This brought a tear to my eye. I was 21 when I bought the Pentax K1000. It had this lens on it. I've kept it on ice for all these years lugging it around from home to home. I'm retired now and I decided to get back into photography, so I bought a Fuji T3. Can't wait to see it on the camera. It will feel like I'm traveling back in time. Thanks for the video. The lens is in pristine condition by the way. : )
This was my first lens when I bought my first SLR, a lovely Pentax MX, at the age of 16 in 1980. It has also been my only lens for about 10 years. This explains why I still prefer using prime lenses over zooms (it forces you to work more to get a good picture) and why this focal length feels so comfortable to me. But I've moved to 40mm equivalent as my all time favourite focal length. Pentax has this nice 40mm pancake, and on my K10D I often use a 28mm Pentax prime to achieve a similar view.
I just copped the Pentax M SMC 50mm 1.7 and the 28mm 2.8 both for $20 at a local thrift store... absolute score and they are extremely clean and "like new"
Very good video. I have this lens, I bought it back in 1984. After years, I placed it on the body of a Pentax K200D and it works very well. Its results are not different from the current Kit objectives. - In my opinion, it is an objective that far exceeds many of the current ones. Thank you so much.
Awhile back, I bought an old 50mm f/1.4 M, since I couldn't afford the 50mm f/1.2. And today, inspired by this great video, am going to run around with the 1.4 on my now-old K-5 IIs and get back to basics. Have to focus it myself! OMG! What's the world coming to? Your thoughts on the value of older objects are a dagger thrust into the heart of capitalism. How will we keep everyone working if folks stop buying newer, always the latest? We went to the Apache Museum in my old 1991 RV recently. Out in the middle of totally nowhere, near Rodeo, NM, alone on the grasslands. The RV ran perfectly. No problems. So does my K-5 IIs. And, at 78, so do I.
i love this lens so much as my entire camera and 7 lenses have only costed me 400 dollars plus the rest. I think this is one of the best bang for the buck lenses you can get besides the Helios 44. I love cheep shooting just to see how far you can push a lens and that you can get amazing quality lenses for only 30 bucks. that is why i think Pentax is the best camera manufacturer around now. (i use a K-7)
Very nice! The Helios lenses are very nice and full of cool character. This one has a more normal look while still having its own character. Hard to beat the swirly cool bokeh of the Helios though for some creative shots ;)
Bought my Pentax ME Super in 1981 with this lovely lens included. Amazingly sharp and well built. Got my photography Degree using this combo. Still using it today, on my Sony digital bodies, which have focus peaking built in.
I've got the Pentax M 50 1.4 .. Should take it out again. Haven't shot with it for years! Started using it on a Ricoh XR2s I bought back around 1981, actually bought the lens at the airport in Singapore. IIRC it was USD99 back then! They took it off a body to sell to me. I'll stick it on my K-x body.
All those Pentax M-series lenses are good and very enjoyable to use - they go nicely on the front of my Pentax APS-C DSLR, and also my two micro-four-thirds cameras. Very nice results, and not at all expensive. The 50/1.7 is sharper wide open than the 1.4, but from f/2.8 upwards I prefer the 1.4 - just. Not much difference in price - they are both very easy to find.
I bought a k1000 about a year ago for$ 25, I got the body and a lens, I like to think I got the camera for 20 and the lens for 5. It takes really good picture, I just got the t7 for my birthday, can't wait to try the lens out
I absolutely love this lens, it was one of my first "fast" primes, better build quality than you will find in anything below 400€ new nowadays, Chinese manual lenses being a possible exception, its got the great Pentax Super-Multi Coating, is very compact, obviously full frame, and cheap as borscht. Mine lives on my ME Super nowadays, but surely will see my digital Pentax cameras again sooner or later.
It is a little bit harder to focus on the older digital bodies without live view, but I was still able to nail focus most of the time. I just learned to take a few just in case. Felt much easier on film with the bright viewfinders and nice focusing screens.
The M 50mm ƒ1.7 was the first used lens I bought right after I got my K10D at the end of 2007. I was amazed at the nice round out-of-focus highlights in the background when shooting the Christmas tree. The serial number of my copy of this lens starts with 323 but I don't know if that means mine is older than yours. Wishing everyone good shooting!
I've got quite some M lenses, and this is one of them. And tbh, I love shooting with it. Mostly 35mm film, but sometimes with my K-5, too. It's really satisfying to see the excellent results it offers me. And BTW, the 2.0/50 is very good, too, and even cheaper...
Very enjoyable video :) Chasing the newest and greatest is fun and all, but a solid pairing of old gear really is just too fun. Many of my favourite shots have come from an Olympus EPL-1 with adapted SMC 50mm f1.4, and even more so a Fuji X-E1 with a Konica 40mm f1.8 (this pair is near perfection imo).
