Our take on the Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens

by Woody Sherman

The fast Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 lens works well for all your Pentax SLRs — both DSLRs with APS-C sensors and full-frame 35mm film cameras. Well-suited for everyday news reportage, landscapes, and snapshots, this lens is also excellent for portraits when mounted on an APS-C camera as its length becomes an effective 75mm.

But this lens has other attractions. The FA 50mm is very light-sensitive and features excellent control over depth of field, so it's perfect for emotive, artistic portraits in natural light.

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Highlights:

Pentax KAF 50mm f/1.4 portrait-length lens with 35mm equivalent of 75mm on APS-C cameras
compatible with Pentax K-mount digital/film SLRs and hybrid cameras
Pentax smc multi-layer coating lowers surface reflection, reduces ultraviolet rays and delivers high-contrast images
Quick-Shift Focus System allows instant switching from autofocus to manual focus operation
constructed of 7 elements in 6 groups
minimum focus distance: 18"
minimum aperture: f/22
filter size: 49mm
lens is 1-1/2" long, 2-1/2" in diameter
weight: 7.8 ounces
supplied accessories: front and rear lens caps
warranty: 1 year
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Features and specs chart | What’s in the box? | In-depth notes

Features and Specs

General
Brand Compatibility Loading...	Pentax
Image Stabilization Loading...	No
Focal Length Loading...	50mm
Maximum Aperture Loading...	F1.4
Weight Loading...	7.76 ounces
Parts Warranty Loading...	1 Year
Labor Warranty Loading...	1 Year

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What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

smc Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 lens (with attached front and rear lens caps)
Operating Manual
Notification of Change of Company Name sheet
Pentax Worldwide Service Network sheet
Serial Number Card

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Features

Overview: The smc Pentax FA 50mm F1.4 is a standard lens that is recommended for indoor photography, portraiture, low light photography, still life, and wedding photography. The lens was developed for Pentax film SLR cameras, but full frame optics are also compatible with Pentax digital SLR cameras. Its fast F1.4 aperture offers outstanding depth-of-field control in all types of lighting conditions.

Lens Mount: The lens has a Pentax K-mount, and can fit Pentax D-SLR and interchangeable lens cameras, including the Pentax K-5 and K-01 cameras.

smc Lens Coating: The Pentax FA 50mm F1.4 lens features the acclaimed Pentax smc multi-layer coating to lower surface reflection, reduce ultraviolet rays and deliver clear, high-contrast images.

Specifications:

Focal Length: 50mm
35mm Equivalent: 75mm
Lens Construction: 7 elements in 6 groups
Mount Type: Pentax K-mount
Maximum Aperture: F1.4
Minimum Aperture: F22
Maximum Magnification: 0.15x
Angle of View: 47°
Minimum Focus Distance: 17.72"
Lens Hood: PH-RBC 49mm (not included)
Filter Diameter: 49mm
Dimensions:
- Diameter: 2.542"
- Length: 1.889" (2.218" w/caps)
- Weight: 7.76 ounces

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Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Quick impressions from the Lab

Written by Zak Billmeier, Staff Writer - Creative, on 4/30/2012 4:27:00 PM

I used this lens with the K-01 recently, and came away really liking it. It's fairly compact and balances well on the camera. I was shooting a lot of pictures indoors with only a lamp providing light, and it handled those tough situations with ease. The lens gave me super shallow depth-of-field wide open, then got really sharp once stopped down a little, like a good 50mm should do.

On a Pentax SLR this one behaves like a 75mm, so it's a great portrait lens. If I had to choose only one lens for a Pentax camera, it would be this one — great in any light, sharp, compact.

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Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens

Standard-length prime lens for Pentax K-mount digital and film SLR cameras

Item# 815FA50 offer details

By buying this product you'll earn up to 405 Rewards points.

Our take on the Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 Lens

by Woody Sherman

Highlights:

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Product Research

Our Product Research Team

Features

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs

Quick impressions from the Lab

Comment by Zak Billmeier Staff Writer - Creative,

Product Reviews

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Crutchfield Video Review Guidelines

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