Revuenon 50/1.4 vs Pentax-A 50/1.4

sezbensu · 08-31-2018, 08:25 AM

Hi there!
I hope this is right place to write about my issue.

I have Auto Revuenon 50/1.4 (6 blades version), which I got for "free" with Pentax MX. Today I found SMC Pentax-A 50/1.4 for about 135 USD. I honestly don't know if it's worth to buy it. Does anyone know/have both lenses and can share any tests? Can those 2 blades significantly improve bokeh? Are Pentax's IQ, sharpness and contrast better that lens I own?

I can't rely on lensreview site, because Pentax has 45 reviews and Revuenon has only 17, and it's 8 blades version, not 6 :/

Have a nice day!

tvdtvdtvd · 08-31-2018, 08:38 AM

The A50/1.4 is a very nice lens. I don't have any experience with the Revuenon. However, $135USD
is on the high side for the A50/1.4 unless it is really pristine.

sezbensu · 08-31-2018, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd

The A50/1.4 is a very nice lens. I don't have any experience with the Revuenon. However, $135USD
is on the high side for the A50/1.4 unless it is really pristine.

I've thought this price is quite low for this lens, as I can see M versions for ~120 USD

carabez · 08-31-2018, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by sezbensu

Can those 2 blades significantly improve bokeh? Are Pentax's IQ, sharpness and contrast better that lens I own?

I'd never used the Revenuenon 50mm f1.4.

But once I have a Takumar 50mm f1.4 8 elements with 6 blades and compared vs the Pentax-A 50mm f1.4 with 8 blades: Wide open the diff was negligible. I sell the Takumar and keep the A cos' I need the convenience of control the aperture from the camera's dial as I use the 50mm for street photos

Every "Nifty Fifty" has it own soul. I have several in the past: f2.0, f1.7, f1.4, f1.2. Now I only keep the A50mm f1.4 for every day use and the f1.2 for lowlight/bokeh.

Imho: If you already have a f1.4 use it for lowlight/bokeh and better go for the cheap f2.0 or f1.7 for sharpness.

P.S: Forgot to mention that I found hard to focus with A 50mm f1.4. The Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 and f2.0 was easy cake to focus.

Last edited by carabez; 08-31-2018 at 09:24 AM. Reason: PS

sezbensu · 08-31-2018, 09:33 AM

Originally posted by carabez

Imho: If you already have a f1.4 use it for lowlight/bokeh and better go for the cheap f2.0 or f1.7 for sharpness.

I have A 50/1.7 and I use it everyday. It's great: small and sharp.

Originally posted by carabez

P.S: Forgot to mention that I found hard to focus with A 50mm f1.4. The Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 and f2.0 was easy cake to focus.

What do you mean? Hard to focus because of the ring or because it's f1.4?

**stevebrot** · 08-31-2018, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by sezbensu

Can those 2 blades significantly improve bokeh?

The bokeh will be different. Whether you like the Pentax-A 50/1.4 better is another question entirely.

Steve

carabez · 08-31-2018, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by sezbensu

What do you mean? Hard to focus because of the ring or because it's f1.4?

Because the f1.4 DOF is narrow + poor ligth environment is hard to tell when the subject is focused, in that scenario I use the live preview focus peaking. If you have a split focus screen that's no a problem.

Le Fanfoué · 08-31-2018, 02:18 PM

Hi,

The A 50mm F/1.4 have a better bokeh than the F/1.7 version.
Why an A 50mm, and not the FA 50mm F/1.4 ?
You can find a cheap on on Ebay.

ZombieArmy · 08-31-2018, 02:44 PM

I'm not a fan of the A 50 1.4, it sees very little use from me. Rendering is flat, contrast is low, it's no competition even to my Petri 50 1.7.

I think 50 1.7s in general are just "better" from the time period. More usable and more fun.

swanlefitte · 08-31-2018, 03:04 PM - **2 Likes**

those old lenses are tricky. I have the maimiya 55 1.4 which is supposed to be the tomioka design same as the chinon and sears and so on but its not that simple. Anyways I do not have the 50 1.4. I do have the pentax A 50 1.4. I prefer the pentax. The older 55 lenses tend to do better than the 50s in ratings so I would hazard a guess I would like the Pentax A much more. At 1.4 its much less glowy. They both have solid constuction. I also have the pentax a 50 1.7. Nice but plastic contruction. Since I am either full open or stopped down I really don't use the 1.7. Construction and 1.4 makes me use the 1.4.
This is the pentax a 1.4 at 1.4.

sezbensu · 08-31-2018, 03:41 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The bokeh will be different. Whether you like the Pentax-A 50/1.4 better is another question entirely.

