First DSLR K-7 on its way

mikro · 08-19-2010, 06:14 AM

Which of these two are better for my K-7?

Pentax A 50mm f/1.7
Pentax M 50mm f/1.4

pxpaulx · 08-19-2010, 06:27 AM

The M series lenses are not necessarily a whole lot more difficult to use, but they only allow use of M mode (all other modes will only shoot wide open); you also have to press the green button to get a meter reading (or make adjustments based on the exposure meter level).

The A series lens on the other hand will function completely in any mode with the exception of course that it is manual focus. The F1.7 is reportedly sharper, and both give similar results beyond F2. I would say unless you are in dire need of F1.4, the A F1.7 would be the way to go.

mikro · 08-19-2010, 09:50 AM

Thanks for the info, hopefully I can find one on the cheap.

**Ex Finn.** · 08-19-2010, 02:16 PM

Welcome to the forums.
Can`t comment on the 1.4. I am very impressed with my A 1.7.
I highly recommend the grip BTW.

Cheers, Mike.

mikro · 08-19-2010, 08:02 PM

Thanks for everyones comments and encouragement!

JeffJS · 08-19-2010, 11:48 PM

Originally posted by mikro

Which of these two are better for my K-7?

Pentax A 50mm f/1.7
Pentax M 50mm f/1.4

You really can't go wrong with either one of them. The only real difference in operation, is with the M lens you have to set the aperture using the ring (and there is no feedback into the camera for aperture). If you already have both, keep and use both. If you are trying to decide which to buy, go for the A f1.7 lens for ease of use.

Welcome to the club!

kytra · 08-20-2010, 01:10 AM

Excellent choice, OP!

Regarding battery grip, IF you don't foresee to use it very often, you could check out the generic versions, 1/3 of the price of the original. Don't save the money for the battery itself though, better go for the original.

In order to contol LBA, I highly recommend you save the money and target directly the FA limited trio (FA 31mm, 43mm, 77mm) or the DA trio (15mm, 40mm, 70mm).

A more cost conscious option would be the 16-50mm and 50-135mm DA SDM lenses which offer WR, silent operation and zoom flexibility for the cost of the bulkyness and \potential SDM failure (the SDM issue seems less of a threat for new copies now, it appears that Pentax finaly revisited the QC on the parts that used to fail)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What other DSLR do you have?	Clicker	Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Other Camera Brands	8	01-25-2010 09:01 PM
K100ds: best DSLR ever, or greatest DSLR ever?	Steve Beswick	Pentax DSLR Discussion	71	01-19-2010 02:47 AM
My First DSLR	Camgen	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	9	01-12-2010 01:07 PM
i am new to DSLR	hockeyman	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	03-12-2008 04:03 PM
First DSLR	Von Ryan	Pentax DSLR Discussion	26	11-25-2007 11:12 AM

08-19-2010, 06:14 AM	#16
mikro Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 57 Original Poster	Which of these two are better for my K-7? Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 Pentax M 50mm f/1.4

08-19-2010, 06:27 AM	#17
pxpaulx Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,867	The M series lenses are not necessarily a whole lot more difficult to use, but they only allow use of M mode (all other modes will only shoot wide open); you also have to press the green button to get a meter reading (or make adjustments based on the exposure meter level). The A series lens on the other hand will function completely in any mode with the exception of course that it is manual focus. The F1.7 is reportedly sharper, and both give similar results beyond F2. I would say unless you are in dire need of F1.4, the A F1.7 would be the way to go.

08-19-2010, 09:50 AM	#18
mikro Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 57 Original Poster	Thanks for the info, hopefully I can find one on the cheap.

08-19-2010, 02:16 PM	#19
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Welcome to the forums. Can`t comment on the 1.4. I am very impressed with my A 1.7. I highly recommend the grip BTW. Cheers, Mike.

08-19-2010, 08:02 PM	#20
mikro Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 57 Original Poster	Thanks for everyones comments and encouragement!

08-19-2010, 11:48 PM	#21
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by mikro Which of these two are better for my K-7? Pentax A 50mm f/1.7 Pentax M 50mm f/1.4 You really can't go wrong with either one of them. The only real difference in operation, is with the M lens you have to set the aperture using the ring (and there is no feedback into the camera for aperture). If you already have both, keep and use both. If you are trying to decide which to buy, go for the A f1.7 lens for ease of use. Welcome to the club!

08-20-2010, 01:10 AM	#22
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	Excellent choice, OP! Regarding battery grip, IF you don't foresee to use it very often, you could check out the generic versions, 1/3 of the price of the original. Don't save the money for the battery itself though, better go for the original. In order to contol LBA, I highly recommend you save the money and target directly the FA limited trio (FA 31mm, 43mm, 77mm) or the DA trio (15mm, 40mm, 70mm). A more cost conscious option would be the 16-50mm and 50-135mm DA SDM lenses which offer WR, silent operation and zoom flexibility for the cost of the bulkyness and \potential SDM failure (the SDM issue seems less of a threat for new copies now, it appears that Pentax finaly revisited the QC on the parts that used to fail)