Nice combo! I had that Konica for a little bit but it just came at a bad time right when I decided to purge a bunch of stuff. I did really like it though. Even made my own adapter for k mount so I could shoot close ups. I should revisit it sometimes.
In the UK at least, this was the lens that came by default with M-Series camera bodies, while the 50mm F2.0 was sold with the budget K1000. It cannot be quite 50 years old yet though, it was introduced in 1977.
At 71 years old there is always one more lens and one more camera I love my K10D and use it for my 42 mounts, my k5 is an amazing camera and so to my K1.... and the next two will be the Pentax 645z and the K3 mark 111 monochrome. Hey I don't drink, smoke, and being single have money etc....Have lost count of the cameras and lens I have. I enjoy my hobby.......
I got it from my father when I picked up his old Ricoh K10 film SLR... Then adapted it to my Canon and finally decided to switch to Pentax so I could use it natively (and the other other F and FA lenses he had!) Now I just got to pry from his grasp his 50mm f/1.2 and be happy forever 🥰🥰🥰 Amazing little lens, indeed!
@@snappiness Yeah... :-D I got some modern lenses as well for my K3 (especially wild life and birds), but I enjoy shooting the old lenses, and my recently acquired K10D is being amazing fun so far! Now I gotta get a nice 28mm and I'll be a happy camper... Enough to refrain my GAS for the K3 Mk III for a while... ;-) Keep up with the great videos!
Great video. Love the results you got with this lens. I have the F 1.4 version and it is definitely a favorite. Another great find which was super cheap is a Sears branded 50mm F2. The K mount Sears lens from the 80s were rebranded Mamiya lenses and are very good lenses in my experience. I love using them on my K5 IIs and my film SLRs.
I agree, I have a few vintage Pentax lens and enjoy using them. I have a smc pentax-a 1:2 50mm, zomm and a 1.23-4.5 35-70mm they are beautiful glass! Enjoy the content on these lens and the K10D
I dont own the M version but I got the A one. They're supposed to be exactly the same with the A version having the A setting on the aperture ring (but also more plastic parts). I also just got a Pentax K10d to use solely with my vintage glass. Glad to hear you like using this combo as well.... Great video as always.
You know, I don't think I've ever owned an A lens now that I think of it. That's kind of funny seeing how many M lenses, Takumar lenses, F and FA lenses I've owned. The K10D is really nice with these vintage lenses. The CCD sensor produces some really lovely images, and it's resolution and dynamic range always surprise me for being such an old camera. Most of these shots are on the K10D in this video.
@@snappiness nice to hear that about the k10D. I'm going to take it out for a spin during the next 2 days depending on the weather. I own 3 A-series lenses. The 50 f1.7. The 70-210 f4 which is quite nice though heavy (still makes you admire the way they used to build lenses back in the day). And the 35-105 f3.5 "stack of primes" which is a really nice lens IQ wise (although it comes 2nd since my favourite vintage pentax zoom is the M 35-70 f2.8-4 which is nothing short of amazing!! I think of it as the DA 20-40 f2.8-4 limited version of the film era, considering that the 20-40 range on apsc is close to the 35-70 on a full frame lens. There.....I gave you a couple more ideas for your next purchases 😂😉
Just because gear is old doesn't mean it's not great gear. I only use old gear and "cheap" gear and have had a lot of fun and success. Pentax has made plenty of legendary glass and most are affordable because they're older. There's plenty of gems out there
Speaking from experience the Pentax 50mm f1.7 and the f2.0 will blow the doors off a Nikon 50mm f1.8 any day of the week in terms of sharpness and color. That Pentax SMC color is wonderful.
The most famous is the 50/1.4 but all the 55/1.8 and 50/1.7 are just plain brilliant! It is highest ranked and very cheap. The M-series are tiny and very nicely built. Get the 28 and 135mm and you have your dad's kit (before zooms) The A or the F versions work in any new DSLR
My first real camera was an inherited ME-Super, with the M50/1.7 and the M80-200 4.5 zoom. So the 50mm was on the camera 90% of the time. As a result this lens is one of my favorites. Nowadays I have a different copy, and I should take it out more often!
Funny thing that I'm just 25 years old, and yet it actually was my first lens 😅 Got it for $50 paired with a Pentax ME, it was definitely an impulsive buy, but one I'll never regret
I believe it is the same optical design for all three lenses (and the F too). Coatings would probably have evolved over time though. Also build quality is the best for the Pentax-M - I think it's a thing of beauty, and feels great in the hand.
