The 50mm Lens Club

wolfiegirl · 12-30-2011, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by Designosophy

I really like this photo's composition and mood.

thanks designosophy, i happened to look up and saw it. took me 4 goes to get it just right (got a couple of blurry versions as my lens has a dodgy focus ring). just glad the sun didn't decide to move before i got the shot (that's happened before

)

only WB and levels were changed. otherwise it's as is.

**paulh** · 01-03-2012, 04:34 PM

one from last March, taken around sunset with an *istD & M50/1.7 (xposted to m-club)

simbon4o · 01-07-2012, 02:02 PM

My recently found treasure

Japanese design and Russian unprecise making - Zenitar-M 50 1.7
It is nothing like other Russian glasses!

Schmidlapper · 02-07-2012, 11:45 AM

Update: in actual use the M50/1.4 has moved to the head based on charicteristics I find preferable. As others know the resolution difference with fifties is often very slight in actual prints. So other traits become the focus. Is that a pun?

I have placed on Flickr a fairly well controlled comparison of my various normal lens choices, to include A50/1.7, M50/1.4, M50/1.7, SMC Tak 55/1.8, Tamron 17-50/2.8 and a DA55-300/4. The samples shared are for wide open, f5.6 and f8 for center resolution. Corner resolution did not change order of sharpness nor appear out of line. This was only a one lens sampling, but may be interesting, and it helped me change my own usage decisions. I now use my M50/1.7 over my M50/1.4 as my take along bag normal as it was the sharpest of the lot, for pTTL flash portraits I use the A50/1.7 as it was a close second . I had thought my 55/1.8 was not focusing correctly prior to this test based on some photos, but it came in third overall in my opinion in this test. To round out the manuals the M50/1.4 came in fourth for wide open resolution in my view. The link is Collection: My Pentax 50mm normal resolution comparison test and gives the general parameters of my method of testing. I am not picking on anyone else's pet lens but I feel this would be a worthwhile method for anyone who has multiples and variations to determine which is their sharpest. Let me know if this is helpful information on here?

Last edited by Schmidlapper; 04-07-2013 at 05:47 AM. Reason: Update

Designosophy · 02-09-2012, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by simbon4o

My recently found treasure

Japanese design and Russian unprecise making - Zenitar-M 50 1.7
It is nothing like other Russian glasses!

That Zenitar makes a great portrait lens (and you made some great portraits with it)!

Originally posted by Schmidlapper

I have placed on Flickr a fairly well controlled comparison of my various normal lens choices, to include A50/1.7, M50/1.4, M50/1.7, SMC Tak 55/1.8, Tamron 17-50/2.8 and a DA55-300/4. The samples shared are for wide open, f5.6 and f8 for center resolution. Corner resolution did not change order of sharpness nor appear out of line. This was only a one lens sampling, but may be interesting, and it helped me change my own usage decisions. I now use my M50/1.7 over my M50/1.4 as my take along bag normal as it was the sharpest of the lot, for pTTL flash portraits I use the A50/1.7 as it was a close second . I had thought my 55/1.8 was not focusing correctly prior to this test based on some photos, but it came in third overall in my opinion in this test. To round out the manuals the M50/1.4 came in fourth for wide open resolution in my view. The link is Collection: My Pentax 50mm normal resolution comparison test and gives the general parameters of my method of testing. I am not picking on anyone else's pet lens but I feel this would be a worthwhile method for anyone who has multiples and variations to determine which is their sharpest. Let me know if this is helpful information on here?

This is very interesting. I should try something similar with my 50s: Pentax-M 50 f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50 f/1.7 (fungusy), Sears MC 50 f/1.7, and zooms: Pentax DA-L 18-55 WR, Tamron SP 24-135.

Schmidlapper · 02-09-2012, 03:21 PM

It will give you real insight into your own copies and with that you will better know when to use them. If I wanted to verify my results I would repeat the test and see if I got the same results. Since I feel comfortable with my method, and the results were not out of line with the common experience I won't test a second time.

rob1234 · 03-23-2012, 02:02 PM - **1 Like**

K10D, F50/1.7 wide open

**paulh** · 03-23-2012, 05:47 PM

K100D, K55/1.8

Ben E · 04-12-2012, 09:06 AM - **1 Like**

K-r with the M 50mm f/1.7 reversed

FrostyJack · 04-22-2012, 01:07 PM

SMC M f1.7 50mm
I read somewhere that this lens was optimised for f2.0 but commercialised at f1.7 but can't help using the full f1.7 where light permits. DOF is tight and I find that i get variations in focus with portriature photos.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/weekly-photo-challenges/12199...2012-ronan.jpg

Good bokeh? or too much?

