Fantastic Fifty! The DA 50mm F/1.8

**ivanvernon** · 07-07-2014, 11:15 PM

Here are a couple of blossoms from our flower garden. These are both at f 1.4. From color/design descriptions provided by others, I believe this copy of the Sears 1.4 was manufactured by Chinon. It is also a great performer stopped down.

ADDED: Sorry no EXIF. However, both images are handheld, JPEG right from camera, taken inside our greenhouse, K-7 camera, approximately 1/60 second at f 1.4.

Attached Images

Last edited by ivanvernon; 07-07-2014 at 11:34 PM. Reason: Added information about images.

Peter Anson · 07-08-2014, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by fevbusch

P.S. Opinions welcome on this Sigma question!

G'day Freddy.....I couldn't justify the Pentax 50 if I had that Sigma. Some people though have lot of 50's. I've got a few and am often severely tempted to get more....So far, since getting the DA 50 I've resisted LBA..... this situation will last as long as I'm broke.

fevbusch · 07-08-2014, 02:26 AM

Originally posted by schnitzer79

its not that its big and heavy so if i were you id stick with the sigma to be honest. unless its soft at f2.8 and you need f4 for sharpness whereas the DA50mm will be super sharp at f2.4-2.8. it seems that you're happy with the sigma though. plus from your sig i can see that you also have the M 50mm 1.7 and the Tak 55mm f1.8. i guess its a no brainer then.dont give in to the LBA...

Thanks for your helpful comments, Schnitzer. Actually I'm usually shooting my Sigma at F4 anyway. You're right about the LBA. One can get carried away.
I can honestly say, I have too many lenses. DA 16-45 wonderful for wide angle like Graffiti art., Plastic 35 wonderful for general walk-around shooting and th DA55-300, which is so versatile I often shoot closeups of florals with it. The Sigma is certainly very adequate for macro and closeups.
I love the Tak 55, but rarely use it. Hate the M1.7, because too hard to focus with it. The plastic 35 is great for living room or restaurant shooting because of its great low llight performance. I'll be using the plastic fantastic for a wedding reception cruise on a NY boat, soon.
Of course the K30 makes all these lenses look really good, with its high res and ISO. Freddy

mtux · 09-15-2014, 11:52 PM - **1 Like**

Grampz52 · 01-27-2015, 03:24 PM

stillshot2 · 02-26-2015, 09:45 AM

I've had this lens almost 2 years now, and I can live with the plastic mount, noisy focus motor, and no distance scale. But, the more I use it the more I really wish it had weather seals so I could use it in the rain, and that it had quick shift for easier switching to manual focusing. Does anyone else have these same feelings?

Stavri · 02-26-2015, 09:51 AM - **1 Like**

K3 + Voigtlander Color Ultron 50mm f1.8 M42 shot @1.8. Not bad for an 30 yr old lens, this 3rd generation Ultron design can still compete with the modern fifty's.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/rjSbt3]

**pepperberry farm** · 03-28-2015, 05:23 AM

I recently bought a lightly-used DA 50 - and have yet to take it off the K-50! Amazing lens and stunning pictures:

Dewman · 03-29-2015, 01:11 AM

I've learned to love the Fantastic Fifty I won here on PF. I don't know that I've ever had a lens with so much wonderful natural color saturation! And sharp?..... my goodness! What's NOT to love about this lens. I feel somewhat guilty that I've not given it more attention. I bought a 50mm FA f:2.8 macro not long after acquiring the f:1.8..... and well.... it kinda' captured my interest for a while! Anyway, here's a sample of the color saturation and sharpness I've been able to capture with this wonderful lens. There was actually very little PP on this image. I've very grateful for the gift from PF.

**pepperberry farm** · 05-14-2015, 08:15 PM

wild roses

Stavri · 05-14-2015, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by ivanvernon

Here are a couple of blossoms from our flower garden. These are both at f 1.4. From color/design descriptions provided by others, I believe this copy of the Sears 1.4 was manufactured by Chinon. It is also a great performer stopped down.

ADDED: Sorry no EXIF. However, both images are handheld, JPEG right from camera, taken inside our greenhouse, K-7 camera, approximately 1/60 second at f 1.4.

The Sears 50/f1.4 from what I remember had the smoothest focusing action, good IQ too

**pepperberry farm** · 05-30-2015, 05:52 AM

morning dew on redbud...

**pepperberry farm** · 06-19-2015, 06:45 AM

hibiscus buds

day lily

Neo_ · 06-30-2015, 02:27 AM

at 75mm equivalent it's a fantastic portrait weapon

**pepperberry farm** · 07-02-2015, 11:40 AM

the hibiscus buds (see above) are blooming...

