Which one to keep? smc pentax-m 1.4 50mm, smc pentax-m 1.7 50mm or tsmc Tak f2 55mm

thisisforlife · 06-05-2019, 02:42 AM

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

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**pepperberry farm** · 06-05-2019, 02:51 AM - **6 Likes**

I've never understood the entire "I can't keep them all" thing - why not?

you've already paid for them, they don't require feeding or veterinary care...

keep all three and look for more!

thisisforlife · 06-05-2019, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I've never understood the entire "I can't keep them all" thing - why not?

you've already paid for them, they don't require feeding or veterinary care...

keep all three and look for more!

Because I don't want to be greedy. And I do need to feed my kids. :-)

No seriously. Which one would you keep?

**pepperberry farm** · 06-05-2019, 03:24 AM - **4 Likes**

I'd shoot each one for a solid month in the Single In Challenge - at the end of three months, decide which one's shots you like the best and sell the other two...

**monochrome** · 06-05-2019, 03:26 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I'd shoot each one for a solid month in the Single In Challenge - at the end of three months, decide which one's shots you like the best and sell the other two...

Yep. Doesn’t matter which one I would keep, which would the OP keep?

**iheiramo** · 06-05-2019, 03:40 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I'd shoot each one for a solid month in the Single In Challenge - at the end of three months, decide which one's shots you like the best and sell the other two...

I second the motion.

I have M50f1.4/1.7/2/4. I've shot my month with them with APSC body and based on it I will let 1.4 and 2 go after I've shot an other month in FF with them. On condition that I get most of my 90€ and 30€ back from them. With these prices there really isn't any point to dump them at discount.

So my answer to your question is that I would keep M50/1.7.

**southlander** · 06-05-2019, 04:52 AM - **1 Like**

Based on my experience, I agree with iheiramo and would keep the M50/1.7.

Unregistered User · 06-05-2019, 05:18 AM - **1 Like**

I've had various Pentax 50s and if I had to keep only only one it would be the M 50mm f1.4. The "glow" wide open is a nice thing to have once in a while, as is the shallower DOF. Stopped down, they are all about the same, even the lowly 50mm f2.

**FozzFoster** · 06-05-2019, 06:26 AM - **1 Like**

I've had a flare issues with the 1.4. If I was allowed to only keep one without accessories, it would be the 1.7. With accessories (lens hood), it would be the 1.4. I think the artistic rendering on the 1.4 is preferable to the perhaps 'sharper' renderings of the 1.7.

thisisforlife · 06-05-2019, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by southlander

Based on my experience, I agree with iheiramo and would keep the M50/1.7.

Thank you

DeadJohn · 06-05-2019, 07:29 AM - **1 Like**

I would keep the 1.4, for low light and thinner depth of field.

**pres589** · 06-05-2019, 07:39 AM

I own all three and the first I would let go is the M 1.4. The Tak 55 f2 is nice but I would own it only due to having an m42 camera. The M 1.7 is a fantastic lens that I've considered getting a second as back-up. I believe the sharpness / resolving power it provides is equal to the M 1.4 closed down to f2.

At some point I'd like to sell the M 50 1.4 I own and use that to partially fund the purchase of a 55 f1.2.

stevebrot · 06-05-2019, 08:35 AM - **1 Like**

The M 50/1.7 is arguably the best optically and the M50/2.0 (not so arguably) the worst. The M 50/1.4 is useful if you need additional 1/2 stop maximum aperture. As noted above, unless you need the money, there is no harm keeping all three.

Edit: The OP did not include the M50/2.0, but did wonder about the SMC Takumar 55/2.0, a pretty decent lens. I would keep it, assuming that one likes the rendering and does not mind using full manual aperture.

Steve

tvdtvdtvd · 06-05-2019, 08:38 AM - **1 Like**

Lots of great advice above. I concur with the general agreement: shoot with all three for a while, compare the results and keep the one you
like best. All three are capable of great results.

Personally, I'd keep the M50/1.7, partly for sentimental reason. My first SLR was a secondhand ME Super with 50/1.7. I shot solely with that
combination for 2 years before I added another lens. I learned all the basics with that lens and captured a few decent images, (and perhaps
one or two really nice images). I've since acquired 4 more copies of the M50/1.7. Two of those additions are in better condition than my original,
but I could never give up that first lens.

**pres589** · 06-05-2019, 09:04 AM - **1 Like**

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.

