The K1 hiking with the FA35 2.0 and the FA50 1.4

Tatouzou wrote:

Historicity wrote:

Tatouzou wrote:

Historicity wrote:

https://lawrencehelm.smugmug.com/RiverPhotography/Dec-2017/i-ZwFdHPD

As mentioned in another thread, I plan to check out my K1 with all of my old FA lenses as well as a few others.

Being experimental, I made choices I wouldn't repeat with the FA35 f/2.0, namely playing around with ISOs higher than necessary. Later in editing I struggled more with the dynamic range of some of the shots then I expect (hope) I will have to when I am being more reasonable with the ISO.

And then today after getting a bit of negativity in regard to the FA 50 f/1.4 on the thread pertaining mostly to the not-yet-released DFA-50 f/1.4 lens, I had to check out the old FA50 right away. I found it to be a very good lens. As to the choice I wouldn't repeat, I used it mostly at f/4.0 and f/5.6 today and those aren't the best aperture settings for most hiking situations IMHO.

I took the FA50 by the local golf course at one point and it seemed to do especially well at infinity.

Given what I've heard about the soon-to-be-released DFA50mm f/1.4, i.e., that it is big, heavy and intended for portraits, I am toying with the idea of buying another new FA-50 before all the new ones are gone.

Lawrence

You might also look for a second hand FA50 f1.7 (I bought mine second hand ten years ago): same size and handling as the FA50 f1.4 (my son had it), same IQ from f2.4 and closer, and better resistance to flare thanks to the smaller and more recessed front lens.

However, looking your already very complete lens list, I am not sure you need to buy another one.

The 43 limited should be very interesting to test: very compact, fast enough and a legendary lens, the only Pentax lens to have been also manufactured in Leica mount.

Thanks,

Ordering the FA50 f1.7 at my age (83) is easier than trying to remember it's a good lens later on.

Although I haven't noticed any flare with the FA50 f1.4 thus far -- unless you saw some in my photos. ???

I didnt, and I am not speaking first hand: I have the f1.7, my son had the f1.4, he never uses hoods save the built in hoods in the limited lenses, which explains for the flare. He sold the f1.4 to fund the FA31

The FA 50mm 1.4 needs a hood more than any other Pentax prime, due to its exposed front element. Even indoors in low light, it needs a hood to prevent veiling flare and reduced contrast. I have three hoods for mine, depending on what I'm doing:

• original Pentax rectangular hood (cool retro look, a bit clunky to use)
• standard collapsible rubber hood (compact, mates well with filters)
• metal telephoto hood (larger, but maximum flare protection, my go-to choice for APS-C)