HD Coating to effectively reduce average reflectance and improve light transmittance, delivering clear, high-contrast images with minimal flare and ghost images, even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting. New exterior design which is similar to that of the latest DA-, D- and FA-series lenses while retaining the dimensions of its base model — the smc PENTAX-FA50mm F1.4. When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, lense can be used as 50mm standard lenses in the full-frame format, or 76.5mm medium-telephoto lenses in the APS-C format. The large F1.4 open aperture produces images with a very shallow depth of field. Water- and grease-repellent SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lenses, making it easier for the user to wipe off water or stains. The eight-blade diaphragm control mechanism produces a soft, natural bokeh (defocus) effect from open aperture to F2.8, and also minimizes the streaking effect of point light sources. Designed to be fully compatible with older K-mount digital SLR cameras and film-format AF SLR cameras, these lenses allow the photographer to retain all camera functions, thanks to the aperture ring installed on the lens body, and the mechanism designed to couple the lens with the camera’s motor-driven, in-body AF system.
HD Coating to effectively reduce average reflectance and improve light transmittance, delivering clear, high-contrast images with minimal flare and ghost images, even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting. New exterior design which is similar to that of the latest DA-, D- and FA-series lenses while retaining the dimensions of its base model — the smc PENTAX-FA50mm F1.4. When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, lense can be used as 50mm standard lenses in the full-frame format, or 76.5mm medium-telephoto lenses in the APS-C format. The large F1.4 open aperture produces images with a very shallow depth of field. Water- and grease-repellent SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lenses, making it easier for the user to wipe off water or stains. The eight-blade diaphragm control mechanism produces a soft, natural bokeh (defocus) effect from open aperture to F2.8, and also minimizes the streaking effect of point light sources. Designed to be fully compatible with older K-mount digital SLR cameras and film-format AF SLR cameras, these lenses allow the photographer to retain all camera functions, thanks to the aperture ring installed on the lens body, and the mechanism designed to couple the lens with the camera’s motor-driven, in-body AF system.
HD Coating to effectively reduce average reflectance and improve light transmittance, delivering clear, high-contrast images with minimal flare and ghost images, even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting. New exterior design which is similar to that of the latest DA-, D- and FA-series lenses while retaining the dimensions of its base model — the smc PENTAX-FA50mm F1.4. When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, lense can be used as 50mm standard lenses in the full-frame format, or 76.5mm medium-telephoto lenses in the APS-C format. The large F1.4 open aperture produces images with a very shallow depth of field. Water- and grease-repellent SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lenses, making it easier for the user to wipe off water or stains. The eight-blade diaphragm control mechanism produces a soft, natural bokeh (defocus) effect from open aperture to F2.8, and also minimizes the streaking effect of point light sources. Designed to be fully compatible with older K-mount digital SLR cameras and film-format AF SLR cameras, these lenses allow the photographer to retain all camera functions, thanks to the aperture ring installed on the lens body, and the mechanism designed to couple the lens with the camera’s motor-driven, in-body AF system.
HD Coating to effectively reduce average reflectance and improve light transmittance, delivering clear, high-contrast images with minimal flare and ghost images, even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting. New exterior design which is similar to that of the latest DA-, D- and FA-series lenses while retaining the dimensions of its base model — the smc PENTAX-FA50mm F1.4. When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, lense can be used as 50mm standard lenses in the full-frame format, or 76.5mm medium-telephoto lenses in the APS-C format. The large F1.4 open aperture produces images with a very shallow depth of field. Water- and grease-repellent SP (Super Protect) Coating applied to the front surface of the lenses, making it easier for the user to wipe off water or stains. The eight-blade diaphragm control mechanism produces a soft, natural bokeh (defocus) effect from open aperture to F2.8, and also minimizes the streaking effect of point light sources. Designed to be fully compatible with older K-mount digital SLR cameras and film-format AF SLR cameras, these lenses allow the photographer to retain all camera functions, thanks to the aperture ring installed on the lens body, and the mechanism designed to couple the lens with the camera’s motor-driven, in-body AF system.
