What's the Fastest Lens You Own?

timw4mail · 09-06-2018, 06:27 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photoptimist

SMC Pentax K50 1:1.2 which only occasionally gets used at f/1.2 for big bokeh, thin DoF, very low light, or just mucking about. Mostly I like it for it's extreme sharpness at more modest apertures. Oh, and the ergonomics are wonderful: it's a dense little lens with a super-smooth helicoid that is perfectly sized & balanced for the K-1.

P.S. I don't have the f/1.4 but would strongly suspect that it's bokeh-bang-for-the-buck is more than adequate. An f/1.2 lens is only 1/2 stop faster and the bokeh is only about 17% larger so that's probably not worth the 10X price.

Build-wise, the A 50/1.2 is much nicer-feeling than the A 50/1.4, as the 50/1.4 has the plastic focus ring. Not that the 1.4 is bad, but not as nice as the 1.2.

In the K series, the build quality is similar, and the M 50/1.4 is also well built.

In terms of bang-for-the-buck, the 1.4 will always win.

Andrea K · 09-06-2018, 06:52 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by photoptimist

SMC Pentax K50 1:1.2 which only occasionally gets used at f/1.2 for big bokeh, thin DoF, very low light, or just mucking about. Mostly I like it for it's extreme sharpness at more modest apertures. Oh, and the ergonomics are wonderful: it's a dense little lens with a super-smooth helicoid that is perfectly sized & balanced for the K-1.

P.S. I don't have the f/1.4 but would strongly suspect that it's bokeh-bang-for-the-buck is more than adequate. An f/1.2 lens is only 1/2 stop faster and the bokeh is only about 17% larger so that's probably not worth the 10X price.

The f/1.2 @ 1.4 is better than the f/1.4 @ 1.4

To the OP: the smc-A 50mm f/1,2

northcoastgreg · 09-06-2018, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Andrea K

The f/1.2 @ 1.4 is better than the f/1.4 @ 1.4

Probably true, but you significantly more to access that better.

For me, the advantage of the f1.2 is the quality of the bokeh, which is the best I've ever seen in a 50mm lens. I rarely use my K 50/1.2 wide open, as it's rather soft and dreamy at that aperture. But even at f2.8, if you have enough separation with the background the results can be stunning, even on an APS-C camera. And then I sometimes extend the lens and use it for macro stuff, where you can get great bokeh even at f16.

VoiceOfReason · 09-06-2018, 07:13 AM

As of right now my Vivitar (Rokinon/Samyang clone) 85mm f/1.4.

**boriscleto** · 09-06-2018, 07:23 AM

F/1.4. And I see no reason for anything faster...

You Tube

**eminker** · 09-06-2018, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

Going through my bag, I realized I don't own anything in the F1.X range...

My fastest lens is the HD DA 70mm F2.4 Limited - fantastic lens, even wide open in my honest opinion... But I'm thinking I need something a bit faster, ya know, just for feeding my LBA?

What's the FASTEST lens you own?
Also, curious to hear if you shoot at that wide open aperture often, or is it just a status thing?

ex: You may own the A 50mm F1.2 - But if you shoot at F5.6 as a standard, is the F1.2 worth it over the F1.4?

OR maybe you own the A 50mm F1.2 and you ONLY shoot at F1.2 because it's your only lens that allows you to do so (or maybe not?)...

Curious how many people make full use of their fast lenses.

I own the DA*300, but I rarely shoot at F4...
Granted, I'm glad it's there - makes the HD 1.4x TC usable, and when I need F4, it's there.

Comment below!

Pentax-A 50mm F1.4 but I would definitely liked it to be the A 50mm F1.2

DeadJohn · 09-06-2018, 08:03 AM

FA 43 f1.9 is my fastest lens. I'm not much of a thin depth of field shooter so this lens doesn't get much use.

The Samyang/Rokinon 24mm f1.4 or 20mm f1.8 are on my wish list primarily for night sky photos. I already have the Pentax 15-30 f2.8 which is a good lens, but gaining more than one stop can be significant for the Milky Way.

A side benefit of the 20 or 24 is I can use my existing 77mm filters with them for day landscapes.

stevebrot · 09-06-2018, 09:07 AM

Auto Rikenon 55/1.4 (M42)
MC Rokkor PF 58/1.4 (Minolta MC mount)

Both are good lenses. I have thought at various times that I should invest in an f/1.4 lens in K-mount, but have not found a reasonable rational over the various f/2.0, f/1.7, and f/1.8 choices I have at hand.

Steve

lesmore49 · 09-06-2018, 09:14 AM

My fastest is my 50mm F 1.4. I rarely use it at F 1.4...sometimes F 1.8 or more likely F 2 or 2.2.

