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Monday, May 21, 2012

DA 50/1.8 Will be Marketed Soon



See this latest announcement at the PF.

And here are the disclosed specs:-
  • Large maximum aperture for shallow depth of field: F1.8
  • 6 lens elements in 5 groups
  • Diagonal field of view: 32 degrees
  • 7 aperture blades, rounded for a smooth bokeh
  • SP coated front element repels dirt and grease and is easy to clean
  • Image format: APS-C
  • Screwdrive autofocus
  • Plastic bayonet
  • Not a pancake, but still quite compact with a length of 38.5mm/1.5 inches
  • 52mm filter diameter
  • Light weight: 122g/4.3 oz
Well, a quick comparison to the old Pentax 50mm F1.7 lenses reveals that it is yet 6 elements in 5 groups, but the size, weight and number of aperture blades are different. The DA50 is actually longer but a bit lighter, owing to the deletion of the aperture ring and mechanism as well as it is a "plastic lens" as designed and meant.

Btw, the old FA 50mm F1.7 lens is quite nice optically and it was sold cheap at around $100 at its time. Let's see what how this trimmed down but "digital optimised" "new" version perform and how much Pentax will ask for! Last but not least, I don't believe that it is a cropped lens, i.e., it should cover 135 Full Frame (as even the 40XS actually is)!


Read Also:-

Pancake "Standard" Prime Shootout: FA 43/1.9 Limited Vs A 50/2

Compatibility of DA Lenses on Full Frame

When the Super Pancake Meets Different Bodies~

Comments (15)

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My prediction on MSRP: $249.
5 replies · active 668 weeks ago
This is about 50% dearer than the price of a FA50/1.4 ten years ago.
Inflation - the Dollar is not the same :)
The F50/1.7 lens was sold at $100 back to late 80s. So, the inflation is at 2.5X for about 25 years, but the build quality is about half, I'm afraid.
Really? A blade (aperture) more would not be so big disaster, at least about half.
I bought the FA version in 2000's, for ~$175, by the way.
Good to see but I can't help but wonder why bother with the plastic mount and making it APS-C only is also a bit strange.
Nikon's primes are way better and well priced, Pentax have followed Sony into the cheapo disposable plastic cheapo route and it's a shame to see it.
2 replies · active 667 weeks ago
Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II is the really plastic cheapo lens and Canon is a damn prosperous company.
Btw., the 50 1.4 USM is a plastic lens too, just with a metal mount, that makes it laughable.
Will my bunch of FA 50 1.4 lenses rise in value after the introduction of the K1 ? :D
The Canon lens is a lot cheaper than this will be. If you put a plastic cheap lens out there make sure it is actually cheap.
$250 isn't
The link has been hidden and it seems that it will be announced very soon!
HOW accurate is my prediction!!! I do think it's slightly over priced, $199 would be fairer.

I am glad I got my FA50 f1.4 for $179
Yokoto Man's avatar

Yokoto Man · 668 weeks ago

Slightly overpriced? Plastic mount, no hood, no case..hmmmm
over priced? look at the whole package of lens and body. it after all, an image stabilized lens on any modern Pentax body....
Well overpriced cheap plastic mount no hood, no lens bag, probably won't even have a proper rear lens cap either. $250 are they kidding? Yes the cheap Canon is cheap build, but it's way cheaper price wise than this.
Seriously Pentax are penny pinching to the extreme this should have a metal mount and have a hood as standard. Nikkor 50mm f1.8 G springs to mind nice package who'd buy this over that? Oh and you get instant MF override on the Nikkor too not this

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