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Lens review

2010-06-14
 

Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4

11. Summary

Pros:

  • solid but small barrel,
  • excellent image quality up from f/2.0,
  • low distortion,
  • acceptable astigmatism,
  • good autofocus work,
  • relatively good transmission,
  • good work against bright light on stopping down the aperture.

Cons:

  • noticeable „soap” by f/1.4,
  • high chromatic aberration,
  • narrow and not very comfortable manual focus ring,
  • weak work against bright light at the maximum relative aperture,
  • too high coma.

Although the “cons” list consists of as many as five items, the overall performance of the lens should be assessed as good. This device seems to be a tad better suggestion than the Pentax 2.8/40 Limited, tested before – mainly because of better results at the edge of the frame. Up from f/2.8 aperture the lens generates outstandingly sharp images. By f/2.0 you can have some reservations about the frame edge and inadequate lighting conditions certainly might make some photographers use f/1.4. Doing so, they will not be exactly happy with the results but they can’t complain either because for this price the competitors offer you nothing better.


Sample shots:

Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary
Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/90 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.2 MB
 Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.8, exp. 1/20 s, ISO 400
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.3 MB		 Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/5.6, exp. 1/90 s, ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 3.9 MB
Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary
Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/3000 s, ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.3 MB		 Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.5, exp. 1/250 s, ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.6 MB		 Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/3.5, exp. 1/2000 s, ISO 100
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.6 MB
Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary Pentax smc FA 50 mm f/1.4 - Summary
Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/1.4, exp. 1/750 s, ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.2 MB		 Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/2.4, exp. 1/350 s, ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.2 MB		 Camera: Pentax K10D
Parameters: 50 mm, f/4.0, exp. 1/40 s, ISO 200
File: JPG, 3872x2592 pix, 2.4 MB

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