Τhe M/A/F/FA 50 1.7 have exactly the same glass design (the last 2 are autofocus lenses obviously). Whats interesting is that the Pentax-K 55mm f1.8 and the modern Pentax-DA 50mm 1.8 look like they have a similar optical design. I might be wrong on that but thats what I get from watching their internal design on pentaxforums.
Ditto to what the others have said. I haven't compared directly but I do have the F version. If you know you'll manual focus, like on older SLRs, then the M is better that way with the bigger focusing ring. Otherwise the F version is very nice. Find it paired to an old SF10 for a cheap pickup :)
The 1.7 is sharper then the 2.0, and more forgiving then the 1.4, and waaay less expensive then the 1.2 :) And yeah, I have all four types, and multiples of some, for Stereoscopic of course. 1.7 is a good 'walking around' lens on a K-5.
That's what I've heard. I've never had the M f1.4 but don't really have an interest. Not that it's a bad lens, just that this lens covers it for me, and when I want fast, I bust the f1.2 out :)
Can not agree with you more as I watch all of the craziness of the folks just unloading their Olympus gear to get the new WOW OM-1 gear. So now is the time to get into Olympus (if thats your flavor of choice) and soon enough we will have loads more Pentax gear when they make their new release - of whenever that maybe..... Just enjoy the gear you gots - trust me I am still have way too much fun with my oldy Sony A200
I love the channel and everything you do, huge inspiration. Jolly ukulele score on this one is completely off the mark though :). Please take better care of how your wonderful shots are presented. A simple upgrade. Best regards from a happy new old pentaxian, K-50 with f2 SMC-M 50mm, 200mm SMC-A and 135mm SMC-M. Plus some c*** zooms where one might have a somehow decent macro hidden when stars align.
Stop giving out all the secrets! Prices will go up, lol. I bought mine from a private party about a year ago for $30, and I agree, it's one of the sharpest lenses I have used.
It really is! And I think that can be really satisfying to users on a budget who can't afford other really nice lenses. Once you see the resolution it can put out you feel like a professional
How do I use it?? I understand that it is manual focus. As for exposure, how does that work? Do you leave the camera on shutter priority and then just set the aperture shown?? Do you have to reset the aperture to wide open after each shot? I am sorry, I just don't get it, and I would love to try this lens as well as other Pentax vintage glass. BTW - Thanks for the video. Very informative. If you would be kind enough to reply, I would forever be greatful. Thanks.
Set the aperture on the lens. Personally, I prefer to use manual mode, but I guess you could use aperture priority and let the camera choose the speed. Or even shutter priority and set iso to auto.
My first good camera was Chinon CP-5 with a pentax? 50/ f1.4 lens. Could not take a bad photo. Auto metering program and a great lens. Unfortunately,, stolen. But I found another. And now the old K lenses fit my new Pentax dslr's. Now if I could just find that 50 f1.4 in my storage.🤔
Quality content, the only K mount 50 I own is the SMC M F2, kinda underwhelming! I’d like to delve into some M42 mount 50 primes, any in particular that you’d recommend? What’s your video camera now? It’s so sharp on those product shots.
You really can't go wrong with any of the M42 50 or 55mm Takumars. Try to find and OEM K to M42 adapter. The cheap ones can have issues. Oh be forewarned, M42 Takumars can become an obsession.
@@TheScottab I have the OEM adapter already. The bargain bin at my local camera shop is lined with 55mm Takumars! I wanted to grab a few Yashica M42 pieces of glass as well. I have only the Helios 44-6 for now
Yeah I of course would second the Takumars, though I've only used the 7 element 50 1.4, and not the 55 1.8. Can't remember if there's others. I have a Fujinon 55mm 1.8, forget the version I can look that up and post in the forum. It was gifted to me. It's absolutely fantastic and I'll make a video just on it. I think it's only $30 or something. On your new Nikon I think it's be killer. It does awesome on the k1
Oh and the video camera. These were shot a few months ago on the Panasonic G85, which I then sold to help fund my Pentax K-3 III xD. I agree, they look awesome. I'll pick that camera up again because I loved it, just wanted to try the K-3III sooner and figured I could go back to living with my Pentax video. The shots of the cameras with the lens attached are on the K-3 III video.
There are some neat features in this regard, and the bigger viewfinder on APSC is nicer for manual focusing. Would be interesting video to talk about it :)
I have heard rumors you can inverse the glass in a 1.5x kmount teleconverter, and achieve full frame results with this lens - on an APS-C... THINK about it...
35mm F2 M is better, I also had 85mm F2 and let Them both go years ago when I was short of cash... Regret losing both but best lens is 28mm 2.8 f lens used on APS-C as it uses centre sharpness to great effect so uses best of that lens and is effectively 42mm. If You can find one You will see.
