Used Pentax SMC-FA 50mm f/1.4 Standard Auto Focus Lens #20817

2017-07-04T15:36:40

I purchased this lens mainly as a portrait lens. Having read some concerns about softness wide-open, I was a bit skeptical but jumped on a recent sale. Put simply, this lens is phenomenal! It is wonderfully sharp in its 'sweet spot' with creamy bokeh for portraits. It has some occasional quirks (some flare and fringing), especially wide open, but it also has a classic character that yields some stunning portraits. I would highly recommend a hood (not included), which does seem to boost contrast quite a bit. Even the occasional flare can be used for effect outdoors. It's an oldie but a goodie!

RYAN S.

2017-06-21T13:06:12

I am happy so far. can't wait to use it for what I got it for. low light concerts.

Richard B.

2013-10-13T21:00:00

I really like this lens. Very wide opening, but beware of the depth of field ;-)

Azergoth

2013-05-02T21:00:00

I originally purchased it for use on my K-10, but it now stays on my k-01 as my standard lens.

jimH

2013-04-10T21:00:00

It is very enjoyable to take indoor and low light phots with this lens. I have Sigma 17-70mm lens as walkaround lens but after this lens I generally prefer to use pentax. And also it makes very good bokeh.

Dioem

2011-12-18T19:00:00

This is a small and cheap lens, but the results are really good if stopped down a bit. Personally I do not use this lens much as my primary interest is landscapes, but when I need a fast lens this one does the job nicely.

Reytor

2011-09-01T21:00:00

I use this lens to photograph my kids (3 & 7 yrs) and my 2 pets, A LOT!. I love how crisp and clean my shots are and the lens is fast so perfect for chasing kids and pets. The bokeh is lovely too. The lens is also fairly small and light weight so it is easy to get carry around without straining my neck. All-in-all, I have yet to be disappointed. This lens makes me look like I know what I'm doing. Anyone interested in shooting portraits should have this little lens in their bag.

KRISTINA M.

2011-07-21T21:00:00

I bought this lens because I have an unhealthy obsession for bokeh, and it delivers! It's also great in low light situations. The focal length is perfect and the autofocus is fast. I was surprised by how small and lightweight yet durable it seems. I like having the option of using the aperture ring; I think it makes it look classy.

MARY G.

2010-02-20T19:00:00

I am a newbie so I am not the best to be reviewing lenses, however, I really like this lens a lot. Its small, lightweight, simple to use, sharp, great in low light, and relatively inexpensive. You cant go wrong with this lens. Id say its a must have.

dehanson1

2009-08-21T21:00:00

A beautiful lense, i nevermade before so much great portraits before. An obligatory lense for pentax users !

Julien R.

2009-08-18T21:00:00

if you have never owned a fast lens like this you will be amazed at what you can shoot with this thing. interiors won't require flash with the aperture wide open, and subject isolation is great with beautiful bokeh. super sharp. if you put it on a dslr though this is not a standard focal length lens. on a dslr this lens is roughly the equivalent of a 75mm lens. perfect for general portraiture, low light and closeups. my new favorite lens.

Mr G.

2009-05-12T21:00:00

This is one prime lens, everyone should have. As much as I like my zoom lenses you can't beat this one for picture quality. An idea walk about lens.

BJP

2009-04-07T21:00:00

I enjoy using this lens because it is tack sharpe from f2.8 and up. f1.4 and f2.0 are sharpe but because of the larger DOF it is harder to get consistent shots in lower lights. I use this lens (along with other lenes) for portrait landscapes, product shots. I am not afraid to use this lens whenever the need arises. Can not beat the price for such a great sharpe lens

Daddy o.

2009-04-07T21:00:00

Love the bright view finder

WILLIAM K.

2009-02-28T19:00:00

Having purchased my K200D in July 08, I must confess to being a newbie when it comes to dslrs. During my researches, this lens popped up as a must have from professional and user reviews alike both for its performance and as a learning tool, i.e. framing with your feet rather than a zoom. During my limited experience with the lens, I've found nothing to contradict the rave reviews it has received, and find it very useful shooting indoors. I have also taken some nice twilight winterscapes and close-ups. The [$]price tag didn't hurt either.

m.g

2009-02-05T19:00:00

Very easy to use. Picture turns very nice. Best for indoor events that you want to shot without flash.