Not a Number · 09-06-2018, 09:27 AM

I'm a poor boy. The most I could afford back when were a Pentax-A SMC 50mm f/1.4, Kiron (Lester Dine) 100mm f/2.8 macro, and a Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4, Minolta MC 58mm f/1.4.

**aslyfox** · 09-06-2018, 09:42 AM

I have two relative " fast " lenses

Kino Precision Japan Kiron 28mm F2 MC P/KA

SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

Marcel K · 09-06-2018, 11:13 AM

Takumar smc 55mm f1.8 is my fastest. All manual, got it for 40 EUR. Beautiful rendering and bokeh.

**Madaboutpix** · 09-06-2018, 11:17 AM

Fastest lens I own:

smc PENTAX-DA 50mm F1.8

The last time I shot it at F1.8 must have been when I did a quick test for front or back focus after unboxing it - turned out there wasn't any discernable. Usually, I can't be bothered for razor-thin DOF and diminished overall sharpness. But I do use it a lot in the F2.5-to-F3.5 range, where it delivers good-to-tack sharpness and still pretty decent bokeh.

My next-fastest lens is smc PENTAX-DA 35mm Macro Ltd., rarely used wide open either, although my copy is perfectly usable at F2.8.

Kelvin 5500 · 09-06-2018, 11:26 AM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

What's the FASTEST lens you own?
Also, curious to hear if you shoot at that wide open aperture often, or is it just a status thing?

I have an Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.2, an Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.4, a Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR f/1.4 50mm, and an smc Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7. I have never used any of them at maximum aperture, even when used for night sky photography. My Olympus f1.2 lens was not purchased for status. It was purchased because it is a critically sharp lens. Also, the bright maximum aperture makes it easier to focus when used with extension tubes or bellows. I might purchase a Leitax mount for use on my Pentax K-1 Mark II but, frankly, I am more likely to offer it on eBay since these lenses currently bring in around $400.00 US in the used market. I'm not sure I would use it enough to pass on selling it while the market is favorable, considering I own other good quality 50mm options.

Dennis

aoeu · 09-06-2018, 11:28 AM

My FA-50 1.4 is fast enough for at that length and is not in line for upgrade. I feel the same way about the FA-100 2.8 Macro.

I'm looking for a faster body so all my lenses are faster with an extra bonus of being as wide as they were back when film was all the rage.

09-06-2018, 11:26 AM	#29
Kelvin 5500 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA Posts: 98	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied What's the FASTEST lens you own? Also, curious to hear if you shoot at that wide open aperture often, or is it just a status thing? I have an Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.2, an Olympus Zuiko Auto-S 50mm f/1.4, a Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR f/1.4 50mm, and an smc Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7. I have never used any of them at maximum aperture, even when used for night sky photography. My Olympus f1.2 lens was not purchased for status. It was purchased because it is a critically sharp lens. Also, the bright maximum aperture makes it easier to focus when used with extension tubes or bellows. I might purchase a Leitax mount for use on my Pentax K-1 Mark II but, frankly, I am more likely to offer it on eBay since these lenses currently bring in around $400.00 US in the used market. I'm not sure I would use it enough to pass on selling it while the market is favorable, considering I own other good quality 50mm options. Dennis Last edited by Kelvin 5500; 09-06-2018 at 11:33 AM. Reason: stylize text

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09-06-2018, 06:27 AM - 1 Like	#16
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	Originally posted by photoptimist SMC Pentax K50 1:1.2 which only occasionally gets used at f/1.2 for big bokeh, thin DoF, very low light, or just mucking about. Mostly I like it for it's extreme sharpness at more modest apertures. Oh, and the ergonomics are wonderful: it's a dense little lens with a super-smooth helicoid that is perfectly sized & balanced for the K-1. P.S. I don't have the f/1.4 but would strongly suspect that it's bokeh-bang-for-the-buck is more than adequate. An f/1.2 lens is only 1/2 stop faster and the bokeh is only about 17% larger so that's probably not worth the 10X price. Build-wise, the A 50/1.2 is much nicer-feeling than the A 50/1.4, as the 50/1.4 has the plastic focus ring. Not that the 1.4 is bad, but not as nice as the 1.2. In the K series, the build quality is similar, and the M 50/1.4 is also well built. In terms of bang-for-the-buck, the 1.4 will always win.

