Pentax DA 50mm f1.8 lens for Pentax DSLR Cameras

I want to use this review to address a few questions other relative newcomers with conservative budgets might have. I own a K-30 that I bought with the 18-135mm zoom lens, which I like a lot. I'm not a camera or lens expert and I don't have a lot of discretionary camera money, so my questions when I started considering the purchase of a prime lens were 1) is it worth it, and 2) if so, which one should I get? I couldn't try any prime lenses out because there aren't any Pentax dealers in Hawai'i and I don't know anyone I can borrow from, so I pretty much had to do things backward: get a lens and see if it was worth it. I started a few months ago with the similarly-priced DA 35mm f2.4 AL, choosing it over the 50mm f1.8 for reasons that I can't remember now, and lo, it was in fact worth it. That lens has some issues but at its best, the sharpness and clarity compared to the 18-135mm -- which is a really nice lens -- astonished me. It's a different animal, most noticeably at 100% resolution a few stops down. The 35mm hooked me on prime lenses but it didn't make me any more financially sound, so this lens was the obvious next step. I'm very glad I took it. Like the 35mm, it's quite light but nicely constructed. When I ordered it I also ordered a hood and a UV filter, as I did for the 35mm, because if I'm going to break any glass I would prefer it to be something that doesn't run into three digits to replace. This lens takes a 52mm filter, while the 35 takes a 49mm one. I got B+W filters for both, and collapsible rubber hoods. I recommend this for the peace of mind if nothing else. A good filter won't affect the image and it will protect the lens. The reason I say that this lens isn't perfect is that it isn't weather-resistant, and the enjoyable weightlessness derives from the plastic construction. You're just not going to get a weather-resistant, all-metal lens for under $200. Beyond that, I have no complaints. If you're contemplating buying your first prime lens and you're choosing between this one and the 35mm, get this one. I wanted a relatively fast lens both for shooting in low light and for controlling the depth of field. Both the 35mm at f2.4 and the 50mm at f1.8 are relatively fast, but the 35mm loses some of its speed because it's pretty soft at maximum aperture: you just don't get a crisp image from edge to edge when it's wide open, so you can't use it wide open if you need that kind of sharpness. There are situations in which one doesn't need that, but if you do you're out of luck with the 35mm. Effectively, that makes the 50mm considerably faster than the 35mm because it looks quite sharp at the maximum aperture. You might have to shoot at f3.5 to get the same sharpness from the 35mm that you get from the 50mm at f1.8. (Don't take that for gospel; I haven't done a direct comparison, but that's around the point at which the 35mm starts to look much sharper across the frame than it does wide open.) Like most lenses the 50mm also gets sharper as the aperture gets smaller, but it looks really good at the maximum aperture as well. Basically, pictures in low light or with the narrowest depth of field are going to look better with the 50mm than they do with the 35mm. Both lenses tend to hunt some in low light, the 35mm a bit more than the 50mm, and they'll do the same trying to focus on clouds or misty landscapes. In good light with well-defined targets, they're both pretty quick and there's nothing much to recommend one over the other. I've had some purple fringing issues with the 35mm in high contrast images that haven't turned up in the 50mm to this point. I'm still happy I got the 35mm because the wider field of view is handy in tight quarters, but if I had to get one or the other I would choose the 50mm without hesitation. In addition to what I think is the clearly superior performance of the 50mm, for whatever reason I also find it a lot easier to compose shots with the 50mm than with the 35mm. I have no idea why that is and I'm sure it wouldn't be true for everybody, but I'm pretty sure that everybody would agree about the physical advantages of the 50mm over the 35mm. Because I shoot outdoors most of the time, and because outdoors in Hawai'i often means wind or blowing sand/dust or rain or all of the above simultaneously, the lack of weather resistance is a genuine issue with both of these low-cost primes. But I have the weather-resistant zoom if I really feel compelled to shoot 35mm or 50mm pictures in the rain, so I can hold off on the additional $500 or more that it would cost to get weather-resistant prime lenses at these focal lengths. Both lenses are really good deals for what they are. The advantage of the 35mm is that it's wider, obviously, but I say go ahead and get the 50mm and take a few steps back if you have to. It's just a wonderful lens and if you've confined yourself to one of the kit zooms so far, you'll be amazed by the image quality.

