> I own the 50mm-A 1.7 lens. Seems that most think the 1.4 is a > better lens? Do you agree?
This has been one of the longest running "discussions" here on the PDML, I think. Some swear by the 50/1.7's, while others (including yours truly) prefer the 50/1.4's. I personally think that the extra half-stop from the 50/1.4's is sometimes useful. I also personally feel that the 50/1.4's are a tad sharper. I think that the 50/1.4's have a better build quality. However, I also think that the 50/1.7's have a slightly flatter field of focus (making them better for use with tubes, macro TC's, mounted reversed, etc., for macro applications). > Has anyone ever done a side by side comparison? For resolution, see http://www.cetussoft.com/pentax/resolutn.htm . > I would like to pick up a 1.4, and also wonder if there is much > difference between the A version Vs. the M version. This would be > in the K mount, for a Super Program, MX, etc. There is (I believe) something resembling a consensus here that there is indeed a slight optical difference between some of the M and A 50's, with the 50/2's and the 50/1.4's showing the biggest improvement, and with the 50/1.7's being more similar, M to A. However, I think that the M lenses have slightly better builds. I think... Fred
