[stevebrot]

Why are people talking about the M 50 f2 when it's not it the OP's post at the top of the thread? He's asking about the Takumar 55mm f2.

Ooops!

[Ontarian50]

1.4's are cool, and everyone knows it

[From1980]

I have all these and many more so the "one 50mm" issue made me think a bit. Generally I have to agree with the f1.7 answer for most purposes. Although if you're in very low light a lot and like a little longer lens barrel with a bit more mass to hold the f1.4 may have a better feel. That 1.7 lens is almost like a pancake and little difficult for anyone with larger hands to use sometimes. The tak rendering could be appealing for some shots but if it was your only 50 you could find the K adapter a bother.

---------- Post added Jun 5th, 2019 at 12:54 ----------

1.4's are cool, and everyone knows it

Or...just find a f1.2 - very cool.

[Bui]

Looks like the M50 1.7 has a lot of good reviews. I have the F50 1.7, is it optically the same as the M?

[steamloco76]

I’ve owned two f1.7s, A and M, plus the f1.4 M. Both f1.7 lenses were far superior in every optical way to my copy of the f1.4 lens. I wish I’d kept one of the f1.7s

[Wheatfield]

Hi guys

If you had to keep only one 50mm lens which one would it be.

I have the:
smc pentax-m 1.4 50mm, smc pentax-m 1.7 50mm and the smc Takumar f2 55mm.

I can't keep them all and don't see any reason to.

Which one would you keep?

Thanks for the help.

Dirk

I have all of them as well. If I had to choose one, I would keep the 50/1.4. The 1.7 is the somewhat better lens, but the 1.4 is a 1.4.

[thisisforlife]

We all know Ken (one way or the other) but it also seems to be the general opinion on this forum as well.

https://kenrockwell.com/pentax/35mm/lenses/50mm-f17-smc-m.htm

[pres589]

I have all of them as well. If I had to choose one, I would keep the 50/1.4. The 1.7 is the somewhat better lens, but the 1.4 is a 1.4.

No compute.

[Wheatfield]

No compute.

It's around a half stop faster. I found the f/1.4 to be a much better lens at f/1.4…
The f/1.7 is a tiny bit better from f/1.7 to around f/4, and after that there isn't much to say between them. The 1.4 handles better, I found the 1.7 to be too short.

[monochrome]

I need the extra light of the f/1.4 for focusing. Since the 1.4 catches up with the 1.7 around f/4, you’re trading a extra 1/2 stop at the wide end a for bit of sharpness and flatness to f/4. It’s a matter of preference.

[MSL]

I have all of them as well. If I had to choose one, I would keep the 50/1.4. The 1.7 is the somewhat better lens, but the 1.4 is a 1.4.

I have the M50/1.4 and A50/1.7 and at least two or three 50 or 55 Taks. When I want to experiment, the M50/1.4 gives me more potential, but if I could only choose either of the K mount lenses, I'd probably stick with my A50/1.7 because I can trust it wide open, both for its own sharpness, and the likelihood I *might* get things into focus. I took the Taks out of the equation, because I consider all my m42 lenses things I experiment with when I feel like playing around with adapters, extension tubes etc etc.

[pres589]

If we're talking film, that 1/2 step faster f-stop is worth it at times. On digital, eh, I don't see it. I find the M 50 1.7 easy to manipulate even if it is about a centimeter shorter than the M 50 1.4.

To each his own, of course.

[Wasp]

This is a tough question. The Tak is becoming collectable. The M/1.4 is great for low light and bokeh portraits. The M/1.7 is easier to focus and very sharp.

I would say keep the M/1.7. It is a great all rounder.

On a strictly financial note, the M/1.7 is probably the least valuable of the three. The other two will fetch better prices.

[Wheatfield]

I have the M50/1.4 and A50/1.7 and at least two or three 50 or 55 Taks. When I want to experiment, the M50/1.4 gives me more potential, but if I could only choose either of the K mount lenses, I'd probably stick with my A50/1.7 because I can trust it wide open, both for its own sharpness, and the likelihood I *might* get things into focus. I took the Taks out of the equation, because I consider all my m42 lenses things I experiment with when I feel like playing around with adapters, extension tubes etc etc.

I feel the same way about the A 50/1.4. Of all my manual focus 50s, I like it's pictures the best. Of course now that I have the
D FA* 50....

[monochrome]

I feel the same way about the A 50/1.4. Of all my manual focus 50s, I like it's pictures the best. Of course now that I have the
D FA* 50....

Yes. I’ve held on to the A50/1.4 as well (but not the M, dupe Taks, dupe K’s, the F and FA50/1.4) since the DFA appeared on my desk last summer.