50mm for K-1

**clackers** · 06-15-2016, 04:36 PM

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The DA*55 and D FA 50 Macro are both great on FF. The rendering of the former and the sharpness of the latter are terrific.

stevebrot · 06-15-2016, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by surfar

It works fine

I don't own a K-1, but that has not been my experience with the DA 50/1.8 on 35mm film. My shots show significant vignette (visible by direct examination of the negative) down to f/2.8. Edge and corner performance is also fairly poor and not to the same standard as my M and A series 50/1.7 lenses.

People who shoot the DA 50/1.8 on the K-1 and who are happy the results are just fine by me, but I personally would not recommend purchase of one for that purpose over other available options.

Steve

P.S. To balance my comments above, center sharpness is only a notch off the legacy M and A 50s at f/5.6 (not quite as good at wider apertures) and almost as good as the XR Rikenon 50/2 at the same.

**felixkh** · 06-15-2016, 05:54 PM

The only 50mm I current own are:
K50mm F1.4
Chinon 50mm F1.4

Although manual, both are nice to use on the K1.

Sandy Hancock · 06-15-2016, 06:02 PM

I used the DA*55 on the K-1 all last month. It's fantastic.
Pix HERE

**grahame** · 06-15-2016, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by ChatMechant

bokeh and overall look with the 55 was not as nice as either the Super-Tak 1.4 or the FA43

43's background could be very busy also.
Tak 50 and FA 43 give the feeling of better bokeh partially, or mostly because the soft edge which helps isolating subjectives. Same as Sigma 30/1.4.

noelpolar · 06-15-2016, 06:19 PM

The 50's are a problem group of lenses when deciding which is to be favoured under a given set of circumstances. This is mostly because, in the hands of a competent photographer, they all will mostly return a image that can be quite beautiful!

Then to complicate matters, there is the pleasure in using the lens that the photographer may, or may not find relevant...... hence the joy for some in using certain older lenses etc.

So....to get a meaningful answer to your question you really need to list in some detail your requirements of a 50ish lens so that an appropriate recommendation can be made.

hcc · 06-15-2016, 06:34 PM - **1 Like**

Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4.

The Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 is a great FF MF lens, with outstanding IQ. It compared very well with FA31mm IMHO: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/209251-fa31...mm-f1-4-a.html.The VL58mm is very solid, all meticallic, and I uses it as a WR lens.

Dare to be different.

Last edited by hcc; 06-15-2016 at 09:22 PM.

**clackers** · 06-15-2016, 08:43 PM

Originally posted by hcc

Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4.

The Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 is a great FF MF lens, with outstanding IQ. It compared very well with FA31mm IMHO: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/209251-fa31...mm-f1-4-a.html.

Dare to be different.

Yeah, Alan Smithee Photos in this forum also takes great photos with it.

I seriously considered it a couple of months ago before going with the DA*55 for AF and WR.

**mhsp1948** · 12-09-2016, 04:42 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

I used the DA*55 on the K-1 all last month. It's fantastic.
Pix HERE

Sandy, thank you for posting the photos. I have a K-1 and and you have convinced me by your photos to get the DA*55, because I do a lot of photos in the swamps and bad weather and that is why I also want the WR aspect of this lens. thanks again.

lennyl · 12-09-2016, 06:45 PM

Pentax FA50/1,4 vs Pentax FA43/1,9 Limited.

higher resolution

FA50/1,4 at f1,4

I also tried DA50/1,8, but output did not surprise me. DA*55/1,4 SDM is nice lens, I had it on K-3, on K-1 is only a little bit sharper on f1,4 than FA50/1,4.

Sandy Hancock · 12-09-2016, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by mhsp1948

You have convinced me by your photos to get the DA*55

Glad to be of service

It is easily my favourite normal lens on the K-1. That is no faint praise as my other two normals are the A50/1.2 and FA43, both of which are no slouches.

sculptor666 · 12-10-2016, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

I'd go for something else... namely the SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2

i'm in agreement here, awesome lens, i feel like it gets the most out of the k-1's dynamic range, and the nikon HS-12 hood is a perfect match (it's built for their 50mm 1.2)... also love the d-fa 50mm macro.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-10-2016, 03:10 PM - **1 Like**

I use the Nikon HS-2 on my "Special Lady" which seems to work just fine.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/321821d14...-dalliance.jpg

**felixkh** · 12-11-2016, 05:29 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Glad to be of service

It is easily my favourite normal lens on the K-1. That is no faint praise as my other two normals are the A50/1.2 and FA43, both of which are no slouches.

I have the same combo, but I am still trying to get used to the A50/1.2. Not easy shooting wide open with this lens.

**Kerrowdown** · 12-11-2016, 05:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by felixkh

but I am still trying to get used to the A50/1.2. Not easy shooting wide open with this lens

Life's never easy with a "Special Lady"...

