Fast 50mm manual lens choice?

Jonathan_tyf · 09-29-2019, 06:51 AM

Hello all,

I'm new to the forums, And recently i came across 2 fast 50mm lens to buy and facing a decision.

There is a pentax-M 50/1.4 and there's another third-party Auto-Revuenon 50mm 1.4 MC, the latter being 6$ cheaper

Both are highly appraised in the reviews, and I have a hard time deciding which to get.

Obviously the better way is to buy both and sell the least favorite one, but i don't think a third party lens would be easy to sell, in the case of the Revuenon.

I have the M 50/1.7 in my possession already, and considering to get a standard lens that gives smoother bokeh.

Does anyone here has both copies and have an opinion to share?

Thanks.

Wasp · 09-29-2019, 07:45 AM

I own an SMC Pentax M 50mm f/1.4 that I am very happy with, but I have no experience of the Revuenon.

Actually, get both. Each of the old school lenses have its own character and it is hard to say which one is best.

Not a Number · 09-29-2019, 08:02 AM

If you can afford them both go for it. You may even decide to keep them both. Either way I doubt you would have any problem recuperating what you paid by offering them on the Market Place.

pschlute · 09-29-2019, 08:05 AM

If you have an M 1.7 then you should save up for a "K" 50mm 1.2

**Just1MoreDave** · 09-29-2019, 09:43 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by Wasp

...
Actually, get both. Each of the old school lenses have its own character and it is hard to say which one is best.

Yes, this is going to be the problem. You have one very competent lens, the M50/1.7. But you know you can get a half stop faster pretty cheap, maybe a couple more aperture blades, perfectly reasonable. Next thing you swerve into something more exotic, like 8-element Taks or Industars. By the time you come up for air, there's a whole 50mm shelf and you can't remember exactly how you acquired a second M50/1.7.

Picturesque · 09-29-2019, 09:52 AM

Or Revuenon 55mm f1,2, which is excellent lens. It is recarded as better lens than Pentax A 50mm f1,2. I own Revuenon 55mm f1,2 and like it a lot.

**pepperberry farm** · 09-29-2019, 09:56 AM

there are a ton of fast and near-fast 50 and 55mm lenses....

(near fast is anything above f1.4 for me)

all of them with their own highlights and character....

stevebrot · 09-29-2019, 10:37 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

there are a ton of fast and near-fast 50 and 55mm lenses....

(near fast is anything above f1.4 for me)

all of them with their own highlights and character....

...and they are all too easy to collect, particularly if using/collecting film cameras is part of the hobby. I have 25+ fast 50s in several different mounts, almost of all of which are excellent, or close to such. FWIW, I only have three f/1.4 lenses and no particular desire to acquire more.

Steve

Jonathan_tyf · 09-29-2019, 12:45 PM - **1 Like**

thanks for all the replies,

I've decided to go for the M 50/1.4 first and pick up more in the future.

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

By the time you come up for air, there's a whole 50mm shelf and you can't remember exactly how you acquired a second M50/1.7.

that's exactly what i fear, I already have too many lens and cameras, more than i have time to take photos! XD
I've got the Pentax M and FA lens, Contax G system, Canon FD system, and several medium format cameras that I need a second box to put them in

**monochrome** · 09-29-2019, 01:11 PM

That’s a great choice!

ChristianRock · 09-29-2019, 03:46 PM - **1 Like**

My favorite 1.4 nifty-fifty is the Rikenon P 50mm f/1.4. I also have the XR version and it's a different optics with different coatings, the P is world better. It's pretty rare though.

But the M 50 1.4 is a really good lens. The bokeh is nicer and I find the colors are a bit nicer than the 1.7 versions when stopped down, but the 1.7 is very very good as well.

Another gem is the M 50 f4 Macro, if you want a lens to walk around in daylight. It's amazing for flowers, and the sharpness stopped down I think is better than the faster M versions. I recently did an f8 comparison between my K 50 1.2, M 50 f4 macro, M 50 1.4 and M 50 1.7 and the K 50 1.2 and M 50 f4 Macro were a bit sharper than the other two - though they were all sharp enough at f8! But let me tell you that in terms of colors/rendering, the M 50 1.4 was very very close to the larger/more premium K 50 1.2!

