| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: September, 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Posts: 4,715 | | Review Date: January 8, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small, bright, silky smooth long throw focus movement | | Cons: | It's manual | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Great 'go to' lens for use in poorly lit auditoriums or concert halls when flash is out of the question. If sitting in front row gives great images as with all the manual primes about this focal length. All metal construction provides nice weight. A bit bigger in size than the 50mm cousins.
As usual, stop down a couple of stops to get the sharpest images but that still makes it F2 0r 2.8. Focus ring moves through about 270degrees allowing very precise manual focus. (Auto focus zoom rings move through about 70-80 degrees.)
I paid $Au30 for my copy in April 06. Well worth the money.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2006 Location: Eastern Shore of Alabama (Daphne, Alabama) Posts: 109 | | Review Date: January 26, 2007 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Resolves images well | | Cons: | | |
I still have the lens, but seldom use it these days; may take it with me on my next trip up to the rivers, though, just to use it again. I also have the 35mm-135mm zoom, but the filter ring is dinged, so cannot use filters with it. To anyone's knowledge, is there any way to work out such a problem? Seems a waste to not be able to use filters on it. It has a macro capability and I use that a good bit. | | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 10 | | Review Date: March 23, 2007 | Recommended
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | really easy to manually focus | | Cons: | not brilliant before f2.8, not as good as the 50/1.4 | |
There are many good normal lenses, and this is one of them.
bouqet is a bit harsh (but still smooth compared to most lenses)
It need to be stopped down to f2.8 or f4, to get really sharp. but it is sharp enough for portrait wide open.
the 50/1.4 is a tad bit better in both sharpness (until f 2.8) and bouqet. but of course the 50/1.4 is really a great lens.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Posts: 6,275 | | Review Date: April 16, 2007 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharp & solidly built | | Cons: | weight | |
This was my first Pentax lens all the way back in 1976. I still have it and it is still PERFECT. Sharp even at 1.8 but stop down a bit and you could drive it through walls without a hammer. Great portrait lens with the new DSLR sensors. It is a little heavy but its worth it.
| | | | | | | Inactive Account Registered: September, 2006 Location: Perth Posts: 669 | | Review Date: June 25, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, nice contrast & bokeh (IMO) solid build. | | Cons: | for what it is & does and its age - none. | |
Can't really add any more to what has been said already. All I can say is if this lens comes up on ebay (which is rare these days) grab it with both hands and don't let go!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2006 Posts: 5,697 | | Review Date: October 7, 2007 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp, and fast | | Cons: | non yet | |
I got this lens in a $50.00 mystery bag, along with 2 additional lenses and a 35mm camera body.
It's got to be the sharpest lens in my collection, and the bokeh is incredible.
It's a little heavier than my other small primes, so it won't be the first to get packed for my hikes. But that's really reaching for something negative to say.
If you have a chance to get one of these lenses I'd highly recommend it.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2008 Location: South of Sweden Posts: 10 | | Review Date: January 18, 2008 | Not Recommended
| Rating: 7 |
| Pros: | solid build, small | | Cons: | Soft, hard to get focus on K10D | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 7
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I have tested it on my K10D and i cant find any reason to use it if you also have the kit lens 18-55, the kit lens is sharper wide open (f4.5) than this lens are at f5.6. I have only tested the lens in cloudy winter weather maybe i change my verdict later.
My meaning was to use it where because f1.8 instead of 4.5 but it seems not good, maybe on a film camera but not on K10D
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2007 Location: North West UK Posts: 390 | | Review Date: February 22, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $30.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, DOF control, weight. | | Cons: | not much | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: istDS, K10D, K20D, K-5, MZ-5n K-1
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I have had this for 12 months having found a good one on ebay. Although only manual, this is more than compensated by what it can do. This thing sucks in light like there is no tomorrow (just like a 50mm F1.4)......
Although not the sharpest wide open, don't take this as a bad thing, as the effects are great. the Bokeh is nice, and it gives a warm cosy effect by the ever so slight softness that is is there.
As for weight, I like some weight in a lens as is balances the camera so well, and this is no exception. It's not heavy by anymeans, just that it is right.
The one main thing that I do like is the DOF control, there is nothing like it other than a limited (or 50 F1.4 or the holy grail of the 85mm F1.8).
This works so well with DSLR's as it is great with my DS and K10D
The only down side (there is a down side?) is that it came with a Canon! lens cap. The vendor did'nt have the original.......
If you find one on any auction house of second hand dealer, buy it, you wont be disappointed.
foot note, I gave it a 9 as I know and want the 77mm Ltd which will be a 10 for me.
Not used it on the K20D until a studio shoot today (5 Dec 2009). So I am updating accordingly. To be honest I have put it to a 10, mainly because, as second hand it is a bargain, and that using it in the studio is stunning! DA*55mm F1.4? Pah!