06-05-2019, 06:26 AM - 1 Like	#9
FozzFoster Custom User Title Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	I've had a flare issues with the 1.4. If I was allowed to only keep one without accessories, it would be the 1.7. With accessories (lens hood), it would be the 1.4. I think the artistic rendering on the 1.4 is preferable to the perhaps 'sharper' renderings of the 1.7. Last edited by FozzFoster; 06-05-2019 at 06:59 AM.

06-05-2019, 08:35 AM - 1 Like	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	The M 50/1.7 is arguably the best optically and the M50/2.0 (not so arguably) the worst. The M 50/1.4 is useful if you need additional 1/2 stop maximum aperture. As noted above, unless you need the money, there is no harm keeping all three. Edit: The OP did not include the M50/2.0, but did wonder about the SMC Takumar 55/2.0, a pretty decent lens. I would keep it, assuming that one likes the rendering and does not mind using full manual aperture. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 06-05-2019 at 09:30 AM. Reason: wrong lens

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06-05-2019, 02:51 AM - 6 Likes	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,656	I've never understood the entire "I can't keep them all" thing - why not? you've already paid for them, they don't require feeding or veterinary care... keep all three and look for more!

06-05-2019, 03:23 AM	#3
thisisforlife New Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Antwerp Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I've never understood the entire "I can't keep them all" thing - why not? you've already paid for them, they don't require feeding or veterinary care... keep all three and look for more! Because I don't want to be greedy. And I do need to feed my kids. :-) No seriously. Which one would you keep?

06-05-2019, 03:24 AM - 4 Likes	#4
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,656	I'd shoot each one for a solid month in the Single In Challenge - at the end of three months, decide which one's shots you like the best and sell the other two...

06-05-2019, 03:26 AM - 2 Likes	#5
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I'd shoot each one for a solid month in the Single In Challenge - at the end of three months, decide which one's shots you like the best and sell the other two... Yep. Doesn’t matter which one I would keep, which would the OP keep?

06-05-2019, 03:40 AM - 2 Likes	#6
iheiramo Unoriginal Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Espoo Photos: Albums Posts: 3,182	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I'd shoot each one for a solid month in the Single In Challenge - at the end of three months, decide which one's shots you like the best and sell the other two... I second the motion. I have M50f1.4/1.7/2/4. I've shot my month with them with APSC body and based on it I will let 1.4 and 2 go after I've shot an other month in FF with them. On condition that I get most of my 90€ and 30€ back from them. With these prices there really isn't any point to dump them at discount. So my answer to your question is that I would keep M50/1.7.

06-05-2019, 04:52 AM - 1 Like	#7
southlander Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Adelaide Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,364	Based on my experience, I agree with iheiramo and would keep the M50/1.7.

06-05-2019, 05:18 AM - 1 Like	#8
Unregistered User Guest	I've had various Pentax 50s and if I had to keep only only one it would be the M 50mm f1.4. The "glow" wide open is a nice thing to have once in a while, as is the shallower DOF. Stopped down, they are all about the same, even the lowly 50mm f2.

06-05-2019, 06:28 AM	#10
thisisforlife New Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Antwerp Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by southlander Based on my experience, I agree with iheiramo and would keep the M50/1.7. Thank you

06-05-2019, 07:29 AM - 1 Like	#11
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	I would keep the 1.4, for low light and thinner depth of field.

06-05-2019, 07:39 AM	#12
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	I own all three and the first I would let go is the M 1.4. The Tak 55 f2 is nice but I would own it only due to having an m42 camera. The M 1.7 is a fantastic lens that I've considered getting a second as back-up. I believe the sharpness / resolving power it provides is equal to the M 1.4 closed down to f2. At some point I'd like to sell the M 50 1.4 I own and use that to partially fund the purchase of a 55 f1.2.

06-05-2019, 08:38 AM - 1 Like	#14
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Lots of great advice above. I concur with the general agreement: shoot with all three for a while, compare the results and keep the one you like best. All three are capable of great results. Personally, I'd keep the M50/1.7, partly for sentimental reason. My first SLR was a secondhand ME Super with 50/1.7. I shot solely with that combination for 2 years before I added another lens. I learned all the basics with that lens and captured a few decent images, (and perhaps one or two really nice images). I've since acquired 4 more copies of the M50/1.7. Two of those additions are in better condition than my original, but I could never give up that first lens.

06-05-2019, 09:04 AM - 1 Like	#15
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	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.

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