09-06-2018, 06:52 AM - 2 Likes	#17
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Originally posted by photoptimist SMC Pentax K50 1:1.2 which only occasionally gets used at f/1.2 for big bokeh, thin DoF, very low light, or just mucking about. Mostly I like it for it's extreme sharpness at more modest apertures. Oh, and the ergonomics are wonderful: it's a dense little lens with a super-smooth helicoid that is perfectly sized & balanced for the K-1. P.S. I don't have the f/1.4 but would strongly suspect that it's bokeh-bang-for-the-buck is more than adequate. An f/1.2 lens is only 1/2 stop faster and the bokeh is only about 17% larger so that's probably not worth the 10X price. The f/1.2 @ 1.4 is better than the f/1.4 @ 1.4 To the OP: the smc-A 50mm f/1,2

09-06-2018, 06:57 AM	#18
northcoastgreg Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,173	Originally posted by Andrea K The f/1.2 @ 1.4 is better than the f/1.4 @ 1.4 Probably true, but you significantly more to access that better. For me, the advantage of the f1.2 is the quality of the bokeh, which is the best I've ever seen in a 50mm lens. I rarely use my K 50/1.2 wide open, as it's rather soft and dreamy at that aperture. But even at f2.8, if you have enough separation with the background the results can be stunning, even on an APS-C camera. And then I sometimes extend the lens and use it for macro stuff, where you can get great bokeh even at f16.

09-06-2018, 07:13 AM	#19
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	As of right now my Vivitar (Rokinon/Samyang clone) 85mm f/1.4.

09-06-2018, 07:57 AM	#21
eminker Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 150	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied Going through my bag, I realized I don't own anything in the F1.X range... My fastest lens is the HD DA 70mm F2.4 Limited - fantastic lens, even wide open in my honest opinion... But I'm thinking I need something a bit faster, ya know, just for feeding my LBA? What's the FASTEST lens you own? Also, curious to hear if you shoot at that wide open aperture often, or is it just a status thing? ex: You may own the A 50mm F1.2 - But if you shoot at F5.6 as a standard, is the F1.2 worth it over the F1.4? OR maybe you own the A 50mm F1.2 and you ONLY shoot at F1.2 because it's your only lens that allows you to do so (or maybe not?)... Curious how many people make full use of their fast lenses. I own the DA*300, but I rarely shoot at F4... Granted, I'm glad it's there - makes the HD 1.4x TC usable, and when I need F4, it's there. Comment below! Pentax-A 50mm F1.4 but I would definitely liked it to be the A 50mm F1.2

09-06-2018, 08:03 AM	#22
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	FA 43 f1.9 is my fastest lens. I'm not much of a thin depth of field shooter so this lens doesn't get much use. The Samyang/Rokinon 24mm f1.4 or 20mm f1.8 are on my wish list primarily for night sky photos. I already have the Pentax 15-30 f2.8 which is a good lens, but gaining more than one stop can be significant for the Milky Way. A side benefit of the 20 or 24 is I can use my existing 77mm filters with them for day landscapes.

09-06-2018, 09:07 AM	#23
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Auto Rikenon 55/1.4 (M42) MC Rokkor PF 58/1.4 (Minolta MC mount) Both are good lenses. I have thought at various times that I should invest in an f/1.4 lens in K-mount, but have not found a reasonable rational over the various f/2.0, f/1.7, and f/1.8 choices I have at hand. Steve

09-06-2018, 09:14 AM	#24
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,342	My fastest is my 50mm F 1.4. I rarely use it at F 1.4...sometimes F 1.8 or more likely F 2 or 2.2.

09-06-2018, 09:27 AM	#25
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	I'm a poor boy. The most I could afford back when were a Pentax-A SMC 50mm f/1.4, Kiron (Lester Dine) 100mm f/2.8 macro, and a Minolta MD 50mm f/1.4, Minolta MC 58mm f/1.4.

09-06-2018, 09:42 AM	#26
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	I have two relative " fast " lenses Kino Precision Japan Kiron 28mm F2 MC P/KA SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8

09-06-2018, 11:13 AM	#27
Marcel K Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 82	Takumar smc 55mm f1.8 is my fastest. All manual, got it for 40 EUR. Beautiful rendering and bokeh.

09-06-2018, 11:17 AM	#28
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,440	Fastest lens I own: smc PENTAX-DA 50mm F1.8 The last time I shot it at F1.8 must have been when I did a quick test for front or back focus after unboxing it - turned out there wasn't any discernable. Usually, I can't be bothered for razor-thin DOF and diminished overall sharpness. But I do use it a lot in the F2.5-to-F3.5 range, where it delivers good-to-tack sharpness and still pretty decent bokeh. My next-fastest lens is smc PENTAX-DA 35mm Macro Ltd., rarely used wide open either, although my copy is perfectly usable at F2.8.

09-06-2018, 11:28 AM	#30
aoeu Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 496	My FA-50 1.4 is fast enough for at that length and is not in line for upgrade. I feel the same way about the FA-100 2.8 Macro. I'm looking for a faster body so all my lenses are faster with an extra bonus of being as wide as they were back when film was all the rage.