07-07-2014, 11:15 PM	#106
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Auto Sears 50 mm f 1.4 Here are a couple of blossoms from our flower garden. These are both at f 1.4. From color/design descriptions provided by others, I believe this copy of the Sears 1.4 was manufactured by Chinon. It is also a great performer stopped down. ADDED: Sorry no EXIF. However, both images are handheld, JPEG right from camera, taken inside our greenhouse, K-7 camera, approximately 1/60 second at f 1.4. Attached Images Last edited by ivanvernon; 07-07-2014 at 11:34 PM. Reason: Added information about images.

01-27-2015, 03:24 PM	#110
Grampz52 New Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 5	DA 50/1.8 on my K-30

02-26-2015, 09:51 AM - 1 Like	#112
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Just got this lens K3 + Voigtlander Color Ultron 50mm f1.8 M42 shot @1.8. Not bad for an 30 yr old lens, this 3rd generation Ultron design can still compete with the modern fifty's. [url=https://flic.kr/p/rjSbt3]

03-29-2015, 01:11 AM	#114
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	My contribution. I've learned to love the Fantastic Fifty I won here on PF. I don't know that I've ever had a lens with so much wonderful natural color saturation! And sharp?..... my goodness! What's NOT to love about this lens. I feel somewhat guilty that I've not given it more attention. I bought a 50mm FA f:2.8 macro not long after acquiring the f:1.8..... and well.... it kinda' captured my interest for a while! Anyway, here's a sample of the color saturation and sharpness I've been able to capture with this wonderful lens. There was actually very little PP on this image. I've very grateful for the gift from PF. Last edited by Dewman; 08-19-2015 at 02:52 PM.

05-14-2015, 08:15 PM	#115
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	K-50 with DA 50mm wild roses

07-08-2014, 02:10 AM	#107
Peter Anson Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 211	Originally posted by fevbusch P.S. Opinions welcome on this Sigma question! G'day Freddy.....I couldn't justify the Pentax 50 if I had that Sigma. Some people though have lot of 50's. I've got a few and am often severely tempted to get more....So far, since getting the DA 50 I've resisted LBA..... this situation will last as long as I'm broke.

07-08-2014, 02:26 AM	#108
fevbusch Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,064	Originally posted by schnitzer79 its not that its big and heavy so if i were you id stick with the sigma to be honest. unless its soft at f2.8 and you need f4 for sharpness whereas the DA50mm will be super sharp at f2.4-2.8. it seems that you're happy with the sigma though. plus from your sig i can see that you also have the M 50mm 1.7 and the Tak 55mm f1.8. i guess its a no brainer then.dont give in to the LBA... Thanks for your helpful comments, Schnitzer. Actually I'm usually shooting my Sigma at F4 anyway. You're right about the LBA. One can get carried away. I can honestly say, I have too many lenses. DA 16-45 wonderful for wide angle like Graffiti art., Plastic 35 wonderful for general walk-around shooting and th DA55-300, which is so versatile I often shoot closeups of florals with it. The Sigma is certainly very adequate for macro and closeups. I love the Tak 55, but rarely use it. Hate the M1.7, because too hard to focus with it. The plastic 35 is great for living room or restaurant shooting because of its great low llight performance. I'll be using the plastic fantastic for a wedding reception cruise on a NY boat, soon. Of course the K30 makes all these lenses look really good, with its high res and ISO. Freddy

09-15-2014, 11:52 PM - 1 Like	#109
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444

02-26-2015, 09:45 AM	#111
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	I've had this lens almost 2 years now, and I can live with the plastic mount, noisy focus motor, and no distance scale. But, the more I use it the more I really wish it had weather seals so I could use it in the rain, and that it had quick shift for easier switching to manual focusing. Does anyone else have these same feelings?

05-14-2015, 08:20 PM	#116
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by ivanvernon Here are a couple of blossoms from our flower garden. These are both at f 1.4. From color/design descriptions provided by others, I believe this copy of the Sears 1.4 was manufactured by Chinon. It is also a great performer stopped down. ADDED: Sorry no EXIF. However, both images are handheld, JPEG right from camera, taken inside our greenhouse, K-7 camera, approximately 1/60 second at f 1.4. The Sears 50/f1.4 from what I remember had the smoothest focusing action, good IQ too

05-30-2015, 05:52 AM	#117
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	K-50 with DA 50mm f1.8 morning dew on redbud...

06-19-2015, 06:45 AM	#118
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	K-50 with DA 50mm f1.8 hibiscus buds day lily

06-30-2015, 02:27 AM	#119
Neo_ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 153	at 75mm equivalent it's a fantastic portrait weapon

07-02-2015, 11:40 AM	#120
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	K-50 with DA 50mm f1.8 the hibiscus buds (see above) are blooming...

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