Well, the conclusion is I have to collect all 50s to compare on my own

Originally posted by carabez

Because the f1.4 DOF is narrow + poor ligth environment is hard to tell when the subject is focused, in that scenario I use the live preview focus peaking. If you have a split focus screen that's no a problem.

In that case, that's not an issue

It's okay to focus with my Me super and Mx. It's even not that hard with K-50, and just like you said - there's always LV with focus peaking

Originally posted by Le Fanfoué

The A 50mm F/1.4 have a better bokeh than the F/1.7 version.
Why an A 50mm, and not the FA 50mm F/1.4 ?
You can find a cheap on on Ebay.

I didn't think about FA version, as I usually don't use AF. What's more, I used to buy lenses at my 'domestic' market, as it's usually cheaper (shipping is expensive sometimes). But in that case - you're right, FA version costs ~70 USD more (shipping included) than the A version I found. But still, it's a bit over my budget for now. I guess I will buy it later. As far as I know - it's the same construction as older lenses (A, M, F)? If yes, I would skip A version to buy FA.

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

I'm not a fan of the A 50 1.4, it sees very little use from me. Rendering is flat, contrast is low, it's no competition even to my Petri 50 1.7.

I think 50 1.7s in general are just "better" from the time period. More usable and more fun.

It always bothers me if f/1.7 is better wide open than f/1.4 at f/1.7 (or f/1.8, whatever) in terms of IQ and sharpness. After all, we change aperture.

Originally posted by swanlefitte

those old lenses are tricky.

Almost all of my lesnes are old. I've even got M42 Zeiss lens and it's wonderful!

Originally posted by swanlefitte

The older 55 lenses tend to do better than the 50s in ratings so I would hazard a guess I would like the Pentax A much more. At 1.4 its much less glowy. They both have solid constuction.

I've been thinking about Takumar 55/1.sth or 50s. For now, I didn't read much about whole Takumar series (I only know that their focusing rings are amazing), not to mention about other 55s

Originally posted by swanlefitte

I also have the pentax a 50 1.7. Nice but plastic contruction. Since I am either full open or stopped down I really don't use the 1.7. Construction and 1.4 makes me use the 1.4.

This plastic is an advantage when you don't have too much space in your bag and you're out. It's amazing to have light and small lens (my friend who uses Nikon, when first saw my 50/1.7 told me 'that's nice pancake!'). I use f/1.7 and I know it's sharp enough for me wide open, but sometimes I need this extra stop, that's why I am looking for 'better' f/1.4 that I have, especially that this Revuenon was part of my camera and it was 'free'. Big thanks for photo sample though! I will find some flower and reproduce your shot with my 1.4 to compare. It may seem that I don't need Pentax lens and that IQ and sharpness offered by my lens is enough so far.

carabez · 08-31-2018, 04:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sezbensu

It may seem that I don't need Pentax lens and that IQ and sharpness offered by my lens is enough so far.

I'd sold quite some my less used lens collection to get the 55mm f1.2, the 6x7 75mm f4.5 and the 6x7 105mm f2.4 so far no regrets.

sezbensu · 09-01-2018, 01:29 PM

Originally posted by carabez

I'd sold quite some my less used lens collection to get the 55mm f1.2, the 6x7 75mm f4.5 and the 6x7 105mm f2.4 so far no regrets.

And you're talking about Takumar, am I right?

**pepperberry farm** · 09-01-2018, 01:40 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

I'm not a fan of the A 50 1.4, it sees very little use from me. Rendering is flat, contrast is low, it's no competition even to my Petri 50 1.7.

I think 50 1.7s in general are just "better" from the time period. More usable and more fun.

