Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 50mm f/1.4 50mm
A deliberate optical design produces a distinctive rainbow flare effect at f/1.4 against strong backlight, while stopping down to f/4 eliminates all flare for crisp images. Its nostalgic, all-black exterior and full compatibility with vintage K-mount film and digital SLR bodies set it apart from modern lenses. This lens is best for portrait photographers seeking a unique, vintage rendering with an f/1.4 aperture and soft, natural bokeh from its eight-blade diaphragm.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong social proof (86th percentile) 86th
Cons
- Below average bokeh (19th percentile)
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
- Below average stabilization (34th percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 20 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Prime |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 7 |
| Groups | 6 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Multilayer HD Coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/22 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
Build
| Mount | Pentax K |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.9 kg / 2.0 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 49 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 450 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 50mm f/1.4 50mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 28-300mm | 16-300mm | 18-55mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/4 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | Pentax K | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon F | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | false | true | false |
| Weight (g) | 910 | 590 | 615 | 205 | 306 | 326 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor | HLA | pulse stepping motor | Autofocus | Linear motor |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 50mm f/1.4 50mm | 53.9 | 19.3 | 40.8 | 58.4 | 49.6 | 21.6 | 33.1 | 85.9 | 34.3 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 82.5 | 62.4 | 83.1 | 96.3 | 70.5 | 97.9 | 50.9 | 79.2 |
| Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Compare | 53.9 | 88.3 | 60.9 | 85 | 99.1 | 81.8 | 99.7 | 80.7 | 99.2 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.5 | 80.2 | 83.2 | 95.1 | 53.9 | 81.8 | 82.7 | 85.9 | 92.3 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 85.7 | 83.3 | 48 | 86 | 87.5 | 80.4 | 85.9 | 96.4 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 80.2 | 70.5 | 36.6 | 77.7 | 81.8 | 95.8 | 90.6 | 79.2 |
Price
Value & Pricing
We started tracking prices for this product on May 29, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
