[WPRESTO]

explanation for the buying spree:

SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7

SMC Pentax DA 40mm F2.8 XS - replacement

We got refunds from our cancelled trips to Yellowstone and San Francisco so wife gave me a figure to spend

still got money to go, but not much left

BEWARE of the Pentaxian afflicted with LBA, shopping on line with a credit card that someone else is willing to pay. And I plead guilty. At one time I had the 40mm f2.8, Voigtlander 40mm f2, FA 50mm f1.7, and SMCA 50mm f2.8 macro. Two have now gone to other Pentaxians attempting to service their LBA addiction.

---------- Post added 06-23-20 at 12:47 PM ----------

My Pentax-K 55/1.8 might dispute that claim (I own both).



I had never seen purple fringing with the M 5/1.7 and just took it outside for a look-see on the K-3. I tested wide open in full sun using crumpled aluminum foil and was able to provoke PF on clipped portions of the foil.* Stopping down to f/2.8 at same LV resolved the issue as did increasing shutter speed two stops at f/1.7 to cure the clipping. I then took a series of shots wide open of backlit leaves and twigs with no issues. Back-focused text on properly exposed white paper would also tinge purplish wide open.

Soooo...yes, the M 50/1.7 will show PF if strongly provoked wide open, but such would normally not be a problem for most subjects.


Steve

Another plus for the 50mm f1.7. I had the FA version but never used it much relative to the SMCA M 50mm f2.8 macro and Voigtlander 40mm f2. All use of the K1 has fallen by the wayside since I switched predominantly to MFT.

[monochrome]

My Pentax-K 55/1.8 might dispute that claim (I own both).

A true lens connoisseur will know that due to coatings evolution the M50/1.7 renders slightly cooler than the K55/1.8 and will accordingly own both.

[aslyfox]

A true lens connoisseur will know that due to coatings evolution the M50/1.7 renders slightly cooler than the K55/1.8 and will accordingly own both.

trouble maker

never mind

You Tube

You Tube

I've got it already

[Wasp]

A true lens connoisseur will know that due to coatings evolution the M50/1.7 renders slightly cooler than the K55/1.8 and will accordingly own both.

Another nifty fify? I have six already, but it's good to know things like that. Now if a K55/1.8 comes my way I will definitely get my wallet out.

[aslyfox]

Another nifty fify? I have six already, but it's good to know things like that. Now if a K55/1.8 comes my way I will definitely get my wallet out.

can't compete with that

fifty ish lenses that I have:

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7

SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 .

SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro.

SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM

SMC Pentax 55mm F 1.8

[monochrome]

Another nifty fify? I have six already, but it's good to know things like that. Now if a K55/1.8 comes my way I will definitely get my wallet out.

Yeah I have quite a few normals (‘m afraid to count). As I’m currently reducing the accumulated clutter of forty years of marriage my willingness to let go of camera gear I don’t use is increasing. Do I need SMC Tak 55/1.8 and K55/1.8? SMC Tak 50/1.4 (maybe) but K50/1.4 also? Probably not - and I probably don’t need the M50/1.7 either*.


* mrs monochrome wonders if I need manual lenses and film cameras at all . . . . . . . .

[WPRESTO]

* mrs monochrome wonders if I need manual lenses and film cameras at all . . . . . . . .

For richer or poorer, for better or worse, but understanding the life sustaining necessities of a photogearhead is not among the promises - even if it should be.

[lesmore49]

Yeah I have quite a few normals (‘m afraid to count). As I’m currently reducing the accumulated clutter of forty years of marriage my willingness to let go of camera gear I don’t use is increasing. Do I need SMC Tak 55/1.8 and K55/1.8? SMC Tak 50/1.4 (maybe) but K50/1.4 also? Probably not - and I probably don’t need the M50/1.7 either*.


* mrs monochrome wonders if I need manual lenses and film cameras at all . . . . . . . .

I still have my first 'good' camera. It is a Pentax S1a. I bought it in 1968 and it still works. The S1a never came with a light meter, so I also bought a Sekonic Auto Lumi 86 at the same time as my purchase of the S1a. The 86 is a hand held meter and although it was a relatively cheap (even then) plastic meter, the surprising thing is that it also still functions perfectly.

I bought both as I was told by my boss of the time, who owned a small publishing company, that I needed to take publication quality photographs for a number of their magazines . Along with other duties.

I was told to buy either a 35mm SLR Pentax or a Nikon. I bought the Pentax and it served me well for a few years as a tool, that enabled me to make a living.

I've kept the old S1a and 86 light meter over all these years, for the most part, for sentimental reasons. Given my history with the S1a and the old meter, they're like a couple of members of my family. Well, maybe not quite.

