be better than FA50 1.4. Are they? The optical formula for M, A, F, and FA 50/1.4 are all similar with slight changes made with the F-series lens that were carried over to the FA-series. In the field, it is unlikely that one would see much, if any, difference between any of the above. As for the PF reviews...Take the scores with a grain of salt. For the most part, the reviews are biased high. With the exception of the recent (within last decade) designs, most 50mm f/1.4 lenses have similar performance characteristics with few standouts. Conventional wisdom is that if one does not need the additional 1/2 stop wider aperture, an f/1.7 stablemate will usually provide better performance overall. Steve

03-30-2018, 08:24 AM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock The K50/1.4 looks to be slightly different (same basic design but bigger filter size and subtle changes in the element shapes) It is basically the same optically as the SMC Takumar 50/1.4. Steve