| Author: | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2012 Posts: 203 | | Lens Review Date: August 11, 2017 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $144.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp from wide open to through f/8 | | Cons: | Plastics feels cheap; the autofocus is noisy and sometimes slow. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5
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[IMG]https://www.pentaxforums.com/gallery/photo-sample-pentax-fa-50mm-f-2-8-macro-f-8-55243/[/IMG]This is a sharp lens! It is extremely sharp wide open on an APS-C through f/8. As a macro, it works well with both autofocus and manual focus. It also works well as a shorter portrait lens. Center sharpness is about as sharp wide open as it is stopped down, with almost no difference in the corners on an APS-C. I have had almost no issues with CA or PF and the bokeh is reasonable.The only negatives are the noisy autofocus (mid-2000's screw drive technology), the seemingly cheaper build as compared to the older all-metal lens housings (e.g., the M and A), and the occasional hunting. I rated the lens a "7" for the handling due to the hunting and noisy autofocus, and a "10" for sharpness. Occasionally, good copies can be found for very reasonable prices since this lens is not current and macros are off the radar screen for many. It certainly isn't the fastest of the 50mm lenses Pentax made, but it is as sharp or sharper as any wide open and doubles as a macro.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2017 Posts: 7 | | Lens Review Date: June 9, 2017 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $90.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, robustness | | Cons: | big for its focal length, focus a bit noisy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-50
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Bought for 90 euros in mint condition (I mean, really mint. Seems to have just been unboxed), a real steal. Enough giggling!
This lens is definitely super-sharp, I struggled to find some softness in the extreme corners at f2.8, I must say I could find a bit but it's really hard to notice; at f4 the lens is PERFECT on APS-C and 16MP.
The bokeh is very good even though not exceptional while the aberrations are essentially negligible.
I found some purple borders where a strong light reflection hits a surface but again, I'm really looking for the smallest flaws.
This glass is awesome!
Autofocus is somewhat noisy and sometimes not so precise.
One reason why I bought this lens is to combine it with a slide duplicator tube... and slides duplication is going very very well! Believe me, it is not an easy thing to accomplish this with any lens, you really need something like this jewel: it can focus so near (and without curvature issues) that I can work with a slide duplicator intended for full frame cameras and fill the APS-C frame with the slide image.
I also changed my mark on autofocus, an 8 is proper, 7 was too punishing in spite of some inconsistencies.
I hope I can find the time to test the lens on my Fuji XT-20, ruling out the anti-aliasing filter and raising the bar to 24MP, stay tuned!
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2016 Location: New York City Posts: 100
1 user found this helpful
| | Lens Review Date: November 15, 2016 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $250.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast, bokeh | | Cons: | not really | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
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Very sharp, need +1 to +2 AF adjust on my K5IIs body. Aberrations is very very good, rarely see any.
AF was a little off, but after the AF adjustment, it is perfect.
Only problem I have is focus distance a little too short. hit my aquarium from time to time.
The picture of Yamato Shrimp is before AF adjustment, crystal shrimp after.
 | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2011 Location: Florence Posts: 7 | | Lens Review Date: October 21, 2016 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $250.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharp | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-1
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 | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2016 Location: Duluth, MN Posts: 139
2 users found this helpful
| | Lens Review Date: July 17, 2016 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $175.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, fast accurate focus on K1 | | Cons: | Heavy, but feels good on K1. Bokeh busy in some situations. | |
This is my third of three FA lenses for my new K1, and my best yet by far. I love my FA 35 2.0 and FA 50 1.4, but this lens is in another class. It's surprisingly quick to focus and very accurate, even with a single point. It slows down in dim light of course, but it's still decent. I haven't had it rack through the focus range once yet. I suspect I'll be using it the most from here on out because the sharpness and contrast are kind of addictive (at least until I spring for a limited).
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: July, 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 256
5 users found this helpful
| | Lens Review Date: September 6, 2015 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $135.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, versatile, flare resistant, superb optics | | Cons: | a little big and heavy, hunts at 1:1 | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5IIs
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Prices for this classic Pentax lens have dropped considerably in recent years which amazes me considering the fact that the full frame camera will be out soon. I am convinced that this high resolving lens will be absolutely perfect on FF.
