[paolojackson]

Thanks so much for the replies, lots of great ideas. The Pentax community is one of the reasons I am back. I just realized that my signature is unchanged from when I last shot Pentax. The 77 was my favorite and I remember getting it for SO CHEAP when eBay was doing Bing cashback. At this point, I'm leaning towards an FA 35 and maybe a manual 85(K/M/Samyang).

Do you think there is a significant difference in quality from the M 50/2 vs 50/1.7?

[UncleVanya]

Thanks so much for the replies, lots of great ideas. The Pentax community is one of the reasons I am back. I just realized that my signature is unchanged from when I last shot Pentax. The 77 was my favorite and I remember getting it for SO CHEAP when eBay was doing Bing cashback. At this point, I'm leaning towards an FA 35 and maybe a manual 85(K/M/Samyang).

Do you think there is a significant difference in quality from the M 50/2 vs 50/1.7?

I have used both and I prefer the f/1.7 but I haven't side by side tested them.

[aslyfox]

Fa 28 f2.8, fa 35 f2, DA 35 f2.4, DA 40, f/fa 50 f1.7/1.4, DA 50 f1.8, DA 70 f2.4

Some of these can be found new for your budget, some only used.

don't over look " the best lens in its class "

Pentax DA XS Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 XS

Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 vs 40mm XS vs 40mm Limited Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

[UncleVanya]

don't over look " the best lens in its class "

Pentax DA XS Prime Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 XS

Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 vs 40mm XS vs 40mm Limited Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I didn't put it in but you are right.

[aslyfox]

I didn't put it in but you are right.

very small but mighty

[Pioneer]

It will be very, very difficult to find a better lens than that solid Pentax standby, the SMC FA 50mm f1.4 whether you are using digital or film. Especially at the price that Ricoh is selling that lens for new.

[northcoastgreg]

I have used both and I prefer the f/1.7 but I haven't side by side tested them.

I've also used them both but not side by side. My sense of the difference is that they are about the same in terms of sharpness but the f1.7 has better contrast, color, and rendering.

[pres589]

I was recently looking for k-mount lenses and from everything I saw/read/etc, the Pentax 50 f2's hold no advantage over the 50 f1.7's save for cost. And the 1.7's are, say, $50 for a good copy where as 2's are $25. Twice as much but it's only $25 difference.... The f2's and the f1.7's are also the same external dimensions so there's no advantage there. Weight difference is negligible.

Want a good 50 f2, I'd go Ricoh's P-series. But unless you have a Ricoh film body with their aperture control pin system, I'd just find an M-series or A-series Pentax 50 f1.7 and have it over with. It's an open and shut case.

[iheiramo]

Do you think there is a significant difference in quality from the M 50/2 vs 50/1.7?

Yes. M501.7 is better in everything. Both are so cheap and easy to find that if you don't already have f2 there simply is no reason to get one.

[UncleVanya]

Frankly the F and FA 1.7 are cheap enough too. The M or A series is only really worth the difference in cost if you love manual focus or have a super tight budget.

[Docrwm]

Frankly the F and FA 1.7 are cheap enough too. The M or A series is only really worth the difference in cost if you love manual focus or have a super tight budget.

Hmmmm, used they are ...M50/2 = $25 M50/1.7 = $50 F50/1.7 = $100+ FA50/1.7 = $125-150 FA50/1.4 = $150-175

AF more than doubles the cost of the lens, adds more to fail, gives you a less robustly constructed lens, and some would say one that is at best no better optically and at worst not as good as the M50/1.7.....

[normhead]

There are 3 new lenses under $300 (the D FA 50 macro, FA 50, and FA 35). All are great- maybe go with the first one to get that extra bit of sharpness out of your new K-1?

Full Frame Prime Lenses | PentaxForums.com

Everyone always forgets the 40XS. $226 at B&H.

[PPPPPP42]

I used K,M and A lenses on my film cameras but only A lenses on my K5. Just too clunky to not be able to constantly meter and use one of the dials to quickly control aperture. The Pentax "beak" on the flash housing area is pretty good at blocking the aperture ring.
With a few exceptions I don't even use A lenses on the K5 anymore because the focusing screens are so sub par compared to my MX and Super Program in both quality and size and its too annoying to get exactly what you want in focus. The digital focus aids only work if you want the depth of field placed exactly where it does which I frequently don't for artistic reasons. With the much larger FF screen on the K-1 perhaps manual focus is a good option again. I can't afford mine yet so I don't know.
Also KMA lenses are starting to really show their age on a high end camera like the K-1 in both chromatic aberrations and edge sharpness, so they don't look quite as good as the used to on film or with a crop sensor.

So in short stick with the advice to buy the newer stuff. If you had old stuff I wouldn't hesitate to use it but I wouldn't stock up on it.

[awscreo]

I'd say samyang 85 1.4 for portraits, and a da 50 1.8 would cover some ground. Or a wide prime instead of the 85 if landscapes are priority. I liked the samyang 14 2.8 while I had it.

[UncleVanya]

Hmmmm, used they are ...M50/2 = $25 M50/1.7 = $50 F50/1.7 = $100+ FA50/1.7 = $125-150 FA50/1.4 = $150-175

AF more than doubles the cost of the lens, adds more to fail, gives you a less robustly constructed lens, and some would say one that is at best no better optically and at worst not as good as the M50/1.7.....

I do not disagree with the math, I did disagree that there's much reliability downside and the absolute costs are very low in comparison to other lenses. Finally, SMC coating changed over time and the FA series seems the best of that lot.