If you could have only 2 lenses in the 50mm(ish) range, which two would you pick?

**Clinton** · 03-20-2010, 03:17 PM

This poll is all the Pentax K mount lenses in the 50mm+-8 range that I could find. It's as comprehensive as an hour's worth of research could uncover. If I've left yours out, sorry, I've given you an "other" category.

The criteria for this poll is this. You're headed out for full day & evening of shooting the types of subject you like to shoot. You're only taking two lenses with you, and they're both 50mm(ish) primes.

In preperation for this day, you're going to purchase two lenses (if you don't already own them).

We all have an assortment of reasons to pick one lens over another. IQ, speed, bokeh, auto focus, manual focus, money, SDM, availability, etc. We all like to shoot different subjects.

Which two lenses would you choose to take with you?

Edit: The lenses listed are only K mount lenses. If you're voting for an adapted lens, you'll have to vote other and add some comments below.

Last edited by Clinton; 03-21-2010 at 04:04 PM.

**Canada_Rockies** · 03-20-2010, 03:42 PM

I chose the FA 50 macro and the A 50/1.2. The DA* 55 is a thought, but I would rather have the light gathering of the 1.2.

Andrew Faires · 03-20-2010, 03:43 PM

I'd only take one and that's the 43mm. I've never had a reason to want for anything else in that focal range since I got it close to 10 years ago.

arpaagent · 03-20-2010, 05:33 PM

I chose FA 43/1.9 Ltd and SMC Pentax-A 50/1.2. Good compromised pair of full blown speed and IQ in the 50 vs. small, light, fast, sharp, and AF in the 43. I already own the two so I no longer search much for lenses in this range

. Although I wouldn't mind trying out the Zeiss 50/1.4 or 50/2 Macro Planar T lenses. I bet those would give my 50/1.2 a run for it's money.

Fixcinater · 03-20-2010, 06:14 PM

Out of the ones I own:

Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4
OR
Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8
AND
Helios 58mm f/2.0

f/1.2 would be cool just for the zing factor, but I don't see too much use for it, f/1.4 has shallow enough DOF and usually 3200 ASA gives me what I need for light gathering.

tokyoso · 03-20-2010, 06:38 PM

M50 1.4 or Zeiss Planar - which I don't have

**Clinton** · 03-21-2010, 10:04 AM

Surprises so far? I didn't think as many people would vote for the A/1.2, and I didn't know the DA* 55mm was so well loved.

sterretje · 03-21-2010, 12:33 PM

The extreme sides in focal length
FA43 and a 55mm macro

séamuis · 03-21-2010, 12:58 PM

no takumar 55's? then no vote.

Pentaxor · 03-21-2010, 01:48 PM

A50/1.2 and FA50/2.8

vsl3-e · 03-21-2010, 03:18 PM

Voigtländer 58 for manual focusing an Pentax 43mm. Unfortunately i only have the A 50 1.7, but still very good

**Clinton** · 03-21-2010, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by séamuis

no takumar 55's? then no vote.

Sorry, I didn't include any non K-mount lenses. I should have mentioned that in the poll. (and am editing the original now)

feverbeaver · 03-21-2010, 04:06 PM

- DA* 55mm (fast, WR and great bokeh)
- A 50mm 2.8 Macro (small, very good for quick marcos)

**robbiec** · 03-21-2010, 05:46 PM

I've picked two lenses I already have; the sublime 43 Limited and the Auto Chinon 50 f1.7
Enough has been written extolling the virtues of the 43

but bang for buck nothing and I mean nothing comes close to a good copy of the little Chinon. For colour rendition its very close to the other underrated 50 the K55 f1.8 and you can pick them up for next to nothing

. Its their OOF blending of colours that make them stand out for me.

Pentaxor · 03-21-2010, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by robbiec

I've picked two lenses I already have; the sublime 43 Limited and the Auto Chinon 50 f1.7
Enough has been written extolling the virtues of the 43

but bang for buck nothing and I mean nothing comes close to a good copy of the little Chinon. For colour rendition its very close to the other underrated 50 the K55 f1.8 and you can pick them up for next to nothing

. Its their OOF blending of colours that make them stand out for me.

it's their underrated status that kept it cheap. only people with first hand experience knows what this lens is capable of or what to expect. and honestly, I prefer this over it's 1.4 and 1.7 cousins. the bokeh of the K55/1.8 somehow renders to my liking. honestly, it's the 2nd best 50mm in terms of bokeh and colour rendition, next to the 1.2.

View Poll Results: If you could have only 2 lenses in the 50mm(ish) range, which two would you pick?
SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM	43	25.44%
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited	73	43.20%
SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4	25	14.79%
SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7	6	3.55%
SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro	19	11.24%
SMC Pentax-F 50mm F1.4	2	1.18%
SMC Pentax-F 50mm F1.7	8	4.73%
SMC Pentax-F 50mm F2.8 Macro	7	4.14%
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2	40	23.67%
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4	3	1.78%
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.7	2	1.18%
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2	1	0.59%
SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro	5	2.96%
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4	7	4.14%
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7	5	2.96%
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F2	2	1.18%
SMC Pentax-M 50mm F4 Macro	1	0.59%
SMC Pentax 50mm F1.2 (K)	5	2.96%
SMC Pentax 50mm F1.4 (K)	1	0.59%
SMC Pentax 50mm F4 Macro (K)	1	0.59%
SMC Pentax 55mm F1.8 (K)	3	1.78%
SMC Pentax 55mm F2 (K)	0	0%
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG	0	0%
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM	9	5.33%
Sigma MACRO 50mm F2.8 EX DG	1	0.59%
Cosina 55mm F1.2	3	1.78%
Zeiss Planar T 50mm F1.4	7	4.14%
Rikoh Rikenon P 50mm F1.7	1	0.59%
Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm f/2.0	0	0%
Voigtländer 58mm f1.4	3	1.78%
Voigtländer NOKTON 1.4/58mm SL II	22	13.02%
Helios 77M-4 MC 50mm F1.8	1	0.59%
Porst 55mm F1.2 Color Reflex MC Auto	2	1.18%
Porst 55mm f1.4 Color Reflex Auto	0	0%
KMZ Helios 44-2 58mm F/2	5	2.96%
Auto Chinon 50mm f1.7	1	0.59%
Lensbaby Muse	0	0%
Lensbaby Composer	1	0.59%
Lensbaby Control Freak	0	0%
Other 42 through 58mm prime lens	8	4.73%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 169. You may not vote on this poll

