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Pentax Lens Review Database » Film Era Pentax K-Mount Lenses » FA Prime Lenses
SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7 Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7

Sharpness 
 9.7
Aberrations 
 9.2
Bokeh 
 9.2
Autofocus 
 9.2
Handling 
 9.3
Value 
 9.7
Reviews Views Date of last review
42 268,459 Fri December 1, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
95% of reviewers $176.45 9.48
SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7

SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7
supersize
SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7
supersize

Description:
This is a fast, compact standard lens.

SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 6 blades
Optics
6 elements, 5 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F1.7
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
No
Min. Focus
45 cm
Max. Magnification
0.15x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 32 ° / 27 °
Full frame: 47 ° / 40 °
Hood
PH-SA49, PH-RA49, RH-RC49
Case
S70-70
Lens Cap
Lens Cap F 49mm
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
65 x 37 mm (2.5 x 1.5 in.)
Weight
170 g (6 oz.)
Production Years
1991 to 2004
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-FA 1:1.7 50mm
Product Code
20907
Reviews
User reviews
Notes
Various hoods with 49mm thread will fit
Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusAperture RingAutomatic ApertureFull-Frame SupportDiscontinued
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7
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Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 42
Senior Member

Registered: December, 2023
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 107

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 1, 2023 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Pixie Dust
Cons:
Bokeh: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New   

I received this lens in a fleabay package deal with a K1000, and I ignored it totally for months, but I have come to adore it deeply, to the point that it is my favorite lens.

Not my favorite Pentax lens, not my favorite 50mm lens, not my favorite fast lens, but just my favorite lens period.

I love its flares, I love the way it renders everything, bokeh and color and details and... I love just... everything about it.

I know this isn't a particularly helpful review, but for anyone on the fence about spending $100 on this lens, I am of the opinion that it's the single best photo-bargain on the planet.



   
Pentaxian

Registered: April, 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 10,847

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 26, 2022 Not Recommended | Price: $200.00 | Rating: 4 

 
Pros: Small, light, fast, fairly sharp, aperture ring so works on film
Cons: Poor build quality, erratic focus, worst of the AF f/1.7 lenses
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 4    Handling: 4    Value: 4    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-3   

I bought this lens to use for shallow depth of field work and portraits but in the end I very, very rarely used it, because it's too long on APS-C and manual alternatives such as the M version are more pleasurable to use and just as good optically. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the image quality from this lens but it's too light and plasticky and the AF anywhere near to wide open was very erratic and so produced a lot of shots where focus was missed. What's the use in having a fast AF lens if the AF fails more often than not unless it's stopped down to f/4 or smaller?

At the time of purchase the DAL 50/1.8 had not been released so prices were high on the used market. I later got the DAL and found the same problem, though maybe not quite so severe, with the AF and that despite being lighter it felt better made. So that lens is better than the FA unless you need the aperture ring to use it on film cameras. Still later I got the F version and found that to AF better while having better build quality than either of the other two and also having an aperture ring for use on film if needed (I have to admit though that the F version is ugly). So really there's no reason at all to get the FA: get the better quality F version for the same or less money or save a bit of money and get the lighter DAL version. Or just go fully manual and get the lovely M version which will give you more joy from your photography.

A couple of sample images:


IMGP1007a
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


IMG_6920a
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
   
New Member

Registered: September, 2016
Posts: 2

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 12, 2021 Recommended | Price: $185.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: cheap, small, lightweight, stunning image quality
Cons:
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K-1   

This lens is a gem. I never get tired of using it. I focus using live-view, it is much more reliable then PDAF and eyes are always in focus.
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2018
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Posts: 6,493

9 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 12, 2021 Recommended | Price: $97.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Light, extremely sharp, nice contrast and colors.
Cons: None
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K3, K1   

I bought this lens used but in like-new condition on eBay from Japan : no haze, no fungus, everything works O.K. It is very small and extremely sharp starting at f/2.8. Excellent contrast and rapid on-target autofocusing. Perfect little lens. I'm certain I will like it a lot.

BELOW : 3 days in changing weather (cloudy, sunny, stormy).