It's great to know that Pentax users don't need to spend a lot to get great quality optics. While the plastic no-frills build of this product may seem deceptively cheap, the end product is a lens that will complement any photographer's kit, whether beginner, hobbyist or professional. First, this lens is very light. The all-plastic construction means no extra weight, so carrying this lens around adds no noticeable bulk. It's also relatively compact for a 50mm lens, especially one that goes as wide as F1.8. Second, despite the plastic construction, the build tolerances of this lens are very tight. There's no slop anywhere, it just feels well-made. If the Pentax Limited lenses were made of plastic, they'd feel like this. And finally (or rather, most importantly), the optics in this lens are outstanding. This is a similar lens formula that Pentax has used in previous very successful products, but updated with more advanced coatings to excel on a digital camera. Items in focus are tack sharp, and the bokeh is dreamy both in front of and behind the in-focus subject. Colors are beautifully retained, and scenes are given a pleasantly warm tone. The F1.8 max aperture means this lens is great for low-light photography. It's not all roses though. There are a few drawbacks to the budget build. This lens does not have any focus scale anywhere. And Pentax's "quick shift" feature that allows you to adjust focus manually after auto-focus is not present on this product. There's no lens hood or case included, either. This is about as no-frills as you can get. But considering the price and the quality of the optics, I guess some sacrifices had to be made. Also, auto-focus speed can be disappointing. This product uses a screw-drive mechanism driven by the camera rather than a built-in motor, so auto-focusing is noisy. And the mechanism has a LOT of travel to it (for high accuracy), which means there's a lot of turning to do to get from close-focus to infinity. It still takes less than half a second to make the whole trip, but it seems somewhat slower than most of my other screw-drive lenses. On the upside, close-focus distance is remarkably short which makes for great close-up capability, especially for a non-macro lens. I acquired this lens to complement a lightweight "hobbyist" kit alongside the DA 35mm F2.4 for my Pentax K-x camera, and it's succeeded brilliantly for that purpose. However my husband has been borrowing it frequently for his more advanced kit (a Pentax K-5 with a full range of Limited lenses) which he uses for formal occasions and organized shoots. So this lens is seeing a lot of use since we got it, and we couldn't be happier with the results.

I was very hesitant to purchase this lens because of the plastic mount. I'm so grad I looked beyond that because this lens is excellent. It might be made of plastic but it is a gem. I own the FA 50mm f1.4 and have used it for over 5 years now. After using this lens I gave the FA 50mm f1.4 to my son. Sure, the FA 50mm f1.4 is faster but to get decent center sharpness I have to close to f2.0, the Pentax DA 50mm f1.8 already gives me that wide open with better edge performance. The lens has great sharpness, but most important, the sharpness is far more consistent across the full size of the frame. At f1.8 it is good, by f2.8 it is GREAT. Focus is nothing special, it is a mechanical driven AF system like most Pentax lenses. I have a K-3 so I have a powerful motor to back it up. AF accuracy has been really good. Any missed photos have been user error. I do recommend you get a hood. I got myself a rubber hood that has worked out really well. Manual focusing is fine but it would have been nice if it had Pentax quick shift system. For the price I can't complain. This lens is a newer design, worthy of the new Pentax sensors, a great addition to my lens collection.

Hade läst en del positiva recensioner och jag blev inte besviken. Använder denna med min Pentax K-70 och den tar fantastiska bilder.

I wish all lenses were like this-attractive, cheap, lightweight high quality, great images, great bokeh. Stays in my k5ii. Most recent outing was using it at a wta250 tennis match , qualifying rounds. I was at the 3rd row and pics were nice, with/without cropping, though not pro 300mm f2.8 level. Don't know why people say af is noisy. Scree drive is on so many lenses and I remember my 77mm F1 8 seemed even louder when focusing.

