| Author: | | Forum Member Registered: June, 2014 Posts: 62
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 1, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $276.45
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | IQ,Sharp, Weight, multi purpose,price,fast & fast focus | | Cons: | A little hunting in close | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K3 & K3ii
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This is my second excursion into macro,photography. I first started with an after market 90mm true macro lens.
I was not satisfied with the results to say the least.I purchased the Pentax lens a couple of weeks ago. I am about finished photographing, 50 years of collections from around the world.
I am extremely happy with the results.
THIS lens makes a swell walk around lens as well as a great macro lens.
The IQ,sharp detail, color rendition, and all the other good qualities of this lens, make me realize that higher prices do not always mean better quality. I paid approximately twice as much for my first macro lens anf got substantially less value.
I would recommend this lens to anyone needing the macro capability in a true standard focal length.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 8 | | Review Date: May 25, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | 1:1, 2.8 | | Cons: | No WR, My copy does not focus at infinity... | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5
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This lens simply does what you expect it to do. Sharp wide open, close focussing distance, quick shift. It's a pity is has no WR (put it in the wet grass...)
Compared to the 50mm f/4 M series macro, which I owned before, the 1:1 and 2.8 make a good addtion. That lens has its front element far back in the lens, which this DFA version does not have. That is an aspect I prefer from the old M. Nevertheless: I highly recommend this lens.
PS My copy does not focus at infinity. It does almost, so the pictures are sharp (hyperfocal distance), but I do not get the AF confirmation, which is annoying...
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: November, 2011 Posts: 52 | | Review Date: March 6, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $398.99
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | EXTRA SHARP, Quick shift. | | Cons: | None really, except bokeh is slightly lower than other 50mm Primes | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-3
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What most others have stated here. This lens is the best
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: October, 2014 Posts: 614
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 17, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, even wide open. Quick shift. | | Cons: | Clamp function | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K200d
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This lens is very sharp, even wide open and at normal distances, so not as fast as other 50mm primes, but you can use its full aperture range. The versatility of native 1:1 macro focusing is also an invaluable, in my opinion, even if you don't plan to do a lot of high-magnification dedicated macro shooting with this lens. Even a moderate 1:2 reproduction ratio, which is easily hand-holdable in good light with this focal length, gives a completely different perspective from the usual 1:4 or less "pseudo macro" magnification available on general purpose zooms.
Didn't notice any specific probem with aberrations, there is also a good hood that locks onto the lens barrel and works really fine, also to protect the protruding front element. This protrudes a lot at maximum magnification, however leaving a healthy working distance
This lens has a long focus throw and of course it tends to hunt a bit if you are photographing a mixture of subjects in macro and non macro range. However this is to be expected with a macro lens; this doesn't make the lens any less useful for conventional photography, on the contrary i enjoy it a lot. With quick shift manual focus one can always rapidly avoid excessive hunting.
What could be improved is the smoothness of the manual focus action, which could have been better. I also find the clamp funcion of limited help, when engaged it makes the focus ring harder to turn, allowing for more precise fine tuning, but the movement feels really skippy and harsh in this mode; perhaps a focus limiter would have been more useful.
Overall the build quality is not stellar, i'd say i would expect a little bit more from a rather pricey lens, but it's more than adequate to ensure durability .
These are all very minor quirks, the lens can't be faulted optically. If you need this focal length with macro capabilities, look no further.
 | | | | | | | Junior Member Registered: November, 2014 Location: New York City Posts: 49 | | Review Date: January 7, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $346.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-5IIs
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http://flic.kr/s/aHsk2KsvBu
I needed a f/2.8 or faster, I haven't used a 50mm since I owned a Ricoh. So,I'm coming from using a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8 on my Canon 50D to a 50mm on my Pentax. Very impressed, not only is this lens super sharp and fast but it will practically shoot in the dark and having the macro is a bonus.
| | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 2
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 18, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $521.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Image Quality | | Cons: | Expensive | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 5
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 6
Value: 5
New or Used: New
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I just bought this lens at B&H and had to return it because it was made in Vietnam, the quality was not as good as the reviews here.
The version made in Japan should be much better.
Adorama, Ebay and Amazon all sell the Vietnam version.
Does anyone know where I can buy the version made in Japan?