1/80 sec @ f/7.1 in P mode on a K3


1/500 sec @ f/8 in Av mode on a K3


1/40 sec @ f/5.6 in Av mode on a K3

Various other pictures :


1/60 @ f/4 at the closest focusing distance


1/640 sec @ f/8 in Av mode on a K3


1/1000 sec @ f/8 on a K3
   
Junior Member

Registered: July, 2018
Posts: 33

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: October 18, 2019 Recommended | Price: $130.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Fast, small
Cons: Screw drive AF, noisy
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-50   

My first prime, now my go-to-lens for everything where I do not need more reach. Definitely recommended, especially for being this compact while being robust.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 892

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 17, 2019 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Fast and quick.
Cons: None.
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-5   

A recent purchase, bought blind with a little trepidation as to condition. Big sigh of relief after receipt. It is hard to believe someone would sell this gem unless they had purchased something better and didn't use it any more.
This is the best of the 50mm lenses I own, A or M 50mm F1.7. I have no Pentax F1.4 so it gets a 10.
Looking at the results I believe it to be much better than my Canon 50mm F1.8 11 and my Minolta 50mm F1.7 though I am unable to compare them on the same body, the K-5 is my best and most expensive body purchase.
I have a Nikon 50mm f1.8G coming so will have another AF 50mm to play with.
Taken last evening with onboard flash, just put the camera on the ground and tilted it slightly. I wanted to get an image quickly without disturbing Mrs Tiggywinkle to much. The dried mealworms I put down had the effect of making the head look around even though I was only a few feet away.
Slightly cropped. Should have stopped down more.
   
New Member

Registered: January, 2018
Location: Paris
Posts: 8

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 5, 2018 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Good IQ, bokeh ok, IQ already good at PO
Cons: Build although metal mount and much better af and build than plastic da501.8
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5 and k1   

Had already a50 1,4, fa 50 1,4 etc...
this one mint conditions for 150$.The fa 1.7 is better from P.O. to 2.8.
1,4 are too soft until 2.2 for my taste
From 4.0 almost identical
Bokeh is nice, as COLOR rendering

Example, center cropped, wo pp=K1 direct jpeg at 2,5 iso 1600, no hood ... :


Pure résolution at F4 (few cropped center ,k5 iso 800, with few pp for black tones of bad reflects daylight conditions, no flash, no hood)


I recommand, great with k1(and apsc) if you can find one but will be hard /rare and a keeper so will be pricey...
   
Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,034

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 17, 2017 Recommended | Price: $129.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, smooth, Bokeh, Fast AF
Cons: Plastic, weak focusing ring
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K-5 IIs   

I had this lens for about 2 months and was wondering what everybody was raving about. The lens seemed sharp enough especially at long distances but I was not really impressed. I also own the DA 50 1.8, but I wanted something a little better in the 50mm range which is about a 75mm equivalent on my K-5 IIs. The other day I decided to test this lens against my manual 8 element 50mm f1.4 Takumar lens.

I could not believe how much sharper my Takumar lens was and this at every single aperture ! I wondered what the heck the reviewers were talking about, or that maybe I got a bad copy ?

While testing this lens, that's when I noticed that everything that was a few inches behind my subject was in sharp focus, but my main subject was slightly out of focus. I tried closing down the lens, but unfortunately, that did not work. That's when I decided to try my hand at Fine Focusing. This is the first time I had to do this for any of my lenses.I adjusted my lens all the way up to +10 to bring it up to speed. When I was done, the difference was like night and day !

Right now I can say that I'm a happy camper. This lens renders more smoothly than my DA 50mm f1.8(and is quite a bit sharper) and less clinical than some of my more expensive lenses. I would not hesitate using it on portraits. The colors are not dramatic, but very accurate and clean. Again great for portraits on an APS-C camera. The Bokeh is not bad either, not as good as my Takumar 50mm which is the King of Bokeh, but pleasing enough.

Instead of sitting in my bag, now I have a lens I can trust and be happy with in a variety of situations...
   
Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2012
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 63

6 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 27, 2017 Recommended | Price: $139.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, Fast AF, DOF scale
Cons: Lack of quick shift, plastic
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-5   

This is my second copy of the lens. The first was sold after getting the 70mm Limited lens. I regretted that decision and finally picked up another one of these gems.

Fantastic lens, great performance with its sharpness, contrast, bokeh, fast screwdrive AF (on a K-5), great colors, lightweight and non-intimidating to a subject, etc. Just a great lens.

Notes:
Front element does not rotate when focusing, but the focus ring itself does rotate during AF. Fortunately, it is easy to avoid contact. No quick shift adjustment after autofocus

This lens actually has a usable depth of field scale for hyper focusing and maximizing DOF.

