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07-09-2018, 06:47 AM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by ZombieArmy Quote
Anything 1.4 from the 90s or earlier will be comparitively low contrast and soft, even at the same fstop as a 1.7/1.8 lens. Keep that in mind. You're paying for more light transmission and subjectively better bokeh.

To be honest that FA 50 is getting close to FA 43 territory too which is an absolutely amazing lens, and one I'd pick in a heartbeat.
The test data I've seen and samples show that by f2.8 the 1.4 is as sharp or sharper than the 1.7, the difference comes in the very early f stops. In a lot of ways these 1.4s act like soft focus 85s just not as dramatic. The give a bit of dreamy rendering early then sharpen up as you stop down. Creative use of this can be useful from what I've seen.

07-09-2018, 12:19 PM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by D1N0 Quote
Nope no mix up. There are a lot of OOF highlights in the sample pics, those are not really the same thing as bokeh.
I guess what impressed me is the softer, more pleasing edge outlining of those OOF highlights, while maintaining very good subject sharpness. I have had the M version of the 50mm f/1.4 for many decades. I got the F 50mm f/1.7 along with my first Pentax AF camera body around 1989, then around 2007 or so I bought the FA 50mm f/1.4 at such a low price, I could not pass it up. All bought brand new. Now I wonder about differences between the M and FA 50mm f/1.4, based on what you are showing here. As far as subject sharpness goes, the F and FA 50mm f/1.7 (same optics for both) have been shown by lab and image tests to have superior resolution wide open at f/1.7 than the corresponding 50mm f/1.4 versions have, even at f/2. But this does not address other image aspects, and you can still get a higher shutter speed for stop action or for hand held in low light from f/1.4 vs. f/1.7, which can be very important.
07-09-2018, 12:55 PM - 1 Like   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
The test data I've seen and samples show that by f2.8 the 1.4 is as sharp or sharper than the 1.7, the difference comes in the very early f stops. In a lot of ways these 1.4s act like soft focus 85s just not as dramatic. The give a bit of dreamy rendering early then sharpen up as you stop down. Creative use of this can be useful from what I've seen.
Creative use you have a point, but I find I get less keepers on my A50 1.4 than my M50 1.7. The 1.7 just has more utilitarian rendering, but of course YMMV.

But just go for the FA43 1.9 and forget about the others
07-09-2018, 01:16 PM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by mikesbike Quote
I guess what impressed me is the softer, more pleasing edge outlining of those OOF highlights, while maintaining very good subject sharpness. I have had the M version of the 50mm f/1.4 for many decades. I got the F 50mm f/1.7 along with my first Pentax AF camera body around 1989, then around 2007 or so I bought the FA 50mm f/1.4 at such a low price, I could not pass it up. All bought brand new. Now I wonder about differences between the M and FA 50mm f/1.4, based on what you are showing here. As far as subject sharpness goes, the F and FA 50mm f/1.7 (same optics for both) have been shown by lab and image tests to have superior resolution wide open at f/1.7 than the corresponding 50mm f/1.4 versions have, even at f/2. But this does not address other image aspects, and you can still get a higher shutter speed for stop action or for hand held in low light from f/1.4 vs. f/1.7, which can be very important.
In my opinion, the presented examples support 50 / 1.4. However, I personally use the old manual lens SMC Pentax 50 / 1.2 and if I had to scythe anything, it would have to give a better picture and be equally excellent optically.

08-24-2018, 08:37 AM   #20
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In order to give all of you an update: I found a FA 50 mm/1:1.7 in perfect condition for 130 $, and choose to buy that one, instead of the other options. Main reason were the good quality (also based on the reviews from this forum), the price and a warranty from the seller. Thank you for the help!
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