Last updated at 03/25/2026 03:27:11
PENTAX smc -FA 50mmF1.4 Classic Standard Lens for Use with SLR Cameras with K-Mount Connector
Free delivery
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Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens Classic w/case
Free delivery
Smc Pentax-fa 50mm F1.4 Classic Lens W/nd Filter K Mount Full-frame
Delivery $65.97
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
originally posted on ebay.com
A brilliant lens for a 35mm Pentax K-mount or full-frame digital. A very handy focal range. An excellent performer. The Pentax A has much improved image quality over the previous Pentax M version. I have both versions. Spend the extra money for the A version. Even with the extra cost, it still remains an outstanding value.
originally posted on ebay.com
Build Quality - plastic but honestly it looks good with my Pentax K-5. Autofocus - terrifyingly loud. needs some getting used to. Focus ring - loud as well. feels a little heavy like riding a stationary bike. Color aberration - very heavy, very noticeable. Bokeh - it works well but because of the color aberration it looks ugly at times. Overall I think it's a decent value to have at this price. Just don't expect dramatically great images. Try shoot at night, shoot at streets, shoot small things, involve people to get the most out of this lens. Use f1.4 or f1.8 very carefully. Maybe there are better M or A lenses out there, but I think using a single range lens is already a bit of work with all the walking back and forth. I don't want to add dialing focus ring every ... MoreBuild Quality - plastic but honestly it looks good with my Pentax K-5. Autofocus - terrifyingly loud. needs some getting used to. Focus ring - loud as well. feels a little heavy like riding a stationary bike. Color aberration - very heavy, very noticeable. Bokeh - it works well but because of the color aberration it looks ugly at times. Overall I think it's a decent value to have at this price. Just don't expect dramatically great images. Try shoot at night, shoot at streets, shoot small things, involve people to get the most out of this lens. Use f1.4 or f1.8 very carefully. Maybe there are better M or A lenses out there, but I think using a single range lens is already a bit of work with all the walking back and forth. I don't want to add dialing focus ring every dang time on top of that. I want to shoot a lot of sights and things and quickly move on.
originally posted on ebay.com
It took only two days from the seller in Japan to come to Germany, but it took twenty five days from the Frankfurter airport to me. At least I didn't have to pay to the customs. But it worth all this waiting. It is a very bright and accurate objektiv lens. It is manual and autofocus. I have also a 28-80mm Pentax and a 70-200mm Pentax both macro lens and I was very satisfied with them, but when I saw how bright and clear fotos within the house can I shoot with this f1.4 instead of the f3.5-4.7 or the f4-5.6 lens, I changed my mind. For now on l think that I should use my zoom lenses only when I can't approach the item. As we did in the old good years. Little walking makes good. We all became too lazy and we lost the sense of the real brightness !
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Lens Mount | Pentax K |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
PENTAX smc -FA 50mmF1.4 Classic Standard Lens for Use with SLR Cameras with K-Mount Connector
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens Classic w/case
Free delivery
Smc Pentax-fa 50mm F1.4 Classic Lens W/nd Filter K Mount Full-frame
Delivery $65.97
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
A brilliant lens for a 35mm Pentax K-mount or full-frame digital. A very handy focal range. An excellent performer. The Pentax A has much improved image quality over the previous Pentax M version. I have both versions. Spend the extra money for the A version. Even with the extra cost, it still remains an outstanding value.
Build Quality - plastic but honestly it looks good with my Pentax K-5. Autofocus - terrifyingly loud. needs some getting used to. Focus ring - loud as well. feels a little heavy like riding a stationary bike. Color aberration - very heavy, very noticeable. Bokeh - it works well but because of the color aberration it looks ugly at times. Overall I think it's a decent value to have at this price. Just don't expect dramatically great images. Try shoot at night, shoot at streets, shoot small things, involve people to get the most out of this lens. Use f1.4 or f1.8 very carefully. Maybe there are better M or A lenses out there, but I think using a single range lens is already a bit of work with all the walking back and forth. I don't want to add dialing focus ring every ... MoreBuild Quality - plastic but honestly it looks good with my Pentax K-5. Autofocus - terrifyingly loud. needs some getting used to. Focus ring - loud as well. feels a little heavy like riding a stationary bike. Color aberration - very heavy, very noticeable. Bokeh - it works well but because of the color aberration it looks ugly at times. Overall I think it's a decent value to have at this price. Just don't expect dramatically great images. Try shoot at night, shoot at streets, shoot small things, involve people to get the most out of this lens. Use f1.4 or f1.8 very carefully. Maybe there are better M or A lenses out there, but I think using a single range lens is already a bit of work with all the walking back and forth. I don't want to add dialing focus ring every dang time on top of that. I want to shoot a lot of sights and things and quickly move on.
It took only two days from the seller in Japan to come to Germany, but it took twenty five days from the Frankfurter airport to me. At least I didn't have to pay to the customs. But it worth all this waiting. It is a very bright and accurate objektiv lens. It is manual and autofocus. I have also a 28-80mm Pentax and a 70-200mm Pentax both macro lens and I was very satisfied with them, but when I saw how bright and clear fotos within the house can I shoot with this f1.4 instead of the f3.5-4.7 or the f4-5.6 lens, I changed my mind. For now on l think that I should use my zoom lenses only when I can't approach the item. As we did in the old good years. Little walking makes good. We all became too lazy and we lost the sense of the real brightness !