I picked up the 49mm screw-in Asahi Takumar lens hood designed for the 135/150/200mm lenses. It is deep and dark, eliminating lights from getting in from the sides and affecting the image. Even though the hood seems long, on a APSC sensor there is no vignetting from the hood. Find them online (here?) for less than USD $15 in great condition.

If this lens had WR sealing, additional (rounded) aperture blades, and a quiet DC style motor, it would be a nearly perfect lens. As is, it is still a great lens, and an incredible value.

If you see this lens, pick it up. You will not be sorry.
---
Pics with the Asahi Takumar lens hood attached


   
New Member

Registered: May, 2017
Location: Kiev
Posts: 12

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: May 25, 2017 Not Recommended | Price: $180.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Excellent sharpness, already starting from the diaphragm 2,0. A small and not a heavy lens. Beautifully removes in various genres (and portraits and objects and nature).
Cons: No waterproof and dustproof. Modern coating the glass lens, now began to do much better. Without the use of a lens hood, this lens can collect many highlights (although not as much as 50 1.4).
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5   

For its value, it's a great lens! Photographing with this lens is best if you use it with a blend. Otherwise, the contrast of the photograph deteriorates. And you can collect a lot of highlights. With the blonde, everything is very good! Good sharpness begins already with a diaphragm 2,0. And with a diaphragm 4, the lens has the most good parameters.
In comparison with 50 1,4. , This lens has better sharpness on open diaphragms. Boke is different from him. U 50 1.7, bokeh more torn and expressive. And at 50 1.4 bokeh has a watercolor blur.
I have both of these lenses. Photos from each of them, like me in their own way.

Postscript: When writing a review about the lens, I noted that I recommend its "yes" for the acquisition. But after saving the message, it is automatically written "no", instead of "yes", which I wrote initially. I do not know what this is connected with. I can not fix it.




   
Junior Member

Registered: January, 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 32
Review Date: April 28, 2017 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: I.Q.
Cons: MF ring, No quickshift
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 8    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K10D, K30   

Very nice lens. To reach perfection, it need a telescopic of bayonet hood, Quickshift and a larger / nicer manual focusing ring.
Compared to 50/1.4 A or FA, it is better at full aperture, identical from 2.8 up.
   
New Member

Registered: September, 2014
Posts: 3

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 26, 2016 Recommended | Price: $150.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharpness, light, fast
Cons:
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: New    Camera Used: Pentax K1 (FF)   

For me, the best for my Pentax K1 in trekking, small, light, with a FA100mm F:2.8 macro in the Backpack, and a FA28mm F:2.8 AL.

   
Junior Member

Registered: June, 2012
Posts: 47

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 7, 2016 Recommended | Price: $220.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharper than other 50mm
Cons: Plastic build
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 9    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K5   

This FA50 1.7 seems not largely produced than other 50s. You need some patience to find one in good condition.
I compared this fa with my a50 1.7. In terms of sharpness and and color, this fa is much better. I guess newer lens do better in this area. Purple fringing is a problem in high contrast settings, so is the A50. Not sure about DA50, maybe new coating will do better. But I have DA35 2.4, I hate this DA plastic build quality. This fa is also plastic casing, but with metal mount and better built.
Besides purple fringing in some setting, this lens is a must have for portraits. I am not a bokeh expert, cannot tell too much in this. I also found this lens AF is faster than my 18-55 WR.

Attached one random low light shot. See the color rendering on K-5, looks like film!
   
New Member

Registered: September, 2015
Posts: 2

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 19, 2015 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: sharp, fast, great colors and bokeh, lightweight.
Cons: none, maybe plastic body is a little unattractive
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax ist DS   

Best normal lens from Pentax, sharp and fast focusing. Sharper than the FA50mm f1.4, is overall preferable if f1.7 is enough fo you.

Great lens overall, beats other famous lenses also one the value side.

Absolutely recommended!

   
New Member

Registered: October, 2014
Posts: 14

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 26, 2015 Recommended | Price: $100.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Definicion, contraste, color, bokeh
Cons: flare, reflejos indeseados
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: k50, k5, k200   

Gran rendimiento, desenfoque monstruoso (hasta algo molesto en ocasiones). Versatil (para ser un 50), liviano, pequeño. La construccion no esta mal, mejora a bastante de la serie FA. La unica gran contra es el flare con el sol de contra. Esta definitivamente mal resuelto en ese sentido y hace imprescindible el uso de parasol (no incluido) para poder trabajar con el sol presente. el elemento optico tan cerca del borde externo hace que se filtren luz y eso termina perjudicando la imagen que toma la camara.
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