I'd be interested to know, for those that use this lens "What do you shoot?" or What style of photgraphy brings out the best in this lens?

**todd** · 04-22-2012, 01:54 PM

k100d + fa50@f11.. taken on a neighborhood walk last night...

mark lj · 04-22-2012, 02:50 PM - **1 Like**

One with the A f1.7 on top of Pavey Ark in the Lake District

Designosophy · 07-02-2012, 11:01 AM

A couple from the FA 50 f/1.4, both at f/2.2. In my experience, this copy of the FA is sharper than either the A or M versions wide open, but it does not focus to infinity. I'm going to have to get it adjusted.

This one might not seem like a very interesting photo at first, but I really like the depth in the out of focus areas.

GnipGnop · 07-04-2012, 09:19 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by FrostyJack

SMC M f1.7 50mm
I read somewhere that this lens was optimised for f2.0 but commercialised at f1.7 but can't help using the full f1.7 where light permits. DOF is tight and I find that i get variations in focus with portriature photos.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/weekly-photo-challenges/1219...2012-ronan.jpg

Good bokeh? or too much?

I'd be interested to know, for those that use this lens "What do you shoot?" or What style of photgraphy brings out the best in this lens?

Ken Rockwell said that about the SMC-M F1:1.7

Here's some of my photos from that lens....

(partial stitch)

I know halos are bad in bokeh, but in this case I really like them!
[

f5.6

Finally, the f2.0 version of the SMC-M 50mm

Designosophy · 07-06-2012, 07:34 AM

I really like that self portrait, GnipGnop. It's so sharp in the foreground and the bokeh is perfect. .

FA 50 f/1.4 again. Not as sharp as the 1.7 wide open, but very pleasing to me.

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12-30-2011, 03:29 PM	#46
wolfiegirl Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Mystery Bay, NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,111	Originally posted by Designosophy I really like this photo's composition and mood. thanks designosophy, i happened to look up and saw it. took me 4 goes to get it just right (got a couple of blurry versions as my lens has a dodgy focus ring). just glad the sun didn't decide to move before i got the shot (that's happened before ) only WB and levels were changed. otherwise it's as is.

01-03-2012, 04:34 PM	#47
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,273	one from last March, taken around sunset with an *istD & M50/1.7 (xposted to m-club)

01-07-2012, 02:02 PM	#48
simbon4o Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 258	My recently found treasure Japanese design and Russian unprecise making - Zenitar-M 50 1.7 It is nothing like other Russian glasses!

02-07-2012, 11:45 AM	#49
Schmidlapper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 534	Update: in actual use the M50/1.4 has moved to the head based on charicteristics I find preferable. As others know the resolution difference with fifties is often very slight in actual prints. So other traits become the focus. Is that a pun? I have placed on Flickr a fairly well controlled comparison of my various normal lens choices, to include A50/1.7, M50/1.4, M50/1.7, SMC Tak 55/1.8, Tamron 17-50/2.8 and a DA55-300/4. The samples shared are for wide open, f5.6 and f8 for center resolution. Corner resolution did not change order of sharpness nor appear out of line. This was only a one lens sampling, but may be interesting, and it helped me change my own usage decisions. I now use my M50/1.7 over my M50/1.4 as my take along bag normal as it was the sharpest of the lot, for pTTL flash portraits I use the A50/1.7 as it was a close second . I had thought my 55/1.8 was not focusing correctly prior to this test based on some photos, but it came in third overall in my opinion in this test. To round out the manuals the M50/1.4 came in fourth for wide open resolution in my view. The link is Collection: My Pentax 50mm normal resolution comparison test and gives the general parameters of my method of testing. I am not picking on anyone else's pet lens but I feel this would be a worthwhile method for anyone who has multiples and variations to determine which is their sharpest. Let me know if this is helpful information on here? Last edited by Schmidlapper; 04-07-2013 at 05:47 AM. Reason: Update