I bought this lens used for around $100. I cannot say enough good things about this lens. It is incredibly sharp for milky way photography which is what I use it for. I have used it for portraits also, and it has very pleasing bokeh and skin tones. For milky way, it does have considerable coma at the edges wide open, but at around 2.8 this is mitigated.
Great sharp lens, when it's in focus. Manual focus is a challenge. Very difficult to Auto Focus on a Pentax K-7. It eventually gets there with a lot of whirring back and forth until the camera finally finds an optimal focus and then releases the shutter. Otherwise,a typically well built Pentax lens
First of all, I must establish that I am a beginner, not a professional or even a dedicated photographer. However, I am a very enthusiastic and meticulous aficionado. I am also a collector, a characteristic that spills over into my photography hobby --I realize now that I am slowly drifting into lens collection. As a collector (mostly of knives, watches, and fountain pens) I have discovered that even good quality production collectibles exhibit variations (each instance is unique), and rarely if ever is a particular kind always reproduced in exactly the same way. I have found out that this is as true of camera lenses as it is of fountain pens, knives or watches. For example, I have three copies of the SMC Takumar 55 mm f/1.8 lens, and each one is slightly or even ... MoreFirst of all, I must establish that I am a beginner, not a professional or even a dedicated photographer. However, I am a very enthusiastic and meticulous aficionado. I am also a collector, a characteristic that spills over into my photography hobby --I realize now that I am slowly drifting into lens collection. As a collector (mostly of knives, watches, and fountain pens) I have discovered that even good quality production collectibles exhibit variations (each instance is unique), and rarely if ever is a particular kind always reproduced in exactly the same way. I have found out that this is as true of camera lenses as it is of fountain pens, knives or watches. For example, I have three copies of the SMC Takumar 55 mm f/1.8 lens, and each one is slightly or even not so slightly different. Therefore, I am wary of categorically saying anything definitive about any particular production lens, even if general characteristics can indeed be established. Also, as is the case with the performance of other collectibles, ones appreciation relies more often than not on preferences of a subjective nature: in my case I judge a lens on qualities such as richness of color, depth (3d effects) and bokeh, even though of course I pay attention to rather more objective characteristics such as sharpness. To the previous caveats I must add that when judging a lens I find it very hard (perhaps impossible) to judge it in the abstract, without resorting to comparisons with other similar or not so similar lenses. So as a (very personal) benchmark I use my copy of the Pentax SMC-A 50mm f/1.7 lens when judging primes, and my copy of the Sigma 18-250 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM when judging zooms, both of which have yielded superb results for me. Finally, I use exclusively Pentax digital bodies, namely a k-x, a k-30 and a K3. Keep all of the above in mind when I say that I find the Pentax SMCP-FA 50mm f/1.4 to be an almost memorable lens. The build is good, and so are the materials, even if they are mostly plastic. It is small and fairly lightweight, very easy to carry around and unobtrusive. The lens truly shines, however, performance-wise. I find very little to complain about maybe the autofocus, which sometimes isnt quite up to par. The colors are deep and rich (true Pentax colors), the contrast wonderful, the bokeh creamy and beautiful. Considering its inherently shallow DOF, it has surprising depth; it is also fast and very, very sharp. Finally, if you take into account that a good copy can be acquired for $ 250 or thereabouts, this lens represents an excellent value.
The reason to own an F/1.4 lens is that you want to use the lens mostly open so you can get the nice bokeh and the fast exposure time. But this lens is not particularly sharp when used wide open. It's not awful, but it's not great either. If you stop it down, then it becomes quite sharp, but then you may as well have bought an F/5.6 to begin with. It's also mildly radioactive due to the thorium in the glass, and the lens yellows over time due to the radioactivity. (The radioactivity is not a health concern, according to a health physicist I spoke to about it.) The yellowing can be counteracted by exposure to UV light, but it's another tick against it. I'm not upset about this purchase, but neither am I thrilled. On the other side, the lens FEELS really solid, and ... MoreThe reason to own an F/1.4 lens is that you want to use the lens mostly open so you can get the nice bokeh and the fast exposure time. But this lens is not particularly sharp when used wide open. It's not awful, but it's not great either. If you stop it down, then it becomes quite sharp, but then you may as well have bought an F/5.6 to begin with. It's also mildly radioactive due to the thorium in the glass, and the lens yellows over time due to the radioactivity. (The radioactivity is not a health concern, according to a health physicist I spoke to about it.) The yellowing can be counteracted by exposure to UV light, but it's another tick against it. I'm not upset about this purchase, but neither am I thrilled. On the other side, the lens FEELS really solid, and it's a well-designed piece of equipment in the mechanical sense. Depending on what you want from it, this could be an okay lens, or you might want to look for something better.
