[Dewman]

Now I see what the big deal is about the Pentax-M 50mm f:1.7 lens! I ended up with one in a trade last week and I finally got around to taking a few test shots with it tonight and I was very impressed! It's sharpness is very close to my Vivitar Series 1 (Version 1) 70-210mm lens.... and THAT'S saying a lot! In the trade, I also got a Pentax-M 28mm, f:2.8 that's pretty sharp, too. Both are the legendary, quality build of that era.... solid, smooth and dampened to perfection. Very nice focus throw distance, too. There's not much to NOT like about these oldies, is there?


The first image is with the 50mm, the second is with the 28mm.

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Last edited by Dewman; 03-25-2015 at 04:37 PM.

[Jorgario]

NOW I see! Now I see what the big deal is about the Pentax-M 50mm f:1.7 lens! I ended up with one in a trade last week and I finally got around to taking a few test shots with it tonight and I was very impressed! It's sharpness is very close to my Vivitar Series 1 (Version 1) 70-210mm lens.... and THAT'S saying a lot! In the trade, I also got a Pentax-M 28mm, f:2.8 that's pretty sharp, too. Both are the legendary, quality build of that era.... solid, smooth and dampened to perfection. Very nice focus throw distance, too. There's not much to NOT like about these oldies, is there? The first image is with the 50mm, the second is with the 28mm.

What a nice pictures !! I rather prefer the first one ... maybe because of its framing or its M50/1.7 appeal !!

[paulh]

Now I see what the big deal is about the Pentax-M 50mm f:1.7 lens! I ended up with one in a trade last week and I finally got around to taking a few test shots with it tonight and I was very impressed! It's sharpness is very close to my Vivitar Series 1 (Version 1) 70-210mm lens.... and THAT'S saying a lot! In the trade, I also got a Pentax-M 28mm, f:2.8 that's pretty sharp, too. Both are the legendary, quality build of that era.... solid, smooth and dampened to perfection. Very nice focus throw distance, too. There's not much to NOT like about these oldies, is there?


The first image is with the 50mm, the second is with the 28mm.

Nice images - I also prefer the first one. No question the M50/1.7 is a good one - for me, it was the "gateway" lens to the world of manual primes. Wide-open on an *istD (re-post from long ago):

[Dewman]

I have 7 different 50mm lenses, so this morning, I decided to test each of them. I arranged a still life scene on my dining table using only available daylight from a sliding patio door about five feet away. All conditions for each lens were as close as I could possibly make them. Same tripod position, same angle, same focus point, etc. The lenses were:


1. Pentax-M f: 1.7
2. Pentax-DA f: 1.8
3. Pentax-M f: 1.4
4. Pentax-M f: 2.0
5. Sears MC f: 1.7
6. Sears MC f: 2.0
7. Ricoh-P f: 1.7


ISO 800. Lenses set at f:5.6. Same brand (Hoya) skylight filter used on each one. Same lens hood-type used on each lens.
Camera set for Custom Image, "Natural." All sliding bars were set at 0-0.


First, without checking the EXIF, which one do you prefer.... and why? Are there any surprises here? Do you have any suggestions for another test for them? I'd like to try this outdoors, with a landscape scene. It would take some doing.... like possibly bringing along a folding card table and such.... but, it would make for a nice, spring day outing, eh?

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Last edited by Dewman; 03-25-2015 at 04:37 PM.

[ChristianRock]

#2 has the focus a bit to the back compared to others. #5, #6 and #7 have focus a bit to the front, especially #6... you can tell the focus is more on the can than on the vase. They all look very similar in terms of sharpness except #6 which is only very slightly less sharp - I blame it on front focusing though. Also, at ISO 800 it's hard to tell anyway. In practical terms they are probably all the same.
#1 and #3 seem very pleasing and identical, but I think #5 is the most color accurate and pleasing to my eyes. #4 colors look the most "unnatural". But it's all only by a hair...

[Dewman]

The blame for the inconsistent focus point can be placed exactly where it belongs.... my failing eyesight! The images were taken with the lenses, shown, in the very same order as listed. I was somewhat surprised that they all were so near alike. Sharpness on all of them was remarkable, I thought. The Pentax f:1.7 was as good as, if not the best of them all. I like the color rendition of the DA f:1.8, but.... like you said, ChristianRock.... "But, it's all only by a hair!"

[ChristianRock]

Yeah, it all comes down to personal preference at this point, Dewman. At least at f5.6. Wide open, they might be quite different I suspect that the M 50 1.7 would kill the competition there. At least mine does, with the exception of the Sears 50 f2, which comes close, and the K 55 f2, which also comes close wide open. Yet, when it comes to f2, my Rikenon 50 f1.4 - which is not good at f1.4 - betters them all at f2. i suspect the same would be true with your Pentax 50 1.4.

Aren't we lucky that we get to play with all those cheap sharp fifties

Oh and that 50 f2 is hard to focus. I've said it before. It lacks contrast wide open, which is why I think it's so difficult. That is why it's the one that is off by the biggest margin in your test... you didn't use catch in focus, right?

[Aaron28]

sears 50mm/1.7.......on K-50......about a second at f8, 200iso......around 100 imagines over 2.5 hours

You Tube

You Tube

[Dewman]

Yeah, it all comes down to personal preference at this point, Dewman. At least at f5.6. Wide open, they might be quite different I suspect that the M 50 1.7 would kill the competition there. At least mine does, with the exception of the Sears 50 f2, which comes close, and the K 55 f2, which also comes close wide open. Yet, when it comes to f2, my Rikenon 50 f1.4 - which is not good at f1.4 - betters them all at f2. i suspect the same would be true with your Pentax 50 1.4.

Aren't we lucky that we get to play with all those cheap sharp fifties

Oh and that 50 f2 is hard to focus. I've said it before. It lacks contrast wide open, which is why I think it's so difficult. That is why it's the one that is off by the biggest margin in your test... you didn't use catch in focus, right?

You know.... for some reason, I've never even tried the CIF capability of my camera! Odd, that, eh? And yes.... it's a real hoot having all these 50s to play with, knowing that I didn't have to sell the farm to get them!.

[furryurry]

.

[zzeitg]

2x FA 50/2.8 macro

[zzeitg]

all FA50/2.8 macro

[ChristianRock]

Rikenon XR 50mm f1.4 at f2 (xposted)


f4

[Tsuken]

It's looking like a lot of 50mm lenses are going to be getting daily use in next month's Single In challenge. Any and all 50-fanciers are welcome, indeed encouraged, to join us. I know it's a month away, but you could always whet your appetite for Singling by making a late start to April...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/26-mini-challenges-games-photo-stories/291800-photo-game-single-april-2015-a.html

[Dewman]

I have several 50mm lenses, including a Pentax-M f:1.4, f:1.7, a f:2.0, a DA f:1.8 & a FA 2.8 macro. Also, a Sears-M f:1.7 & f:2.0 as well as a Ricoh f:1.7 & f:2.0.
But, no where in this bunch is there a Pentax-A 50mm, f:1.7! So, I've got one coming my way as we speak! From the reviews I've read here on the PF, it should be one heck of a piece of glass. I'm anxious to give it a workout and maybe some day, have a "Fifty MM shootout," and see for myself just which one of these is best of the lot.

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