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11-27-2009, 09:23 AM   #1
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FA50mm F1.4 vs. FA50mm F1.7

I'm considering both of these lenses. I've read that the 50/1.7 is sharper at f1.7 than the 50/1.4 is at f2. I've also read that some prefer the color rendition of the 50/1.7.

How significant is the difference? Does anyone have samples of the 50/1.7 at f1.7 and the 50/1.4 at f1.4 - f2 that they could post?

Also, should I expect the AF performance to be similar with both of these lenses on a K-x?

11-27-2009, 10:35 AM   #2
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Overall the 50mm 1.7 is sharper at wide open. But i recently used my FA50 f1.4 on my k-x, the sharpness and focus were improved compare on the K-m. But it's still a little soft at f1.4, but I think it's more suitable for portrait. Anyway the FA50 1.7 is hard to fine, mostly you will find the F50 1.7 instead. I used both, I would said go for the F1.7, it's $80-$100 cheaper too.
11-27-2009, 11:14 AM   #3
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I have used the A f1,4 and the F f1,7. The f1,7 is better wide open, until f2,8 roughly where they even out. This is based on measurebating tests done with a bookshelf as a reference.

In real life, there is no important difference between either of those. I would go with the cheaper option, and get one in good shape.
11-29-2009, 07:03 AM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
I have used the A f1,4 and the F f1,7. The f1,7 is better wide open, until f2,8 roughly where they even out. This is based on measurebating tests done with a bookshelf as a reference.
In real life, there is no important difference between either of those. I would go with the cheaper option, and get one in good shape.
By 2.8 I would say the 1.4 is ahead. That's based on comparisons between the FA1.4 and FA1.7.

11-30-2009, 08:56 AM   #5
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i have both a 50 mm 1.7 and m 50 mm 1.4, i compare them and bought fa 50 mm 1.4. 1.4 series have better bokeh imo, but it is true that 1.7 is sharper WO.....
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11-30-2009, 09:02 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by switters Quote
I'm considering both of these lenses. I've read that the 50/1.7 is sharper at f1.7 than the 50/1.4 is at f2. I've also read that some prefer the color rendition of the 50/1.7.
I personally prefer the 1.7 over the 1.4, and would generally agree with that claim. AF performance is similar.

I'd say the difference is significant enough to price the 1.7 higher than the 1.4.

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11-30-2009, 09:19 AM   #7
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I ended up choosing the 1.4 because I will mainly be using it for portrait and creamy bokeh is nice for that. Also, it's not so easy to find a 1.7 anymore.

11-30-2009, 05:14 PM - 2 Likes   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Adam Quote
I personally prefer the 1.7 over the 1.4, and would generally agree with that claim. AF performance is similar.
I'd say the difference is significant enough to price the 1.7 higher than the 1.4.
They are both great lenses. I own them both at the moment, but just sold the FA50/1.4 in the Marketplace this morning. It was a tough decision on which to sell, but I needed to free up some funds to buy more lenses (and I already bought an FA77 earlier this afternoon). Anyway, here are some images of the two lenses side-by-side. Obviously this doesn't take into account which lens has a better bokeh or color. I also wouldn't call this a scientific test, but I did make an effort to control most of the important variables. I would say the 1.7 is sharper between 1.7 and 2.4, but perhaps the more important point to take away is just how much of a difference a lens hood can make, especially for the 1.4. (For the record, I don't actually own a lens hood for the FA50, I just borrowed the hood from my 50-200 and held it in front of the lens.)
-------------
f=1.7

-------------
f=2.0

<br><br>
-------------
f=2.4

-------------
f=2.8

-------------
100% crops are here:
fa50_test Photo Gallery by dgaies at pbase.com
11-30-2009, 06:48 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by dgaies Quote
They are both great lenses. I own them both at the moment, but just sold the FA50/1.4 in the Marketplace this morning. It was a tough decision on which to sell, but I needed to free up some funds to buy more lenses (and I already bought an FA77 earlier this afternoon). Anyway, here are some images of the two lenses side-by-side. Obviously this doesn't take into account which lens has a better bokeh or color. I also wouldn't call this a scientific test, but I did make an effort to control most of the important variables. I would say the 1.7 is sharper between 1.7 and 2.4, but perhaps the more important point to take away is just how much of a difference a lens hood can make, especially for the 1.4. (For the record, I don't actually own a lens hood for the FA50, I just borrowed the hood from my 50-200 and held it in front of the lens.)
-------------
f=1.7

-------------
f=2.0

<br><br>
-------------
f=2.4

-------------
f=2.8

-------------
100% crops are here:
fa50_test Photo Gallery by dgaies at pbase.com
This is extremely helpful. Are those center crops? It's quite clear how much sharper the 50/1.7 is @f1.7.

Since I'm primarily interested in portraiture, I'm not sure how much that matters. But it's good to know.
11-30-2009, 07:10 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by switters Quote
This is extremely helpful. Are those center crops? It's quite clear how much sharper the 50/1.7 is @f1.7.
Since I'm primarily interested in portraiture, I'm not sure how much that matters. But it's good to know.
The previous images I posted are center crops. For reference, the picture below represents the full image.
12-13-2009, 04:34 AM   #11
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Hi switters do you have the full image of the FA 1.4 @1.7? To me it seems that the 1.4 is only lacking contrast which can be easily tuned in PP. Do you have that same shot @1.4?
12-13-2009, 05:57 AM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pentaxoid Quote
Hi switters do you have the full image of the FA 1.4 @1.7? To me it seems that the 1.4 is only lacking contrast which can be easily tuned in PP. Do you have that same shot @1.4?
Contrast on the 1.4 could certainly use a bump, especially in the shots without the hood.

I didn't originally post the 1.4 @ 1.4, but I upoloaded them this morning for you. Those images, along with 100% crops of the other comparisons, can be found here:

fa50_test Photo Gallery by dgaies at pbase.com
12-13-2009, 07:22 AM   #13
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I did not go into the such detailed test of both of my FA50mmF1.4 and F50mmF1.7. They are so close that I decided to dispose of my FA version which of course was still under warranty. Also the older cosmetic appeal of F70mmF1.7 prevails.
12-13-2009, 07:39 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by danielchtong Quote
I did not go into the such detailed test of both of my FA50mmF1.4 and F50mmF1.7. They are so close that I decided to dispose of my FA version which of course was still under warranty. Also the older cosmetic appeal of F70mmF1.7 prevails.
I wasn't planning on going into such detail, but I was also curious about the effect of the hood so I figured I'd spend about an hour and see for myself the differences.

In truth, the two lenses are very close when it comes to taking actual pictures. Since I owned both FA versions, which other than the recessed front element, look identical, cosmetic appeal was out as a deciding factor (I also like the older look of the F). In the end I kept the 1.7 in part because of the test results but also because I figured they are less common and if I ever change my mind or want to own both in the future, it will likely be easier to purchase a FA50/1.4.
12-13-2009, 01:18 PM   #15
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Thanks for that Dgaies. I'm looking at these two at the moment. Very helpful.
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