Kelvin wrote: > A single 50mm f/1.4 apparently have > the F series, A series and FA series... apparently > these lens can be mounted on a K-mount of a Pentax > camera right? So, do they make any differences in > terms of quality of the images? No, actually there are more than that. There are at least three versions of the lens in M42 (Pentax) screwmount: the 8-element Super-Takumar, the 7-element Super-Takumar, and the Super-Multi-Coated Takumar. When you get to K-mount, first there is the so-called "K" lens, marked SMC-Pentax. The next version is the "M" lens, introduced with the M cameras, and slightly smaller in size. The last manual-focus version is the "A" lens, which has contacts for advanced metering modes but not as good a focusing feel. Then there is the early autofocus "F" lens and finally the current "FA." By reputation, the S.M.C. Takumar, K, and M lenses had the same design, and the A, F, and FA share a modified design. I find that the S.M.C. Takumar is the sharpest of the early three types, and the M lens the least sharp, although I like the M lens best of all for other reasons. The A lens is reputed to be the sharpest of all, and this may be true. I have never used the F lens, but the FA is in the same class as the A lens. Any of the lenses is a great value, the S.M.C. Takumar and M lenses perhaps most of all. A new FA lens only costs $189 and is an outstanding value too. I've made a bit of a hobby of testing 50mm lenses over the past four years or so, and the S.M.C. Takumar and the Leica 7-element collapsible Summicron are probably my two favorites. Hope this helps-- --Mike - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
