smc PENTAX FA 50mm F1.4
The Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f1.4 lens has a fully automatic diaphragm. At 1.5 inches long and weighing just 7.8 ounces, you can take this 50mm fixed focal length lens with you everywhere. You can use this lens with all Pentax SLR cameras, but the AF system only works with Pentax AF cameras.

Technical Details

-Only 1.5 inches and 7.8 ounces
-47 degree angle of view
-Fixed 50mm focal length
-Fully automatic diaphragm
-Lens construction of 6 elements in 5 groups
See more technical details

 "Great lens, but..." 2010-06-13
By C. Autry (South Carolina)
Great lens, I love it. My favorite lens by far. I bought it new on Amazon for less than two hundr. less than 2 years ago--so the price has really shot up. Try to find a deal if you can, but the lens is so worth owning.


 "The lens I needed - and you might too!" 2009-10-25
By T. Piatek (Irkutsk, Russia)
I must say, stepping up to a DSLR from a point-and-shoot camera was one of the best decisions I've made regarding electronics; the picture quality is out of this world, and I can take shots in challenging lighting that allows me to get pictures of my ever-moving daughter that I never could dream of before. Typical P&S cameras take far too long from focusing to capturing to get the photo before my daughter's out-of-frame, but the Pentax DSLR does the trick. Trouble was, I still couldn't get perfect pictures in very dim, low-light environments, like a living room at night.

That all changed with this lens - for about $225 lightly used, I got an amazing value that's totally transformed my camera! Low light holds no fear, and I've taken pictures in dim lighting at speeds that don't allow subjects to blur! Furthermore, the lens quality is fantastic, and the bokeh it produces is gorgeous. This lens suits me for both portrait photography and low-light family photos, and it saved me from buying another DSLR with better high-ISO performance. I never go beyond ISO 400 now, and my photos are much better for it.

Pentax's new lens might be fine, but this one provided an amazing value and quality that will surely keep me enjoying my Pentax DSLR for years to come.


 "Must have lens" 2009-09-30
By ksuwildkat (Monterey, CA)
Its really a shame the price of this lens has gone up so much recently because this is one lens we should all own. Not for the fixed length and how it forces you to move around but for the speed! If someone made an affordable f/1.4 18-55 zoom I would buy that instead. Until then, I am sold on fast primes. This "Fast Fifty" has unlocked times and locations I didn't think I cold shoot. You NEED this lens!

The lens itself is small and light. Light because it has a plastic body. Significantly, it has a metal mount so that area is not a concern. After getting used to zooms it is amazing how small your camera gets putting this on.

For sharp pictures, try to stay at f/2 or better. At f/5.6 or more the sharpness is amazing. That is not to say that 1.4 and 1.7 are unusable but it is like pushing ISO - there is a price.

I have not had the front focus issues some people have mentioned. In low light there is focus hunting and sometimes it locks on the wrong place but that has as much to do with the camera as the lens.

One feature I wish it had was the "quick shift" focus. It is either auto or manual - no manual override like the newer Pentax lenses. That is my only gripe.

I cant say enough about this lens. It spends a LOT of time on my K200 and once the sun gets low, its the only way to go.


 "Excellent first prime lens" 2009-09-20
By Average Joe (NYC)
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



 "Great Lens--if the price is right" 2009-09-19
By ssgman (San Francisco, CA USA)
I bought this lens a little under 2 months ago for 2-fifty slightly less than 2 months ago. At that price it is one of the great camera deals period.

It seems someone has bought up the remaining supply of FA 50's and is playing the extortion game. For 3-fifty I would still get it but I am partial to FA's because they work perfectly with my PZ-70 film body.

If I was digital only I would look at the DA* 55, which in comparisons I've seen is a cut above the FA 50--and that is saying a lot. Plus the DA* is weather sealed.

The current price of being greater than a 77mm Limited is just nuts.


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