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2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 9, 2013 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small size, sharp, colours, contrast, 49mm filters | | Cons: | No focus limiter | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
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I've only had this lens for a short while, but already I'm impressed with it, and I really like shooting with it. I've been using a DA35 limited macro mostly, and have loved that. I also tried out a DFA 100WR macro, but found that I'm more of a "close up" photographer than a chasing bugs with strobes kind of photographer. Just couldn't warm to the 100mm (150 cropped equivalent) range.
This 50mm fits the bill perfectly. It is very hand-holdable, yet it provides an important measure of distance from subject that the DA35 doesn't offer.
It's got a nice, quality, plastic build. A bit of a weird barrel shape when it extends but nothing wrong with it. Good focus ring to grab ahold of. Nice light weight, and 49mm filters that match many other Pentax primes. Unfortunately, the hood is huge. The flip side is that some of the nifty pull-out hoods, like on the DA35 or DA15, can be quite a hassle in terms of lens caps and filters. So the up side is that the DFA50 hood can be totally removed. I wish it fit my FA50 but it doesn't.
I wish, I wish, I wish they had not done the clamp, but used the space for a focus limiter. That would've been so much smarter. Thus I rate autofocus at a 7.
I think it is a very sharp, clear lens with good contrast, fine colours and pleasing bokeh for close-up work. I'm seriously debating whether or not to ditch the DA35. I think it simply comes down to focal length and whether you like the caché of a metal lens body. This is a seriously overlooked lens. 
p.s. who in the world would rate this lens (any lens) as a 1 unless it simply couldn't take pictures at all? Just like Olympic figure skating I recommend everyone drop the top and the bottom rated votes. | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2011 Location: Brisbane. Australia Posts: 1,824
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 27, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $375.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Small , Light, Solid feel, Love the Clamp for extra friction on the Focus colar in Manual Focus, and Quick shift | | Cons: | Zero... Well, could do with a Focus Limiter.... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: istD*, K-7 and K-5, MZ-5n (35mm film)
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Teriffic little lens, small light , a pleasure to use, SHARP.. great marco for close places, and doubles as an excellent 50mm portrait lens. Quick shift is loverly, and the clamp makes Manual Focus feel like using an old MF lens. Aperature Ring, and FF so I can still use on my old film bodies without any issue. Would have been an 11 if it had a focus Limiter, anybody who can't produce cracking Pictures with this lens probably shouldn't have one in the first place.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2012 Posts: 24
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 27, 2012 | Not Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 1 |
| Pros: | Light | | Cons: | Cheap plasticky build, way too short in FL | | Sharpness: 2
Aberrations: 4
Bokeh: 3
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 1
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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What a big hoo ha about such an average lens. It's way too short to use as a macro, so it's just an f2.8 prime 50, and it's not sharp either.
Why wouldn't you get the FA 50 or DA 55mm... I got this for $60 and I still don't think it was a good deal.
| | | | | Banned Registered: March, 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Posts: 1,668 | | Review Date: August 16, 2012 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | The best of the 50mm's | | Cons: | Read text for more; all minor issues | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-01, K-5, LX
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Considering both the present market of 50mm's that Pentax offers, and also the ones in the past - this is by far the best optical 50mm lens that Pentax offers. Sure it is not as light, or as small, or even has the better aperatures of some of the other 50's, but... For this 50 it's all about the optics, and also the added benefit of having 1.1 macro.
This would be a great choice as a first lens with any Pentax (interchangeable lens) camera; or a great first addition to any of the kit lens that come with any of the Pentax cameras. This 50 is by far one of my most used Pentax lens'.
Wishing that every lens were this good optically and also for the included macro capability.
The only minor concerns for this lens. One has to be a bit careful when the lens is in manual focus mode. The manual states not to go beyond either of the focusing ends. The lens also extends considerably in macro mode.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 1,071 | | Review Date: February 9, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $419.95
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | SHARP! (even wide open!), great bokeh | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-r
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I cannot emphasize this enough: this lens is incredibly S-H-A-R-P, even wide open! The 50mm focal length is quite useful on APS-C, and the bokeh is great as well. I have not experienced any chromatic aberration or distortion and there's quite a bit of contrast. The autofocus is not as slow as I thought and is very good for a macro lens. The 1:1 macro capability is superb, and the f/2.8 aperture lets me get better pictures in low light.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2007 Location: Prague Posts: 1,199
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 11, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness and contrast, lightweight and tiny | | Cons: | extends a lot on 1:1 focus, body construction | |
really outstanding optical quality. My macro lens when going out with lightweight gear, but it is great for general shooting too. Maybe just too sharp for portraits, I have to soften those in PP.