... I don't know, my A50/1.4 is pretty sweet at full aperture:

08-31-2018, 08:25 AM	#1
sezbensu New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 6	Revuenon 50/1.4 vs Pentax-A 50/1.4 Hi there! I hope this is right place to write about my issue. I have Auto Revuenon 50/1.4 (6 blades version), which I got for "free" with Pentax MX. Today I found SMC Pentax-A 50/1.4 for about 135 USD. I honestly don't know if it's worth to buy it. Does anyone know/have both lenses and can share any tests? Can those 2 blades significantly improve bokeh? Are Pentax's IQ, sharpness and contrast better that lens I own? I can't rely on lensreview site, because Pentax has 45 reviews and Revuenon has only 17, and it's 8 blades version, not 6 :/ Have a nice day!

08-31-2018, 04:28 PM - 1 Like	#12
carabez Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Cinco de Mayo Photos: Gallery Posts: 655	Originally posted by sezbensu It may seem that I don't need Pentax lens and that IQ and sharpness offered by my lens is enough so far. I'd sold quite some my less used lens collection to get the 55mm f1.2, the 6x7 75mm f4.5 and the 6x7 105mm f2.4 so far no regrets. Last edited by carabez; 08-31-2018 at 04:38 PM. Reason: grammer ;)

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08-31-2018, 08:38 AM	#2
tvdtvdtvd Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,661	The A50/1.4 is a very nice lens. I don't have any experience with the Revuenon. However, $135USD is on the high side for the A50/1.4 unless it is really pristine.

08-31-2018, 09:02 AM	#3
sezbensu New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by tvdtvdtvd The A50/1.4 is a very nice lens. I don't have any experience with the Revuenon. However, $135USD is on the high side for the A50/1.4 unless it is really pristine. I've thought this price is quite low for this lens, as I can see M versions for ~120 USD

08-31-2018, 09:18 AM	#4
carabez Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Cinco de Mayo Photos: Gallery Posts: 655	Originally posted by sezbensu Can those 2 blades significantly improve bokeh? Are Pentax's IQ, sharpness and contrast better that lens I own? I'd never used the Revenuenon 50mm f1.4. But once I have a Takumar 50mm f1.4 8 elements with 6 blades and compared vs the Pentax-A 50mm f1.4 with 8 blades: Wide open the diff was negligible. I sell the Takumar and keep the A cos' I need the convenience of control the aperture from the camera's dial as I use the 50mm for street photos Every "Nifty Fifty" has it own soul. I have several in the past: f2.0, f1.7, f1.4, f1.2. Now I only keep the A50mm f1.4 for every day use and the f1.2 for lowlight/bokeh. Imho: If you already have a f1.4 use it for lowlight/bokeh and better go for the cheap f2.0 or f1.7 for sharpness. P.S: Forgot to mention that I found hard to focus with A 50mm f1.4. The Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 and f2.0 was easy cake to focus. Last edited by carabez; 08-31-2018 at 09:24 AM. Reason: PS

08-31-2018, 09:33 AM	#5
sezbensu New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by carabez Imho: If you already have a f1.4 use it for lowlight/bokeh and better go for the cheap f2.0 or f1.7 for sharpness. I have A 50/1.7 and I use it everyday. It's great: small and sharp. Originally posted by carabez P.S: Forgot to mention that I found hard to focus with A 50mm f1.4. The Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 and f2.0 was easy cake to focus. What do you mean? Hard to focus because of the ring or because it's f1.4?

08-31-2018, 01:01 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by sezbensu Can those 2 blades significantly improve bokeh? The bokeh will be different. Whether you like the Pentax-A 50/1.4 better is another question entirely. Steve

08-31-2018, 01:09 PM	#7
carabez Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Cinco de Mayo Photos: Gallery Posts: 655	Originally posted by sezbensu What do you mean? Hard to focus because of the ring or because it's f1.4? Because the f1.4 DOF is narrow + poor ligth environment is hard to tell when the subject is focused, in that scenario I use the live preview focus peaking. If you have a split focus screen that's no a problem.

08-31-2018, 02:18 PM	#8
Le Fanfoué Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 72	Hi, The A 50mm F/1.4 have a better bokeh than the F/1.7 version. Why an A 50mm, and not the FA 50mm F/1.4 ? You can find a cheap on on Ebay.

08-31-2018, 02:44 PM	#9
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,084	I'm not a fan of the A 50 1.4, it sees very little use from me. Rendering is flat, contrast is low, it's no competition even to my Petri 50 1.7. I think 50 1.7s in general are just "better" from the time period. More usable and more fun.