Please post some pictures once you get it

**Digitalis** · 09-29-2019, 06:28 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

I have 25+ fast 50s in several different mounts

Trying to catch up to me are you?

ChristianRock · 09-29-2019, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

Trying to catch up to me are you?

How many do you have these days? The other day I saw a post where you said you had over 160 nifty fifties*, but that surely has increased a bit by now?

*I was looking for info on the K 50 1.2 and came around that thread....

**Digitalis** · 09-30-2019, 01:50 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

How many do you have these days?

Easily over 200 by now. I don't have an exact head-count as I recently took on a few new [Leica,Voigtlander,Pentax,Zenitar] 50mm lenses and and assortment of old 50mm lenses some of which are in bad need of repair.

There are times I wish I had my optics bench up and running as the past decade has been really interesting as far as lenses go.

Ronald Oakes · 09-30-2019, 06:57 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

My favorite 1.4 nifty-fifty is the Rikenon P 50mm f/1.4. I also have the XR version and it's a different optics with different coatings, the P is world better. It's pretty rare though.

But the M 50 1.4 is a really good lens. The bokeh is nicer and I find the colors are a bit nicer than the 1.7 versions when stopped down, but the 1.7 is very very good as well.

Another gem is the M 50 f4 Macro, if you want a lens to walk around in daylight. It's amazing for flowers, and the sharpness stopped down I think is better than the faster M versions. I recently did an f8 comparison between my K 50 1.2, M 50 f4 macro, M 50 1.4 and M 50 1.7 and the K 50 1.2 and M 50 f4 Macro were a bit sharper than the other two - though they were all sharp enough at f8! But let me tell you that in terms of colors/rendering, the M 50 1.4 was very very close to the larger/more premium K 50 1.2!

Please post some pictures once you get it

I second the rikenon P 50mm 1.4 and the XR version of the same. +1

---------- Post added 09-30-19 at 07:02 ----------

Originally posted by Digitalis

<<Easily over 200 by now. I don't have an exact head-count >>

Holy Smokes !!!

09-29-2019, 06:51 AM	#1
Jonathan_tyf New Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 7	Fast 50mm manual lens choice? Hello all, I'm new to the forums, And recently i came across 2 fast 50mm lens to buy and facing a decision. There is a pentax-M 50/1.4 and there's another third-party Auto-Revuenon 50mm 1.4 MC, the latter being 6$ cheaper Both are highly appraised in the reviews, and I have a hard time deciding which to get. Obviously the better way is to buy both and sell the least favorite one, but i don't think a third party lens would be easy to sell, in the case of the Revuenon. I have the M 50/1.7 in my possession already, and considering to get a standard lens that gives smoother bokeh. Does anyone here has both copies and have an opinion to share? Thanks.

09-29-2019, 09:52 AM	#6
Picturesque Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 25	Fast 50mm manual lens choice? Or Revuenon 55mm f1,2, which is excellent lens. It is recarded as better lens than Pentax A 50mm f1,2. I own Revuenon 55mm f1,2 and like it a lot.

09-29-2019, 10:37 AM - 1 Like	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pepperberry farm there are a ton of fast and near-fast 50 and 55mm lenses.... (near fast is anything above f1.4 for me) all of them with their own highlights and character.... ...and they are all too easy to collect, particularly if using/collecting film cameras is part of the hobby. I have 25+ fast 50s in several different mounts, almost of all of which are excellent, or close to such. FWIW, I only have three f/1.4 lenses and no particular desire to acquire more. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 09-29-2019 at 11:23 AM.

09-29-2019, 03:46 PM - 1 Like	#11
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	My favorite 1.4 nifty-fifty is the Rikenon P 50mm f/1.4. I also have the XR version and it's a different optics with different coatings, the P is world better. It's pretty rare though. But the M 50 1.4 is a really good lens. The bokeh is nicer and I find the colors are a bit nicer than the 1.7 versions when stopped down, but the 1.7 is very very good as well. Another gem is the M 50 f4 Macro, if you want a lens to walk around in daylight. It's amazing for flowers, and the sharpness stopped down I think is better than the faster M versions. I recently did an f8 comparison between my K 50 1.2, M 50 f4 macro, M 50 1.4 and M 50 1.7 and the K 50 1.2 and M 50 f4 Macro were a bit sharper than the other two - though they were all sharp enough at f8! But let me tell you that in terms of colors/rendering, the M 50 1.4 was very very close to the larger/more premium K 50 1.2! Please post some pictures once you get it Last edited by ChristianRock; 09-29-2019 at 03:52 PM.

