The 50mm f/1.4 lens: Photography's Magic Bullet

The 50mm f/1.4 lens: Photography's Magic Bullet · 02:38 AM

This is an interesting article in PopPhoto about these lenses and a comparison between brands. Good to see film era FA50 still holding it's own against the more expensive and modern competition.
The 50mm f/1.4 lens: Photography's Magic Bullet - - PopPhotoFebruary 2009

Adam_T4 · 08-26-2009, 05:12 PM - **1 Like**

So far by far my favorite Pentax lens ...

Attached Images

qclabrat_1 · 11-25-2009, 09:17 AM

Thanks for the article. I think I've just found the perfect present for myself. My wife thinks my pics are crummy with the K10D kit lens. Anyone have suggestions on where to get help on taking better pics? I just ordered the lantern book and looking for classes at the local community college.

Happy Thanksgiving to you if you celebrate.
-Jersey Walt

KFrog · 12-06-2009, 09:47 PM

When I got my K10D I didn't get the kit lens. I got the DA18-250mm and the FA50mm f/1.4. Best decision I ever made. Don't have a 50? What are you waiting for?

kpp80202 · 12-08-2009, 10:42 AM

Newbie here--the article talks about the f/1.4 being the best of this type, but the reviews here seem to show that a lot of folks here think the f/1.7 is better, and it has a higher rating. Now I'm torn!

Last edited by kpp80202; 12-08-2009 at 03:15 PM.

Pentaxoid · 12-09-2009, 12:28 PM

I think people are too focused (pun unintendend) on the sharpness of a lens, so obviously the 1.7 beats the 1.4 wide open. But in typical portraiture, a sharp image is not always the best. Look at the result of a 1.2 lens, it has that dreamy and unsharp effect which is very pleasing to look at.

By the way, in the lens reviews, a lad by the name of youngster has advised people to add a lens hood to the FA 50 1.4 to improve the sharpness of the lens wide open, and it seems to work (I haven't tested it myself).

ozobken · 12-12-2009, 09:43 PM

It appears that the article is no longer up on PopPhoto - is this archived anywhere?

Cregar · 06-29-2010, 10:38 PM

Prices on this lens are up around $300 to $360

pop4 · 06-30-2010, 03:17 AM

Originally posted by ozobken

It appears that the article is no longer up on PopPhoto - is this archived anywhere?

Try this link:
The 50mm f/1.4 lens: Photography's Magic Bullet - Digital Photo Tips and More on PopPhoto.com

My magic bullet is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

kytra · 06-30-2010, 04:08 AM

Had the Sigma. Good lens, fast AF, fairly sharp but too bulky. The lens screamed "pro" which is not always good. If you want to impress, a K20 w/battery grip and a Sigma 50mm f1.4 HSM make you look very serious

I decided to get the FA 43mm instead and I think it is a better option for me.

**jac** · 01-23-2011, 07:37 AM

Originally posted by kytra

Had the Sigma. Good lens, fast AF, fairly sharp but too bulky. The lens screamed "pro" which is not always good. If you want to impress, a K20 w/battery grip and a Sigma 50mm f1.4 HSM make you look very serious

I decided to get the FA 43mm instead and I think it is a better option for me.

I'm having a lot of problems with my FA 43. I'm in love with it and can't seem to find a good enough reason to take it off my K5. I'll have to resurrect the K20D and work the other lenses with it!

feishui · 05-13-2011, 03:00 PM

My FA 50mm shows severely chromatic aberration at 1.4 through 2.4， even with hood on. Kinda disappointed. May get a 43mm later on.

Sunday · 05-31-2011, 12:03 AM

I noticed the conversations revolves around the FA 50mm f/1.4.
What about other 50mm f/1.4 lenses? I plan to buy one of them in the next months, is out there one to rule them all, or any of them would do?
I'm talking about Auto Chinon 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4, Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4, Vivitar 50mm f/1.4 and (presumably) so on.

yusuf · 05-31-2011, 02:36 AM

Originally posted by feishui

My FA 50mm shows severely chromatic aberration at 1.4 through 2.4， even with hood on. Kinda disappointed. May get a 43mm later on.

Even 43 is prone to almost the same amount of CA.

DanFrier · 07-17-2011, 12:12 PM

Cracking, may have to grab myself one.

paperbag846 · 07-21-2011, 12:44 AM

Its a preposterously useful lens. I have the AF version because I have the lovely K55 for when I can afford to go slow, but the 50 1.4 in the A, M, or Tak manifestations are all more similar than different. I'd try to track down an early 50 1.4 (K series) if I wanted manual focus. I like the AF for following action with low DOF.

Lens is not soft at all... stop viewing images at 100%. Loads of character in this lens.

Agreed about the 1.7 - great if you want sharpness, but not as good at the other things (character, colour, etc).