It is particulary great when combined with TC or tubes, still retains superb IQ even with accessories for greater magnification.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: October, 2010 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 7
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 7, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $399.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp!, Decent Bokeh, 1:1 Macro, Quality Construction | | Cons: | Slow focusing at times if used as standard 50mm, not the most rounded blades | |
This is an excellent little lens. First and foremost it is a true 1:1 Macro lens, unlike many of the zooms out there with Macro designations. The image quality is very good, with sharpness corner to corner and only mild light fall-off at the edges (something easily corrected for in post processing). Its bokeh could be improved with more rounded blades, but is perfectly fine for my uses. Its build construction is solid with a metal mount and plenty of heft to it. It is NOT an all-metal body, but the polycarbonate used should stand up to years of use.
The D FA 50mm Macro is a well-regarded if little-used lens... it is thought of in some circles as one of the sharpest lenses produced by Pentax, though it suffers from its effective length. For Macro work many prefer 100mm or longer, and for some subjects the extra working distance is certainly helpful. A 50mm Macro, however, does create its own set of opportunities and photographic possibilities.
One of the key features is its quick-shift focusing capability, meaning that manual focus is always an option even when set to Auto-focus. This is a very helpful ability when working anywhere near true macro distances. The focusing ring requires a good deal of turning, leading to both fine-tuned focusing capability but also at times long hunting periods when used as a normal 50mm prime. While the focus ring's throw is long, it isn't as long as some other macro lenses.
Its 2.8 aperture is very helpful and useable wide-open, though it is not as fast as other, non-macro primes of the same length. Still, I have used this lens successfully for food, flower and product photography as well as some of my favorite shots of my son in low light. This is a versatile lens that can be successful in a wide variety of settings. Be realistic about its ability though. 2.8 will not magically enable you to take shots in the dark, the screw drive makes some noise, and be prepared for slightly more focusing time required in some settings compared to a non-macro lens due to the longer throw of the focusing ring.
Overall, highly recommended for its primary uses: true macro work not requiring longer working distances, portrait photography, and occasionally as a walk-around. An extremely sharp lens. A rounded, 9-blade design would likely push this lens to a 10 for me.
| | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2010 Posts: 17
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 3, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very Sharp even wide open, Great Bokeh, color rendition and sharp | | Cons: | AF Hunts on low contrast and the hunt is long since macro | |
Very nice lens. I got the lens from one of the users on this forum for a very nice price.
I got my K-x in August and I was looking for a great prime portrait lens.
The FA50 1.4 seemed like the winner until I saw some reviews of this lens.
Since I got such a great deal on this lens, plus I can do macro, I went with the DFA 50mm macro. It's a win win situation for the reason I need this lens.
Yes I know it's slower than the 1.4 but the reviews pointed to the 1.4 being soft opened up and most use it at f2.0+, so it's no loss since I use the DFA 50 at 2.8.
Sharp even wide open and very sharp stop down a bit.
Great Bokeh on portrait shots and even better on macro, really smooth and buttery.
I mainly use it as a Portrait lens on my son. My wife hates this lens because it shows all her "Imperfections" haha.
I tried out the D- FA 100 at my local camera store and the focal length was too long for me, so I decided to go with the 50mm since I shoot mostly indoors.
The AF hunting could get annoying to some as mentioned above in my cons.
AF in brightly lit areas is fast and accurate.
If you want to shoot macro, make sure you do it on manual focus or it's going to hunt the full length over and over again. Also I recommend you mount it to a tripod since at Macro, the DOF is really really small and the slightest movement (like breathing) can throw the focus off.
I truly believe this is the most underrated lens, can be gotten for pretty cheap used on ebay or on this forum.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: September, 2010 Location: istanbul Posts: 1
7 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 24, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $400.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | excellent contrast , excellent detail , Excellent sharpness , successful bokeh | | Cons: | none :) | | New or Used: New
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my best lens 
I have no use for one year from the housing without removing a single lens
I think the most useful and high quality Pentax lens)
a perfect lens with a single word
(Non working links: MyPics.com deleted)
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