Jerry

2009-02-05T19:00:00

Its so good I am amazed at the speed. For me I cannot believe the speed at which this lens works. I am always astounded at the speed. Its absolutely brilliant

mick

2009-01-20T19:00:00

Most reviews of this lens are very positive and they call this lens a "must have" prime lens. I agree. The focus is a bit soft wide open and can be tough to use in low light, but if you want to shoot without a flash you will very much like this lens--as long as you can use the manual focus correctly when the autofocus has difficulties. Remember that the focal length on an aps-c camera will be more like 75mm or so rather than 50mm so you will have to step back from the subject sometimes. It takes fantastic portraits of people and right out of the box I was getting some great shots. Wedding photographers typically rave about this lens. In fact, I would recommend that you NOT buy the kit lens and just start out with this 50mm f1.4.

STEVE H.

2009-01-02T19:00:00

I raise Guiding Eyes puppies, which I photograph for archiving and pleasure. At last I can capture sharp and VISIBLE details of the black Labs. Often I have a lively puppy on short or long leash and can still shoot effectively one-handed with excellent quality. The lens has exactly the right range for shooting these dogs in action. It's a great transition lens between my older Pentax and my digital one.

KK

2009-01-01T19:00:00

Used with K200D's clean high ISO, this lense helps take low light pictures because of its large aperture(f/1.4). I almost always use it at f2.0/2.8 in low light situations and got excellent result. Overall ,I am very happy with my purchase. Great buy for @200 A word about adorama's service - Simply Great..!

Sridharan

2008-12-28T19:00:00

My third lens for my K20D (Pentax 16-45, Tamron 70-300)and I use it more than I originally thought i would. Turns out this is the one all my old Cokin filters fit, not to mention its three-stop advantage over the F/4 of the other two. Often it's one of the others on the camera, and the easy-to-pack F 1.4 in an Adorama lens case big enough to hold the other two when they come off. Need to shoot in dim light? need to shoot at low ISO? Need a fast shutter speed? The F/1.4 winds up on the camera a LOT! And it is SHARP! And since it is really a 75mm lens on this camera, it's modest close focusing of 17 inches is effectively more like 12. At [$], it's a steal. The plastic looks a bit cheap, but it is well put together, even with a rubbery rim on the front element. Looks like the old days with that big glass on the front of the camera, too!

TJ

2008-12-28T19:00:00

Very sharp focus, usable in very low light.

jmartinspentax

2008-12-28T19:00:00

I use this a lot on my k20d. It is a good fast lens, and if you stop it down a couple of stops it is tack sharp. It has a pleasing bokeh when you open it up. For the money, you can't beat it. Cons: If you are looking for candid shots in low light, you might want to manual focus, because it doesn't always catch focus quickly.

GLENN G.

2008-09-25T21:00:00

I bought this lens to take pictures in low light conditions and to have better depth of field control for portraits. This lens exceeded my expectations given its price. Very sharp, great color rendition, and smooth bokeh. If those who use zoom lenses were to buy just prime lens, this would be the one to get.

Richard R.

2008-09-08T21:00:00

This is a great lens. It is very sharp at 1/2 stop over f/1.4. But 1.4 is good. I really like this lens for low light and inside shots.

DEBRA D.

2008-08-24T21:00:00

Every good thing you ever heard about this lens is true. The back grounds are pure blur and creamy and the focus is very sharp. Used on my K10d it is a joy to use. Hey, a prime 50 for two bills! You should not pass this up.[...]

DAVID D.

2008-08-20T21:00:00

Excellent lens whether its on film or digital. Factor in the cost it makes it a legendary fast fifty. It and the DA 35mm ltd macro have all but replaced the 18-55mm II kit lens. Once I get the DA 14 or Sigma 20, it will be on the used market, not that it is a bad lens.

Blue

2008-07-22T21:00:00

Nice bokah, fast and sharp. Quite a bargain for the money

JimB

2008-07-22T21:00:00

Admittedly I haven't used 10 different portrait lenses in my life, but this is by far the best in my experience. I use it with my K10D. Incredibly sharp right down to f/2, with the most amazing bokeh of any lens I've ever seen. Shooting at f/1.4-1.7 is a bit of a crapshoot, but when the shot comes out well, it's amazing. I tried using this to take a few action shots of some friends waterskiing, but I have to say I prefer my 50-200 Pentax zoom for that. But for that wonderful, intimate low-light portrait feel you can't go wrong with this lens. Works best with the subject filling the majority of the screen, such as facial close-ups. A fantastic value.

Superfly

2008-07-15T21:00:00

This lens outshines several other, more expensive lenses that I inherited from my father. Straight out of the box is takes beautiful, sharp images that truly take your breath away. I have not yet found another lens that takes pictures that are as true to real life as this one does. Awesome product!

Francis