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09-07-2018, 06:26 AM   #1
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Best cheap thin 50?

Recently I put up a wanted ad asking for people to sell me a good, physically thin, cheap 50mm lens. In the admitedly wordy wanted ad, I mentioned not really being interested in the Pentax M or A 50 f2's as they don't have the best reputation. It seems like Ricoh sold a couple, a P and a "plain" 50 f2 that were both pretty thin that deliver quite good image quality. I didn't get much traction otherwise and may turn to the bay of e's for one of the Ricoh's.

So what else is out there? I'm trying to keep costs down around the $50 or so mark all-in. This precludes interesting lenses like the FA 43 or that Voigtlander 40 f2 that seems to exist in extremely limited quantities in k-mount. The 3rd party lens database here on PF shows a Makinon 50 f2.8 that is very thin but also doesn't have a good score and it's slower than what I want.

Tell me what I've missed, please! Wanting a cheap thin 50ish f2 (or faster) prime that is cheap and thin and decent enough for film use wide open.

09-07-2018, 06:40 AM   #2
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"Might Mike" is offering a 50mm f1.4 "A" for $98 USD. That is a fine lens at an excellent price, and you're not likely to find a 50~58mm f2 or faster lens that is more compact. it's worth a look. I would offer you my Voigtlander 40mm f2 Ultron, but the price would be too far above your target.

Looking further down the for sale offerings, 17DEW is asking $75 for a 50mm f1.4 K (not "A").

By reputation when they were being manufactured, the f1.4 was considered the best normal lens made by Pentax, followed by the f1.7 followed by the f2. Most evaluators thought that the f1.4, stopped down to an equivalent aperture, would outperform either the f1.7 or the f2.

YET ANOTHER ADDENDUM. I feel like I'm doing your search. ctrout is offering a 50mm f1.7 "A" for $40. Sounds like exactly what you want. Look through the for sale section. Multiple lenses that might meet your parameters.

Last edited by WPRESTO; 09-07-2018 at 06:52 AM.
09-07-2018, 06:40 AM   #3
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I've never quite understood the lacklustre reputation of the A50 f/2. Aside from the known weakness with the aperture ring, I think it's rather a nice lens, especially for the price. I get very pleasing results from mine.
09-07-2018, 06:42 AM   #4
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or a K 55mm f2...

09-07-2018, 06:46 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by WPRESTO Quote
"Might Mike" is offering a 50mm f1.4 "A" for $98 USD. That is a fine lens at an excellent price, and you're not likely to find a 50~58mm f2 or faster lens that is more compact. it's worth a look. I would offer you my Voigtlander 40mm f2 Ultron, but the price would be too far above your target.
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.
09-07-2018, 06:53 AM - 2 Likes   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by pres589 Quote
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.
If you feel the M 50 1.4 is not small enough then only one lens will fit the bill, although it is not a 50 nor an f2 ........M 40/2.8 | The K-Mount Page

---------- Post added 09-07-18 at 02:56 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by BigMackCam Quote
I've never quite understood the lacklustre reputation of the A50 f/2. Aside from the known weakness with the aperture ring, I think it's rather a nice lens, especially for the price. I get very pleasing results from mine.
I own plenty of Pentax 50's. The M50mm f2 is the best "bang for the buck" by a country mile.

Last edited by pschlute; 09-07-2018 at 07:09 AM.
09-07-2018, 06:58 AM - 1 Like   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by pres589 Quote
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.
Did you look at the Pentax M 40? It is 2.8 and the price on eBay $150-200 but it is the only lens which could be qualified as thin. (But I never tried it myself). If eBay price is too high you may put it as "wanted" on the forum. Maybe somebody will sell it cheaper.

09-07-2018, 06:58 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by pres589 Quote
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.

Last edited by WPRESTO; 09-07-2018 at 07:06 AM.
09-07-2018, 07:00 AM   #9
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The regular Ricoh Rikenon (not XR or P version) 50mm 2.0 is quite good !
Inexpensive ($20ish) and here is the review....
https://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/ricoh-rikenon-50mm-f-2.html

I have a spare Ricoh Rikenon P 50mm 2.0 for the same price if you want it , PM me.

Last edited by Ronald Oakes; 09-07-2018 at 07:05 AM.
09-07-2018, 07:00 AM - 1 Like   #10
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Just get a DA 40 XS! Like a body cap and close to the right length. A bit slower but a great lens.
09-07-2018, 07:01 AM - 1 Like   #11
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I used the M 2/50 a lot in the early 1980s, and it is quite good at F4, and tak sharp at F 5.6-11.
Any difference to lenses 20 times the price will show in real life pictures only with pixel peeping., if at all.

And about size: the 1.4 is longer than the 1.7.
The 2.0 is of the same length as the 1.7, but because of less glass the front lens element sits much deeper in the tubus.
So you don't really need a lens hood, which makes it smaller.

Last edited by RKKS08; 09-07-2018 at 07:08 AM.
09-07-2018, 07:12 AM   #12
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Whoa, this thread is blowing up fast. I already have an M 40 2.8 and I like it quite a bit. This is going on a film camera that cannot control lens aperture. DA 40's aren't going to work here. I want another stop of light grabbing. That's where my crazy requirements come from, namely "f2 or faster" and "needs to be decent wide open". A lens that isn't that good until f4 isn't an advantage over what I already own.

A 35mm f2 that is the smaller than my 50 f1.4 would be great but I don't think that exists. If it does I don't think it's in my price range. K 55mm f2 is almost a full centemeter longer than what I'm seeing for the the Ricoh P/non-P 50 f2's (Ricoh XR isn't nearly as small so it's out of the running).

Seems like the solution is still Ricoh's options with a preference for the non-P.
09-07-2018, 07:18 AM   #13
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Some of the numerous Chinon 50s are very good.
09-07-2018, 07:18 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by pres589 Quote
It seems like Ricoh sold a couple, a P and a "plain" 50 f2 that were both pretty thin that deliver quite good image quality. I didn't get much traction otherwise and may turn to the bay of e's for one of the Ricoh's.
Yes, the Rikenon-P 50/2 is almost a pancake, is all plastic build, is quite sharp, and can be had for well under $50 and perhaps cheapest (ironically) attached to a body. The "plain" Rikenon 50/2 is different lens entirely is a step down from the P and XR versions by reputation. I would sell you my P except that it is attached to one of my working bodies.

Addendum:
  • Pentax-M 50/1.7 = 31mm from the flange, 49mm filter
  • Rikenon-P 50/2 = 29.5mm, 52mm filter
I took a couple seconds with each lens on my Ricoh XR7 just to refresh my memory of how each handles and my preference is for the Pentax. The focus ring grip nubbins on the Rikenon-P are too few and not continuous.


Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 09-07-2018 at 07:34 AM.
09-07-2018, 07:18 AM - 3 Likes   #15
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Industar 50-2 f/3.5, or any of the Tessar 50/3.5s...They don't come thinner than that...(The Takumar 50/3.5 is a bit pricey, and it only came in M37)



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