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Nick Siebers · 09-02-2009, 05:37 PM

Pentax's f/1.7 50mms are different lenses than their f/1.4 50mms. Fewer aperture blades, a little sharper wide open, different (some would say worse) bokeh. I use an F 50/1.7 and like it a lot, but it is a little long for indoors. The DA 40mm is better, although not very fast. The Sigma 30/1.4 mentioned above gets good reviews, but in truth, narrow DOF isn't great for birthday party shooting. I prefer the FA 20-35mm f/4 plus a bounce flash, probably the kit lens could do well too

Andi Lo · 09-02-2009, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by Rondec

Interestingly, you can still find the FA 50 f1.7 out there, for a reasonable price in some places.50mm f/1.7 SMCP-FA Standard Lens

I just read up a bit about this store and they seem REALLY suspect. Buyer beware

I hate 50mm... more like I hate the FOV. Other than shooting portraits (which it does AMAZING job at), I feel a bit constrained by the FOV. I've been trying to cure this by sticking the FA 50 on my camera for a week to get used to the FOV. Optically, though I can say that it's a great lens, very contrasty and sharp with great colors and bokeh

Nothing beats the FA 50 on film though, now that's a FOV I love.

**Rondec** · 09-02-2009, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

I just read up a bit about this store and they seem REALLY suspect. Buyer beware

I hate 50mm... more like I hate the FOV. Other than shooting portraits (which it does AMAZING job at), I feel a bit constrained by the FOV. I've been trying to cure this by sticking the FA 50 on my camera for a week to get used to the FOV. Optically, though I can say that it's a great lens, very contrasty and sharp with great colors and bokeh

Nothing beats the FA 50 on film though, now that's a FOV I love.

Yeah, sorry about posting that link. Cambridge World looks like a no fly zone. Pretty similar to Broadway Photo. May be able to find it somewhere else, just seems like the prices have been climbing considerably on the Fa lenses.

Ari · 09-03-2009, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by egordon99

Hi Ari! Long time no see

Still shooting Pentax?

Hi! Yep - still shooting Pentax - sorry to hearyou left the fold

**monochrome** · 09-03-2009, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Yeah, sorry about posting that link. Cambridge World looks like a no fly zone. Pretty similar to Broadway Photo. May be able to find it somewhere else, just seems like the prices have been climbing considerably on the Fa lenses.

Cambridge and Broadway are basically the same people.

And the same business model.

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09-02-2009, 05:37 PM	#16
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Pentax's f/1.7 50mms are different lenses than their f/1.4 50mms. Fewer aperture blades, a little sharper wide open, different (some would say worse) bokeh. I use an F 50/1.7 and like it a lot, but it is a little long for indoors. The DA 40mm is better, although not very fast. The Sigma 30/1.4 mentioned above gets good reviews, but in truth, narrow DOF isn't great for birthday party shooting. I prefer the FA 20-35mm f/4 plus a bounce flash, probably the kit lens could do well too

09-02-2009, 05:39 PM	#17
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Originally posted by Rondec Interestingly, you can still find the FA 50 f1.7 out there, for a reasonable price in some places.50mm f/1.7 SMCP-FA Standard Lens I just read up a bit about this store and they seem REALLY suspect. Buyer beware I hate 50mm... more like I hate the FOV. Other than shooting portraits (which it does AMAZING job at), I feel a bit constrained by the FOV. I've been trying to cure this by sticking the FA 50 on my camera for a week to get used to the FOV. Optically, though I can say that it's a great lens, very contrasty and sharp with great colors and bokeh Nothing beats the FA 50 on film though, now that's a FOV I love.

09-02-2009, 06:35 PM	#18
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,666	Originally posted by Andi Lo I just read up a bit about this store and they seem REALLY suspect. Buyer beware I hate 50mm... more like I hate the FOV. Other than shooting portraits (which it does AMAZING job at), I feel a bit constrained by the FOV. I've been trying to cure this by sticking the FA 50 on my camera for a week to get used to the FOV. Optically, though I can say that it's a great lens, very contrasty and sharp with great colors and bokeh Nothing beats the FA 50 on film though, now that's a FOV I love. Yeah, sorry about posting that link. Cambridge World looks like a no fly zone. Pretty similar to Broadway Photo. May be able to find it somewhere else, just seems like the prices have been climbing considerably on the Fa lenses.

09-03-2009, 10:11 AM	#19
Ari Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 856	Originally posted by egordon99 Hi Ari! Long time no see Still shooting Pentax? Hi! Yep - still shooting Pentax - sorry to hearyou left the fold

09-03-2009, 11:14 AM	#20
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Rondec Yeah, sorry about posting that link. Cambridge World looks like a no fly zone. Pretty similar to Broadway Photo. May be able to find it somewhere else, just seems like the prices have been climbing considerably on the Fa lenses. Cambridge and Broadway are basically the same people. And the same business model.

Pentax Normal SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Autofocus Lens......couple questions.

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