upgrade from pentax-a 50mm 1.7 to FA 50mm 1.4?

angelo9978 · 04-08-2010, 04:43 AM

Hello,
I currently own the Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 lens, and am happy with that. However, I have an opportunity to get a like new FA 50mm f 1.4 lens for $220. My question is whether or not anyone who has used both would make the move? I don't think it can get much sharper than the pentax-a lens, but is the FA an upgrade for the f1.4 (is 1.4 usable for weddings)? I can probably sell the A lens for $120-140 pretty fast, so I'm looking at a $100 net out of my pocket for the FA.

bdery · 04-08-2010, 05:35 AM

I went the reverse way, I had an A50 f1.4 and purchased an F50 f1.7. The f1,7 is sharper wide open than the f1,4 at f1.8 (the closest similar setting). Onward both are equally sharp (the edge is with the f1.7 maybe), the bokeh of the f1,4 is smoother (not by much) but the colours are better with the f1.7.

The one big differenciator for me was AF and sharpness wide open. I never used the f1,4 wider than f2, and now I can use the f1,7 wide open without sweat.

so the question is : are AF and a slightly different image reendering (not better, just different) worth 100$ It's your call, but I'd say you could get the FA, test it, and resell it for a profit if you don't like it. Otherwise, indeed you're looking at a net expense of about 100$.

For the record, I'd do it, even though I love the feeling of A lenses.

legacyb4 · 04-08-2010, 06:24 AM

I started with an A 50mm F1.7, upgraded to an A 50mm F1.4, then picked up an FA 50 F1.4 and ended up keeping both F1.4s.

I use the FA a lot (auto focus is convenient) but there's a luxurious feeling of having a well-damped throw in a manual focus lens for going out and doing some shooting.

Originally posted by bdery

For the record, I'd do it, even though I love the feeling of A lenses.

bdery · 04-08-2010, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by legacyb4

I use the FA a lot (auto focus is convenient) but there's a luxurious feeling of having a well-damped throw in a manual focus lens for going out and doing some shooting.

I have my FA 50 macro with focus clamp just for that

I agree with you on the feeling of a true MF lens. but convenience is pretty high on my list too .

JeffJS · 04-08-2010, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by angelo9978

Hello,
I currently own the Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 lens, and am happy with that. However, I have an opportunity to get a like new FA 50mm f 1.4 lens for $220. My question is whether or not anyone who has used both would make the move? I don't think it can get much sharper than the pentax-a lens, but is the FA an upgrade for the f1.4 (is 1.4 usable for weddings)? I can probably sell the A lens for $120-140 pretty fast, so I'm looking at a $100 net out of my pocket for the FA.

OR, you could pay the $220 for the FA50 and resell it. Take the profit and put it towards something else. $120-$140 for an A50 f1.7 may be a stretch and you're more likely to be able to resell the FA50. A50 f1.4 lenses can be had for that. Unless you have to have AF though, I wouldn't make the switch. The f1.7 is a fantastic lens and the half stop isn't going to buy you very much. From your sig, you obviously don't have a problem with manual lenses.

Either way, basing a decision like this on what you Think you may get for a resale, Bad idea. Figure on keeping both lenses if you buy the FA50. Just kiss the money goodbye. If you're able to resell one or both, great (not saying you won't). Recovering money on a deal like this depends on 2 things. Somebody looking for what you have, and somebody willing to pay the price you want.

Blue · 04-08-2010, 09:08 AM

The FA 50mm is a great lens, but it is a PITA to mf. If you want af, that is the way to go. If you want a good af lens and a good mf lens, keep both.

ajuett · 04-08-2010, 09:16 AM

The A 50mm f/1.7 is a very nice lens, I think better than the FA f/1.4. If you need Af then get the FA f/1.4, if not, just stay with what you have.

angelo9978 · 04-08-2010, 03:28 PM

Thanks everyone for your input. I actually haven't used an af lens, and am worried that I'd be going to manually focus it anyway if I'm shooting in less than ideal situations, which I do a lot. Also, since I wouldn't be gaining much in speed, then it'll just be a redundant lens in my collection. I'm going to stick with the trusty A f1.7 lens. I have actually grown to love to manually focus, even though it does mean I have a percentage of a bit not totally tack pictures, for which I take a couple quick shots of what I think is in focus and a little turn more especially for landscape photos. For those who have problems with seeing totally sharp in the viewfinder, I stand by the tenpa 1.36x viewfinder magnifier on ebay. It has drastically improved my % of hitting the sweet spot. And that .36x magnification makes a lot of difference to me when not zoomed in.

Because of you all, I've avoided LBA, even though I think the FA is a good deal, especially if it was like new upon inspection. You are right in that I'd be better off putting the money to better use by getting a good wideangle lens, and I also would rather not deal with resale unless I have to.

Thanks again!

now to search/save for a 16-45 or 17-70 or 16-50 or nice wide prime

bdery · 04-09-2010, 10:03 AM

Why not buy it and resell it for a profit?