I can't imagine how much it would cost to make this lens today. It would probably cost a fortune, so I feel very lucky to have found one for a mere $135.00. It's a sharp, solid performer that does the job both in the field and in the studio. Nice for portraits at 2.8. ( If it's too sharp for you at 2.8 I would recommend using a Tiffen Soft FX1 filter.) 1:1 and 1:2 macro can be problematic. You need to stop way down because the depth of field is so incredibly thin. Every serious macro photographer knows the drill. Focus stack.
This lens has been called ugly by many people. it is indeed a spare unadorned tube, but it is still beautiful to me. It has very rugged durable metal build quality. An amazing, truly classic lens. Believe me!
PS. Most of the pictures here don't do this lens justice.
6 MONTH UPDATE: Best AF lens I've ever owned.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: India Posts: 381
2 users found this helpful
| | Lens Review Date: June 8, 2015 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Color, contrast, Sharpness, bokeh | | Cons: | May be, bit heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K20D, K7
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First bought a FA 100mm, but due to some problems, returned it. Skeptically bought this lens and have no regrets after buying. Excellent built and optical quality. Amazing sharpness as well as perfect bokeh for macros. I'm Loving it. 
 | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2015 Posts: 1 | | Lens Review Date: May 28, 2015 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: N/A
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Accurate Focus, Built like a Tank | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5
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Excellent lens from the generations of great Pentax glass. The IQ is wonderful and not only love it for macro but it works well as a portrait lens too.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2014 Posts: 1
1 user found this helpful
| | Lens Review Date: October 1, 2014 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $330.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Ultra sharp, no CA, build | | Cons: | Heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K10D, K30
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Perfect lens for nature photography
 | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: California Posts: 2,223
1 user found this helpful
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: March, 2010 Location: Svealand Posts: 172 | | Lens Review Date: December 17, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $296.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, solid, bokeh, great alround lens | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-5
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A great lens and if I'd had to keep only one lens it would be this one. It's FF, macro, great bokeh. It's good in every way and I'm happy I did find this one for sale.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 3 | | Lens Review Date: October 10, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $230.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Metal build, sharpness and bokeh | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5
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Great lens, well built and heavy as I love them.
For the macro is more, it provides stability.
Perfect for portrait and macro is it an ideal lens for nature walk.
Photos with this lens here.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,660 | | Lens Review Date: September 27, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $360.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Solidly built, excellent image quality | | Cons: | Autofocus seeks at times, focus ring is a bit small | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-30
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Excellent lens. Solid metal construction — possibly even a bit too solid, it can get a bit heavy after extended use — very nice IQ.
Autofocus sometimes seeks, and the focus ring is a tad small, but those are minor issues compared to the rest.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,441
2 users found this helpful
| | Lens Review Date: May 7, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $350.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Great IQ, Macro | | Cons: | AF little jittery at times | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5iis
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This lens has introduced me to a whole new world of macro shooting.
I call it my "flower power" lens, because that's what I basically purchased it for, to expand my landscape photography into floral images as well. I have an F50 1.7 and to be honest, the IQ isn't much different, but the ability to fill the screen with a 1:1 image is rather cool.
So cool in fact, had to purchase a 2nd one for the GF who WAS using the F50 but was jealous she couldn't get the same close ups.
Now, after a trip to the local Botanical Garden and a butterfly exhibit, realized I need the 100 macro as well.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: May, 2012 Location: Mission, B.C. Posts: 157 | | Lens Review Date: May 6, 2013 | I can recommend this lens: Yes |
Price: $180.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness!!! Colour rendition, manual focus (throw distance and feel) | | Cons: | Manual focus (tiny focus ring), AF | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 8
Value: 10
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-r
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I gave this lens a 10 overall because, while the AF is pretty unimpressive, it's a macro lens, so AF is pretty much useless anyway. The 8 score for the handling is due to the tiny focus ring, which is a bit of a pain. The ability to adjust the resistance when focusing is amazing though, you can fine tune it to just the right sensitivity. Also, the focus throw is great once you get down into the higher magnification range.
Optically, this lens is sharp sharp sharp. If you were to use it for a portrait, you could pretty much count the pores in your model's nose. It's also very good for aberrations, so much so that it's actually useable with a good 2x teleconverter. (helpful for Macro, since the focusing distance at 1:1 is pretty close, and 1:1 just doesn't cut it for a macro junkie like me).
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