03-20-2010, 03:17 PM	#1
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910	If you could have only 2 lenses in the 50mm(ish) range, which two would you pick? This poll is all the Pentax K mount lenses in the 50mm+-8 range that I could find. It's as comprehensive as an hour's worth of research could uncover. If I've left yours out, sorry, I've given you an "other" category. The criteria for this poll is this. You're headed out for full day & evening of shooting the types of subject you like to shoot. You're only taking two lenses with you, and they're both 50mm(ish) primes. In preperation for this day, you're going to purchase two lenses (if you don't already own them). We all have an assortment of reasons to pick one lens over another. IQ, speed, bokeh, auto focus, manual focus, money, SDM, availability, etc. We all like to shoot different subjects. Which two lenses would you choose to take with you? Edit: The lenses listed are only K mount lenses. If you're voting for an adapted lens, you'll have to vote other and add some comments below. Last edited by Clinton; 03-21-2010 at 04:04 PM.

03-21-2010, 06:25 PM	#15
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	K55/1.8 Originally posted by robbiec I've picked two lenses I already have; the sublime 43 Limited and the Auto Chinon 50 f1.7 Enough has been written extolling the virtues of the 43 but bang for buck nothing and I mean nothing comes close to a good copy of the little Chinon. For colour rendition its very close to the other underrated 50 the K55 f1.8 and you can pick them up for next to nothing . Its their OOF blending of colours that make them stand out for me. it's their underrated status that kept it cheap. only people with first hand experience knows what this lens is capable of or what to expect. and honestly, I prefer this over it's 1.4 and 1.7 cousins. the bokeh of the K55/1.8 somehow renders to my liking. honestly, it's the 2nd best 50mm in terms of bokeh and colour rendition, next to the 1.2.

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03-20-2010, 03:42 PM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	I chose the FA 50 macro and the A 50/1.2. The DA* 55 is a thought, but I would rather have the light gathering of the 1.2.

03-20-2010, 03:43 PM	#3
Andrew Faires Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 744	I'd only take one and that's the 43mm. I've never had a reason to want for anything else in that focal range since I got it close to 10 years ago.

03-20-2010, 05:33 PM	#4
arpaagent Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 803	I chose FA 43/1.9 Ltd and SMC Pentax-A 50/1.2. Good compromised pair of full blown speed and IQ in the 50 vs. small, light, fast, sharp, and AF in the 43. I already own the two so I no longer search much for lenses in this range . Although I wouldn't mind trying out the Zeiss 50/1.4 or 50/2 Macro Planar T lenses. I bet those would give my 50/1.2 a run for it's money.

03-20-2010, 06:14 PM	#5
Fixcinater Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 409	Out of the ones I own: Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 OR Super Takumar 55mm f/1.8 AND Helios 58mm f/2.0 f/1.2 would be cool just for the zing factor, but I don't see too much use for it, f/1.4 has shallow enough DOF and usually 3200 ASA gives me what I need for light gathering.

03-20-2010, 06:38 PM	#6
tokyoso Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tokyo Photos: Albums Posts: 723	M50 1.4 or Zeiss Planar - which I don't have

03-21-2010, 10:04 AM	#7
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910 Original Poster	Surprises so far? I didn't think as many people would vote for the A/1.2, and I didn't know the DA* 55mm was so well loved.

03-21-2010, 12:33 PM	#8
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	The extreme sides in focal length FA43 and a 55mm macro

03-21-2010, 12:58 PM	#9
séamuis Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Savannah, U.S./Baguio City, P.H. Posts: 5,979	no takumar 55's? then no vote.

03-21-2010, 01:48 PM	#10
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	A50/1.2 and FA50/2.8

03-21-2010, 03:18 PM	#11
vsl3-e Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bratislava, Slovakia Photos: Albums Posts: 116	Voigtländer 58 for manual focusing an Pentax 43mm. Unfortunately i only have the A 50 1.7, but still very good

03-21-2010, 04:02 PM	#12
Clinton Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by séamuis no takumar 55's? then no vote. Sorry, I didn't include any non K-mount lenses. I should have mentioned that in the poll. (and am editing the original now)

03-21-2010, 04:06 PM	#13
feverbeaver Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Langen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 106	- DA* 55mm (fast, WR and great bokeh) - A 50mm 2.8 Macro (small, very good for quick marcos)

03-21-2010, 05:46 PM	#14
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	I've picked two lenses I already have; the sublime 43 Limited and the Auto Chinon 50 f1.7 Enough has been written extolling the virtues of the 43 but bang for buck nothing and I mean nothing comes close to a good copy of the little Chinon. For colour rendition its very close to the other underrated 50 the K55 f1.8 and you can pick them up for next to nothing . Its their OOF blending of colours that make them stand out for me.