Pentax fa 50mm f1 4 review

First made available around 1991, the SMC Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 lens is fundamentally a much older optical design, stretching back perhaps even further than the F series lenses that preceded it. Nonetheless, its seven elements in six groups design is a well tried and tested one that is capable of high grade results.

If we start at the front of the lens, the bright f/1.4 maximum aperture results in a very easy to focus viewfinder image. It is an AF lens, but if the camera body is switched to MF then a thin focusing ring at the front of the lens can be used to focus. The image snaps in and out very cleanly, so manual focusing is not a problem if needed.

A plastic window reveals the focusing scale in feet and metres. There is also a depth of field scale inscribed on the lens barrel. Finally, closest to the camera body, is an aperture ring. This should be set to the “A” position to fully utilise the features of the DSLR range.

The diaphragm has eight blades, the filter thread is an economical 49mm and the lens focuses down to 1.5 feet (0.45m), giving a maximum magnification of 0.15x. Weight is a modest 220g.

One missing feature is QuickShift, the ability to tweak focus manually whilst using AF. With this lens, manual focus must be set on the camera before the manual focusing ring can be used. There is also no inbuilt focusing motor, so AF is by screw drive. This is fine and works quickly, but is inherently more noisy than the DC or SDM lenses.

Another feature that is absent is Weather Resistance, although the construction of the lens does not seem to offer too many avenues for water ingress.

The beauty of the 50mm lens is its relatively low cost, its high quality and its ability to be abused with the use of extension tubes, close up filters, bellows and any other accessories that might be found. These lenses are also generally very bright and f/1.4 is a useful maximum aperture. With the higher ISO values now available, hand held shooting can continue as the light fades, to remarkably low levels.

It is a shame that no lens hood is supplied as standard, but it was the norm in the days when this was first released. There is a dedicated square Pentax lens hood available, a very convenient clip on design, the PH-SA49. This is now priced at a more palatable £24.99 after many years at around £60. There are also plenty of lower cost third party hoods available. Even with current coating technology, a lens hood is always a good idea.

I consider myself an ardent supporter of Ricoh/Pentax products and have always endeavored to review its cameras and lenses when many others have chosen not to. I also think that the Pentax brand has really found its niche as more of a boutique manufacturer, focusing on the classic SLR design — a move that I think makes a ton of sense in today’s waning market. So, when I heard that there were two new — yet also very old — lenses waiting on my desk, I was excited, to say the least.

It’s also worth mentioning that both of these lenses are indeed SLR lenses, therefore I mounted them onto a trusty Pentax K1 II for this review.

I refer to these lenses as vintage only because they are both a re-release of the classic Pentax 50mm f/1.4 optical formula. The Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 is very much the autofocusing lens we are used to with modern HD high-contrast coatings. The SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 “Classic,” however, is optically tweaked to create an interesting rainbow flare pattern when shot towards bright light sources. The Classic will cost you only a slight premium ($380) over the HD ($350).

Pentax 50mm FA f/1.4 HD and Classic Review: Nifty 50s That Travel Light

For most of this review, I evaluated both lenses as if they were one due to the almost identical optical similarities of each.

What I noticed right away was how compact these two lenses are. In contrast, Pentax has a D-FA* 50mm f/1.4 that is much larger both in size and cost (we will return to that lens shortly) but these vintage 50mm lenses are incredibly lightweight at only 7.6 oz (216 grams) and have adorably sized 49mm filter threads. Although the HD version has a green ring embellishment and a more textured focusing ring, both lenses handle in a very similar fashion.

Pentax 50mm FA f/1.4 HD and Classic Review: Retro Design, Retro Results

Because these lenses are based on an older optical formula, there are some issues when it comes to optical performance, especially when compared to modern designs. That being said, you could chalk up these issues under the catch-all umbrella term that is “character.”

I will first mention that I didn’t see any major differences between the two lenses as far as sharpness is concerned. At f/1.4, there is a definite lack of contrast and detail in the center of the images and the corners even more so. Stopping the lens down to f/2.8 is where you will see a marked improvement in sharpness and contrast across the frame. Also, at f/1.4, the vignetting in the corners of the image is very noticeable and this again improves as the aperture is stopped down. By all means, shoot wide-open at f/1.4 if you want shots full of character but not if you want maximum detail.

I honestly find the HD and Classic versions of the two lenses to deliver identical results in almost any situation. Despite the coatings being different, the Classic lens still has coatings to reduce flare and enhance contrast. Indeed, the only real difference is when shooting both lenses towards bright light sources like the sun. Where the HD version prevents ghosting and flare, the Classic instead embraces it. The Classic exhibits stark and vivid rainbow circles which can be used to frame close-up subjects or add visual interest to the scene. I also appreciate that the effect is quite strong. Subtlety is not the order of the day here.

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 HD and Classic: Which One to Choose?

I found myself having a lot of fun using the two new Pentax 50mm lenses but I will say, I enjoyed the Classic version far more. In my opinion, the HD version is simply an affordable and compact fast-fifty that has somewhat questionable optical performance.

But the Classic version is a fun and retro-inspired blast-from-the-past that delivers a visually unique shooting experience and also does everything the HD version does in almost any other lighting scenario. I can even see some potential in adapting the Pentax Classic lens to other brands of mirrorless cameras in order to reap the same visual rewards.

Regardless, Pentax once again shows that by sticking to its tried-and-true SLR designs it can also deliver a unique shooting experience and also make photography fun again. In the end, isn’t that what it’s supposed to be about after all?

Are There Alternatives?

As mentioned, Pentax also has the D-FA* 50mm f/1.4 which is significantly larger, heavier, and more expensive but is also an excellently performing lens. It’s the best alternative if you’re more interested in pure performance over “character.”

Should You But It?

Yes, though I recommend the Classic over the HD. Pentax users will really enjoy this lens for its fun, vintage aesthetic that’s packed in a compact, easy-to-carry form factor.

How much does a Pentax 50mm 1.4 weight?

smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1. 4.

What is difference between Pentax A & M lens?

With the "A" lenses set to "A" you can use matrix/pattern metering. With the "M" lenses you have to use stop-down metering or the green button in manual mode. The "M" lenses will only shoot at wide-open in Av mode, regardless of what the aperture ring is set.

What is a Pentax FA lens?

SMC Pentax-FA lenses have fixed focal lengths and can be used with both Film and Digital Pentax SLRs. They cover the full-frame 24x36mm image circle. Auto-focus. Auto-aperture (aperture ring available) Select lenses feature Power Zoom.

How much does a Pentax 50mm 1.2 weight?

SMC Pentax 50mm F1. 2.