08-31-2018, 03:04 PM - 2 Likes	#10
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,026	those old lenses are tricky. I have the maimiya 55 1.4 which is supposed to be the tomioka design same as the chinon and sears and so on but its not that simple. Anyways I do not have the 50 1.4. I do have the pentax A 50 1.4. I prefer the pentax. The older 55 lenses tend to do better than the 50s in ratings so I would hazard a guess I would like the Pentax A much more. At 1.4 its much less glowy. They both have solid constuction. I also have the pentax a 50 1.7. Nice but plastic contruction. Since I am either full open or stopped down I really don't use the 1.7. Construction and 1.4 makes me use the 1.4. This is the pentax a 1.4 at 1.4.

08-31-2018, 03:41 PM	#11
sezbensu New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot The bokeh will be different. Whether you like the Pentax-A 50/1.4 better is another question entirely. Well, the conclusion is I have to collect all 50s to compare on my own Originally posted by carabez Because the f1.4 DOF is narrow + poor ligth environment is hard to tell when the subject is focused, in that scenario I use the live preview focus peaking. If you have a split focus screen that's no a problem. In that case, that's not an issue It's okay to focus with my Me super and Mx. It's even not that hard with K-50, and just like you said - there's always LV with focus peaking Originally posted by Le Fanfoué The A 50mm F/1.4 have a better bokeh than the F/1.7 version. Why an A 50mm, and not the FA 50mm F/1.4 ? You can find a cheap on on Ebay. I didn't think about FA version, as I usually don't use AF. What's more, I used to buy lenses at my 'domestic' market, as it's usually cheaper (shipping is expensive sometimes). But in that case - you're right, FA version costs ~70 USD more (shipping included) than the A version I found. But still, it's a bit over my budget for now. I guess I will buy it later. As far as I know - it's the same construction as older lenses (A, M, F)? If yes, I would skip A version to buy FA. Originally posted by ZombieArmy I'm not a fan of the A 50 1.4, it sees very little use from me. Rendering is flat, contrast is low, it's no competition even to my Petri 50 1.7. I think 50 1.7s in general are just "better" from the time period. More usable and more fun. It always bothers me if f/1.7 is better wide open than f/1.4 at f/1.7 (or f/1.8, whatever) in terms of IQ and sharpness. After all, we change aperture. Originally posted by swanlefitte those old lenses are tricky. Almost all of my lesnes are old. I've even got M42 Zeiss lens and it's wonderful! Originally posted by swanlefitte The older 55 lenses tend to do better than the 50s in ratings so I would hazard a guess I would like the Pentax A much more. At 1.4 its much less glowy. They both have solid constuction. I've been thinking about Takumar 55/1.sth or 50s. For now, I didn't read much about whole Takumar series (I only know that their focusing rings are amazing), not to mention about other 55s Originally posted by swanlefitte I also have the pentax a 50 1.7. Nice but plastic contruction. Since I am either full open or stopped down I really don't use the 1.7. Construction and 1.4 makes me use the 1.4. This plastic is an advantage when you don't have too much space in your bag and you're out. It's amazing to have light and small lens (my friend who uses Nikon, when first saw my 50/1.7 told me 'that's nice pancake!'). I use f/1.7 and I know it's sharp enough for me wide open, but sometimes I need this extra stop, that's why I am looking for 'better' f/1.4 that I have, especially that this Revuenon was part of my camera and it was 'free'. Big thanks for photo sample though! I will find some flower and reproduce your shot with my 1.4 to compare. It may seem that I don't need Pentax lens and that IQ and sharpness offered by my lens is enough so far.

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09-01-2018, 01:29 PM	#13
sezbensu New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by carabez I'd sold quite some my less used lens collection to get the 55mm f1.2, the 6x7 75mm f4.5 and the 6x7 105mm f2.4 so far no regrets. And you're talking about Takumar, am I right?

09-01-2018, 01:40 PM - 3 Likes	#14
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 36,529	Originally posted by ZombieArmy I'm not a fan of the A 50 1.4, it sees very little use from me. Rendering is flat, contrast is low, it's no competition even to my Petri 50 1.7. I think 50 1.7s in general are just "better" from the time period. More usable and more fun. ... I don't know, my A50/1.4 is pretty sweet at full aperture: