The Pentax SMC DA 50MM F/1.8 is announced

Mr Spocko · 05-22-2012, 06:43 AM

$250 seems a bit steep for a budget plastic prime, but hey better than nothing I suppose this one was a long time coming. Better late than never I suppose

**Aristophanes** · 05-22-2012, 07:55 AM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

I won't be swapping my FA 50mm f/1.7 for one of these, especially now that I'm also using film, but Pentax need it in the lineup.

Now they need a cheap wide prime. 18mm f/2.8 (or faster).

You realize you contradict yourself.

Cheap and wide like that is very $$$. Also, extremely big and heavy.

pghwarrior23 · 05-22-2012, 09:46 AM

$250 is steep? What other 50mm options for Pentax are in this price range let alone a high quality prime? You do know the DA* lenses are closer to $1000 right? And pro lenses for any brand are typically $1000-2500!! And yet $250 is steep? I think Pentax has some discontinued P&S cameras perhaps you should consider then or maybe hit some flea markets for some old manual lenses.

**boriscleto** · 05-22-2012, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by pghwarrior23

$250 is steep? What other 50mm options for Pentax are in this price range let alone a high quality prime? You do know the DA* lenses are closer to $1000 right? And pro lenses for any brand are typically $1000-2500!! And yet $250 is steep? I think Pentax has some discontinued P&S cameras perhaps you should consider then or maybe hit some flea markets for some old manual lenses.

Compared to the Canon EF 50/1.8 it is steep. The Canon retails for around $115.

It falls apart after a year and it has a terrible bokeh, but it's $115!

Asahiflex · 05-22-2012, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Compared to the Canon EF 50/1.8 it is steep. The Canon retails for around $115.

It falls apart after a year and it has a terrible bokeh, but it's $115!

Canon can sell crap and get away with it. Pentax can't so it's no wonder it's expensive!

**boriscleto** · 05-22-2012, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by Asahiflex

Canon can sell crap and get away with it. Pentax can't so it's no wonder it's expensive!

But most consumers will never look past the price tag. Almost half of my photo club are Canon users. Almost all of them have the 50/1.8 even if they never use it.

Jonathan Mac · 05-22-2012, 01:25 PM

Originally posted by Aristophanes

You realize you contradict yourself.

Cheap and wide like that is very $$$. Also, extremely big and heavy.

But the kit lens is cheap, starts at 18mm and is only half a stop slower. With the simplified optics and only having to cover the APS-C image circle, it MUST be possible to build a DAL 18mm f/2.8 for 50% more than the kit lens costs. Sigma's new digital neo 19mm f/2.8 is cheap, something along those lines.

Emacs · 05-22-2012, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Sigma's new digital neo 19mm f/2.8 is cheap, something along those lines.

Sigma utilizes short flange distance of mirrorless cameras. SLR version will be MUCH bigger.
It's essential benefit from mirrorless technologies.

hegedus · 05-22-2012, 01:55 PM

I don't know why should a wide lens like 18mm also be very bright? Why not f4? Do you need it for bokeh? At 18mm you can hardly speak about background blur. The shutter speed at 18mm can be slow, combined with SR can give you decent results even at 1/15s. Also, here is a modern sensor ISO sensitivity, which gives you quite a lot of light boost. So why f2.8?

mattdm · 05-22-2012, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

Assuming it actually is the same as the f/1.7 then the difference could be the aperture blades, the lens coatings (possibly the rear element is also coated), or a change made to the anti-reflection coating of the lens body to help with keeping reflections off the sensor.

Do you mean they'd change the actual aperture because of differences to the coatings, or do you think the f/stop rating is really more representative of the t-stop?

**Fontan** · 05-22-2012, 08:27 PM

I have always felt that 50mm on APS-C is a goofy focal length. I assume that this is not FF compatible . . . .

ewalk · 05-22-2012, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by Fontan

I have always felt that 50mm on APS-C is a goofy focal length. I assume that this is not FF compatible . . . .

According to the lens description on BHPhoto, it is.

Pentax smc DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens DA50F1.8 B&H Photo Video

Quote:

For APS-C & Full-Frame K-Mount Cameras

**Fontan** · 05-22-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally posted by ewalk

According to the lens description on BHPhoto, it is.

Pentax smc DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens DA50F1.8 B&H Photo Video

Ah, I suppose then this is an erection inducing news for FF wishers. Congrats.

ogl · 05-23-2012, 05:25 AM

Originally posted by boriscleto

Compared to the Canon EF 50/1.8 it is steep. The Canon retails for around $115.

It falls apart after a year and it has a terrible bokeh, but it's $115!

It's stone age lens. I think they produced more than 1 000 000 such lenses...

That's why the price is so low.

RMabo · 05-23-2012, 05:42 AM - **1 Like**

The Canon EF 50 f/1.8 is indeed from ancient times, it is a pre-historic lens.

It has paid for itself a long time ago.
The Pentax new 50 f/1.8 is a new construction, new optical design, and Pentax wants to get their development money back. Plus the optical design is likely to be very good, if we judge from the new 35 f/2.4. Optical quality like the Limiteds but in a plastic body.

I believe that the problem is that people just compare focal lengths, aperture and price - and not optical quality. Do you want a 50 just because it is cheap, or do you want one because it is good? If you want a cheap 50 then you have this in the 18-55 kit zoom...

