[nitrox28]

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I want to buy a 50mm prime next week, but I'm unsure of which one I should get? suggestions? It's for a K20D btw.

[PrimeObjectif]

Do you want to manually focus, or do you prefer AF? Most of the 1.7 50mm lenses are praised for their sharpness, and the 1.4 lenses for their more pleasing bokeh. If you're confident in using a lens without "A" contacts, then the M 50 f/1.7 is a pretty highly regarded MF 50. I'm guessing that if you go with a manual focus lens, life will be much easier for you if you get one with the "A" contacts. The A 50 f/1.4 is a very nice manual focus lens. The "A" 1.7 isn't bad, either, but it's not made as well as the 1.4. The 1.7 will certainly still allow you to experiment with depth of field and take nice portraits. Those who have one that is still in good shape seem to like it. If you need AF, then it may be tough to find anything other than the FA 50 1.4. You might want to shop around a bit for that lens, since it's price has gone up recently. You can still find it used here and many other places, too.

[WerTicus]

fa 50mm f1.4 is the standard answer

but if you have money to burn the DA* 55mm is a little bit better.

or this one!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SMC-Pentax-SMC-A-50mm-F1-2-Special_W0QQitemZ330388657...item4cecb2d387

looks purty :P

[brkl]

Helios 44K

[ricosuave]

I'd opt for the fa 50/1.7. pretty sharp wide open.

The Helios 44M or K... the Pentacon 50 1.8... the Pentax SMC tak 55 1.8 or 50 1.4 / 1.7 variants... no reason to spend more than 50 bucks for a fast 50 IMHO... these are all beautiful lenses

If you want to get fancy get the Nokton 58 1.4

[forensicscientist]

can be found easily....cheap, and easy to focus.

my 2 cents worth...

[nitrox28]

GREAT! Thanks for the feedback everyone!

WerTicus.....Holy balls! I think I'll pass on that one!

[Piotr]

Depends what you need. If you really need AF probably FA 50/1.4 is best choice. Great performance and reasonable price.

If you can accept manual focus my advice is A50/1.2 or K50/1.2, which is cheaper.

A50/1.2 is really sharp at f2.8+, has great bokeh and has f1.2 which can be usefull.

Pentax *ist DS ,Pentax smc P-A 50mm f/1.2 1/1000s f/1.2 at 50.0mm iso200

[Pentaxor]

Depends what you need. If you really need AF probably FA 50/1.4 is best choice. Great performance and reasonable price.

If you can accept manual focus my advice is A50/1.2 or K50/1.2, which is cheaper.

A50/1.2 is really sharp at f2.8+, has great bokeh and has f1.2 which can be usefull.

Pentax *ist DS ,Pentax smc P-A 50mm f/1.2 1/1000s f/1.2 at 50.0mm iso200

is that the price in Poland, Piotr ?

the K and the A 50/1.2 costs almost double or double than that of the FA50/1.4.

being an AF lenses doesn't always mean that they are more expensive. sometimes, it's in the glass and reputation of the glass itself.

[ryan s]

is that the price in Poland, Piotr ?

the K and the A 50/1.2 costs almost double or double than that of the FA50/1.4.

being an AF lenses doesn't always mean that they are more expensive. sometimes, it's in the glass and reputation of the glass itself.

Yeah, there's no way the f/1.2 MF glass is cheaper. If so...send me one Piotr

So...still not enough info...

I'll say the Auto Sears 55mm f/1.4 in M42 mount (made by Rikenon aka Ricoh). I have one I'll be putting up for sale...but I'm keeping one. It's the only lens I'm keeping my M42 to PK adapter for, if that says anything

[bdery]

The F 50 f1,7 is an excellent alternative, often selling used for half the price of the f1,4s versions. I think any 50 will be very useful really, even the f2s which are not AS good are still quite good in their own right.

[axl]

Yeah, there's no way the f/1.2 MF glass is cheaper. If so...send me one Piotr

So...still not enough info...

I'll say the Auto Sears 55mm f/1.4 in M42 mount (made by Rikenon aka Ricoh). I have one I'll be putting up for sale...but I'm keeping one. It's the only lens I'm keeping my M42 to PK adapter for, if that says anything

I think he meant that K50/1.2 is cheaper than it's A cousin, not that f1.2s are cheaper than f1.4s.

To OP,
as mentioned above, F50/1.7 is a freat AF 50. Really, really nice lens. I have one and as a matter of fact I may be selling it soon. Reason is that I just got K55/1.8 and I like it more. It has nicer (warmer) tone and better (smoother) bokeh IMO. I really do appreciate the AF and AE on F50 but I don't shoot so much 50s to keep 2 (though I may keep both, really haven't decided yet).
Anyway, if u don't mind MF and lacking f stop info in VF and exif, and stop down metering, I can only recomend K55.
BR
Peter

[nitrox28]

Ok, i'm looking all over B&H and I can't find it. am I missing something?

I'd opt for the fa 50/1.7. pretty sharp wide open.

[Piotr]

I think he meant that K50/1.2 is cheaper than it's A cousin, not that f1.2s are cheaper than f1.4s.

Exactly what I meat. Sorry for misunderstanding.
I bought my A50/1.1 from matsuiyastore at the end of 2008 for 500$.

BTW. Two weeks ago Porst 55/1.2 was bought on Allegro.pl - aukcje internetowe, bezpieczne zakupy for 150$.
Even now there is auction of COLOR REFLEX 1,2 / 55 mm with Buy it now option for 220$ Pentax PK: MC 1,2 / 55 mm COLOR REFLEX (857377455) - Aukcje internetowe Allegro - I'm not Seller