Site Supporter Registered: March, 2011 Location: yesterday Posts: 1,261
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 15, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $10.30
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | speed, sharpness, contrast, value | | Cons: | .6m MFD in later lenses | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 7
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-5iis, Sony A7ii
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If you've never tried a fast 50, these lenses are an excellent place to start:
Good optics and even better value since they're often available on eb*y for under $30.
These manual focus Auto Sears 50s were kit lenses for a series of K mount Sears SLRs sold from the late 1970s through the late 1980s (the autofocus version was a more expensive option and was also sold separately). The cameras and lenses were both rebadged Ricohs.
Along with the f/2 lenses, f/1.7 and f/1.4 50s were also available - but on higher end bodies.
The K mount Sears f/2 came in several iterations. If you get a properly functioning lens, you won't go wrong no matter which version you get. They're all good!
That said, since I've owned a few copies, I've assembled a For The Record recap of what I've learned about them. As far as I know...
There are (at least) seven iterations. I believe each one has a 6 element, 5 group optical layout, but I know nothing about potential optical changes through the years. None of them are claimed to be multi coated.
Early versions have metal bodies and a .45m minimum focus distance. Later versions are plastic with a .6m MFD.
Distance scale numbers often rub off and become illegible on the plastic models because the numbers aren't engraved and filled as they are on the metal body lenses.
All versions have metal mounts, a 6 blade iris and no aperture half stops.
1) Metal body, rubber focus grip. Has .45m minimum focus distance, weighs 208 grams. It has a white serial number and is the same lens as the Ricoh XR Rikenon.
2) Metal, but lighter. Rubber focus grip, .45m MFD, 194g, white serial. Same lens as XR Rikenon?
3) Plastic body and grip, .6m MFD, 168g, black serial. Same lens as XR Rikenon L.
4) Same (?) as #3, but with battery powered autofocus. AF works, albeit slowly. MFD for AF is .9m. Manual focus (.6m MFD) is possible, but cumbersome. May not mount on cameras with flash / prism overhang. Same lens as AF Rikenon.
5) Plastic, smaller, .6m MFD, 138g, black serial. Same lens as XR Rikenon S.
6) Plastic, even smaller, .6m MFD, 132g, black serial. Same lens as "Rikenon" (no initials).
7) Plastic, "Sears" blacked out on name ring, .6m MFD, 128g, black serial. Same lens as Rikenon?
Another view of the different bodies:
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Loyal Site Supporter Registered: February, 2014 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,710 | | Review Date: April 25, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $15.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Light weight, sharp, great bokeh, cheap | | Cons: | Mostly plastic | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax K-30
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My first SLR was a Sears KSX which came with this lens. I used it for a long time until selling the camera to a friend decades ago. I regretted getting rid of that 50mm. Recently, a nearly new condition copy of the Sears/Ricoh 50mm F2 came into my possession for $15 as part of a KS Super camera bundle. All the positive aspects I remembered about the lens hold true for this one too.
Focusing is quick and smooth, thought the two foot minimum focus distance is a tad long if you are accustomed to Pentax prime lenses. For a single coated lens design, contrast, color and ghosting are very well controlled. A lens hood is a necessity in strong side light unless a loss of contrast is beneficial to your photo.
Sharpness is quite good in the center wide open and becomes excellent by f5.6. The edges are quite soft until f5.6 becoming very good at f8. I much prefer the bokeh produced by this lens to that of my Pentax FA 50mm F1.4. Creamy, dreamy smooth! Makes a dandy short portrait lens.
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New Member Registered: November, 2016 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: November 10, 2017 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Everything | | Cons: | straight blade aperture | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony NEX-5N
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The Auto Sears 50mm F2 lens is the same lens as the Ricoh P Rikenon 50mm F2.
Pro's : Sharp (even wide open)
Compact lens
Extremely affordable (as of now)
Color Saturation is very good
Lightweight
Low to no distortion
Con's (nit picking): Plastic construction (metal mount)
Single Coated (its still good enough)
Aperture blades are straight so stopped down bokeh with have hexagons.
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Forum Member Registered: March, 2007 Location: TN Posts: 58 | | Review Date: June 9, 2016 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | fast | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 8
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