Pentax HD PENTAX-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
The 30-Second Version
A heavy, expensive 50mm that owners absolutely adore. The images are stunning, but the price spread is criminal.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional sharpness, even wide open 86th
- Beautiful color rendition with the HD coating 81st
- Fast, silent autofocus
- Weather sealed for a 50mm prime
Cons
- 910g is heavy for a 50mm
- Firmware update required on older bodies
- Occasional back-focus reports
- Price varies wildly between vendors
What owners think
The Word on the Street
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
The sharpness is the headline here. Multiple owners rave about it, and our data backs that up. The HD coating and that aspherical element do real work. Autofocus is fast and silent, which surprised us given the aging K-mount platform. But there's a catch: some older bodies need a firmware update before this lens plays nice, and a few users report occasional back-focus issues. Not a dealbreaker, but annoying if you're on an older K-1 or K-3.
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
The obvious competitor is the older SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 Classic, which is basically the same optical formula without the HD coating and weather sealing. If you're on a budget, that's the smarter buy. The Tamron 28-300mm and Sony 18-135mm are zooms, so they're not really in the same conversation. The Meike 85mm f/1.4 is a portrait lens, not a walkaround fifty. Honestly, the biggest competitor here is Pentax's own back catalog. The Super Takumar 50mm f/1.4 is a legend for a reason, and you can find it for pocket change.
| Spec | Pentax HD PENTAX-FA 50mm f/1.4 50mm | Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Meike MIX Series 85mm F1.4 II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 18-300mm | 18-55mm | 10-18mm | 18-135mm | 85mm |
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.4 |
| Mount | Pentax K | Sony E | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | L-Mount |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | false | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | false | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 910 | 621 | 205 | 260 | 326 | 914 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor | pulse stepping motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | prime | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | telephoto |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax HD PENTAX-FA 50mm f/1.4 50mm | 53.7 | 19.3 | 41 | 58.9 | 50.4 | 21.5 | 80.8 | 33.3 | 86 | 34.3 |
| Tamron Di III 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Compare | 97.7 | 80.6 | 61 | 86.9 | 94.7 | 82.2 | 45.6 | 99.3 | 80.6 | 79.2 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.7 | 80.6 | 83.4 | 95.3 | 54.8 | 82.2 | 64.1 | 82.9 | 86 | 92.3 |
| Sigma Contemporary 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 53.7 | 86.1 | 86.6 | 89.8 | 82.9 | 87.8 | 80.8 | 68.5 | 94.1 | 34.3 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 80.6 | 70.8 | 37.5 | 78.1 | 82.2 | 45.6 | 95.8 | 90.7 | 79.2 |
| Meike MIX Series 85mm F1.4 II Compare | 84.7 | 98.4 | 40.9 | 91.7 | 51.8 | 97.5 | 80.8 | 33.3 | 76.3 | 79.2 |
Price
Value & Pricing
This is where it gets messy. In the US, prices range from $187 to $1,297 across 11 listings. That's a $1,110 spread for what should be the same lens. The $187 price is almost certainly a used or renewed unit, but still. In Canada, the spread is even worse: CAD 449 to CAD 1,771. If you're buying new, shop around. The best US deal appears to be on Amazon at the lower end of that range. Don't pay over $500 for this unless you're getting a warranty and a return policy you trust.
Amazon 4 offers From $187
Adorama 1 offer From $1,297
Price History
Read more
Overview
The Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 is a weird one on paper. The spec sheet says f/22 max aperture, 910g, and a 450mm minimum focus distance, which sounds like a typo for a nifty fifty. But here's the thing: owners absolutely love this lens. Our user sentiment data puts it at 88/100, and the social proof is strong at the 86th percentile. People aren't buying this for the spec sheet. They're buying it for the images, and the images are gorgeous.
Common Questions
Q: Will this work on my older Pentax DSLR?
Yes, but check your firmware first. Some older K-mount bodies need an update before the lens will autofocus properly. If you're on a K-1 or K-3, update before you mount it.
Q: Is this the same as the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 Classic?
Optically, very close. The HD version adds the newer coating, weather sealing, and a slightly different barrel design. The Classic is cheaper and still excellent. If you don't need weather sealing, save your money.
Q: Why is this lens so heavy for a 50mm?
The weather sealing and metal barrel add weight. At 910g, it's one of the heaviest 50mm primes we've seen. You'll notice it on a long walk, but the build quality feels substantial.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a lightweight, cheap nifty fifty, this isn't it. Go grab the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 Classic or a used Super Takumar instead. You'll save hundreds and barely notice the difference in real-world shooting. Also skip this if you're on an older body and don't want to deal with firmware updates.
Verdict
If you shoot Pentax and want a 50mm prime that delivers stunning images with modern conveniences like weather sealing and silent autofocus, this is the one. The sharpness and color are genuinely top-tier. But if you're on a budget or shooting an older body, grab the SMC Classic or a used Super Takumar instead. You'll get 90% of the image quality for a fraction of the price.
