Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens by Pentax
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Digital camera reviews of Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens
Digital camera Review: Every Pentax shooter should have this lens
Summary: 5 Stars
For the price, this lens gives you amazing sharpness, super smooth bokeh, excellent colors, excellent contrast, and a really wide maximum aperture. It's definitely a lens that every Pentaxian should own.
Pros:
+ The obvious pro is the f/1.4 max aperture. This really comes in handy in low light situations.
+ One less obvious side effect of the f/1.4 aperture is a brighter viewfinder. A lot of newer photographers don't realize that the camera only closes down the iris when you take the photo. The rest of the time, the lens is wide open so faster lenses mean brighter viewfinders.
+ Amazingly sharp at smaller apertures.
+ Works on film and digital bodies.
+ Really smooth bokeh (out of focus area) once you stop down a little (about f/2.8 and up). This helps create photos where your subject really pops out because the background is blurred out so nicely. Some lenses can create harsh and distracting bokeh.
+ Very thin depth of field at f/1.4.
+ Excellent colors and contrast. I was surprised when I compared my kit lens photos to photos taken with the FA 50mm.
Cons:
- Pretty soft at f/1.4. This might be a desirable effect for portraits though.
- Autofocus is a bit slower than more modern Pentax lenses.
- The very thin depth of field and the general softness of the lens at f/1.4 can make it difficult to create pictures that look like they're in focus.
Compared to the DA 40mm f/2.8 pancake:
* The FA 50mm is bigger, but is still a pretty compact lens. The FA 50mm feels better because it gives you something to cradle when you're holding the camera.
* Both the DA 40mm and the FA 50mm produce excellent color contrast and sharpness, but I think I prefer the rendering of the FA 50mm.
* Both the DA 40mm and the FA 50mm work on film bodies. The DA 40mm doesn't have an aperture ring so it has to be used on a film body that can electronically set the aperture like on the digital bodies.
* The FA 50mm gives you a bit of extra room with f/1.4 vs. f/2.8.
* The DA 40mm auto-focuses a bit faster.
If you're deciding between the DA 40mm and the FA 50mm, I would suggest that you buy the FA 50mm. The DA 40mm is a fun lens to use, but the FA 50mm is a reliable workhorse.
Digital camera Review: Excellent first prime lens
Summary: 4 Stars
My first Amazon review.
After many productive years of using a Panasonic FZ50 with a 2.8 aperture, I finally went for the mighty Pentax K20D. At $630 the camera had a compelling IQ to price ratio. I got 3 lenses to go with it; the Pentax smc DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL (first edition), the smc DA 50-200mm F4.5-6 ED WR, and this smc FA 50mm 1.4 prime.
What a powerful tool this lens is. Wide open it produces some really stunning bokeh. It has six blades which can give a hexagonal shape sometimes. It has really lovely rich colors and doesn't seem to have a lot of flare. Wide open the speed is amazing; you can go out at night and handhold using only street lights. Yes 1.4 is a bit soft as all fast primes tend to be, but I've still got some good results. Stop down to 2.0 or 2.8 and it will get plenty sharp. Focus is another story. Using manual focus wide open is difficult. I will reserve judgment as it is new to me and I suspect it takes finesse and practice to master. I've had some trouble with the K20D's autofocus on this lens too. I think there is a front-focus issue with my copy, and I need to do a proper optical test, and try the in camera focus adjustment feature on the K20D to make corrections. I think the K20D's matte focus screen has a wider depth of field view as well. Seriously thinking I need a split-screen upgrade like the Katzeye because of this. The shots I have managed to get in focus so far have been pleasingly sharp, with brilliant bokeh and exceptional colors. With practice, you will get great results with this lens. I'd give it 5 stars but for the crazy price jump here on Amazon. I paid less then $300 for this lens elsewhere (sorry Amazon) and feel this was money well spent.
PROS: Great colors, bokeh, speed, IQ, value (if under $300-350)
CONS: Overpriced, challenging focusing wide open
Digital camera Review: Fabulous lens for the price!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've gotten several really good chances to put this lens to good use since I received it on March 6th, 2009. I have used it at nearly wide-open (f/1.8) which left the background nicely out of focus on some tulips I was photographing, and I used it on assignment for a magazine to photograph details of an elegant restaurant--table settings, chairs, chandelier etc. I haven't tried it with people yet, but I cannot wait to. It really seems to give marvelous results--wonderful color, clarity and sharp focus. As I have heard, it is a little soft at f/1.4, but even that apparently, can be corrected for by doing selective sharpening in Photoshop afterwards, but I found that at f/1.8, it gave me exactly the effect I was looking for and is super fast, even when taking pictures with one candle as the only light in the scene at night. I am very, very pleased with this lens and truly feel that it is going to be a major asset in my photography.Digital camera Review: Fabulous lens. Particularly given the price
Summary: 5 Stars
I own this and shoot it with a K10D (which I love) and it's a must for your gadget bag.
Bottom line: It takes beautiful, sharp photos, has a fast stop and is priced right.
Shoot this for really pretty low light portraits.
Digital camera Review: Fast lens, great for flash-less indoor shots
Summary: 5 Stars
Have been taking a few test shots, and I can tell that once I get the "hang" of it I will be favoring this lens.
It makes great shots with very little light and wonderful depth-of-field.
One drawback is that because the aperture is so large, and the depth-of-field so broad, getting a sharp focus can be a challenge.