Joking aside, the DA* will have to be something else to beat this one.
If Weather sealing is what you need, then get the DA*, if not, get this and save hundreds.....
Further Edit(Jan 2013). I used this finally on both my MZ-5n with some Reala film, and my K-5 with studio lighting. Did I say a tad soft? Well not on the MZ-5n with open. As for F8 and studio work on the K-5 and MZ-5n - WOW!
On the K-5, the images seem to lack a little detail on screen, until you make a print. Print the image and sheer delight appears, this thing resolves beautifully on Digital.
The 55mm F1.8 in all guises is such a stunning lens, it makes you wonder why you would want a DA*55mm. I don't anymore.
Further Edit March 2017
They say only modern lenses designed for Sensors will provide edge to edge sharpness with full frame.
I will let you into a secret, yes there are a number of lenses I have that are old that don't provide edge to edge (mainly third party). This lens however is not one of them, it is sharp from edge to edge, corner to corner on the K-1 and wonderful with it. Pentax really did over engineer their little primes going back decades and the result is a lens that will knock spots off certain other manufacturers lenses on a Full Frame Sensor. It is a delight to use on the K-1.
Find one and buy one!
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: September, 2006 Location: Grand Junction Colorado Posts: 209 | | Review Date: April 6, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $76.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Extremely sharp from 5.6 to 11, excellent flare rejection | | Cons: | Not AF | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: most film and digital Pentaxes
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Out of production for 30 years, if you can find one in excellent condition, you will find that they are among the sharpest of sharp lenses.
It took me two purchases to find the one that I presently use. This lens, along with some other K series lenses, were tested informally to determine resolution and CA adjustments required on a K10D. This lens, along with the K28mm f3.5 require no CA corrections.
These two lenses, along with the K35mm F3.5 are always in my kit bag and are used as much as my 16-45 F4 DA zoom.
Bob
Extremely sharp from 5.6 to 11, excellent flare rejection
1/1/2012
Best when absolute sharpness is required, use the SMC Pentax 50mm F1.4 where buttery bokeh is required.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: December, 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio USA Posts: 51 | | Review Date: April 8, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $13.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | small, bright, clear and easily focussed | | Cons: | it's completely manual | |
I echo the sentiments of the other reviewers. I saw this lens cheap on ebay and snapped it up. It's a really fine lens. Great bokeh, easy manual focusing, great crisp and clear photos.
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: September, 2008 Location: Salford, Manchester UK Posts: 7
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 20, 2008 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Feel and magic. | | Cons: | none | |
Firstly it is a K lens, unbelievably available at less the $50.
When I hold the lens in my hand and turn the focusing ring the feel is just fantastic.
This is how all lenses should be made.
Second it is my favourite fifty (compared to my K50 f1.2, M50 f1.7, A50 f1.7 and FA50 f1.4)
Decent at f1.8, very sharp stopped down.
Third it is just magical.
When you get 'it' right; framing, dof, focus, lghting;
there is just a wow factor.
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2007 Posts: 8,237 | | Review Date: January 16, 2009 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Bokeh is wild but beautiful, very sharp stopped down one | | Cons: | CA wide open | |
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I'm rating this a 9 because the IQ-to-cost ratio is so high. This is the Super Tak 55 1.8 without the need for an adapter - an inexpensive joy to use.
 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: April, 2008 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 27
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 5, 2009 | Recommended
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Bright and sharp lens, also like the bokeh very much | | Cons: | None really worth mentionning | |
Me and my wife were at her mom's place the other day and the boyfriend of her mom came to me with an old camera bag! Tell's me if I need some lenses for my camera. He had a few lenses I didn't need but there it was the smc 55mm f/1.8
This lens is really sharp, I now mostly use it for portrait photography, will probably use it for nature photography this coming summer....
The Chromatic Aberation is very minimal in this lens, goes almost un-noticed.
If you can grab one... do it!
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: March, 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 1,509 | | Review Date: May 24, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $60.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, contrast, colours, did I mention sharpness? | | Cons: | None, apart from the limitations due to its age | |
Simply a magnificent lens. Sharp as anything I've ever seen, and great contrast and colours as well. Great for portraits and general photography, although 55mm x 1.5 might be a bit on the long side.
Highly recommended. If you can find it for a decent price buy it and never let it go.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: NYC Posts: 258 | | Review Date: June 9, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $20.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp at wide open, cheap, durable | | Cons: | heavy compare to Pentax M series | |
This is a fantastic lens, very sharp at wide open f1.8, also has nice brokeh. I like this more than the commonly popular 50mm f1.4 and f1.7. If hard to fine one, if you do, don't let it slip away | | |
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