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04-21-2010, 02:05 AM   #1
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FA 50mm/1.4 replacement?

What would be an ideal replacement for FA50mm/1.4?

Since it is soft wide open, I mostly use it f2.8 (sometime f2) and below. Hence wondering if I better get a 2.8 zoom which will offer better flexibility in street shots. I prefer sharper pictures than softer one (which I can better handle in PP)

Please share your opinion.

Thanks

04-21-2010, 02:17 AM   #2
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I suppose it depends on your needs. If the focal length of the FA50 suits you fine, you should maybe check out the other 50/55 offerings. Both the Pentax DA*55 and the Sigma 50 are "modern" designs, optimized for better sharpness wide open.

Otherwise, the Tamron 28-75/2.8 is regarded as a very good lens. Sharp, reasonable price, and a good zoom range (if you don't need wide angle).
04-21-2010, 02:21 AM   #3
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The Pentax DA*55/1.4
04-21-2010, 02:23 AM   #4
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I dont have a FA50/1.4 but how soft it is really ?
Im planning to get that lens in the future.

04-21-2010, 02:43 AM   #5
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Check out dpreview. There was a FA50 & DA55 reviews.

I didn't found huge quality difference between theese lenses. Only SDM & price. Both are pretty soft wide open.

I'll advise you to get a closer look at sigma's 50mm f/1.4 kind a good lens to me. Also check a 50mm f/2.8 macro.

Check out dpreview and photozone.de

Last edited by Eugene-S; 04-21-2010 at 02:49 AM.
04-21-2010, 03:26 AM   #6
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Actually I am thinking of getting zoom since neither 55 or 50mm is enough sharp above 2.

28-75 is a good suggestion, really sharp throughout the range. What are other alternatives?
04-21-2010, 03:33 AM   #7
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Sigma 24-70 2.8
Tamron 17-50 2.8
DA* 50-135 2.8

04-21-2010, 03:56 AM   #8
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Sigma 50mm f1.4 HSM! I own one and I am very happy with the results. It's not razor sharp wide-open (my reference for razor-sharp is my Tamron 90mm Macro) but it is definitely sharper than the F 50mm f1.7 that I owned some time ago. A plus is the quiet focus which is desired in low-light situation o lot of the times

Highly recommended but beware of the security guards/thiefs because you look very "pro".

If you want to do street-shootin' a DA 40mm f2.8 is the best. Very sharp even wide open, and very unobtrusive.

This pic was taken with the Sigma 50mm f2 handheld ISO 320 with a K7 with AWB in fluorescent light. The full photo is here http://kytra.zenfolio.com/img/v12/p199341814-4.jpg
Attached Images
 

Last edited by kytra; 04-21-2010 at 04:21 AM.
04-21-2010, 04:27 AM   #9
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I sold my fa50/1.4 and opted to lose a stop with a gain in sharpness with the fa50/1.7.
It's still pretty sharp wide open and you could still use any filters/ hoods you had with the fa50/1.4.
I think the price should be comparable to the fa50/1.4 and cheaper than any of the newer options previously mentioned. Possibly the only difficulty would be finding one that someone is selling.
04-21-2010, 10:01 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by yusuf Quote
What would be an ideal replacement for FA50mm/1.4?

Since it is soft wide open, I mostly use it f2.8 (sometime f2) and below. Hence wondering if I better get a 2.8 zoom which will offer better flexibility in street shots. I prefer sharper pictures than softer one (which I can better handle in PP)

Please share your opinion.

Thanks
You could get the DA 40 Limited. It's fast focusing, sharp, compact, and pretty cheap compared to the rest of the Limited line.
I am probably not going back to zooms unless it's the 50-135 and possibly the 16-50 when Pentax upgrades their designs . Primes are just sharper and lighter to carry :-)
04-21-2010, 10:19 AM   #11
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The f1,7 50s are sharper, if you can find something like the F50 f1,7 (like I did) you'll get sharper results. The bokeh is a tad more pleasing with the f1,4, though, you can't have it all. Otherwise, the 40 and 43 mm limiteds are safe bets. the DA*55 and the Sigma 50 are also good choices. The sigma is a monster, however, I'd hate using it.

Another option is to get the FA or DFA 50 macro. Sharpest lenses around, use it at f2.8 or at f22.
04-21-2010, 12:34 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by yusuf Quote
What would be an ideal replacement for FA50mm/1.4?

Since it is soft wide open, I mostly use it f2.8 (sometime f2) and below. Hence wondering if I better get a 2.8 zoom which will offer better flexibility in street shots. I prefer sharper pictures than softer one (which I can better handle in PP)

Please share your opinion.

Thanks
For me, the ideal replacement for the FA 50mm f1.4 is the FA 43mm f1.9 ltd. However, I have the A f1.2. If you are going after "sharp," maybe a D FA 50mm or FA 50mm macro is something to consider.
04-21-2010, 12:37 PM   #13
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The Pentax A f1.2 50 is a fine choice
04-21-2010, 02:34 PM   #14
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Welcome to Photozone! and www.slrgear.com provide a broad range of independent lens reviews. These will be a good place to start looking for information on lenses.

If you want to stay with the 50mm range, and since you already have had some experience with the FA50mm: you may consider the Carl Zeiss 50mm and Voigtlander 58mm. The former lens is highly recommend by Photozone.de although pricy. The latter lens has excellent image quality for the same price as the FA50mm.

Hope that the comment may help...

Last edited by hcc; 04-21-2010 at 11:16 PM.
04-21-2010, 09:08 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by hcc Quote
If you want to stay wth the 50mm range, and sinc eyou already have had some experience with the FA50mm: you may consider the Carl Zeiss 50mm and Voigtlander 58mm.
Those would also be my first alternatives.
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