Pentax 50mm 1.4 FA Classic

Pentax 50mm 1.4 FA Classic

The smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic and HD PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 lenses are based on the smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4,
which was introduced in 1991 as a standard lens for 35 mm SLR cameras

Due to its large aperture and distinctive image reproduction, which differs from today's lenses
for digital cameras, it has enjoyed increasing popularity, especially in recent years

Photographers with digital cameras, as well as the ever-growing community of analog photographers, appreciate the focal length,
the aperture range, and the image look

The popularity of this lens, which is one of the best-selling Pentax lenses, prompted us to redesign it.

we wanted to preserve the special image reproduction of the classic and, on the other hand,
produce a modern lens that meets the current requirements in photography - depending on the task
or creative orientation of the photographer

The HD PENTAX-FA 50mmF1.4 is therefore equipped with the latest, high-quality, multi-layer HD coating to ensure
high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness, while the smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic produces a unique image reproduction similar to that of a lens developed 50 years ago. Although both lenses have the same focal length and open aperture, they are designed to be distinctly different in image reproduction.

• These lenses are fully compatible with all current digital SLR cameras and also with SLR cameras
  for the analog 35mm film format that have the K-mount connection.

• The integrated
  aperture ring and the mechanism for coupling the lens to the motor-driven, in-camera AF system
  allow all camera functions to be retained.

• When used on a camera with 35 mm film or a 35 mm full-frame sensor, these lenses can be used as
  50 mm standard lenses

.

• As such, they provide an angle of view roughly equivalent to the human angle of view
  .

• This makes it universal, and very suitable for many shooting opportunities, such as snapshots, landscape photography
  and portraits.

• For digital cameras with an APS-C image sensor, the focal length is equivalent to that of a light telephoto lens with a
  focal length of 76.5 mm, and can be used especially well for portrait photography

.

• The large F1.4 open aperture produces images with a very shallow depth of field, enabling a large
  crop factor

.The

• aperture of both lenses consists of eight blades and provides a soft and natural
  bokeh (defocus) effect between F1.4 and F2.8, while also minimizing the grazing effect of point light sources

.

• The water- and grease-repellent SP (Super Protect) coating on the front of the lenses makes it easier for
  users to wipe off water or stains

.

smc PENTAX-FA 50mmF1.4 Classic for images with unique optical effect

When used on a PENTAX SLR camera (with full-frame sensor), this 50mm standard lens corresponds to an angle of view close to that of the human field of view, When used on APS-C format PENTAX cameras, it corresponds to the effect of a short telephoto lens with a focal length of 76.5mm

This lens is based on the smc PENTAX-FA 50mmF1.4, which was introduced in 1991 as a standard lens for 35mm SLR cameras

smc PENTAX-FA 50mmF1.4 Classic has a specific fine-tuning of the lens construction, as it produces a unique visual effect commonly known as "Rainbow Flare" when shooting with an open aperture and strong backlight. By changing the framing or position relative to the light source, the photographer can influence the position and size of the effect, making it different from the HD PENTAX-FA 50mmF1.4.

Distinctive imaging features

By purposefully fine-tuning the lens design, this lens has been engineered to produce a unique visual effect commonly known as rainbow flare when shooting an image at open aperture* and against strong backlighting.** This allows the photographer to change position and By shifting the relative position of the subject and light source, the size of the rainbow reflection can be increased, creating this unique visual expression that is not possible with the latest lenses. Reducing the aperture to F4 or smaller also allows the photographer to capture sharper, crisper images with minimal flare and ghosting.

• can be difficult to create rainbow reflections when the lens is mounted on an APS-C format digital SLR camera, as the camera's image sensor is designed to use only the central area of the image circle

** During shooting, the user is recommended to attach a neutral density (ND) filter (included in the standard accessories) or a commercially available ND filter that reduces the light transmission in the lens to less than 1/16 lens. When viewing an image through the camera's optical viewfinder, users are advised to avoid looking directly into strong light sources.

The lens coating of each optical element of the smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic has been fine-tuned to minimize the formation of unwanted ghost images while retaining those that are essential for distinctive reproduction.

SP coating

The SP coating is a special coating originated by PENTAX that provides excellent water and oil repellency performance

.

It is used on the front surface of the first high-performance lens to effectively protect the lens surface. This coating not only prevents dust, water droplets, oils, and other substances from adhering to the lens, but also makes it easier to wipe off objects adhering to the lens.

Striking image reproduction

Thanks to its large F1.4 open aperture, this lens captures images with a very shallow depth of field

.

Its eight-blade diaphragm control mechanism produces a smooth, natural bokeh (defocus) effect from open aperture to F2.8, and also minimizes the grazing effect of point light sources.

Nostalgic design

This lens retains the exterior design of its base model - the smc PENTAX-FA50mm F1.4 - and features a black matte finish and a matte black focus ring. It has no green ring - the symbolic design of the PENTAX brand's newest lenses - to replicate the nostalgic appearance of the interchangeable lenses designed for PENTAX Z-series film format cameras.

Compatibility with older cameras

Thanks to the aperture ring installed on the lens body and the coupling mechanism with the motor-driven AF system in the camera body, this lens is fully compatible with older K-mount digital SLR cameras and film format AF SLR cameras, allowing the photographer to retain all the camera functions of these models

Since it is impossible to avoid the light diffraction phenomenon on the actual lens, the wave-optical MTF is more realistic. However, the geometric MTF is suitable if you only want to compare the effects of geometric aberration correction on the MTF