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dlee · 07-03-2007, 10:09 PM

Good evenin'

I currently have the Pentax F50mm 2.8 Macro and the A50mm 1.7.
Is it worth getting the FA 50mm 1.4 lenses just for autofocus ?? (and the extra stops?)

David

TDN · 07-04-2007, 02:14 AM

depends on how bad you want AF.

For me: no

**and** · 07-04-2007, 02:52 AM

I dont see the point in having so many 50's. Id say no, but then I dont use AF much anyways. The A also has nicer build quality. 1.7 vs 1.4 you are not loosing much light.

carpents · 07-04-2007, 04:38 AM

Originally posted by dlee

Good evenin'

I currently have the Pentax F50mm 2.8 Macro and the A50mm 1.7.
Is it worth getting the FA 50mm 1.4 lenses just for autofocus ?? (and the extra stops?)

David

(All comments IMO.)

Just for autofocus - no.

I would get the FA 50/1.4 because of its superiority in out-of-focus rendering and the additional light gathering. A half stop is a half stop, why wouldn't you want it? It is just as sharp at comparable apertures and yes, provides you autofocus if you're in a pinch.
(If prices weren't insane I would suggest a Pentax-A version instead because I like the feel of the manual focus lenses better.

And for the comment that you have 'too many' 50mm lenses...ummm...check out this:
My Normal Lens Shootout (In Progress)

**igowerf** · 07-04-2007, 11:53 AM

I would say that it depends on what you use your fast 50mm lens for. I use it for indoor events and parties; however, I've found that the AF on my FA 50mm isn't very fast, but it still helps. My DA 40mm seems to autofocus much faster.

attack11 · 07-04-2007, 12:18 PM

the bokeh of the fa50 is amazing. i find it focuses very fast on my k10d. it's easily the lens i use the most even though i prefer to shoot wide.

f1.4 simply rocks depending on how you use it.

Ben_Edict · 07-04-2007, 02:47 PM

Yes, it is absolutely worth getting the FA 1.4/50. I have all the lenses you have and some more (M 1.4/50 and 1.7/50, A 1.4/50). Though the build quality of the A lens is better or at least more confidence building, the FA is in no way an inferior lens. It is AF, which means it needs to be looser and contains more plastics. But I really like it and don't use the manual lenses anymore (except the macro, of course). The AF on the K10D is fast and reliable and despite the small manual focus ring, it is quite useable. The sharpness, colour and out-of-focus rendering is very, very good. For me one of the most often used lenses since I bought it only two months ago.

regards
Ben

07-03-2007, 10:09 PM	#1
dlee New Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Victoria, BC Canada Posts: 17	50mm lenses Good evenin' I currently have the Pentax F50mm 2.8 Macro and the A50mm 1.7. Is it worth getting the FA 50mm 1.4 lenses just for autofocus ?? (and the extra stops?) David

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07-04-2007, 02:14 AM	#2
TDN Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 94	depends on how bad you want AF. For me: no

07-04-2007, 02:52 AM	#3
and Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,472	I dont see the point in having so many 50's. Id say no, but then I dont use AF much anyways. The A also has nicer build quality. 1.7 vs 1.4 you are not loosing much light.

07-04-2007, 04:38 AM	#4
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	Originally posted by dlee Good evenin' I currently have the Pentax F50mm 2.8 Macro and the A50mm 1.7. Is it worth getting the FA 50mm 1.4 lenses just for autofocus ?? (and the extra stops?) David (All comments IMO.) Just for autofocus - no. I would get the FA 50/1.4 because of its superiority in out-of-focus rendering and the additional light gathering. A half stop is a half stop, why wouldn't you want it? It is just as sharp at comparable apertures and yes, provides you autofocus if you're in a pinch. (If prices weren't insane I would suggest a Pentax-A version instead because I like the feel of the manual focus lenses better. And for the comment that you have 'too many' 50mm lenses...ummm...check out this: My Normal Lens Shootout (In Progress)

07-04-2007, 11:53 AM	#5
igowerf Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 389	I would say that it depends on what you use your fast 50mm lens for. I use it for indoor events and parties; however, I've found that the AF on my FA 50mm isn't very fast, but it still helps. My DA 40mm seems to autofocus much faster.

07-04-2007, 12:18 PM	#6
attack11 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON - Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 659	the bokeh of the fa50 is amazing. i find it focuses very fast on my k10d. it's easily the lens i use the most even though i prefer to shoot wide. f1.4 simply rocks depending on how you use it.

07-04-2007, 02:47 PM	#7
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,303	Yes, it is absolutely worth getting the FA 1.4/50. I have all the lenses you have and some more (M 1.4/50 and 1.7/50, A 1.4/50). Though the build quality of the A lens is better or at least more confidence building, the FA is in no way an inferior lens. It is AF, which means it needs to be looser and contains more plastics. But I really like it and don't use the manual lenses anymore (except the macro, of course). The AF on the K10D is fast and reliable and despite the small manual focus ring, it is quite useable. The sharpness, colour and out-of-focus rendering is very, very good. For me one of the most often used lenses since I bought it only two months ago. regards Ben