Originally posted by pres589 The Helios 44-2 is possibly a nice addition to your kit as well and can be used on your Pentax cameras with an adapter ring. Lots of info out there about that.
The A 50 f2 is not that well regarded, maybe in part because it butts up against the 50 1.7's in the Pentax catalog which are very well respected. The images you shared of it are not so bad and this could be an awesome way to get more experience with your camera. Both of these lenses, actually, could be useful in that way as well as being useful focal lengths. That zoom is probably best left at f5.6 to f11 for optimal performance.
How do you like shooting with them?
I have not really had them out for a run yet other than in the backyard for test. I am becoming a victim of "GAS", I do like the IQ of the A 50 but it feels inferior to my other lenses, I will give them some more "exposure" before condemning them to get dusty on the shelf! The Makinon seems ok but I have most of that covered with an Irix 150 Macro, an old IMAGE lens 28/80 and my SMC 18/135.
Originally posted by Wasp The Pentax fifty is a keeper. Don't worry about the f/1.7 snobs. The f/2 is nearly identical.
The Helios 44-2 is the stuff of legend. Some East European Soviet era lenses have very interesting bokeh when shot wide open. The designs were mostly thirties Leica stuff.
As I do have some old SP1000 gear somewhere in storage I would have to dig up my M42 adapter to use the Helios for testing, not out of the realm of possibility, although not likely this year.
Thanks for your insight.