Just picked up a Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4

**scotjames** · 07-26-2018, 02:31 PM - **1 Like**

Seems to be pretty sweet on my K-1 mk ii. Soft at 1.4 but from 2.0 it gets better and at 5.6 it is as sharp as a tack.

Attached Images

pathdoc · 07-26-2018, 02:34 PM

It's not at all a bad lens. Optically quite good, compact for what it is, and compatible with every K-mount body ever built. (Yes, I have used it on manual focus cameras, and with a split image or other focusing aid in those bodies the focus ring is sufficiently damped for casual work.)

**scotjames** · 07-26-2018, 02:40 PM

Yes I'm very happy - especially since I only paid CAD $147 for it!

**ChipB** · 07-26-2018, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by scotjames

Yes I'm very happy - especially since I only paid CAD $147 for it!

I'd say you got a good deal!!

**kiwi_jono** · 07-26-2018, 03:07 PM

Congratulations - great deal!

Agree with you that its not really sharp wide open and f2 is much better on my copy too. Also, personally, I much prefer the look of the bokeh at f2 than f1.4 (which I find can be a bit nervous looking).

**BigMackCam** · 07-26-2018, 03:37 PM

Congratulations on the lens. I really like the FA50/1.4... Yes, it's a bit soft wide open, although still usable if AF fine adjustment is accurate, and great for portraiture. I'd recommend using a hood if you don't already, especially at wider apertures...

SirTomster · 07-26-2018, 03:49 PM

Anyone use this bad boy for some Nightscapes?

Curious how it would look. I have the Takumar 50mm f/1.4 that I am having fun with. I wonder if this would be better or worse. I would likely shoot at f/2.8 or maybe f/4.

**Rondec** · 07-26-2018, 03:58 PM

It's a nice lens. I would add an aftermarket hood. I found it extremely prone to flare before I added one and that seemed to help quite a bit.

(I did end up selling mine and getting a DA *55 in the end, which I still shoot with).

**kiwi_jono** · 07-26-2018, 04:55 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by SirTomster

Anyone use this bad boy for some Nightscapes?
Curious how it would look. I have the Takumar 50mm f/1.4 that I am having fun with. I wonder if this would be better or worse. I would likely shoot at f/2.8 or maybe f/4.

Yes but the Super Takumar is still very good stopped down (just more prone to flare really).

FA50 f1.4 :

Super Takumar 50 f1.4 :

**ChipB** · 07-26-2018, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by kiwi_jono

Yes but the Super Takumar is still very good stopped down (just more prone to flare really).

FA50 f1.4 :

Super Takumar 50 f1.4 :

Like the shots - specially the 2nd one.

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07-26-2018, 02:34 PM	#2
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	It's not at all a bad lens. Optically quite good, compact for what it is, and compatible with every K-mount body ever built. (Yes, I have used it on manual focus cameras, and with a split image or other focusing aid in those bodies the focus ring is sufficiently damped for casual work.)

07-26-2018, 02:40 PM	#3
scotjames Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 23 Original Poster	Yes I'm very happy - especially since I only paid CAD $147 for it!

07-26-2018, 02:52 PM	#4
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Originally posted by scotjames Yes I'm very happy - especially since I only paid CAD $147 for it! I'd say you got a good deal!!

07-26-2018, 03:07 PM	#5
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Congratulations - great deal! Agree with you that its not really sharp wide open and f2 is much better on my copy too. Also, personally, I much prefer the look of the bokeh at f2 than f1.4 (which I find can be a bit nervous looking).

07-26-2018, 03:37 PM	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,657	Congratulations on the lens. I really like the FA50/1.4... Yes, it's a bit soft wide open, although still usable if AF fine adjustment is accurate, and great for portraiture. I'd recommend using a hood if you don't already, especially at wider apertures...

07-26-2018, 03:49 PM	#7
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	Anyone use this bad boy for some Nightscapes? Curious how it would look. I have the Takumar 50mm f/1.4 that I am having fun with. I wonder if this would be better or worse. I would likely shoot at f/2.8 or maybe f/4.

07-26-2018, 03:58 PM	#8
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	It's a nice lens. I would add an aftermarket hood. I found it extremely prone to flare before I added one and that seemed to help quite a bit. (I did end up selling mine and getting a DA *55 in the end, which I still shoot with).

07-26-2018, 04:55 PM - 2 Likes	#9
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Originally posted by SirTomster Anyone use this bad boy for some Nightscapes? Curious how it would look. I have the Takumar 50mm f/1.4 that I am having fun with. I wonder if this would be better or worse. I would likely shoot at f/2.8 or maybe f/4. Yes but the Super Takumar is still very good stopped down (just more prone to flare really). FA50 f1.4 : Super Takumar 50 f1.4 :

07-26-2018, 09:53 PM	#10
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Originally posted by kiwi_jono Yes but the Super Takumar is still very good stopped down (just more prone to flare really). FA50 f1.4 : Super Takumar 50 f1.4 : Like the shots - specially the 2nd one.

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