What's the Fastest Lens You Own?

UserAccessDenied · 09-06-2018, 05:43 AM

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!

Last edited by UserAccessDenied; 09-06-2018 at 06:00 AM.

timw4mail · 09-06-2018, 05:48 AM - **1 Like**

I have 2 1.2 lenses:

Pentax A 50/1.2
Canon FD 55/1.2

The Pentax has a spot of fungus that I need to take care of. Here's my only shared photo from that lens:

The Canon lens I've only used on film (since it can't be adapted to K-mount without glass), but I've done a lot of film lately:

**pepperberry farm** · 09-06-2018, 05:52 AM

Porst MC Auto Color Reflex 55mm f1.2

and worth every cent I paid for it...

I use it wide open quite a bit, but conditions aren't always favorable for that... good thing that it's a capable lens beyond that ...

**jpzk** · 09-06-2018, 05:58 AM - **3 Likes**

How about a Cosina 55/1.2 ?

normhead · 09-06-2018, 06:00 AM - **1 Like**

SMA 50 1.4. I never use it, a gilt from someone buying a camera from m. Too much futzing about for me. , and DA* 55 1.4, recently purchased.

**othar** · 09-06-2018, 06:01 AM

I have the Samyang 35mm f1.4, I usually shoot at f2 when photographing stars.
My Pentax A 50mm f1.7 usually gets used at f2.8 in low-light situations.
For general photography in daylight I use both at f4 - f5.6 sometimes f8, depending on the DoF I need.
Both (especially the Samyang lens) are good enough to use wide open, but focus is easier to achieve when stopped down a tad.

UserAccessDenied · 09-06-2018, 06:01 AM - **2 Likes**

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?

photoptimist · 09-06-2018, 06:03 AM - **1 Like**

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.

UserAccessDenied · 09-06-2018, 06:04 AM

Originally posted by normhead

SMA 50 1.4. I never use it, a gilt from someone buying a camera from m. Too much futzing about for me. , and DA* 55 1.4, recently purchased.

First impressions on the DA*55?
I was just browsing through reviews of that lens... Seems people either love it or, eh.

If it weren't for the potential SDM failure, I'd probably pick up a used one. But that makes me lean towards a new purchase in hopes of getting a later serial number that may have resolved these issues?

I know SDM is a touchy subject with some people... I've just personally experienced problems with SDM and know that I would like to save myself from that heartache again!

normhead · 09-06-2018, 06:05 AM - **1 Like**

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?

I just paid 499 CDN (400 USD) for my DA* 55 1.4. That sounds absolutely insane to me.

DA*55 1.4

**UncleVanya** · 09-06-2018, 06:05 AM - **1 Like**

Pentax F 50 f1.7, in the past I owed the A* 85 f1.4 but found manual focus at that aperture very tricky.

Here's the latest shot from the 50 made wide open:

Generated by http://tools.rackonly.com

UserAccessDenied · 09-06-2018, 06:11 AM

Originally posted by normhead

I just paid 499 CDN (400 USD) for my DA* 55 1.4. That sounds absolutely insane to me.

DA*55 1.4

Great deal!
I just saw one used from Adorama for $400.
I was hoping to get one around $300... Wish me luck! hahaha

I'll get around to purchasing something after my wife's birthday bash this weekend... All my money is being sucked into food, booze, music and fun. Not complaining!

UserAccessDenied · 09-06-2018, 06:12 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Pentax F 50 f1.7, in the past I owed the A* 85 f1.4 but found manual focus at that aperture very tricky.

Here's the latest shot from the 50 made wide open:

Generated by http://tools.rackonly.com

Would you say a lightly used FA50mm F1.4 for under $100 is a good deal?

I think I need something faster than F2.4 lol.

I've never really been a fan of the 50mm on APS-C, but maybe I just need to try it again and learn how/when to use it...

**RobA_Oz** · 09-06-2018, 06:13 AM

I’ve had 50mm f1.4 lenses since the early 1970s. When shooting film, the widest aperture was good for allowing you to take shots in lighting conditions that were problematic for the film speeds of the time. It was possible to enhance subject separation by shooting at full aperture, but longer focal lengths were often favoured for that.

I didn’t get a 50mm f1.2 lens until I could afford one, but that had to wait until I had my K-5. Prior to that, they were exotic pieces of kit that were regarded as an indulgence by most people, me included. Aside from the additional subject separation that was available, the extra light was marginally more useful for composition and manual focus.

Now my curiosity about the f1.2 has been satisfied, I don’t know that I’d bother with buying one again, but I’m still reluctant to let it go. Mine is the Pentax A version, and it’s a lovely thing to handle and look at. The bokeh wide open is beautifully smooth. Maybe I’ll buy the D FA*50/1.4 and then rethink the whole thing.

**UncleVanya** · 09-06-2018, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by UserAccessDenied

Would you say a lightly used FA50mm F1.4 for under $100 is a good deal?

I think I need something faster than F2.4 lol.

I've never really been a fan of the 50mm on APS-C, but maybe I just need to try it again and learn how/when to use it...

The 50 1.4 lens has better bokeh but will be softer until about f2-2.8. I think it sounds like a good deal. I paid more for my lens.

The 50 is a short Tele... Very short. Useful in many of the same places a 70-200 was on film at the wide end of that lens.