04-08-2010, 04:43 AM	#1
angelo9978 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 231	upgrade from pentax-a 50mm 1.7 to FA 50mm 1.4? Hello, I currently own the Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 lens, and am happy with that. However, I have an opportunity to get a like new FA 50mm f 1.4 lens for $220. My question is whether or not anyone who has used both would make the move? I don't think it can get much sharper than the pentax-a lens, but is the FA an upgrade for the f1.4 (is 1.4 usable for weddings)? I can probably sell the A lens for $120-140 pretty fast, so I'm looking at a $100 net out of my pocket for the FA.

04-08-2010, 03:28 PM	#8
angelo9978 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 231 Original Poster	just keeping the a 1.7 Thanks everyone for your input. I actually haven't used an af lens, and am worried that I'd be going to manually focus it anyway if I'm shooting in less than ideal situations, which I do a lot. Also, since I wouldn't be gaining much in speed, then it'll just be a redundant lens in my collection. I'm going to stick with the trusty A f1.7 lens. I have actually grown to love to manually focus, even though it does mean I have a percentage of a bit not totally tack pictures, for which I take a couple quick shots of what I think is in focus and a little turn more especially for landscape photos. For those who have problems with seeing totally sharp in the viewfinder, I stand by the tenpa 1.36x viewfinder magnifier on ebay. It has drastically improved my % of hitting the sweet spot. And that .36x magnification makes a lot of difference to me when not zoomed in. Because of you all, I've avoided LBA, even though I think the FA is a good deal, especially if it was like new upon inspection. You are right in that I'd be better off putting the money to better use by getting a good wideangle lens, and I also would rather not deal with resale unless I have to. Thanks again! now to search/save for a 16-45 or 17-70 or 16-50 or nice wide prime

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04-08-2010, 05:35 AM	#2
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	I went the reverse way, I had an A50 f1.4 and purchased an F50 f1.7. The f1,7 is sharper wide open than the f1,4 at f1.8 (the closest similar setting). Onward both are equally sharp (the edge is with the f1.7 maybe), the bokeh of the f1,4 is smoother (not by much) but the colours are better with the f1.7. The one big differenciator for me was AF and sharpness wide open. I never used the f1,4 wider than f2, and now I can use the f1,7 wide open without sweat. so the question is : are AF and a slightly different image reendering (not better, just different) worth 100$ It's your call, but I'd say you could get the FA, test it, and resell it for a profit if you don't like it. Otherwise, indeed you're looking at a net expense of about 100$. For the record, I'd do it, even though I love the feeling of A lenses.

04-08-2010, 06:24 AM	#3
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	I started with an A 50mm F1.7, upgraded to an A 50mm F1.4, then picked up an FA 50 F1.4 and ended up keeping both F1.4s. I use the FA a lot (auto focus is convenient) but there's a luxurious feeling of having a well-damped throw in a manual focus lens for going out and doing some shooting. Originally posted by bdery For the record, I'd do it, even though I love the feeling of A lenses.

04-08-2010, 08:42 AM	#4
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by legacyb4 I use the FA a lot (auto focus is convenient) but there's a luxurious feeling of having a well-damped throw in a manual focus lens for going out and doing some shooting. I have my FA 50 macro with focus clamp just for that I agree with you on the feeling of a true MF lens. but convenience is pretty high on my list too .

04-08-2010, 09:04 AM	#5
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by angelo9978 Hello, I currently own the Pentax-A 50mm f1.7 lens, and am happy with that. However, I have an opportunity to get a like new FA 50mm f 1.4 lens for $220. My question is whether or not anyone who has used both would make the move? I don't think it can get much sharper than the pentax-a lens, but is the FA an upgrade for the f1.4 (is 1.4 usable for weddings)? I can probably sell the A lens for $120-140 pretty fast, so I'm looking at a $100 net out of my pocket for the FA. OR, you could pay the $220 for the FA50 and resell it. Take the profit and put it towards something else. $120-$140 for an A50 f1.7 may be a stretch and you're more likely to be able to resell the FA50. A50 f1.4 lenses can be had for that. Unless you have to have AF though, I wouldn't make the switch. The f1.7 is a fantastic lens and the half stop isn't going to buy you very much. From your sig, you obviously don't have a problem with manual lenses. Either way, basing a decision like this on what you Think you may get for a resale, Bad idea. Figure on keeping both lenses if you buy the FA50. Just kiss the money goodbye. If you're able to resell one or both, great (not saying you won't). Recovering money on a deal like this depends on 2 things. Somebody looking for what you have, and somebody willing to pay the price you want.

04-08-2010, 09:08 AM	#6
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	The FA 50mm is a great lens, but it is a PITA to mf. If you want af, that is the way to go. If you want a good af lens and a good mf lens, keep both.

04-08-2010, 09:16 AM	#7
ajuett Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 1,100	The A 50mm f/1.7 is a very nice lens, I think better than the FA f/1.4. If you need Af then get the FA f/1.4, if not, just stay with what you have.

04-09-2010, 10:03 AM	#9
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Why not buy it and resell it for a profit?