Pentax 50mm lens

[airconvent]

Starting this thread to discuss about this range of prime lenses. I bought a Pentax SMC 50mm f/2 but was advised to get the 50mm f1.7 because its sharper. got one of those too but now a shop tells me the best of the lot is an SMC 50 f/1.4 instead. Thought the manual 1.4 only came as a Takumar and not Pentax?
So of the manual range, which is the best lens, 1.4, 1.7 or 2? (I have the 1.2 and 1.7)
For the auto FA range, which is the best one? 1.4, 1.7 and 2? (I have the 1.4)
Which is the all time best Pentax 50mm lens available?

 

[seafone]

which shop tell you that 50/1.4 is the best lot? :think:

Apart Takumar, Pentax also make 50mm f/1.4 in manual K mount. The M series lenses has f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.7 and f/2 for SMC 50mm. The f/1.7 is undoubtly the sharpest. And the f/1.7 give you a closer focusing distance than f/1.4 !!

There is no all time best lens, the lens will be the best as long as you make the fullest use of it.

cheerss..

 

[fengwei]

All Pentax 50mm lenses (MF or AF, M42 or K) have minimum focus distance of 45cm Except the macro lenses of course.

The best one is probably the A50/1.2. It's considerred a star lens w/o a star Of course sharpness isn't everything when we say a lens is the best or not ...

The old Takumar 50mm F1.4, especially the Super-Multi-Coated version, probably has the best built quality. It'd cost over US$1k if it's built in nowadays. Optically, the moden lenses should have improved coatings.

If you have the FA50/1.4, you already have one of the best 50mm lenses even comparing w/ Nikon or Canon equivelent. The F or FA 50/1.7 is abit sharper at wider aperture than the 1.4 version, but stop down to F2.8 or slower, you can't tell much difference sharpness wise. But the 1.4 version does have better bokeh rendering.

Anyway, all Pentax 50mm lenses are very good, and the 50/2 is probably the worst in all, but it is still a very good lens, better than most zoom lenses that's for sure.

 

[seafone]

All Pentax 50mm lenses (MF or AF, M42 or K) have minimum focus distance of 45cm Except the macro lenses of course.

Nope... disagree! NOT all the Pentax 50mm lenses has the same minimum focusing distance. I am very sure it is not 45cm for the case of M50/1.7. It can go slightly nearer at less than 40cm. Don't have the lens with me now. I will check and post back again.

 

[fengwei]

Nope... disagree! NOT all the Pentax 50mm lenses has the same minimum focusing distance. I am very sure it is not 45cm for the case of M50/1.7. It can go slightly nearer at less than 40cm. Don't have the lens with me now. I will check and post back again.

I've had at least 5 of those 50/1.7 (A, M, F, FA), all of them have the min focus distance of 45cm

M50/1.7 spec here:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/normal/M50f1.7.htm
Optical Formula 6 elements in 5 groups
Aperture Range f/1.7 ~ f/22
Number of Aperture Blades 6
Minimum Focusing Distance 0.45 m
Maximum Magnification 0.15 X
Mechanics
Filter Diameter 49 mm
Maximum Diameter 63 mm
Length 31 mm
Weight 185 g

And here you can find specs for all the Pentax K mount 50mm lenses:
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/normal/

Cheers!

 

[airconvent]

which shop tell you that 50/1.4 is the best lot? :think:

Apart Takumar, Pentax also make 50mm f/1.4 in manual K mount. The M series lenses has f/1.2, f/1.4, f/1.7 and f/2 for SMC 50mm. The f/1.7 is undoubtly the sharpest. And the f/1.7 give you a closer focusing distance than f/1.4 !!

There is no all time best lens, the lens will be the best as long as you make the fullest use of it.

cheerss..

The TCW lor....had sent my 50 f/1.7 for servicing...now back as good as new!

btw, thanks to you and feng wei for sharing ...I have taken quite a few shots on the k1000 but a little lazy to scan in the pics so far but will do so soon.
Essentially I can't tell much difference but I did notice the f1.7 seems to have better colour and easier to get a sharp focus. the f1.4 and f2.0 don't seem as eager..

 

[seafone]

I've had at least 5 of those 50/1.7 (A, M, F, FA), all of them have the min focus distance of 45cm

Fengwei, I just came home and check the 50's again! haaa.. you are right!. My apologise for posting the wrong information. I had it mixed up with another lens that has 30cm. *sorry* =)

cheerss..

 

[fengwei]

Fengwei, I just came home and check the 50's again! haaa.. you are right!. My apologise for posting the wrong information. I had it mixed up with another lens that has 30cm. *sorry* =)

cheerss..

The FA35/2 does have a min focus distance of 30cm Same as the FA31, and most other Pentax prime lenses between 28mm to 35mm