A contemporary design will be much better than this lens. That's just a fact of materials design and how CAD has evolved. However, this is a FANTASTIC lens if you don't want/need the absolute sharpest. Like you say, it is amazing to use in the hand and was built to last all these decades. It is the default lens on my Panasonic S5. There are better Pentax lenses... but not for the price. By the way, you have a good eye. Those are some nice photos. (Imagine this spoken by your grandfather.)
I collect M series lenses I have the 28mm 2.8, 100mm 2.8, 135mm3.5 and the 150mm3.5. I don't have the 50mm because I have a number of 50mm lenses Takumar 50mm1.4, 50mm2.0 ,50mm1.8 55mm 2.8
@@paularger2841 you will find videos of the disassembling here on YT. Just search for Disassembling Pentax M 50mm (doesn't matter if F1.4,F1.7 or F2, they are constructed close to each other)
A big thumbs up for showing love to this lens! I mean, it really is awesome, not only for the ridiculous price. And lets keep in mind that the top performers of the PF lens database the much sought after "F" and "FA" 50/1.7 have the same exact formula. While reading about the Summicron 50 on Kenrockwell, I was stunned to see it compare it to this cheap lens and saying there's no much difference as first glance. Personally, I feel sorry that I don't give this lens much camera time, but thanks for reminding me. Hey maybe it's true, the best things in life are really (almost)free. 😁
u-beaut; i got one .. woo-hoo! Gotta 50/f1.4 but😉 .. oh, & use this on a real camera: an M-series 35 film slr (4 which they were designed). Only downside? Those cameras need servicing & repair now .. i blow last post on my poor LX😭 but rejoice over my MX✊
This brought a tear to my eye. I was 21 when I bought the Pentax K1000. It had this lens on it. I've kept it on ice for all these years lugging it around from home to home. I'm retired now and I decided to get back into photography, so I bought a Fuji T3. Can't wait to see it on the camera. It will feel like I'm traveling back in time. Thanks for the video. The lens is in pristine condition by the way. : )
"This all started when I was browsing PF lens database the other day... " Many a lens was purchased because of that :D
Lol, yeah maybe I should stop doing that in my spare time...
@@snappiness Never stop lol!
Anonymous Pentaholics 🙂
This was my first lens when I bought my first SLR, a lovely Pentax MX, at the age of 16 in 1980. It has also been my only lens for about 10 years. This explains why I still prefer using prime lenses over zooms (it forces you to work more to get a good picture) and why this focal length feels so comfortable to me. But I've moved to 40mm equivalent as my all time favourite focal length. Pentax has this nice 40mm pancake, and on my K10D I often use a 28mm Pentax prime to achieve a similar view.
MX was a NICE slr to get at 16 years old . I’ve had one of those for a long time that I really love
I just copped the Pentax M SMC 50mm 1.7 and the 28mm 2.8 both for $20 at a local thrift store... absolute score and they are extremely clean and "like new"
Very good video. I have this lens, I bought it back in 1984. After years, I placed it on the body of a Pentax K200D and it works very well. Its results are not different from the current Kit objectives. - In my opinion, it is an objective that far exceeds many of the current ones. Thank you so much.
Awhile back, I bought an old 50mm f/1.4 M, since I couldn't afford the 50mm f/1.2.
And today, inspired by this great video, am going to run around with the 1.4 on my now-old K-5 IIs and get back to basics. Have to focus it myself! OMG! What's the world coming to?
Your thoughts on the value of older objects are a dagger thrust into the heart of capitalism. How will we keep everyone working if folks stop buying newer, always the latest? We went to the Apache Museum in my old 1991 RV recently. Out in the middle of totally nowhere, near Rodeo, NM, alone on the grasslands. The RV ran perfectly. No problems. So does my K-5 IIs. And, at 78, so do I.
I have a 50/1.2 (in fact two different ones) but prefer this 50/1.7.
i love this lens so much as my entire camera and 7 lenses have only costed me 400 dollars plus the rest. I think this is one of the best bang for the buck lenses you can get besides the Helios 44. I love cheep shooting just to see how far you can push a lens and that you can get amazing quality lenses for only 30 bucks. that is why i think Pentax is the best camera manufacturer around now. (i use a K-7)
Very nice! The Helios lenses are very nice and full of cool character. This one has a more normal look while still having its own character. Hard to beat the swirly cool bokeh of the Helios though for some creative shots ;)
Picked one of these up at a local camera shop for $30 just last week. Has been a joy to shoot with, can't wait to see the results.
Bought my Pentax ME Super in 1981 with this lovely lens included. Amazingly sharp and well built. Got my photography Degree using this combo. Still using it today, on my Sony digital bodies, which have focus peaking built in.
