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05-21-2012, 09:47 AM   #16
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I think the idea is to provide a cheap entry level prime. Pentax probably looked at the prices used FA35s and FA50s were selling for and thought 'ker-ching!' Also they are addressing a real lack of cheap glass in their lineup. All the other brands have cheap primes - why not Pentax. A 30 1.2 would be very very nice, but it would also be very expensive and a totally new design. When pentax's strategy pays off (heh!) and they become a popular brand again, maybe a 30 f1.2 would become possible.


Last edited by ihasa; 05-21-2012 at 10:24 AM.
05-21-2012, 09:48 AM   #17
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Hmm... Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site lists the FA 50/1.4 as out of production, i.e. no more production runs even though still available new from stockpile.

That, and the introduction of the DA 50/1.8 (replacing the FA) strongly indicate there's no FF on the horizon. IMO.

EDIT: Oh, and the FA 50/1.4 is missing from the lens roadmap. (Thanks brofkand)

Last edited by Gray; 05-21-2012 at 10:04 AM.
05-21-2012, 09:53 AM   #18
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QuoteOriginally posted by brofkand Quote
The days of Pentax lenses being cheaper and higher quality are over.
This does seem to be the case unfortunately. Unless this is some magical wonder of a fast 50, Pentax have wasted resources here really. What does this offer over the FA 50 1.7 other than worse build quality?
05-21-2012, 09:58 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mareket Quote
This does seem to be the case unfortunately. Unless this is some magical wonder of a fast 50, Pentax have wasted resources here really. What does this offer over the FA 50 1.7 other than worse build quality?
Its not only that.... pentax is an APSC brand at the end of the day. 50mm sits in no mans land here. To long to be seriously used as a standard... not long enough for portraits or any pulling in power
Make you wonder where there head is at realy lol

05-21-2012, 09:58 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mareket Quote
What does this offer over the FA 50 1.7 other than worse build quality?
Keeping the company in business. Without new lens sales Pentax will cease to exist.
05-21-2012, 10:03 AM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by Gray Quote
Hmm... Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site lists the FA 50/1.4 as out of production, i.e. no more production runs even though still available new from stockpile.
The Lens Roadmap that was published a few months ago doesn't list the FA 50mm either. Maybe we're just seeing the remains of an earlier production run, or they're still in production for a short while still.
05-21-2012, 10:06 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by boriscleto Quote
Keeping the company in business. Without new lens sales Pentax will cease to exist.
Obviously, but as others have said, there are much more useful focal lengths for APS-C that could have been made. The main attraction for fast 50s like this is the cheap price. This IS cheap for a lens, but it's expensive and lacking in comparison to other system's offerings. If the price drops anywhere near the level of the Canon 50mm f/1.8 then this is fantastic, but it never will do. Not for a long time anyway. And it offers very little over the Canon other than better aperture blades, Pentax's coatings and better build quality.

05-21-2012, 10:12 AM   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mareket Quote
And it offers very little over the Canon other than better aperture blades, Pentax's coatings and better build quality.
Why do you believe this one has better build quality than that of Nikon or Canon?
05-21-2012, 10:13 AM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
Why do you believe this one has better build quality than that of Nikon or Canon?
Because I imagine it's built in a similar fashion to the DA35, which has better build quality than the Canon 50mm f/1.8. The Nikon, however, is much better than the DA 35, and most likely the DA 50 f/1.8.
05-21-2012, 10:17 AM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by Mareket Quote
Because I imagine it's built in a similar fashion to the DA35, which has better build quality than the Canon 50mm f/1.8. The Nikon, however, is much better than the DA 35, and most likely the DA 50 f/1.8.
Ok, that makes sense...I had a Nikon f1.8 and although it obviously wasn't pro quality, it was certainly not bad, it had a metal mount.
Oh, and it costs $115.
05-21-2012, 10:27 AM   #26
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tough to compare price vs build quality, vs optical quality unless you also factor in Image stabilization....
the best VALUE isn't always the lowest price, or the best build quality... sometimes you have to be more intent on looking at the whole package...
05-21-2012, 10:29 AM   #27
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Then again, I didn't complain about the DA 35 when the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 is cheaper, better built, faster, AF-S, is apparently better optically and has full time manual over-ride.

I seriously wish they'd start putting QS in EVERY lens they make though, it's the most fantastic thing ever. I hardly use my primes because they're either DA without quickshift or FA, and they just feel annoying to use.

EDIT: the Nikkor isn't cheaper, but it's not much more expensive. Though it can't be used with film cameras either. DA35 + Super Program was an excellent combination!

Last edited by Mareket; 05-21-2012 at 10:35 AM.
05-21-2012, 10:30 AM   #28
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QuoteOriginally posted by Gray Quote
Hmm... Bojidar Dimitrov's Pentax K-Mount site lists the FA 50/1.4 as out of production, i.e. no more production runs even though still available new from stockpile.

That, and the introduction of the DA 50/1.8 (replacing the FA) strongly indicate there's no FF on the horizon. IMO.

EDIT: Oh, and the FA 50/1.4 is missing from the lens roadmap. (Thanks brofkand)
QuoteOriginally posted by brofkand Quote
The Lens Roadmap that was published a few months ago doesn't list the FA 50mm either. Maybe we're just seeing the remains of an earlier production run, or they're still in production for a short while still.
Perhaps true - but then it might suggest the rumored FF camera even more stongly. Perhaps Pentax Ricoh needs the production line for use building the FF lenses to be introduced concurrent with the coming Pro FF body. And the DA*55/1.4 image circle is reported to cover the FF sensor, so perhaps it can be re-packaged D-FA Limited) as a FF lens.
05-21-2012, 10:57 AM   #29
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QuoteOriginally posted by cali92rs Quote
I wouldve settled for a 1.4

Sigma already do a great 30/1.4. - Pentax would onto a winner if they did a 30mm version of their A50/1.2 with the same or similar Creamy characteristics
05-21-2012, 11:09 AM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by Smeggypants Quote
Sigma already do a great 30/1.4. - Pentax would onto a winner if they did a 30mm version of their A50/1.2 with the same or similar Creamy characteristics
I think a 28 mm 2.8 da-l is more likely from Pentax..
they seem to be on a roll with the 35, 40 and now 50 mm remakes of their own classic lenses..
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