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09-29-2019, 07:45 AM	#2
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I own an SMC Pentax M 50mm f/1.4 that I am very happy with, but I have no experience of the Revuenon. Actually, get both. Each of the old school lenses have its own character and it is hard to say which one is best.

09-29-2019, 08:02 AM	#3
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	If you can afford them both go for it. You may even decide to keep them both. Either way I doubt you would have any problem recuperating what you paid by offering them on the Market Place.

09-29-2019, 08:05 AM	#4
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	If you have an M 1.7 then you should save up for a "K" 50mm 1.2

09-29-2019, 09:43 AM - 4 Likes	#5
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Wasp ... Actually, get both. Each of the old school lenses have its own character and it is hard to say which one is best. Yes, this is going to be the problem. You have one very competent lens, the M50/1.7. But you know you can get a half stop faster pretty cheap, maybe a couple more aperture blades, perfectly reasonable. Next thing you swerve into something more exotic, like 8-element Taks or Industars. By the time you come up for air, there's a whole 50mm shelf and you can't remember exactly how you acquired a second M50/1.7.

09-29-2019, 09:56 AM	#7
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	there are a ton of fast and near-fast 50 and 55mm lenses.... (near fast is anything above f1.4 for me) all of them with their own highlights and character....

09-29-2019, 12:45 PM - 1 Like	#9
Jonathan_tyf New Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 7 Original Poster	thanks for all the replies, I've decided to go for the M 50/1.4 first and pick up more in the future. Originally posted by Just1MoreDave By the time you come up for air, there's a whole 50mm shelf and you can't remember exactly how you acquired a second M50/1.7. that's exactly what i fear, I already have too many lens and cameras, more than i have time to take photos! XD I've got the Pentax M and FA lens, Contax G system, Canon FD system, and several medium format cameras that I need a second box to put them in

09-29-2019, 01:11 PM	#10
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	That’s a great choice!

09-29-2019, 06:28 PM - 1 Like	#12
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by stevebrot I have 25+ fast 50s in several different mounts Trying to catch up to me are you?

09-29-2019, 07:00 PM	#13
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by Digitalis Trying to catch up to me are you? How many do you have these days? The other day I saw a post where you said you had over 160 nifty fifties, but that surely has increased a bit by now? I was looking for info on the K 50 1.2 and came around that thread....

09-30-2019, 01:50 AM - 2 Likes	#14
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by ChristianRock How many do you have these days? Easily over 200 by now. I don't have an exact head-count as I recently took on a few new [Leica,Voigtlander,Pentax,Zenitar] 50mm lenses and and assortment of old 50mm lenses some of which are in bad need of repair. There are times I wish I had my optics bench up and running as the past decade has been really interesting as far as lenses go.

09-30-2019, 06:57 AM - 1 Like	#15
Ronald Oakes Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,583	Originally posted by ChristianRock My favorite 1.4 nifty-fifty is the Rikenon P 50mm f/1.4. I also have the XR version and it's a different optics with different coatings, the P is world better. It's pretty rare though. But the M 50 1.4 is a really good lens. The bokeh is nicer and I find the colors are a bit nicer than the 1.7 versions when stopped down, but the 1.7 is very very good as well. Another gem is the M 50 f4 Macro, if you want a lens to walk around in daylight. It's amazing for flowers, and the sharpness stopped down I think is better than the faster M versions. I recently did an f8 comparison between my K 50 1.2, M 50 f4 macro, M 50 1.4 and M 50 1.7 and the K 50 1.2 and M 50 f4 Macro were a bit sharper than the other two - though they were all sharp enough at f8! But let me tell you that in terms of colors/rendering, the M 50 1.4 was very very close to the larger/more premium K 50 1.2! Please post some pictures once you get it I second the rikenon P 50mm 1.4 and the XR version of the same. +1 ---------- Post added 09-30-19 at 07:02 ---------- Originally posted by Digitalis <<Easily over 200 by now. I don't have an exact head-count >> Holy Smokes !!!