Llegó dos días antes, excelente objetivo por precio calidad

I bought this lens mostly because of the f/1.8 maximum aperture, for best results in low light and to a certain extent for shallow depth of field. These so-called "Normal" prime lenses used to be standard as-sold items on all SLR cameras "back in the olden days", but for better or worse, have long since been superseded by zooms as a "fresh out of the store" fit. Unlike all the other Pentax lenses I own, this one has a substantial amount of high-grade plastic substituting for metal, including in the lens mount, but it feels well-made and of high quality. The optics themselves are beautiful in my limited experience so far. Those who haven't used these lenses before should be warned; the depth of field wide-open and close up is razor-thin and it can actually be impossible to keep all of a particular object in focus at once - your camera's depth-of-field preview, if it has one, should be used extensively before you take the shot. However, backgrounds are nicely blurred out. Let experience be your guide. This lens, like its 35mm f/2.4 cousin, lacks the "quick shift" feature by which manual focus is available as an override or assistance while AF is on. Those who already own quick-shift lenses and are used to that function will have to bear this in mind. Manual focus itself feels good, and your results will reflect your expertise with MF, but one occasionally wishes for a split-prism focusing screen. As it is, what you see is what you get through the eyepiece, so make sure its diopter is set correctly if you wear glasses, and the shallow depth of field can be unforgiving at wider apertures - it may be easier to go AF, especially with moving subjects. Also, as part of the DA series and lacking an aperture ring, it's not back-compatible with film bodies. However, it's light and compact, and as with all of the shorter focal length Pentax primes, the whole package is easy to wield one-handed when fitted onto (for example) a K-5. Not as easy as the 40mm Pancake lens, but it's about a stop and a half faster than that one, which may count for something if you take your camera out in low light a lot. The filter thread diameter is 52mm. I have a UV filter on mine to protect the front element from small fingerprints, dog slobber, flung-up road debris, etc., and recommend ordering one along with the lens to any buyer and fitting it immediately (I got a Polaroid and am happy with it). AN IMPORTANT WARNING: the rear lens cap is push-on, NOT twist-and-lock, and I almost fatally dropped it straight out of the box trying to lift it out by the rear cap. While this push-on system is fine for packaging transport, it may not be so safe or secure for day-to-day use if you are accustomed to twist-lock rear caps. You may want to buy or scavenge one from elsewhere, relegating this push-on variant to lenses that are staying home for the day or seldom used. All that being said, it's very good for what it is - an optically high-quality yet generously priced (I got mine at a discount) fast "normal" lens that can sometimes be had at a steal of a price. Equivalent field of view on Pentax APS-C digital cameras is as for a 75mm lens on film, so it's a mild telephoto until Pentax's full-frame camera comes out sometime this year. Those seeking an "eyeball's equivalent field of view" from the current crop of APS-C DSLRs are encouraged to try a 35mm lens - the 35mm f/2.4 DA AL is available at a similar price point (and has similar construction and reportedly very good image quality) while the 35mm f/2.8 "Limited" series Macro lens is substantially more expensive but offers very close focus and true-to-life magnification for those who want or need such a facility. Beyond that, you are in a different class of lens and comparisons are less meaningful. Mine, as bought through Amazon, came with the option of a two-year drops-and-spills warranty, which I took (and almost needed!). I would recommend this, just in case, especially to the less-well-off buyer who can't simply go out and buy a replacement lens if the worst should happen.

First of all, This $150 f1.8 Nifty Fifty by Pentax is fairly better than the $350 Canon 50mm f1.4 in Image Details as said on a Comparison Video by Tony Northrup. You'll find it on YouTube. Believe me You can't find this level of image details on any other f1.8 50mm Prime. First I thought that the 'All Plastic' lens would be flimsy and light weight (like the Canon 50mm f1.8 which has a hollow feel). Actually didn't expected much from this budget lens. But When I held it in my hand for the 1st time, I was surprised. It was fairly lightweight but solid. This one feels Robust for a plastic build one. I don't mind the Plastic Mount as no Brand is offering a Metal mount at this price. For a Imortant Information to other users, This Lens is a 'DA' series lens which is meant for all Digital Pentax SLRs said to be optimized for FF Cameras. On Cropped Sensor Cameras, It's focal length translates into 76.5mm. Thus, good for Portraits and as a workaround lens. Inside the box, there was the lens itself with lenscaps on both side. No lens hood or pouch. There's a 'Serial Number Card' but no Warranty Card though. Got this lens from 'Tridev Deals' as a Amazon Fulfilled item. (Though the retail box was all wrapped with a thin plastic film, I doubt if the product is brand new as I heard that Pentax don't seal their product package. And I found the rear element lens cap was scratched allover.) And thhe Courier Service Provider "Gati" was too slow. It took 2 weeks to deliver the product when other courier services took only 3/4 days on maximum to my PIN (in India). There's slight Color Fringing and fair amount of softness with this lens wide open. Normal user won't find anything at all (You need to peep the image at 100% or need a hige sized print). But as you stop down to 2.5 and on, the Sharpness Increases relatively. And the lens is just gorgeous from f4.0. It is Super sharp from f4.0 to f8.0. Autofocus is accurate most of the time with my K-50. but it was loud because of the old school Screw Drive type AF Motor. Low light Images are good and AF performed decently in dimmed conditions. Though it hunts. You just cannot expect too much at this price point with all these features already offered. But the main thing, this lens can create some excellent Bokeh! Bokeh is Round and Smooth. People love the photos out of it. Focus Ring is Smooth and have a long travelpath. but no distance markings on it. No QuickShift and No Aperture Ring. Filter Size Is 52mm and front element is Non-Rotating type (Focus ring rotates while Auto Focusing though). Hence One can attach any commercially available Filters on it. I use a Screw Mount Rubber Hood with it. Overall I must say This SUPER SHARP Lens is a must have for the price it has been offered. Thank you guys. Hope it helps.