I've got the Pentax M 50 1.4 .. Should take it out again. Haven't shot with it for years! Started using it on a Ricoh XR2s I bought back around 1981, actually bought the lens at the airport in Singapore. IIRC it was USD99 back then! They took it off a body to sell to me. I'll stick it on my K-x body.
The imagecircle of this lens fits also the GFX-sensor very well until the corners.
All those Pentax M-series lenses are good and very enjoyable to use - they go nicely on the front of my Pentax APS-C DSLR, and also my two micro-four-thirds cameras. Very nice results, and not at all expensive. The 50/1.7 is sharper wide open than the 1.4, but from f/2.8 upwards I prefer the 1.4 - just. Not much difference in price - they are both very easy to find.
I bought a k1000 about a year ago for$ 25, I got the body and a lens, I like to think I got the camera for 20 and the lens for 5. It takes really good picture, I just got the t7 for my birthday, can't wait to try the lens out
i had a pentax me super with this lens. the lens is superb, smooth and i liked the smc multicoating of the lens.
My first lens, mounted on the new ME Super I received as a high school graduation present ... a few years ago.
I absolutely love this lens, it was one of my first "fast" primes, better build quality than you will find in anything below 400€ new nowadays, Chinese manual lenses being a possible exception, its got the great Pentax Super-Multi Coating, is very compact, obviously full frame, and cheap as borscht.
Mine lives on my ME Super nowadays, but surely will see my digital Pentax cameras again sooner or later.
It is a little bit harder to focus on the older digital bodies without live view, but I was still able to nail focus most of the time. I just learned to take a few just in case.
Felt much easier on film with the bright viewfinders and nice focusing screens.
The M 50mm ƒ1.7 was the first used lens I bought right after I got my K10D at the end of 2007. I was amazed at the nice round out-of-focus highlights in the background when shooting the Christmas tree. The serial number of my copy of this lens starts with 323 but I don't know if that means mine is older than yours. Wishing everyone good shooting!
I've got quite some M lenses, and this is one of them. And tbh, I love shooting with it. Mostly 35mm film, but sometimes with my K-5, too. It's really satisfying to see the excellent results it offers me. And BTW, the 2.0/50 is very good, too, and even cheaper...
Very enjoyable video :) Chasing the newest and greatest is fun and all, but a solid pairing of old gear really is just too fun. Many of my favourite shots have come from an Olympus EPL-1 with adapted SMC 50mm f1.4, and even more so a Fuji X-E1 with a Konica 40mm f1.8 (this pair is near perfection imo).
Nice combo! I had that Konica for a little bit but it just came at a bad time right when I decided to purge a bunch of stuff. I did really like it though. Even made my own adapter for k mount so I could shoot close ups. I should revisit it sometimes.
In the UK at least, this was the lens that came by default with M-Series camera bodies, while the 50mm F2.0 was sold with the budget K1000. It cannot be quite 50 years old yet though, it was introduced in 1977.
Well cited, so that's the MX/MG/MV and ME's? Don't you just love (Pentax) k mount stuff?! And 45 is very nearly 50 🤠
Ah yeah I rounded up. I won't do that to my age though, but to the ages of lenses 😆
I have also one. Very nice . Use on my K3
At 71 years old there is always one more lens and one more camera I love my K10D and use it for my 42 mounts, my k5 is an amazing camera and so to my K1.... and the next two will be the Pentax 645z and the K3 mark 111 monochrome. Hey I don't drink, smoke, and being single have money etc....Have lost count of the cameras and lens I have. I enjoy my hobby.......
I got it from my father when I picked up his old Ricoh K10 film SLR... Then adapted it to my Canon and finally decided to switch to Pentax so I could use it natively (and the other other F and FA lenses he had!) Now I just got to pry from his grasp his 50mm f/1.2 and be happy forever 🥰🥰🥰 Amazing little lens, indeed!
Great! Fun to reuse lenses used by your father. :)
@@snappiness Yeah... :-D I got some modern lenses as well for my K3 (especially wild life and birds), but I enjoy shooting the old lenses, and my recently acquired K10D is being amazing fun so far! Now I gotta get a nice 28mm and I'll be a happy camper... Enough to refrain my GAS for the K3 Mk III for a while... ;-) Keep up with the great videos!
I absolutely love mine on my Sony A7ii or my K 200 thanks buddy for encouraging the use of vintage glass
I’m using it on the Canon R5C and Fuji GFX100S
And I love it for portraits full open, specially with a messy background
James! The f2.0 version is also very good and now you need to get an M 135mm f3.5. it also is lovely!
I have a couple of third party 135mm m42 lenses donated to me I'm still going through. Maybe after that :)
@@snappiness will try to post some on the forum
I stuck with Pentax when I got my first DSLR so I could continue to use lenses like this! This one is a lovely lens to use.
