Pentax SMC 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 aperture (97th percentile) 97th
- Strong bokeh (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong macro (93rd percentile) 93rd
- Strong build (89th percentile) 89th
Cons
- Below average versatility (33rd 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 | Standard |
| Focal Length Min | 50 |
| Focal Length Max | 50 |
| Elements | 6 |
| Groups | 5 |
| Aspherical Elements | 1 |
| ED Elements | 1 |
| Coating | Super Multi-coating |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 8 |
Build
| Mount | Pentax KAF |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 49 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | Yes |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 75 |
| Max Magnification | 1:6.67 |
vs Competition
| Spec | Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 50mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Nikon NIKKOR 20059 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 OIS Video Optimized Micro Four Thirds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 18-55mm | 18-135mm | 14-140mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/3.5 | f/4 |
| Mount | Pentax KAF | Sony E | Sony E | Nikon F | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds |
| Stabilization | true | true | false | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | true | true | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 221 | 590 | 290 | 205 | 326 | - |
| AF Type | Autofocus | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | pulse stepping motor | Linear motor | inner focus direct-drive linear motor |
| Lens Type | standard | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 50mm | 53.9 | 96.3 | 88.9 | 92.8 | 45.3 | 97.3 | 33.1 | 86.3 | 79.1 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 97.7 | 82.3 | 62.3 | 82.9 | 96.3 | 70.2 | 97.9 | 51.6 | 79.1 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 84.5 | 85.5 | 84.1 | 89.2 | 81.4 | 87.4 | 78.3 | 90.8 | 34.2 |
| Nikon NIKKOR 20059 Compare | 84.5 | 80 | 83.1 | 95.2 | 53.9 | 81.6 | 82.7 | 86.3 | 92.3 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 97.7 | 80 | 70.4 | 36.7 | 77.7 | 81.6 | 95.8 | 90.8 | 79.1 |
| Panasonic Lumix G 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 OIS Video Optimized Micro Four Thirds Compare | 97.7 | 69 | 50.5 | 94.4 | 94.6 | 70.2 | 97.3 | 83.5 | 79.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Amazon 3 offers From $187
Adorama 3 offers From $367
B&H Photo 3 offers From $367
Newegg 1 offer From $1,297
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
