The 50mm 1.7 - Discuss

Hi

I've been having GREAT trouble trying to select a new lens for my bag.

I only have the 18 - 55 kit lens and a Sigma 150 500mm

To very big extremes!

I wanted to ask about the manual 50mm 1.7 lens.

It seems cheap and sharp into the bargain.

I would appreciate everyones thoughts on this lens>

THANK YOU


QC

Great lens - the 'A' variant is probably the most easy to use if you're going for a manual focus one, but build quality is better on the 'M' variant.

I would highly recommend the following:

M50 F1.7
M50 F1.4
K55 F1.8

For a really cheap option that is rather good, the Chinon F1.9 can be had for around a tenner.

All are great for portraiture, not so much for landscapes as the focal length is not quite right. I've also mentioned previously the M28 F3.5 - this would be top of my list, but I appreciate it is in the middle of the focal range of your 18-55. Another one I would highly recommend is the 55-300, not as cheap, but ridiculously good for the money.

Regards
David

As David says above, the Pentax SMC A 50mm f1.7 is probably the most convenient to use. Have a look here link for examples of it's capabilities and what other users have to say about it..

Thanks guys. Im going to plump for the M version.

Do you know anything about the 85 F2 guys?

The 50/1.7 A and M are both fantastic lenses. The M version is the best cheap K-mount lens available for Pentax. The only 50-ish lens I like as much is the SMC Tak 55mm f/2, but then you're dealing with the added complication of the screw-mount.

The M 85mm f/2 lens is also very good, though wide open it's not too sharp and has very bad blue fringing. At f/2.8 it's much better and by f/4 is absolutely superb in every way - sharpness, colour contrast. It's also compact and the cheapest Pentax 85mm lens you're likely to find, though still not particularly common.

One word about the 50mm F1.7 - Sweet!

There, said it.

As David has mentioned the 55mm F1.8 I can also say about that one - Pixie Dust!

As you may be aware, I have both and love both of them. Stunning little lenses.

My first port of call when investigating a lens is to the Pentax Lens Reviews and in the case of the 85MM f2.0 that means here:- link

I happen to own one of these and whilst the body of it is pristine, regrettably the glass is exhibiting the faintest signs of fungus I think I will be sending it to the lens doctor for cleaning...

M50/1.7 is pretty good. The K55/1.8 is better, imho. I got a copy from ebay for 25 euros, so they can be fantastic value. Put that with the K28/3.5 and you won't go wrong.

thanks

I am excited!

If you can afford both an M50 and the K55, then get both. They have their unique renditions and compliment each other perfectly.

Oh and another lens to look at for peanuts. M42 screw mount SMC-Takumar 35mm F3.5. It's a little gem

Alistair

Some example images from the lenses you are considering:

K55 F1.8 (with tubes)



A50 F1.7 (with tubes)



M50 F1.4 (with tubes)



A50 F1.7 naked



M50 F1.4 naked



Hope these help you to get a feel for the general quality / rendering these lenses are capable of.

Regards
David

One taken with the K55

Georgia 1 by IHD Photography, on Flickr" class="comment_image" />


One taken with the M50mm F1.7

Love Lasts by IHD Photography, on Flickr" class="comment_image" />

Yes it's a great cheap lens, but what do you want to use it for? What does your EXIF data tell you is your most used focal length with the 18-55mm?

Or do you have that LBA itch thats just gotta be scratched: