[tokyoscape]

I have used some, test some and I would say, anyone of F, FA, DFA 50 macro f2.8 are very good. And iused it for mainly cityscape.. Looks like they have the same optic design but the built quality might go to F and FA version. And if you like an ugly looking lens, the FA version won’t disappoint you. They are autofocus lens and bleeding sharp from f4 on. If you want to do manual focus, the DFA version seems to have the best focus ring out of the 3 siblings.

At f8 - f11,. I think you cannot go wrong with any 50 new or old.

[ismaelg]

Autofocus? FA50 f1.7 or F50 f1.7
A series? A50 f1.7
M series? M50 f1.7
See a pattern here?
However, at f8 the A or M 50 f2 are more than capable and are very affordable.

[mlt]

Try an A style 50mm f1.7, you won’t be disappointed. They’re inexpensive in good condition, same optics as the M model, and the ability to automatically meter vs relying on the green button makes them more convenient. Plus they look good on the K1

[stevebrot]

I probably should have mentioned that. I'll be using this on a full frame K1.

No problem.

The short answer is the D FA* 50/1.4.

Coming back to reality, it is hard to go wrong with the Pentax-M 50/1.7 is mentioned so frequently above. The reason is that it and the later 50mm f/1.7 lenses performs better at all shared apertures than the other fast 50s excepting the D FA*. The M, A, F, and FA all share the same optics and are of similar size/weight, so the choice comes down to build and features. In short:

• The M is metal with excellent focus and aperture rings. Of the lenses on this list, it is usually the least expensive and the best value.
• The A is mostly plastic, but is very decent for manual focus too. Its strong point is that it allows aperture control by the body and use of all exposure modes on the K-1. However, it is seldom recommended due to high prevalence of internal breakage in the aperture ring detent mechanism resulting in the ring being inoperable.* If you get one for free, it is worth attempting repair. If not, I would pass.
• The F is also a plastic, but it adds auto focus. Manual focus is a significant step down in both utility and user experience.
• The FA has a nicer focus ring and appearance and a little nicer manual focus feel, but is still plastic. The FA 50/1.7 often goes for a premium price.

I own the M and A 50/1.7 and have been shooting with the M for almost 40 years on 35mm film. It does not disappoint. I also own the Pentax-K 55/1.8. Its optical design is inherited from the screw mount Takumar 55/1.8 lenses; it also does not disappoint. I have never done a head-to-head against the M 50/1.7, but would expect a tie in terms other then fine points of rendering. I like them both, what can I say.

In regards to the FA 43/1.8 Limited...it is a lovely lens and definitely worth shooting with. The flip side is that the field of view is visibly wider in the viewfinder than 50mm. If one tends to shoot wide, that is great. If not, get used to standing closer to your subject.

I have about 30 "fast 50s" across multiple mounts and while most are quite good, it is the M 50/1.7 and K 55/1.8 that float to the top.


Steve

* If it is inoperable and stuck in the "A" position, that is workable on a Pentax dSLR.

[Leumas]

They are all pretty epic at that aperture. I personally love my K50;1.4

But as others have said if you're only concerned about F8 and above, I'd go with the 50mm F4 Macro. Then you'll have the bonus of macro function and the lens is so far recessed in the body that it's basically a built in hood

---------- Post added 10-30-19 at 05:27 PM ----------

Plus it's a tessar design and I like their rendition

---------- Post added 10-30-19 at 05:29 PM ----------

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F4 Macro Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database


But if you want cheaper I'd grab the 50mm 1.7
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7 Reviews - M Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[Sandy Hancock]

This would mostly be for a landscape situation, rather than say portraiture.

Then I'd agree with Steve and the others. M50/1.7 all the way.

[motorhead9999]

Then I'd agree with Steve and the others. M50/1.7 all the way.

Other than being able to control the aperture with the camera body, is there an advantage to the M vs A optically? Or is it just a build quality preference?

[ramiot]

I own the A 50mm F:1.7, the M 50 F:1.7 and the FA 50mm F2.8 and although they are of the same quality level, I must admit that the A 50mm gets my preference in terms of frequency of use on my K1 Mark II.

Here are photos taken Tuesday on a cloudy day... with the A 50mm F:1.7



And with a long exposure of F:16

[Sandy Hancock]

Other than being able to control the aperture with the camera body, is there an advantage to the M vs A optically? Or is it just a build quality preference?

Build quality, and therefore reliability. I'm pretty sure they are the same optically.

[ramseybuckeye]

Like many have said, they will all work fine for manual focus landscapes. But you can always have a little variation from copy to copy.

[UncleVanya]

Any of the f2.8 50mm macro lenses will provide superior sharpness.

[Digitalis]

At f8 - f11,. I think you cannot go wrong with any 50 new or old.

^ THiS ^ With certain rare exceptions most 50mm lenses perform superbly at the f/8~f/11 aperture range.

[reh321]

I'm a bit overwhelmed by the choices for 50mm in the pentax line, and I was wondering if you all could help. I'm looking for a manual focus k mount lens in the 50mm range (so somewhere between 43 and 58 lets say). My only real requirement is that it's nice crisp and sharp at f/8 and f/11. Cost is somewhat of a restriction (I've heard great things about the 43mm limited, but I'm not sure if I want to spend 500ish dollars on one).


Thoughts would be appreciated!

You are aware that @Adam is giving one away this month, and you’ll be eligible for the ‘raffle’ if you have at least 10 posts this month?? {month ends in about 22 hours}

[disconnekt]

A Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm f1.7 would be another good lens to look at

[mikesbike]

I was "brought up" using an all manual SLR and lens (then, that was all there was!). A semi-fast 50mm was all I had for 6 years. I shot a lot of film , mostly slides, including landscape. Eventually, I acquired more advanced equipment and a greater selection of lenses. The most versatile, incorporating even better results for landscape efforts and other uses, were the FA 43mm for its totally natural perspective along with providing more in the frame compared with a 50mm lens, and for a much more reasonable cost, the even more versatile FA 35mm f/2 lens. I loved both on my 35mm film bodies. The latter is not of the supreme build quality of the Limited series, but good enough. There is now an upgraded HD version of this lens available new at reasonable cost. If I had a FF K-1, and did not already have either lens, the HD FA 35mm f/2 would certainly be on my short list. Good for a walk-around lens providing fine quality even at wide open aperture, and for landscape as well. It is compact, offsetting the weight of the K-1 body, making for good portability.