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Auto-focus alternative to lens

hajr12
Posted 05/12/2012 - 21:25 Link
I love the SMC Pentax-M 1:.7 50mm lens on my K5 for its super clarity and wide aperture capacity, but it is so unforgiving at the wide aperture end I find I'm missing the focus by inches so many times. I know practice is the key but I'm wondering if there is a relatively cheap auto-focus alternative I might look out for second-hand that would give the same great quality but allow AF?

Regards

Ian
Edited by hajr12: 05/12/2012 - 21:26
SteveEveritt
Posted 05/12/2012 - 21:45 Link
You can pick up the very underrated kit lens for as little as £50

There was one here
link
Keep an eye on the classifieds they come up quite regular.
Flickr
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon)
Edited by SteveEveritt: 05/12/2012 - 21:47
hajr12
Posted 05/12/2012 - 21:47 Link
Thanks, Steve, and apologies. I should have said - I was thinking about another 50mm prime lens.
matwhittington
Posted 05/12/2012 - 22:00 Link
It depends how you define 'relatively cheap'. The Pentax-F 50mm f1.7 is an autofocus lens with similar (maybe the same) optical formula as the A or M lenses. There is one on ebay currently for £150:

link

but I don't know if that is a typical price or whether they are generally cheaper than that (someone here will know)... worth a browse on ebay or in online shops' second hand sections....

Hope that helps
Mat W

My Flickr: link
Mike-P
Posted 05/12/2012 - 22:04 Link
Cheapest AF 50mm is a used F 1.7 at around £130/140.
hajr12
Posted 05/12/2012 - 22:19 Link
Thanks, I'll look out for the Pentax-F. Sounds like what I'm after.

Ian
blob
Posted 06/12/2012 - 12:41 Link
One in the classifieds at the moment.

https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/f-s--pentax-f-50-1-7-38421

There were a few around at £120 not so long ago - Harrisons? something like that
Mal
Posted 06/12/2012 - 14:50 Link
Its a bit slower but have you thought about the Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL , its a very cheap lens brand new , think i paid £115 plus its very good!
hajr12
Posted 07/12/2012 - 20:30 Link
Thanks for info and suggestions.

Ian
obione
Posted 08/12/2012 - 07:20 Link
Pentax SMC P FA Lens - 50 mm - F/1.4
Great lens ...
k-5, K-5ii,60-250 f4, 50 f1.4 af,17-70 f4, 100mm macro wr,siggy 10-20 siggy 100-300f4
blob
Posted 08/12/2012 - 17:04 Link
depends on your definition of 'relatively cheap' though?
jane7l
Posted 08/12/2012 - 23:16 Link
there actually are some alternatives. used f/fa 50 1.7 or 1.4 and new da 50 1.8, supposed to be a good lens as well. 5 different af lenses to choose from, not bad. if they fit in your budget...
pentax k7 + grip, mz-5n, da 15/4 ltd, revuenon 55/1.2, falcon 8/3.5 fisheye, leica m7, 50/2, 90/2.8, voigtlander 15/4.5, 35/2.5
Smeggypants
Posted 09/12/2012 - 00:23 Link
obione wrote:
Pentax SMC P FA Lens - 50 mm - F/1.4
Great lens ...

Yup, excellent lens.
[i]Bodies: 1x K-5IIs, 2x K-5, Sony TX-5, Nokia 808
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
DaveHolmes
Posted 09/12/2012 - 10:10 Link
Mal wrote:
Its a bit slower but have you thought about the Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL , its a very cheap lens brand new , think i paid £115 plus its very good!

I find 35mm a much more usable focal length myself and use my FA35 much more than my FA50...

That said... Smeggypants and obione are right... FA50 is a quality piece of glass that easily keeps its place in my bag...
........................................................................
Digital:
Pentax K5- Vivitar 19mm 3.8; FA35mm f2; D-Xenon 100mm macro f2.8; DA50-200mm WR...
Flash:
Yongnuo YN-560; Vivitar 285HV; Cactus V4 triggers...
Film:
Pentax-MX & M50mm f1.4; Spottie & 55mm f1.8; MG & M40mm 2.8...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/daveholmesphotos/

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