Great video. Love the results you got with this lens. I have the F 1.4 version and it is definitely a favorite. Another great find which was super cheap is a Sears branded 50mm F2. The K mount Sears lens from the 80s were rebranded Mamiya lenses and are very good lenses in my experience. I love using them on my K5 IIs and my film SLRs.
I agree, I have a few vintage Pentax lens and enjoy using them. I have a smc pentax-a 1:2 50mm, zomm and a 1.23-4.5 35-70mm they are beautiful glass! Enjoy the content on these lens and the K10D
Thanks for stopping by :) I like to show off my K10D when I can :D
I use this lens on my ME Super, and always get great results!
Thank you for an excellent review of this lovely old prime lens. Well done!
I'm very impressed about you focus. Really nice work considering this lens hss manual focus
I dont own the M version but I got the A one. They're supposed to be exactly the same with the A version having the A setting on the aperture ring (but also more plastic parts). I also just got a Pentax K10d to use solely with my vintage glass. Glad to hear you like using this combo as well....
Great video as always.
You know, I don't think I've ever owned an A lens now that I think of it. That's kind of funny seeing how many M lenses, Takumar lenses, F and FA lenses I've owned.
The K10D is really nice with these vintage lenses. The CCD sensor produces some really lovely images, and it's resolution and dynamic range always surprise me for being such an old camera. Most of these shots are on the K10D in this video.
@@snappiness nice to hear that about the k10D. I'm going to take it out for a spin during the next 2 days depending on the weather.
I own 3 A-series lenses. The 50 f1.7. The 70-210 f4 which is quite nice though heavy (still makes you admire the way they used to build lenses back in the day). And the 35-105 f3.5 "stack of
primes" which is a really nice lens IQ wise (although it comes 2nd since my favourite vintage pentax zoom is the M 35-70 f2.8-4 which is nothing short of amazing!! I think of it as the DA 20-40 f2.8-4 limited version of the film era, considering that the 20-40 range on apsc is close to the 35-70 on a full frame lens.
There.....I gave you a couple more ideas for your next purchases 😂😉
I have this lens , on my PENTAX MX , it was on a beat up LX , all so have a 28mm
Literally just ordered one from Ebay for my K200. There is still life in the old dog yet.
Very nice video, I got my first Pentax M lens (28mm) recently, and now I think it's time to get this 50mm lens too
Just because gear is old doesn't mean it's not great gear. I only use old gear and "cheap" gear and have had a lot of fun and success. Pentax has made plenty of legendary glass and most are affordable because they're older. There's plenty of gems out there
Great video, per usual, and nice job on looking at the 1.7.
Speaking from experience the Pentax 50mm f1.7 and the f2.0 will blow the doors off a Nikon 50mm f1.8 any day of the week in terms of sharpness and color. That Pentax SMC color is wonderful.
The most famous is the 50/1.4 but all the 55/1.8 and 50/1.7 are just plain brilliant!
It is highest ranked and very cheap. The M-series are tiny and very nicely built.
Get the 28 and 135mm and you have your dad's kit (before zooms)
The A or the F versions work in any new DSLR
Best lens I ever had. It's a gold nugget.
Indeed it is!
My first vintage lens and one I will never, ever sell regardless of value 😊
My first real camera was an inherited ME-Super, with the M50/1.7 and the M80-200 4.5 zoom. So the 50mm was on the camera 90% of the time. As a result this lens is one of my favorites. Nowadays I have a different copy, and I should take it out more often!
It's very fun to take for a spin! I'm always pleased with the results :)
Funny thing that I'm just 25 years old, and yet it actually was my first lens 😅
Got it for $50 paired with a Pentax ME, it was definitely an impulsive buy, but one I'll never regret
Have you compare it with the Pentax A 50mm 1.7 version with aperture control ? And with Fa 1.7? Are these the same optical conception ?
I believe it is the same optical design for all three lenses (and the F too). Coatings would probably have evolved over time though. Also build quality is the best for the Pentax-M - I think it's a thing of beauty, and feels great in the hand.
Τhe M/A/F/FA 50 1.7 have exactly the same glass design (the last 2 are autofocus lenses obviously).
Whats interesting is that the Pentax-K 55mm f1.8 and the modern Pentax-DA 50mm 1.8 look like they have a similar optical design. I might be wrong on that but thats what I get from watching their internal design on pentaxforums.
Ditto to what the others have said. I haven't compared directly but I do have the F version. If you know you'll manual focus, like on older SLRs, then the M is better that way with the bigger focusing ring. Otherwise the F version is very nice. Find it paired to an old SF10 for a cheap pickup :)
Thank you for the answers.