[Benz3ne]

Another nifty fify? I have six already, but it's good to know things like that. Now if a K55/1.8 comes my way I will definitely get my wallet out.

I’m similar;
Helios 44-2
Industar 50-2
Voigtlander Ultron 40mm f/2
SMC M 50/1.7
SMC M 50/1.4
SMC K 50/1.8
SMC A 50mm f/2.8
Auto-Takumar 55mm f2.2
Non-Pentax related Samyang 45mm f/1.8...
... I think that’s it off the top of my head. I did try and get a Pentacon 50/1.8 but the one I bought and subsequently returned was DOA

[jeallen01]

I know it's "just me", but (at least not since very early in my "film days") very rarely have I ever needed/wanted a "nifty fifty" or its APS-C equivalent (circa 35mm), prime!

[photoptimist]

I know it's "just me", but (at least not since very early in my "film days") very rarely have I ever needed/wanted a "nifty fifty" or its APS-C equivalent (circa 35mm), prime!

LOL!

It's not surprising, though. If us Pentaxians don't want to buy a "normal" Canikony camera, why would be buy a "normal" lens?

[aslyfox]

I know it's "just me", but (at least not since very early in my "film days") very rarely have I ever needed/wanted a "nifty fifty" or its APS-C equivalent (circa 35mm), prime!

wait

we are only suppose to buy lenses/cameras we need

I missed that memo

for many of us, it seems more like:

" there is always room for [ another lens/camera ] "

[Gary H Perth]

can't compete with that

fifty ish lenses that I have:

SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4

SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.7

SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 .

SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro.

SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM

SMC Pentax 55mm F 1.8

I have many similar to yours Allen, maybe different series and I love them all:
Pentax A 50mm f1.7
Pentax M 50mm f1.4
Pentax FA 50mm f1.4
Pentax DFA 50mm macro f2.8
SMC Pentax 55mm f1.8
Pentax M 50mm f2

I have just started experimenting with M42 lenses on my K-m and K-70:
Helios 44m--4
Industar 50-2
Pentacon Auto MC 50mm f1.8
Yashinon DS 50mm f1.9
Ludwig Meritar 50mm f2.9 (adapted to Sony A7ii, there is no Exacta-Pentax adapter)

And still I wonder if there's a nifty fifty experience I am missing:
maybe a Minolta or an Olympus that I could also put on the Sony body
a Pentax M 1.7 to compare with the A 1.7 (expecting very little difference)
Start collecting Takumar 50s

[er1kksen]

Speaking of "normals," I just acquired a DA 35mm f2.8 macro Ltd for my K-5. I have been really very excited about this lens, given all the great things I've read about it, and it seemed a natural choice given that I've been loving the 33mm f2.5 macro optic on the Ricoh GXR A12 "50mm" module for the last year or so.

A few thousand frames later, I'm actually a little disappointed. I mean, it's just fine. But I want all you normal-lens connoisseurs to know- that Ricoh lens is a gem. It draws a more pleasing image than any other lens I've ever owned, and I have owned some nice ones. If some other company licensed it and released it for some other APS-C mirrorless mount, I'd have to switch. But, I knew I needed to switch back to an interchangeable-lens system, so the DA 35 Ltd will have to do for now. I might actually try out the D-FA 50mm macro at some point if a good deal pops up, as images suggest it has a touch more character in its rendering.

Full disclosure: I do have that unit for sale in the marketplace. But I am not posting this to make a sale. I'm posting this because there's hardly a thing written on the whole internet about that lens and I want you all to know that someday, sometime you run across one of these going for cheap, you have not experienced the full proper gamut of quality "normal" primes until you've tried that 33mm f2.5 Ricoh. I'll at least hold off on posting a full "botanist's review of the Ricoh GXR system" until after it sells so it doesn't seem like I'm just writing an ad.

The fact that I am selling it after all does attest to the fact that the DA 35 Ltd is doing its job competently and I can't fault its output even if I'm not entirely in love with it either.

Now that I'm done bellyaching, a few frames from my new DA 35 Ltd, since I haven't taken any photos of the lens itself.

[stevebrot]

Another nifty fify? I have six already, but it's good to know things like that. Now if a K55/1.8 comes my way I will definitely get my wallet out.

Let me see...how many 50ish lenses do I have...

(counting...counting...counting)...This is getting embarrassing...

(counting...counting...counting)...Do I really need three XR Rikenon 50/2.0?...

(counting...counting...counting)...22!!!

Want to know the cool part? Only one is a stinker (Industar 61 52/2.8 in LTM...probably a Frankenlens).


Steve