SMC Pentax M 50:2 vs kit lens on K200

Hi,

After a very long research, I'm a proud owner of a K200D. For me, the definitive argument come from this article:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/totally_completely_okay_t.html

Also, the decent kit lens decisively contributed to this choice.

Now, I'm looking for prime lenses. Last week I bought a very good M series - version 1- 28 mm f/2,8 - good price, very happy with this purchase.

Another seller has another M series - a 50mm f/2 and the price is OK. I'm inclined to do confirme this purchase too, but I am still undecided...

The main reason is the variable rating for this lens. In the Pentaxforums, the ratings jump from 3 to 10, with intermediate ratings like 5, 6,7,8 and 9. (I tried to put the URL but it's blocked - can't understand "why" - please substitute the [dot] with . to follow the link below):

http://www.pentaxforums[dot]com/lensreviews[dot]showproduct.php?product=83&cat=27

I know the Pentax SMC 50mm f/2 was a kit lens when purchased new. So the question is:

• With the 18-55 mm kit lens, zoomed to 50 mm equivalent - didn't I expect similar results? The prime 50:2 is not a redundant choice (kit lens vs kit lens)?

• What about the corner sharpness, contrast and color rendition when comparing one with the other? Can I expect dramatic differences?

P.S. I'm not considering other versions of 50 mm lens, because I'm living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - there's not a large selling of this lenses - and my preference is to buy locally.

Thanks in advance

Salviano Jr.

Hi,

I have the 18-55mm first version (not the newest one). I use it on my ist D. The kit lens for the ist D was the 18-35mm, But I have not found one at a price that I could afford yet....

Anyway here is some shots from my 18-55mm for you to look at:
http://forums.steves-digicams.com/forums/view_topic.php?id=592223&forum_id=80

bluwing
--
No one is listening, Untill you make a mistake.

Hi Salviano= I have the k200 with the #2 kit lens and find it to be very good. In fact for me I dont see any reason to waste money on updating this lens. As for the 50/2, I had the A version and found it to be very good. I think it has an MTF of 4.0 -4.3. Take a look at photodo.com regarding this lens. I would think the M version would be comparable but most people will probably recommend the 50 1.4 or 50 1.7,, I currently have the M50 1.7 which is quite good. Don

I would suggest that you've little to lose buying this lens because it can be found so cheaply. There's usualy 3 or 4 on sale at ebay at any given time and tbh, if you decide you don't like it or wish to upgrade, you'll be able to stick it back on ebay and get your money back.

The advantage over the kit lens is that at 50mm it is a lot faster, so narrow DOF is possible and the lens does provide very nice bokeh.

Mind you the one to buy is the f/1.4 version, faster and better quality optics although it tends to cost between 2 and 3 times as much as the f/2. There's an f/1.2 version but that commands silly money due to its rarity and from what I've heard offers little advantage over the f/1,4. 'A' mount versions seem to add about 50% to the cost. F/1.7 versions are worth a look but don't seem to be much cheaper than f/1.4s.

So it depends how much you think you're going to use it. If the answer is a lot, go for the f/1.4, if you're just thinking of sticking your toes in the water go for the f/2. They're both nice little lenses.

I don't have the kit lens (I prefered to go right to the Sigma 17-70) bt I have a M 50mm f2. I ran some home tests with it, and mine is definitely softer at f2 than at any other aperture, but it's still quite sharp there, so using it ni low light would be possible without problems (and I'm using the K20D which isn't forgiving regarding resolution). At f2,8 and above, I find it very, very sharp.

The build construction is also great, it seems it could be thrown around and still work well.

One thing that surprises me, however, is that exposure (using the green button on the K20D) seems to become unreliable at f8 and smaller. This also happens with my other manual lenses (Takumar 28mm and 135 mm, and Vivitar Series 1 70-210). I cannot comment more as I only tested this quickly before leaving for a business trip, but I'll look into this some more (since it happens with all my manual lenses, I suspect I must be doing something wrong...)

long story short, if as you say you have easy (and cheap) access to an f2, and no easy access to a faster version, do not hesitate. It will be a nice addition to your kit, and an inexpensive one.
--
bdery

Québec city, Canada

Pentaxian in the making
http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n13/bdery/

Sorry for not answering your question, but I just liked this paragraph from the review you've quoted:

"(K100d) The only other things I noticed are that shutter lag is good, and that shutter noise is fairly high but has a crisp, clean sound that implies precision and contributes to the camera's subjective sense of responsiveness."

Sorry to be really dumb but does that not talk about the K100D
--
Tom Bell
Dartmoor
Devon

http://flickr.com/photos/tombell1

Thank you all very much for the answers.

I will do some tests with my kit lens before decide. I agree the 1.4 or 1.7 are better choices, maybe is preferable to search for one, even paying 2 or 3 times more.

Best Regards,

Salviano Jr.

Salviano Junior said:

I will do some tests with my kit lens before decide. I agree the 1.4
or 1.7 are better choices, maybe is preferable to search for one,
even paying 2 or 3 times more.

Click to expand...

Shouldn't be necessary if you're willing to buy through the mail (eg, Ebay, or any of the North American retailers). For example, KEH.com sells the M50/2 in Excellent condition for $49, the M50/1.7 in the same condition for $62. Easily worth the extra $13. Or, the "A" versions for $65 and $109, respectively.

--
Marc Sabatella
http://www.marcsabatella.com/photo/

Marc Sabatella said:

For example, KEH.com
sells the M50/2 in Excellent condition for $49, the M50/1.7 in the
same condition for $62. Easily worth the extra $13. Or, the "A"
versions for $65 and $109, respectively.

Click to expand...

Good tip!
Bookmarked.

Salviano Jr.