Originally posted by pres589 The A 50 1.4 is the same general dimensions as the M 50 1.4, right? I've already got one of those...
I'm trying to get a film camera & lens combo that is unobtrusive as possible for use when outdoors, like cycling, and want something that's easy to get out of a bag quickly.
There isn't that much difference in size among the f1.4, f1.7, and f2 Takumar/Pentax lenses. If you want small, you cannot beat the 40mm f2.8. If you want one more f-stop and something smaller that one of the the 50~58mm Pentax lenses, you'll have to stay at 40mm and the choices for f2 are extremely limited. If you go down to 35mm there are more f2 lenses available, but they will almost certainly be larger than a 50mm f2.
Look at the 50mm f1.7 that ctrout is offering. A 50mm f2 might be smaller, but your talking about a few mm less length.
Just checked the lens data base. For the "A" series, the f1.4 is 37mm long, the f1.7 and f2 are both 31mm long (the length & diameter of these two are identical). In terms of owner-user ratings, the f1.4 is highest rated, then the f1.7, then the f2, just as I remembered from when those lenses were current. Is 6mm (about 0.25 inches) significant to you? Then go for the f1.7 "A" for $40. I very much doubt that you'll find any 50mm f2 or faster lens that will be physically smaller.