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**THoog** · 09-06-2018, 02:10 PM - **2 Likes**

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! ;-)

I was thinking all of my DAs had gone between 400 and 500mph at one point or another - should we be counting air speed, or ground speed?

(My largest-aperture lens is a Cosina 55/1.2. It's somewhat "dreamy" wide open, with a rather busy "bubble" bokeh.)

jddwoods · 09-06-2018, 04:19 PM

My fastest lens is actually two versions. I have am M 50mm f1.7 and FA 50mm f1.7. I have never seen the need to buy a faster lens both seem fast enough for my needs

Canid · 09-06-2018, 04:55 PM

Another slow-poke here - the fastest one I own is the FA 35/2

Like the other person here with an f2 lens, I'm not one for shallow DOF.
I needed a fast normal for low-light APS-C shooting, and it fit the bill. Oddly enough, it is both the fastest, and the smallest lens I own.

pakinjapan · 09-06-2018, 05:47 PM

My fastest lens is DA*55 f1.4
I use it at 1.4 to 1.8 quite often because I buy it to use at night and another main reason is, it is a WR lens. Stop down to f1.6 or 1.8 will improve image quality a lot.

**monochrome** · 09-06-2018, 05:52 PM

K50/1.2 because I collect SMC K lenses and A50/1.2 that had been heavily marked and scraped. I had it completely disassembled and rebuilt and the finish removed by Brian Gohacki to more or less hide the cosmetic marks.

In both cases I rarely use them at their widest aperture. At 3 feet DoF is only 4” so often the pistils and stamen of a large flower are in focus but the petal edges aren’t. At 15 feet DoF is 2 feet but you have to be shooting something big with a 50 to significantly fill the frame.

The benefit is the additional light when focusing on the K-1. I suppose it was a lot of money to pay just to focus by hand, but that’s what I do.

mikeSF · 09-06-2018, 08:32 PM

I also have the legendary Cosina 55 f/1.2
i need to use it more.

https://flic.kr/p/aDrbVA

leekil · 09-06-2018, 10:07 PM

I have the A50/1.2, which I mostly use when I am interested in low light, but have been using it more recently for non-low light. The recent use has been on manual-focus film cameras, as I would normally try to use an AF lens on an AF camera.

Looking at other fat lenses, like 50mm 1.4, and the FA31, I mostly use them at the wider apertures, because I do a lot of indoor low-light photography, particularly with the 31. It looks like 2/3 of my photos with those are at wider than f/2.8. The FA43 has a lower percentage of wide-aperture usage, as that is what I use as my "normal" lens on the K-1 so it gets a lot of general purpose use, and that is not a focal length I am inclined to use for the indoor low-light photos.

Sandy Hancock · 09-06-2018, 11:16 PM

The A50/1.2 is my fastest lens. I like its rendering a lot, but the chromatic aberration and lack of AF and weather sealing make it a rare choice over my DA*55 and DFA*50.

I only really keep it for sentimental reasons (and bragging rights

). The extra half stop doesn't make much difference with the high ISO capabilities of modern sensors.

**felixkh** · 09-07-2018, 02:59 AM

My two current fastest lenses are:
A50/1.2

ZY Speedmaster 85/1.2

I have used both at 1.2 as I like the dreamy bokeh produced.

**OzzRod** · 09-07-2018, 04:24 AM - **2 Likes**

K50/1.2 which I picked up in a second-hand store for $105

Milky Way and a couple of planets @ f2 on K1

Strelitzia with bubbles (guessing at f2) on K5iis

Fungi macro with Raynox D150 @ f1.2 on K1

Grand daughter @ f4 (I think), with K1

Sandy Hancock · 09-07-2018, 04:43 AM - **1 Like**

While we're at it, some images with my A50/1.2

Wide open on the K-1

bdery · 09-07-2018, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

What's the FASTEST lens you own?

I was going to answer the FA 77 F1.8, then I realized I also own the FA 50 F1.4 which I never use (the FA 43 F1.9 is the one I prefer).

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

Also, curious to hear if you shoot at that wide open aperture often, or is it just a status thing?

Rarely fully wide open, I often stop down a bit. For instance, the 43 gets used most of the time between F2.2 and F2.8.

With the 77 I sometimes shoot wide open, though.

zzeitg · 09-07-2018, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by OzzRod

K50/1.2 which I picked up in a second-hand store for $105

Seems like that was a good investment!

dbs · 09-07-2018, 02:59 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

While we're at it, some images with my A50/1.2

Wide open on the K-1

Hi Sandy

So the patients can choose there own anesthetic........great..