09-06-2018, 05:43 AM	#1
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677	What's the Fastest Lens You Own? 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 DA300, 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! Last edited by UserAccessDenied; 09-06-2018 at 06:00 AM.*

09-06-2018, 05:48 AM - 1 Like	#2
timw4mail Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Driving a Mirage Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,670	I have 2 1.2 lenses: Pentax A 50/1.2 Canon FD 55/1.2 The Pentax has a spot of fungus that I need to take care of. Here's my only shared photo from that lens: The Canon lens I've only used on film (since it can't be adapted to K-mount without glass), but I've done a lot of film lately:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What is fastest SD card compatible with Pentax 645Z?	mtps	Pentax Medium Format	14	04-21-2022 10:52 AM
Fastest M-Mode ever... if the Green Button was implemented consistently -.-	Bromberger	Pentax DSLR Discussion	22	09-01-2021 09:40 AM
I Assembled The Fastest 75mm Lens worth over $20,000 JK..sort of	Sliver-Surfer	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	4	05-30-2018 02:42 AM
Are you really using all of the lenses you own?	drabina	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	97	06-15-2010 01:01 PM
How many tripods do you own and what lenses/purpose do you use them for?	gofour3	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	17	04-09-2010 03:08 AM

09-06-2018, 05:52 AM	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,676	Porst MC Auto Color Reflex 55mm f1.2 and worth every cent I paid for it... I use it wide open quite a bit, but conditions aren't always favorable for that... good thing that it's a capable lens beyond that ...

09-06-2018, 05:58 AM - 3 Likes	#4
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	How about a Cosina 55/1.2 ?

09-06-2018, 06:00 AM - 1 Like	#5
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	SMA 50 1.4. I never use it, a gilt from someone buying a camera from m. Too much futzing about for me. , and DA* 55 1.4, recently purchased.

09-06-2018, 06:01 AM	#6
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	I have the Samyang 35mm f1.4, I usually shoot at f2 when photographing stars. My Pentax A 50mm f1.7 usually gets used at f2.8 in low-light situations. For general photography in daylight I use both at f4 - f5.6 sometimes f8, depending on the DoF I need. Both (especially the Samyang lens) are good enough to use wide open, but focus is easier to achieve when stopped down a tad.

09-06-2018, 06:01 AM - 2 Likes	#7
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	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?

09-06-2018, 06:03 AM - 1 Like	#8
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,122	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.

09-06-2018, 06:04 AM	#9
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead SMA 50 1.4. I never use it, a gilt from someone buying a camera from m. Too much futzing about for me. , and *DA 55 1.4*, recently purchased. First impressions on the DA55? I was just browsing through reviews of that lens... Seems people either love it or, eh. If it weren't for the potential SDM failure, I'd probably pick up a used one. But that makes me lean towards a new purchase in hopes of getting a later serial number that may have resolved these issues? I know SDM is a touchy subject with some people... I've just personally experienced problems with SDM and know that I would like to save myself from that heartache again!

09-06-2018, 06:05 AM - 1 Like	#10
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	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? I just paid 499 CDN (400 USD) for my DA* 55 1.4. That sounds absolutely insane to me. DA*55 1.4

09-06-2018, 06:05 AM - 1 Like	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Pentax F 50 f1.7, in the past I owed the A* 85 f1.4 but found manual focus at that aperture very tricky. Here's the latest shot from the 50 made wide open: Generated by http://tools.rackonly.com

09-06-2018, 06:11 AM	#12
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead I just paid 499 CDN (400 USD) for my DA* 55 1.4. That sounds absolutely insane to me. DA*55 1.4 Great deal! I just saw one used from Adorama for $400. I was hoping to get one around $300... Wish me luck! hahaha I'll get around to purchasing something after my wife's birthday bash this weekend... All my money is being sucked into food, booze, music and fun. Not complaining!

09-06-2018, 06:12 AM	#13
UserAccessDenied Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,677 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Pentax F 50 f1.7, in the past I owed the A* 85 f1.4 but found manual focus at that aperture very tricky. Here's the latest shot from the 50 made wide open: Generated by http://tools.rackonly.com Would you say a lightly used FA50mm F1.4 for under $100 is a good deal? I think I need something faster than F2.4 lol. I've never really been a fan of the 50mm on APS-C, but maybe I just need to try it again and learn how/when to use it...

09-06-2018, 06:13 AM	#14
RobA_Oz Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tasmania, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,197	I’ve had 50mm f1.4 lenses since the early 1970s. When shooting film, the widest aperture was good for allowing you to take shots in lighting conditions that were problematic for the film speeds of the time. It was possible to enhance subject separation by shooting at full aperture, but longer focal lengths were often favoured for that. I didn’t get a 50mm f1.2 lens until I could afford one, but that had to wait until I had my K-5. Prior to that, they were exotic pieces of kit that were regarded as an indulgence by most people, me included. Aside from the additional subject separation that was available, the extra light was marginally more useful for composition and manual focus. Now my curiosity about the f1.2 has been satisfied, I don’t know that I’d bother with buying one again, but I’m still reluctant to let it go. Mine is the Pentax A version, and it’s a lovely thing to handle and look at. The bokeh wide open is beautifully smooth. Maybe I’ll buy the D FA*50/1.4 and then rethink the whole thing.

09-06-2018, 06:17 AM	#15
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by UserAccessDenied Would you say a lightly used FA50mm F1.4 for under $100 is a good deal? I think I need something faster than F2.4 lol. I've never really been a fan of the 50mm on APS-C, but maybe I just need to try it again and learn how/when to use it... The 50 1.4 lens has better bokeh but will be softer until about f2-2.8. I think it sounds like a good deal. I paid more for my lens. The 50 is a short Tele... Very short. Useful in many of the same places a 70-200 was on film at the wide end of that lens.