I have the A version and I confirm that it produces beatifull photos.
The 1.7 is sharper then the 2.0, and more forgiving then the 1.4, and waaay less expensive then the 1.2 :)
And yeah, I have all four types, and multiples of some, for Stereoscopic of course.
1.7 is a good 'walking around' lens on a K-5.
That's what I've heard. I've never had the M f1.4 but don't really have an interest. Not that it's a bad lens, just that this lens covers it for me, and when I want fast, I bust the f1.2 out :)
the 2.0 is no slouch when stopped down. But yeah, the 1.7 is great, so great and cheap that I bought 5 of them.
Nice as always! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Lee!
The slightly dreamier M f1.4 on a K10D is what truly turned me down a Pentaxian love road in 2006.
I'd be interested to hear/watch a comparison of this lens (I have the A version - not as well built but..) and the 43mm limited.
That would be a fun comparison!
Super news! Thank you ! Nice video! )))
Very well reminds me of my Minolta 50mm 1.7!
Probably very similar!
Still using it til this day, the only lens I used.
Can not agree with you more as I watch all of the craziness of the folks just unloading their Olympus gear to get the new WOW OM-1 gear. So now is the time to get into Olympus (if thats your flavor of choice) and soon enough we will have loads more Pentax gear when they make their new release - of whenever that maybe..... Just enjoy the gear you gots - trust me I am still have way too much fun with my oldy Sony A200
I have fun with my A100 still too :) There's so much good stuff to pick from nowadays on a budget. It's awesome.
I love the channel and everything you do, huge inspiration. Jolly ukulele score on this one is completely off the mark though :). Please take better care of how your wonderful shots are presented. A simple upgrade.
Best regards from a happy new old pentaxian, K-50 with f2 SMC-M 50mm, 200mm SMC-A and 135mm SMC-M. Plus some c*** zooms where one might have a somehow decent macro hidden when stars align.
Just got one of these on eBay with a Pentax me
This makes me excited to get out with it
Stop giving out all the secrets! Prices will go up, lol. I bought mine from a private party about a year ago for $30, and I agree, it's one of the sharpest lenses I have used.
It really is! And I think that can be really satisfying to users on a budget who can't afford other really nice lenses. Once you see the resolution it can put out you feel like a professional
How do I use it?? I understand that it is manual focus. As for exposure, how does that work? Do you leave the camera on shutter priority and then just set the aperture shown?? Do you have to reset the aperture to wide open after each shot? I am sorry, I just don't get it, and I would love to try this lens as well as other Pentax vintage glass. BTW - Thanks for the video. Very informative. If you would be kind enough to reply, I would forever be greatful. Thanks.
Set the aperture on the lens. Personally, I prefer to use manual mode, but I guess you could use aperture priority and let the camera choose the speed. Or even shutter priority and set iso to auto.
And the Rikenon 50mm 1.7? Is it the same lens?
Is there any difference between the a and m lens?
What type of adapter used for Olympus pl 1 camera
I actually found that my 50mm f1.7 were sharper overall than my f1.4. I owned the older SMCP-F f1.7 and the newer SMCP-FA f1.4 for comparison.
That seems consistent with my experience. I have the F 1.7 and used to have the FA 1.4 as well.
My first good camera was Chinon CP-5 with a pentax? 50/ f1.4 lens. Could not take a bad photo. Auto metering program and a great lens. Unfortunately,, stolen. But I found another. And now the old K lenses fit my new Pentax dslr's. Now if I could just find that 50 f1.4 in my storage.🤔
Can mount this in a k5 or KP without an adaptor?
There is also another Pentax M 50mm f1.7, but with 52mm filter thread size. Anyone know what's the difference please?
beautiful photos!
Thank you 😊
Quality content, the only K mount 50 I own is the SMC M F2, kinda underwhelming! I’d like to delve into some M42 mount 50 primes, any in particular that you’d recommend? What’s your video camera now? It’s so sharp on those product shots.
You really can't go wrong with any of the M42 50 or 55mm Takumars. Try to find and OEM K to M42 adapter. The cheap ones can have issues. Oh be forewarned, M42 Takumars can become an obsession.
@@TheScottab I have the OEM adapter already. The bargain bin at my local camera shop is lined with 55mm Takumars! I wanted to grab a few Yashica M42 pieces of glass as well. I have only the Helios 44-6 for now
Yeah I of course would second the Takumars, though I've only used the 7 element 50 1.4, and not the 55 1.8. Can't remember if there's others.