08-26-2009, 05:12 PM - 1 Like	#16
Adam_T4 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NYC Photos: Gallery Posts: 51	The 1.4 rules the roost So far by far my favorite Pentax lens ... Attached Images

11-25-2009, 09:17 AM	#17
qclabrat_1 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2	xmas present Thanks for the article. I think I've just found the perfect present for myself. My wife thinks my pics are crummy with the K10D kit lens. Anyone have suggestions on where to get help on taking better pics? I just ordered the lantern book and looking for classes at the local community college. Happy Thanksgiving to you if you celebrate. -Jersey Walt

05-13-2011, 03:00 PM	#26
feishui Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 94	My FA 50mm shows severely chromatic aberration at 1.4 through 2.4， even with hood on. Kinda disappointed. May get a 43mm later on. Last edited by feishui; 05-14-2011 at 03:31 PM.

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12-06-2009, 09:47 PM	#18
KFrog Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Katy, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 294	When I got my K10D I didn't get the kit lens. I got the DA18-250mm and the FA50mm f/1.4. Best decision I ever made. Don't have a 50? What are you waiting for?

12-08-2009, 10:42 AM	#19
kpp80202 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Colorful Colorado Posts: 27	Newbie here--the article talks about the f/1.4 being the best of this type, but the reviews here seem to show that a lot of folks here think the f/1.7 is better, and it has a higher rating. Now I'm torn! Last edited by kpp80202; 12-08-2009 at 03:15 PM.

12-09-2009, 12:28 PM	#20
Pentaxoid Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 48	I think people are too focused (pun unintendend) on the sharpness of a lens, so obviously the 1.7 beats the 1.4 wide open. But in typical portraiture, a sharp image is not always the best. Look at the result of a 1.2 lens, it has that dreamy and unsharp effect which is very pleasing to look at. By the way, in the lens reviews, a lad by the name of youngster has advised people to add a lens hood to the FA 50 1.4 to improve the sharpness of the lens wide open, and it seems to work (I haven't tested it myself).

12-12-2009, 09:43 PM	#21
ozobken New Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Perth Posts: 1	It appears that the article is no longer up on PopPhoto - is this archived anywhere?

06-29-2010, 10:38 PM	#22
Cregar Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 96	Prices on this lens are up around $300 to $360

06-30-2010, 03:17 AM	#23
pop4 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: YMML Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,879	Originally posted by ozobken It appears that the article is no longer up on PopPhoto - is this archived anywhere? Try this link: The 50mm f/1.4 lens: Photography's Magic Bullet - Digital Photo Tips and More on PopPhoto.com My magic bullet is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

06-30-2010, 04:08 AM	#24
kytra Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bucharest Posts: 482	Had the Sigma. Good lens, fast AF, fairly sharp but too bulky. The lens screamed "pro" which is not always good. If you want to impress, a K20 w/battery grip and a Sigma 50mm f1.4 HSM make you look very serious I decided to get the FA 43mm instead and I think it is a better option for me.

01-23-2011, 07:37 AM	#25
jac Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada Posts: 2,364	Originally posted by kytra Had the Sigma. Good lens, fast AF, fairly sharp but too bulky. The lens screamed "pro" which is not always good. If you want to impress, a K20 w/battery grip and a Sigma 50mm f1.4 HSM make you look very serious I decided to get the FA 43mm instead and I think it is a better option for me. I'm having a lot of problems with my FA 43. I'm in love with it and can't seem to find a good enough reason to take it off my K5. I'll have to resurrect the K20D and work the other lenses with it!

05-31-2011, 12:03 AM	#27
Sunday New Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 18	I noticed the conversations revolves around the FA 50mm f/1.4. What about other 50mm f/1.4 lenses? I plan to buy one of them in the next months, is out there one to rule them all, or any of them would do? I'm talking about Auto Chinon 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4, Pentax Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4, Vivitar 50mm f/1.4 and (presumably) so on.

05-31-2011, 02:36 AM	#28
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Originally posted by feishui My FA 50mm shows severely chromatic aberration at 1.4 through 2.4， even with hood on. Kinda disappointed. May get a 43mm later on. Even 43 is prone to almost the same amount of CA.

07-17-2011, 12:12 PM	#29
DanFrier Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Plymouth, SouthWest England Posts: 5	Cracking, may have to grab myself one.

07-21-2011, 12:44 AM	#30
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Its a preposterously useful lens. I have the AF version because I have the lovely K55 for when I can afford to go slow, but the 50 1.4 in the A, M, or Tak manifestations are all more similar than different. I'd try to track down an early 50 1.4 (K series) if I wanted manual focus. I like the AF for following action with low DOF. Lens is not soft at all... stop viewing images at 100%. Loads of character in this lens. Agreed about the 1.7 - great if you want sharpness, but not as good at the other things (character, colour, etc).