06-15-2016, 06:19 PM	#21
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	The 50's are a problem group of lenses when deciding which is to be favoured under a given set of circumstances. This is mostly because, in the hands of a competent photographer, they all will mostly return a image that can be quite beautiful! Then to complicate matters, there is the pleasure in using the lens that the photographer may, or may not find relevant...... hence the joy for some in using certain older lenses etc. So....to get a meaningful answer to your question you really need to list in some detail your requirements of a 50ish lens so that an appropriate recommendation can be made. Last edited by noelpolar; 06-15-2016 at 06:27 PM.

12-09-2016, 06:45 PM	#25
lennyl Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Slovakia Posts: 63	Pentax FA50/1,4 vs Pentax FA43/1,9 Limited. higher resolution higher resolution higher resolution FA50/1,4 at f1,4 I also tried DA50/1,8, but output did not surprise me. DA*55/1,4 SDM is nice lens, I had it on K-3, on K-1 is only a little bit sharper on f1,4 than FA50/1,4.

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06-15-2016, 04:36 PM	#16
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. The DA*55 and D FA 50 Macro are both great on FF. The rendering of the former and the sharpness of the latter are terrific.

06-15-2016, 05:39 PM	#17
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by surfar It works fine I don't own a K-1, but that has not been my experience with the DA 50/1.8 on 35mm film. My shots show significant vignette (visible by direct examination of the negative) down to f/2.8. Edge and corner performance is also fairly poor and not to the same standard as my M and A series 50/1.7 lenses. People who shoot the DA 50/1.8 on the K-1 and who are happy the results are just fine by me, but I personally would not recommend purchase of one for that purpose over other available options. Steve P.S. To balance my comments above, center sharpness is only a notch off the legacy M and A 50s at f/5.6 (not quite as good at wider apertures) and almost as good as the XR Rikenon 50/2 at the same.

06-15-2016, 05:54 PM	#18
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	The only 50mm I current own are: K50mm F1.4 Chinon 50mm F1.4 Although manual, both are nice to use on the K1.

06-15-2016, 06:02 PM	#19
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I used the DA*55 on the K-1 all last month. It's fantastic. Pix HERE

06-15-2016, 06:02 PM	#20
grahame Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,041	Originally posted by ChatMechant bokeh and overall look with the 55 was not as nice as either the Super-Tak 1.4 or the FA43 43's background could be very busy also. Tak 50 and FA 43 give the feeling of better bokeh partially, or mostly because the soft edge which helps isolating subjectives. Same as Sigma 30/1.4.

06-15-2016, 06:34 PM - 1 Like	#22
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. The Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 is a great FF MF lens, with outstanding IQ. It compared very well with FA31mm IMHO: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/209251-fa31...mm-f1-4-a.html.The VL58mm is very solid, all meticallic, and I uses it as a WR lens. Dare to be different. Last edited by hcc; 06-15-2016 at 09:22 PM.

06-15-2016, 08:43 PM	#23
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by hcc Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4. The Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f1.4 is a great FF MF lens, with outstanding IQ. It compared very well with FA31mm IMHO: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/209251-fa31...mm-f1-4-a.html. Dare to be different. Yeah, Alan Smithee Photos in this forum also takes great photos with it. I seriously considered it a couple of months ago before going with the DA*55 for AF and WR.

12-09-2016, 04:42 PM	#24
mhsp1948 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Mississippi Photos: Gallery Posts: 617	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock I used the DA55 on the K-1 all last month. It's fantastic. Pix HERE Sandy, thank you for posting the photos. I have a K-1 and and you have convinced me by your photos to get the DA55, because I do a lot of photos in the swamps and bad weather and that is why I also want the WR aspect of this lens. thanks again.

12-09-2016, 06:48 PM	#26
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Originally posted by mhsp1948 You have convinced me by your photos to get the DA*55 Glad to be of service It is easily my favourite normal lens on the K-1. That is no faint praise as my other two normals are the A50/1.2 and FA43, both of which are no slouches.

12-10-2016, 02:46 PM	#27
sculptor666 Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PA Photos: Gallery Posts: 675	Originally posted by Kerrowdown I'd go for something else... namely the SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2 i'm in agreement here, awesome lens, i feel like it gets the most out of the k-1's dynamic range, and the nikon HS-12 hood is a perfect match (it's built for their 50mm 1.2)... also love the d-fa 50mm macro.

12-10-2016, 03:10 PM - 1 Like	#28
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	I use the Nikon HS-2 on my "Special Lady" which seems to work just fine. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/attachments/12-post-your-photos/321821d14...-dalliance.jpg

12-11-2016, 05:29 AM	#29
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Glad to be of service It is easily my favourite normal lens on the K-1. That is no faint praise as my other two normals are the A50/1.2 and FA43, both of which are no slouches. I have the same combo, but I am still trying to get used to the A50/1.2. Not easy shooting wide open with this lens.

12-11-2016, 05:46 AM - 1 Like	#30
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by felixkh but I am still trying to get used to the A50/1.2. Not easy shooting wide open with this lens Life's never easy with a "Special Lady"...