05-22-2012, 01:40 PM	#23
Emacs Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Moscow Posts: 1,223	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Sigma's new digital neo 19mm f/2.8 is cheap, something along those lines. Sigma utilizes short flange distance of mirrorless cameras. SLR version will be MUCH bigger. It's essential benefit from mirrorless technologies. Last edited by Emacs; 05-23-2012 at 10:17 AM.

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05-22-2012, 06:43 AM	#16
Mr Spocko Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 254	$250 seems a bit steep for a budget plastic prime, but hey better than nothing I suppose this one was a long time coming. Better late than never I suppose

05-22-2012, 07:55 AM	#17
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I won't be swapping my FA 50mm f/1.7 for one of these, especially now that I'm also using film, but Pentax need it in the lineup. Now they need a cheap wide prime. 18mm f/2.8 (or faster). You realize you contradict yourself. Cheap and wide like that is very $$$. Also, extremely big and heavy.

05-22-2012, 09:46 AM	#18
pghwarrior23 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Albums Posts: 331	$250 is steep? What other 50mm options for Pentax are in this price range let alone a high quality prime? You do know the DA* lenses are closer to $1000 right? And pro lenses for any brand are typically $1000-2500!! And yet $250 is steep? I think Pentax has some discontinued P&S cameras perhaps you should consider then or maybe hit some flea markets for some old manual lenses.

05-22-2012, 09:49 AM	#19
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by pghwarrior23 $250 is steep? What other 50mm options for Pentax are in this price range let alone a high quality prime? You do know the DA* lenses are closer to $1000 right? And pro lenses for any brand are typically $1000-2500!! And yet $250 is steep? I think Pentax has some discontinued P&S cameras perhaps you should consider then or maybe hit some flea markets for some old manual lenses. Compared to the Canon EF 50/1.8 it is steep. The Canon retails for around $115. It falls apart after a year and it has a terrible bokeh, but it's $115!

05-22-2012, 11:13 AM	#20
Asahiflex Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,795	Originally posted by boriscleto Compared to the Canon EF 50/1.8 it is steep. The Canon retails for around $115. It falls apart after a year and it has a terrible bokeh, but it's $115! Canon can sell crap and get away with it. Pentax can't so it's no wonder it's expensive!

05-22-2012, 11:47 AM	#21
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by Asahiflex Canon can sell crap and get away with it. Pentax can't so it's no wonder it's expensive! But most consumers will never look past the price tag. Almost half of my photo club are Canon users. Almost all of them have the 50/1.8 even if they never use it.

05-22-2012, 01:25 PM	#22
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,910	Originally posted by Aristophanes You realize you contradict yourself. Cheap and wide like that is very $$$. Also, extremely big and heavy. But the kit lens is cheap, starts at 18mm and is only half a stop slower. With the simplified optics and only having to cover the APS-C image circle, it MUST be possible to build a DAL 18mm f/2.8 for 50% more than the kit lens costs. Sigma's new digital neo 19mm f/2.8 is cheap, something along those lines.

05-22-2012, 01:55 PM	#24
hegedus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Croatia Posts: 180	I don't know why should a wide lens like 18mm also be very bright? Why not f4? Do you need it for bokeh? At 18mm you can hardly speak about background blur. The shutter speed at 18mm can be slow, combined with SR can give you decent results even at 1/15s. Also, here is a modern sensor ISO sensitivity, which gives you quite a lot of light boost. So why f2.8?

05-22-2012, 08:20 PM	#25
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by jatrax Assuming it actually is the same as the f/1.7 then the difference could be the aperture blades, the lens coatings (possibly the rear element is also coated), or a change made to the anti-reflection coating of the lens body to help with keeping reflections off the sensor. Do you mean they'd change the actual aperture because of differences to the coatings, or do you think the f/stop rating is really more representative of the t-stop?

05-22-2012, 08:27 PM	#26
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	I have always felt that 50mm on APS-C is a goofy focal length. I assume that this is not FF compatible . . . .

05-22-2012, 08:46 PM	#27
ewalk Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 316	Originally posted by Fontan I have always felt that 50mm on APS-C is a goofy focal length. I assume that this is not FF compatible . . . . According to the lens description on BHPhoto, it is. Pentax smc DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens DA50F1.8 B&H Photo Video Quote: For APS-C & Full-Frame K-Mount Cameras

05-22-2012, 08:59 PM	#28
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Originally posted by ewalk According to the lens description on BHPhoto, it is. Pentax smc DA 50mm f/1.8 Lens DA50F1.8 B&H Photo Video Ah, I suppose then this is an erection inducing news for FF wishers. Congrats.

05-23-2012, 05:25 AM	#29
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by boriscleto Compared to the Canon EF 50/1.8 it is steep. The Canon retails for around $115. It falls apart after a year and it has a terrible bokeh, but it's $115! It's stone age lens. I think they produced more than 1 000 000 such lenses... That's why the price is so low.

05-23-2012, 05:42 AM - 1 Like	#30
RMabo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 845	The Canon EF 50 f/1.8 is indeed from ancient times, it is a pre-historic lens. It has paid for itself a long time ago. The Pentax new 50 f/1.8 is a new construction, new optical design, and Pentax wants to get their development money back. Plus the optical design is likely to be very good, if we judge from the new 35 f/2.4. Optical quality like the Limiteds but in a plastic body. I believe that the problem is that people just compare focal lengths, aperture and price - and not optical quality. Do you want a 50 just because it is cheap, or do you want one because it is good? If you want a cheap 50 then you have this in the 18-55 kit zoom...