02-09-2012, 08:02 AM	#50
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137 Original Poster	Originally posted by simbon4o My recently found treasure Japanese design and Russian unprecise making - Zenitar-M 50 1.7 It is nothing like other Russian glasses! That Zenitar makes a great portrait lens (and you made some great portraits with it)! Originally posted by Schmidlapper I have placed on Flickr a fairly well controlled comparison of my various normal lens choices, to include A50/1.7, M50/1.4, M50/1.7, SMC Tak 55/1.8, Tamron 17-50/2.8 and a DA55-300/4. The samples shared are for wide open, f5.6 and f8 for center resolution. Corner resolution did not change order of sharpness nor appear out of line. This was only a one lens sampling, but may be interesting, and it helped me change my own usage decisions. I now use my M50/1.7 over my M50/1.4 as my take along bag normal as it was the sharpest of the lot, for pTTL flash portraits I use the A50/1.7 as it was a close second . I had thought my 55/1.8 was not focusing correctly prior to this test based on some photos, but it came in third overall in my opinion in this test. To round out the manuals the M50/1.4 came in fourth for wide open resolution in my view. The link is Collection: My Pentax 50mm normal resolution comparison test and gives the general parameters of my method of testing. I am not picking on anyone else's pet lens but I feel this would be a worthwhile method for anyone who has multiples and variations to determine which is their sharpest. Let me know if this is helpful information on here? This is very interesting. I should try something similar with my 50s: Pentax-M 50 f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50 f/1.7 (fungusy), Sears MC 50 f/1.7, and zooms: Pentax DA-L 18-55 WR, Tamron SP 24-135.

02-09-2012, 03:21 PM	#51
Schmidlapper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery Posts: 534	It will give you real insight into your own copies and with that you will better know when to use them. If I wanted to verify my results I would repeat the test and see if I got the same results. Since I feel comfortable with my method, and the results were not out of line with the common experience I won't test a second time.

03-23-2012, 02:02 PM - 1 Like	#52
rob1234 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wiltshire/Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 1,760	K10D, F50/1.7 wide open

03-23-2012, 05:47 PM	#53
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,273	K100D, K55/1.8

04-12-2012, 09:06 AM - 1 Like	#54
Ben E Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Israel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 177	K-r with the M 50mm f/1.7 reversed

04-22-2012, 01:07 PM	#55
FrostyJack Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Derry, Ireland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 63	SMC M f1.7 50mm I read somewhere that this lens was optimised for f2.0 but commercialised at f1.7 but can't help using the full f1.7 where light permits. DOF is tight and I find that i get variations in focus with portriature photos. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/weekly-photo-challenges/12199...2012-ronan.jpg Good bokeh? or too much? I'd be interested to know, for those that use this lens "What do you shoot?" or What style of photgraphy brings out the best in this lens?

04-22-2012, 02:50 PM - 1 Like	#57
mark lj Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 983	One with the A f1.7 on top of Pavey Ark in the Lake District

07-02-2012, 11:01 AM	#58
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137 Original Poster	A couple from the FA 50 f/1.4, both at f/2.2. In my experience, this copy of the FA is sharper than either the A or M versions wide open, but it does not focus to infinity. I'm going to have to get it adjusted. This one might not seem like a very interesting photo at first, but I really like the depth in the out of focus areas.

07-04-2012, 09:19 PM - 1 Like	#59
GnipGnop Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 130	Originally posted by FrostyJack SMC M f1.7 50mm I read somewhere that this lens was optimised for f2.0 but commercialised at f1.7 but can't help using the full f1.7 where light permits. DOF is tight and I find that i get variations in focus with portriature photos. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/weekly-photo-challenges/1219...2012-ronan.jpg Good bokeh? or too much? I'd be interested to know, for those that use this lens "What do you shoot?" or What style of photgraphy brings out the best in this lens? Ken Rockwell said that about the SMC-M F1:1.7 Here's some of my photos from that lens.... (partial stitch) I know halos are bad in bokeh, but in this case I really like them! [ f5.6 Finally, the f2.0 version of the SMC-M 50mm

07-06-2012, 07:34 AM	#60
Designosophy Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northeast Philadelphia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,137 Original Poster	I really like that self portrait, GnipGnop. It's so sharp in the foreground and the bokeh is perfect. . FA 50 f/1.4 again. Not as sharp as the 1.7 wide open, but very pleasing to me.