What's the Fastest Lens You Own?

zzeitg · 09-06-2018, 11:36 AM

Yes, A 50mm f/1.2 is the answer. Plus Revuenon 55mm f/1.2.

I'd bet mostly I'm shooting wide open.

D1N0 · 09-06-2018, 11:37 AM

S-M-C Takumar 50mm 1.4, Pentax-A 50mm 1.4 Porst Color reflex 55mm 1.4 (I guess the Porst wins it because of a larger physical Diameter.)

**Videopilot** · 09-06-2018, 11:40 AM

I have two fast lenses.

M42 50mm f1.4
M 50mm f1.7.

**pentaxus** · 09-06-2018, 12:00 PM

I use 1.4 lenses for theatrical photography. I avoid using them wide open because of microscopic depth of field. An 85mm 1.4 even at 15 feet gives pretty small depth of field. It is useful when there is no other choice.

HoutHans · 09-06-2018, 12:22 PM

I have an SMC M50 1.4, that I will use at 1.4 only when I want a soft image with tonnes of bokeh, mostly, I'll be at f2+. The M 50 1.7 I also have is sharper at 1.7 and definitely sensibly cheaper (so, I should have never bought the 1.4, but hey, that's what LBA is for, isn't it?)

**RKKS08** · 09-06-2018, 12:39 PM

My fastest lens is the SMC Pentax-A 1.4/50. I think I used the 1.4 for about one of 100 shots.
And this was in film days in very low light for slides, where you are bound to the ISO of the film.

For most of my shots the DOF at 1.4 was just too narrow, and I did not like the loss of contrast.
This would not be a big problem with a DSLR, but with APS-C 50mm is not my preferred focal length.

For occasional portraits I use the Helios 2.0/58, mostly at F2.8.

**EssJayEff** · 09-06-2018, 12:53 PM - **1 Like**

Hm . . . You know I have never asked them to line up and race to see which one is fastest. So, . . .

On your mark, get set, go!

None of them moved a millimeter. :-(

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist! ;-)

**pres589** · 09-06-2018, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

So the real question here...
Is the A50mm F1.2 worth the $500 price tag?

Or is the A50mm F1.4 the better deal at 1/10th the price?

If you can find an A-series 50mm f1.4 for $50 in good or better condition, I'd buy it, just to have it to trade around later. That's a good price.

I paid more than I should have for my M-series 50 1.4 from KEH but it was in excellent condition. It's a very useful lens, especially on crop body cameras. It's my fastest lens. I've got a 28mm Sigma f1.8 and the DA 50 1.8 as my next fastest and I like them both. Then my Kiron 28 f2, Pentax K-series 35mm f2, and Pentax M-series 85mm f2.

I like fast primes.

Ronald Oakes · 09-06-2018, 01:22 PM

Hmmmm….?
I suppose all my lenses are really fast when Im speeding !
Unfortunately they don't stay that way when I get home.

**aslyfox** · 09-06-2018, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by EssJayEff

Hm . . . You know I have never asked them to line up and race to see which one is fastest. So, . . .

On your mark, get set, go!

None of them moved a millimeter. :-(

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist! ;-)

put them on their sides and on a slippery slope and try again

**kernos** · 09-06-2018, 01:48 PM

Canon FL 55mm 1.2 converted to PK.

**EssJayEff** · 09-06-2018, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by aslyfox

put them on their sides and on a slippery slope and try again

Ha! I’m a still photographer at heart. I never think of the video opportunities!!!

Cabessius · 09-06-2018, 01:53 PM

The fastest is the SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 that I bought one month ago.
Still getting used to shoot with such a small DOF.

Anyway, the results are promising, and its a big and heavy piece of glass and metal which is a pleasure to touch.

