Pentax SMCP-A 50mm f/2.0 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: javi-aero
(Expert)

Review Date
January 27, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 10

Price Paid: $50.00 from B&H

Summary:

i disagree with the negative reviews here. aside from the relatively small aperture as compared to most 50s, this lens really competes well with the others. The build quality is really top notch. Yes, it is soft below f/4 but aren't almost all lenses? no, this is not a leica. keep in mind that this is a review of the 'A' version of this lens which is optically superior to the older 'M' version.

Strengths:

-solid optics -solid contruction -price

Weaknesses:

-speed compared to the f/1.4s out there

Similar Products Used:

Pentax K 50mm f/1.2 Pentax M 50mm f/2

Customer Service:

never needed except for a lsot hot shoe cover which Pentax USA sent me for free.

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Rating
Reviewed by: navinmahabir
(Expert)

Review Date
August 23, 2002

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 10

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

I don't want to say horrible things about this lense because it is a good value, but the truth be told, compared to other 50's (by Nikon, e.g.) it's not that great. Coma (and the resultant lack of sharpness) is pretty bad, as is light falloff near wide open. But if you're not going to be doing much beyond 8x10 and you can stop down, it'll be fine.

Strengths:

Cheap. Feels well built.

Weaknesses:

Not that great quality compared to other 50's

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 50 1.8 (AF and the manual focus on which the AF is based are the best deal in 50's EVER)

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Rating
Reviewed by: Francisco
(Intermediate)

Review Date
February 11, 2002

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 10

Price Paid: $50.00 from bhphotovideo.com

Summary:

If you can afford it, don''t bother with this lens. You''re going to want to replace it for any serious or important work. And whose work isn''t serious to them? If, like me, you must use this lens for financial reasons, stick with f/5.6 and f/8, if possible. Flare is well controlled with a Pentax multi-coated filter. You won''t get sharp 8x10s, regardless.

Strengths:

Inexpensive Okay as backup lens

Weaknesses:

Dull pictures No sharpness or snap

Similar Products Used:

Minolta zooms

Customer Service:

No problems

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Rating
Reviewed by:
(Casual)

Review Date
September 19, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 4 of 10

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

Very good lens and cost effective.

Strengths:

Cheap, only cost around US$50 in secondhand market and not difficult to find. Very contact size, should be thinner and smaller than FA 43mm F1.9 without hood. Good sharpness and flare control.

Weaknesses:

Nil

Similar Products Used:

FA 50mm F1.4, A 50mm F1.7, FA 43mm F1.9, Nikon AF 50mm F1.4 and 1.8, Contax G 45mm F2, Leica M 50mm F2.

Customer Service:

No experience

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Rating
Reviewed by: pat w
(Expert)

Review Date
August 27, 2001

Overall Rating
3 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 5 of 10

Price Paid: $50.00

Summary:

-good value for money
-still better than lenses on automatic cameras
-try not to use it below f/4 and you'll get good photos

Strengths:

cheap
pretty good optics stopped up to f/4+
good for beginner

Weaknesses:

lens flare is not controlled well at all

lousy optical quality below f/4

Similar Products Used:

canon 50mm 1.8
vivitar 28-80
pentax 1.4 50mm

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