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Review on SMC Pentax FA πŸ“· 50mm f/1.4: Exceptional Low-Light Photography Lens by Amar Amar ᠌

Revainrating 5 out of 5

A high-quality product, the price corresponds to the quality.

Despite its age, the smc Pentax-FA 50mm F/1.4 model is able to compete with modern Pentax DA series optics and provides excellent sharpness across the entire field of the frame with apertures up to F/2.8. At F / 1.4, the lens has a soft effect and reduced overall contrast, with the aperture covered to F / 2, the soft effect disappears, sharpness and contrast are very good. Longitudinal chromatic aberrations are strong at f/1.4, noticeable at f/2-2.8, and mostly disappear only at f/4. Such defects as distortion and lateral chromatic aberration are simply not noticeable, and vignetting at f / 1.4 is weak, which can significantly save time in post-processing. The bokeh quality is excellent - the background blur is smooth and soft, and the point sources of light in the blur zone are evenly colored and round in most cases. Structurally, the lens rather disappoints - the build quality is good, the body is made of fairly high-quality plastic, but nothing more. The manual focus ring is narrow and uncomfortable, almost the same can be said about the aperture ring - it is advisable to control the aperture from the camera. If you close your eyes to the presence of autofocus, then compared to the versions A, M and K, the new lens is an absolute step back. Quick-Shift Focus System is not supported, which will also be a disadvantage for some photographers. My brief winter review of the lens: http://aflenses.net/reviews/smc-pentax-fa-50mm-14-pentax-k-5-iis

Pros
  • High aperture, compact lightweight body, smooth background blur
Cons
  • Build quality could be better