I purchased this lens mainly as a portrait lens. Having read some concerns about softness wide-open, I was a bit skeptical but jumped on a recent sale. Put simply, this lens is phenomenal! It is wonderfully sharp in its 'sweet spot' with creamy bokeh for portraits. It has some occasional quirks (some flare and fringing), especially wide open, but it also has a classic character that yields some stunning portraits. I would highly recommend a hood (not included), which does seem to boost contrast quite a bit. Even the occasional flare can be used for effect outdoors. It's an oldie but a goodie!
I bought it mainly for the fact that I always have a thing for fast primes. Having recently bought a Pentax K-r, so I thought why not shop for a prime? First of all B&H really has the best price on most things (even including Shipping to Austrlia), customer service is also top notch. Now to the lens, to sum it up - get it before there's another price hike (the SMC FA 50mm 1.4 used to sell for $200), you won't be disappointed. The sharpness in the center is good right from f1.4 to excellent when stopped down to f4-f8. It's contrasty, it really brings colours to life (some may complain that it is a little bit on the warm side but I find warm better than cold). I cannot comment on the focal length, you either love it or you don't - it suits me perfect for indoor head ... MoreI bought it mainly for the fact that I always have a thing for fast primes. Having recently bought a Pentax K-r, so I thought why not shop for a prime? First of all B&H really has the best price on most things (even including Shipping to Austrlia), customer service is also top notch. Now to the lens, to sum it up - get it before there's another price hike (the SMC FA 50mm 1.4 used to sell for $200), you won't be disappointed. The sharpness in the center is good right from f1.4 to excellent when stopped down to f4-f8. It's contrasty, it really brings colours to life (some may complain that it is a little bit on the warm side but I find warm better than cold). I cannot comment on the focal length, you either love it or you don't - it suits me perfect for indoor head and shoulder shots and most street photos where I want to isolate the subject. Autofocus (used with the K-r) is good to excellent depending on the lighting condition, accuracy is as good as any other lens in the price range (this is dependent on the on the camera body of course). Some say it's a shame that it doesn't come with a hood, I don't find that I need one, it resists flare extremely well. Ok I wish the barrel was mostly metal - if it was I would have gladly paid another $150 for it. But the build quality is very good as it is though, I certainly don't have to babysit it. To recap - get it!
i bought this lens to supplement my 18-55 and 55-300 which i have used very actively on my k-x (i have taken over 50,000 pictures with the camera). i also have the M 50mm 1.7, but i thought it was time to get something with AF. I wanted it mainly for pictures (portraits) of my kids, and also for product shots which i do from time to time. anyway, lens came, but very quickly i realised that it wasn't focusing perfectly. i have had the same issues with a tamron 17-50 2.8 and a sigma 17-50 2.8. occasionally lens focuses perfectly, but mostly a little in front. i made some adjustments to my camera using the debug mode. it helped, but surprisingly only at 1.4 (when focus is most critical), but ultimately i could not rely on it to focus every time, like i can with my ... Morei bought this lens to supplement my 18-55 and 55-300 which i have used very actively on my k-x (i have taken over 50,000 pictures with the camera). i also have the M 50mm 1.7, but i thought it was time to get something with AF. I wanted it mainly for pictures (portraits) of my kids, and also for product shots which i do from time to time. anyway, lens came, but very quickly i realised that it wasn't focusing perfectly. i have had the same issues with a tamron 17-50 2.8 and a sigma 17-50 2.8. occasionally lens focuses perfectly, but mostly a little in front. i made some adjustments to my camera using the debug mode. it helped, but surprisingly only at 1.4 (when focus is most critical), but ultimately i could not rely on it to focus every time, like i can with my other lenses. judging from my experience with the tamron and sigma lenses, i do believe it is the k-x's fault, which seems to prioritise speed over accuracy, and this is telling at f1.4. i assume it will work better on the k-5, and i have considered buying it, but i don't want any more headaches with this, so i it back, to B&H, thanks to their 30 day money back guarantee. i must add, that when it did get the focus right, the pictures are beautiful, although f1.4 is a little hazy and lacking in contrast (but this can be improved drastically in post-processing). at f5.6 its absolutely sharp, edge to edge. in fact, when viewed at 100 on screen, you cant tell if what you are seeing is 100% or not! lens is compact and sturdily built, with a dense feel to it focus is fast
| Focal Length | 50mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Lens Mount | Pentax K |
| Lens Format Coverage | Full-Frame |
| Focus Type | Autofocus |