I have a Fujinon 55mm 1.8, forget the version I can look that up and post in the forum. It was gifted to me. It's absolutely fantastic and I'll make a video just on it. I think it's only $30 or something. On your new Nikon I think it's be killer. It does awesome on the k1
Oh and the video camera. These were shot a few months ago on the Panasonic G85, which I then sold to help fund my Pentax K-3 III xD. I agree, they look awesome. I'll pick that camera up again because I loved it, just wanted to try the K-3III sooner and figured I could go back to living with my Pentax video. The shots of the cameras with the lens attached are on the K-3 III video.
Probably my favourite lens :)
I can see why! It's really a joy to use!
I have one on a K1000. Awesome.
I have the PKA equivalent that I use on my Pentax DSLR K1.
What mount would I use to put this on my olympus ep2 ? I'm just starting photography, thanks to your channel :)
You can use it on a micro four thirds to Pentax K adapter. It would be a nice lens to use!
@@snappiness Found it, thank you so much!
Any tips for a (preferrably m42) pentax compatible cheap (in 🇩🇪) lens in the 85-135mm range?
Does the metering modes such as centre weighted, multi pattern and spot, gonna work with Pentax m lens?
I hate waiting for my m42 to pk adapter. I want to use my auto revuenon/pentacon auto/meyer optik oreston 50 1.8
That'll be a lot of fun and you should find some great results!
Having that same fun with Minolta 28mm f2.8.... paid £12.00 ... Think ill be hunting that Pentax 50 now 😃👊📷😎👍
Great! I have an AF Minolta 28mm f2.8 that is awesome.
Hi snappy, is the k3iii better using manual lenses then previous models. just curious. Nobody has talked about this in youtube. Thanks
There are some neat features in this regard, and the bigger viewfinder on APSC is nicer for manual focusing. Would be interesting video to talk about it :)
Just discovered your channel and think it's great. Question - will this lens fit on a Pentax *ist dslr? Thanks
Yes, it will :) You will have to shoot in manual mode, of course. I shot the M 50mm f2 on my Pentax *ist DL for while.
@@snappiness Thank you!
I have heard rumors you can inverse the glass in a 1.5x kmount teleconverter, and achieve full frame results with this lens - on an APS-C... THINK about it...
Makes me want to take my pentax 50mm out for a shoot again.
You can get the A version but I find it to be a bit plastic. The F version is nice and has auto focus!
35mm F2 M is better, I also had 85mm F2 and let Them both go years ago when I was short of cash... Regret losing both but best lens is 28mm 2.8 f lens used on APS-C as it uses centre sharpness to great effect so uses best of that lens and is effectively 42mm. If You can find one You will see.
I just this minute bought it!
Cool! Enjoy!
A contemporary design will be much better than this lens. That's just a fact of materials design and how CAD has evolved.
However, this is a FANTASTIC lens if you don't want/need the absolute sharpest. Like you say, it is amazing to use in the hand and was built to last all these decades. It is the default lens on my Panasonic S5. There are better Pentax lenses... but not for the price.
By the way, you have a good eye. Those are some nice photos. (Imagine this spoken by your grandfather.)
I collect M series lenses I have the 28mm 2.8, 100mm 2.8, 135mm3.5 and the 150mm3.5. I don't have the 50mm because I have a number of 50mm lenses Takumar 50mm1.4, 50mm2.0 ,50mm1.8 55mm 2.8
Great collection! There are so many M lenses to chose from. It seems like the most expansive series they ran.
Low budget but very sharp wide open. Sadly no auto aperture, but doesn't matter for me
And very easy to clean, if it has dust or fungus inside
Could I ask how you take the lens apart?
@@paularger2841 you will find videos of the disassembling here on YT. Just search for Disassembling Pentax M 50mm (doesn't matter if F1.4,F1.7 or F2, they are constructed close to each other)
A big thumbs up for showing love to this lens!
I mean, it really is awesome, not only for the ridiculous price.
And lets keep in mind that the top performers of the PF lens database the much sought after "F" and "FA" 50/1.7 have the same exact formula.
While reading about the Summicron 50 on Kenrockwell, I was stunned to see it compare it to this cheap lens and saying there's no much difference as first glance.
Personally, I feel sorry that I don't give this lens much camera time, but thanks for reminding me.
Hey maybe it's true, the best things in life are really (almost)free. 😁
1,4 50mm SMC M isn't bad either
u-beaut; i got one .. woo-hoo! Gotta 50/f1.4 but😉 .. oh, & use this on a real camera: an M-series 35 film slr (4 which they were designed). Only downside? Those cameras need servicing & repair now .. i blow last post on my poor LX😭 but rejoice over my MX✊
I got It.
It's a good one ;)
Oh and one more thing the F series lens is this lens with AF
Yes, and I have the F series lens too 😂 talk about redundant...
@@snappiness I love my copy
First 😜
You get a cookie :) 🍪 😆