Pentax 50mm Prime Lens Shootout
Lens Specifications
For the most part, the three Pentax 50mm lenses have a lot in common although the D FA 50mm F2.8 macro is longer and heavier than either of the other 50mm's. The side-by-side specification table, seen below, highlights the differences between the lenses. The green cells emphasize the areas where the lens excels or is superior.
We feel that the fact that the D FA 50mm macro has an aperture ring is a real plus given that it's a macro lens, as the aperture ring lets you to use the lens with manual bellows and extension tubes.
| Lens Construction | 6 elements in 5 groups | 7 elements in 6 groups | 8 elements in 7 groups |
| Image Format | APS-C only (16 x 24) | Full Frame (24 x 36) APS-C (16 x 24) | Full Frame (24 x 36) APS-C (16 x 24) |
| Angle of View | 31.5° degrees diagonal 27° degrees horizontal | 47° degrees diagonal FF 40° degrees diagonal FF 32° degrees diagonal APS-C 27° degrees horizontal APS-C | 47° degrees diagonal FF 40° degrees diagonal FF 32° degrees diagonal APS-C 27° degrees horizontal APS-C |
| Min Focusing | 18.9 inches (48cm) | 18 inches (45cm) | 7.67inches (20cm) |
| Max Magnification | 0.15x | 0.19x | 1.0x |
| Autofocusing Type | Slotted Screw-drive | Slotted Screw-drive | Slotted Screw-drive |
| Mount Designation | KAF2 | KAF2 | KAF2 |
| Filter Diameter Front | 52mm | 49mm | 49mm |
| Maximum Aperture | F1.8 | F1.4 | F2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | F22 | F22 | F32 |
| Aperture Ring | No | Yes | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Focus Rotation | Counterclockwise | Counterclockwise | Counterclockwise |
| Internal Focusing | No | No | No |
| Weather Sealing | No | No | No |
| Full-time Man. Focus | No | No | Yes (Quick-shift) |
| Depth of Field Scales | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 2.5” x 1.5” (63 x 38.5mm) | 2.5” x 1.5” (63 x 37mm) | 2.6" x 2.4" (67.5 x 60mm) |
| Weight | 4.3 oz. (122g) | 7.8 oz. (220g) | 9.3 oz. (265g) |
| Included Accessories | 52mm Snap-on cap | 49mm Snap-on cap | 49mm Snap-on cap |
| Price | Current (US): $224.95 MSRP $249.95 | Current (US) $359.95 MSRP $449.95 | Current (US) $439.95 MSRP $599.95 |
The prices listed above are based on B&H Photo's (an NYC retailer) August, 2012 pricing.