Dave

dbs · 09-07-2018, 03:01 PM

Originally posted by OzzRod

K50/1.2 which I picked up in a second-hand store for $105

Milky Way and a couple of planets @ f2 on K1

Strelitzia with bubbles (guessing at f2) on K5iis

Fungi macro with Raynox D150 @ f1.2 on K1

Grand daughter @ f4 (I think), with K1

Hi Rod

Lucky you

I only ever see f2 lenses

Dave

09-06-2018, 05:52 PM	#50
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	K50/1.2 because I collect SMC K lenses and A50/1.2 that had been heavily marked and scraped. I had it completely disassembled and rebuilt and the finish removed by Brian Gohacki to more or less hide the cosmetic marks. In both cases I rarely use them at their widest aperture. At 3 feet DoF is only 4” so often the pistils and stamen of a large flower are in focus but the petal edges aren’t. At 15 feet DoF is 2 feet but you have to be shooting something big with a 50 to significantly fill the frame. The benefit is the additional light when focusing on the K-1. I suppose it was a lot of money to pay just to focus by hand, but that’s what I do. Last edited by monochrome; 09-06-2018 at 06:02 PM.

09-06-2018, 11:16 PM	#53
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	The A50/1.2 is my fastest lens. I like its rendering a lot, but the chromatic aberration and lack of AF and weather sealing make it a rare choice over my DA55 and DFA50. I only really keep it for sentimental reasons (and bragging rights ). The extra half stop doesn't make much difference with the high ISO capabilities of modern sensors. Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 09-06-2018 at 11:38 PM.

09-07-2018, 02:59 AM	#54
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	My two current fastest lenses are: A50/1.2 ZY Speedmaster 85/1.2 I have used both at 1.2 as I like the dreamy bokeh produced. Last edited by felixkh; 09-07-2018 at 06:44 AM.

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09-06-2018, 02:10 PM - 2 Likes	#46
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,685	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! ;-) I was thinking all of my DAs had gone between 400 and 500mph at one point or another - should we be counting air speed, or ground speed? (My largest-aperture lens is a Cosina 55/1.2. It's somewhat "dreamy" wide open, with a rather busy "bubble" bokeh.)

09-06-2018, 04:19 PM	#47
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	My fastest lens is actually two versions. I have am M 50mm f1.7 and FA 50mm f1.7. I have never seen the need to buy a faster lens both seem fast enough for my needs

09-06-2018, 04:55 PM	#48
Canid Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 98	Another slow-poke here - the fastest one I own is the FA 35/2 Like the other person here with an f2 lens, I'm not one for shallow DOF. I needed a fast normal for low-light APS-C shooting, and it fit the bill. Oddly enough, it is both the fastest, and the smallest lens I own.

09-06-2018, 05:47 PM	#49
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	My fastest lens is DA*55 f1.4 I use it at 1.4 to 1.8 quite often because I buy it to use at night and another main reason is, it is a WR lens. Stop down to f1.6 or 1.8 will improve image quality a lot.

09-06-2018, 08:32 PM	#51
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	I also have the legendary Cosina 55 f/1.2 i need to use it more. https://flic.kr/p/aDrbVA

09-06-2018, 10:07 PM	#52
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	I have the A50/1.2, which I mostly use when I am interested in low light, but have been using it more recently for non-low light. The recent use has been on manual-focus film cameras, as I would normally try to use an AF lens on an AF camera. Looking at other fat lenses, like 50mm 1.4, and the FA31, I mostly use them at the wider apertures, because I do a lot of indoor low-light photography, particularly with the 31. It looks like 2/3 of my photos with those are at wider than f/2.8. The FA43 has a lower percentage of wide-aperture usage, as that is what I use as my "normal" lens on the K-1 so it gets a lot of general purpose use, and that is not a focal length I am inclined to use for the indoor low-light photos.

09-07-2018, 04:24 AM - 2 Likes	#55
OzzRod Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,322	K50/1.2 which I picked up in a second-hand store for $105 Milky Way and a couple of planets @ f2 on K1 Strelitzia with bubbles (guessing at f2) on K5iis Fungi macro with Raynox D150 @ f1.2 on K1 Grand daughter @ f4 (I think), with K1

09-07-2018, 04:43 AM - 1 Like	#56
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	While we're at it, some images with my A50/1.2 Wide open on the K-1

09-07-2018, 05:56 AM	#57
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied What's the FASTEST lens you own? I was going to answer the FA 77 F1.8, then I realized I also own the FA 50 F1.4 which I never use (the FA 43 F1.9 is the one I prefer). Originally posted by UserAccessDenied Also, curious to hear if you shoot at that wide open aperture often, or is it just a status thing? Rarely fully wide open, I often stop down a bit. For instance, the 43 gets used most of the time between F2.2 and F2.8. With the 77 I sometimes shoot wide open, though.

09-07-2018, 05:59 AM	#58
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by OzzRod K50/1.2 which I picked up in a second-hand store for $105 Seems like that was a good investment!

09-07-2018, 02:59 PM	#59
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,568	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock While we're at it, some images with my A50/1.2 Wide open on the K-1 Hi Sandy So the patients can choose there own anesthetic........great.. Dave

09-07-2018, 03:01 PM	#60
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,568	Originally posted by OzzRod K50/1.2 which I picked up in a second-hand store for $105 Milky Way and a couple of planets @ f2 on K1 Strelitzia with bubbles (guessing at f2) on K5iis Fungi macro with Raynox D150 @ f1.2 on K1 Grand daughter @ f4 (I think), with K1 Hi Rod Lucky you I only ever see f2 lenses Dave

What's the Fastest Lens You Own?

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