**pentageek** · 09-06-2018, 01:54 PM

Pentax A 50mm/1.7, but F 100mm/2.8 macro sees more action. Both are fine lenses, but I prefer the latter.

dbs · 09-06-2018, 01:59 PM

The fastest mmm FA 50 1.4
But the fastest is the one dropping to the floor.....man the"re quick

Dave

09-06-2018, 01:53 PM	#43
Cabessius Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Ibiza, Spain Posts: 471	The fastest is the SMC Pentax 50mm f/1.2 that I bought one month ago. Still getting used to shoot with such a small DOF. Anyway, the results are promising, and its a big and heavy piece of glass and metal which is a pleasure to touch. Last edited by Cabessius; 09-06-2018 at 01:59 PM.

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09-06-2018, 11:36 AM	#31
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Yes, A 50mm f/1.2 is the answer. Plus Revuenon 55mm f/1.2. I'd bet mostly I'm shooting wide open.

09-06-2018, 11:37 AM	#32
D1N0 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Location: --- Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,802	S-M-C Takumar 50mm 1.4, Pentax-A 50mm 1.4 Porst Color reflex 55mm 1.4 (I guess the Porst wins it because of a larger physical Diameter.)

09-06-2018, 12:00 PM	#34
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,312	I use 1.4 lenses for theatrical photography. I avoid using them wide open because of microscopic depth of field. An 85mm 1.4 even at 15 feet gives pretty small depth of field. It is useful when there is no other choice.

09-06-2018, 12:22 PM	#35
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,115	I have an SMC M50 1.4, that I will use at 1.4 only when I want a soft image with tonnes of bokeh, mostly, I'll be at f2+. The M 50 1.7 I also have is sharper at 1.7 and definitely sensibly cheaper (so, I should have never bought the 1.4, but hey, that's what LBA is for, isn't it?)

09-06-2018, 12:39 PM	#36
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	My fastest lens is the SMC Pentax-A 1.4/50. I think I used the 1.4 for about one of 100 shots. And this was in film days in very low light for slides, where you are bound to the ISO of the film. For most of my shots the DOF at 1.4 was just too narrow, and I did not like the loss of contrast. This would not be a big problem with a DSLR, but with APS-C 50mm is not my preferred focal length. For occasional portraits I use the Helios 2.0/58, mostly at F2.8.

09-06-2018, 12:53 PM - 1 Like	#37
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 966	Hm . . . You know I have never asked them to line up and race to see which one is fastest. So, . . . On your mark, get set, go! None of them moved a millimeter. :-( Sorry, I just couldn’t resist! ;-)

09-06-2018, 01:05 PM	#38
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied So the real question here... Is the A50mm F1.2 worth the $500 price tag? Or is the A50mm F1.4 the better deal at 1/10th the price? If you can find an A-series 50mm f1.4 for $50 in good or better condition, I'd buy it, just to have it to trade around later. That's a good price. I paid more than I should have for my M-series 50 1.4 from KEH but it was in excellent condition. It's a very useful lens, especially on crop body cameras. It's my fastest lens. I've got a 28mm Sigma f1.8 and the DA 50 1.8 as my next fastest and I like them both. Then my Kiron 28 f2, Pentax K-series 35mm f2, and Pentax M-series 85mm f2. I like fast primes.

09-06-2018, 01:22 PM	#39
Ronald Oakes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,582	Hmmmm….? I suppose all my lenses are really fast when Im speeding ! Unfortunately they don't stay that way when I get home.

09-06-2018, 01:23 PM	#40
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by EssJayEff Hm . . . You know I have never asked them to line up and race to see which one is fastest. So, . . . On your mark, get set, go! None of them moved a millimeter. :-( Sorry, I just couldn’t resist! ;-) put them on their sides and on a slippery slope and try again

09-06-2018, 01:48 PM	#41
kernos Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 456	Canon FL 55mm 1.2 converted to PK.

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09-06-2018, 01:50 PM	#42
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 966	Originally posted by aslyfox put them on their sides and on a slippery slope and try again Ha! I’m a still photographer at heart. I never think of the video opportunities!!!

09-06-2018, 01:54 PM	#44
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Pentax A 50mm/1.7, but F 100mm/2.8 macro sees more action. Both are fine lenses, but I prefer the latter.

09-06-2018, 01:59 PM	#45
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,563	The fastest mmm FA 50 1.4 But the fastest is the one dropping to the floor.....man the"re quick Dave