> It is identical optically to the A50/1.4, so I suspect it is exactly the > same as what I have. The A50/1.4 is slightly soft at f/1.4, very sharp > from f/2 onwards. I've not done exhaustive resolution testing with a > tripod to really test the metal of the corner/edge resolution, nor have I > ever owned an M50/1.4 to compare against, but my understanding is that > the 50/1.4 formula was 'touched up' for the A series and later so it > should be *slightly* better.
There do seem to be small (but not insignificant) optical improvements for the A (and, it would be assumed, the FA) over the M, but they are still fairly small differences. And, for some users, they might be small enough that the build quality and focus feel of the M over the A (and especially the FA) might be more significant. See http://www.cetussoft.com/pentax/resolutn.htm - YMMV > I'd buy an FA50 to get the AF mount, if that's important to you, or to > get full metering options on a *ist D/DS body. Otherwise I'd stick with > the M. I wouldn't expect a major improvement in image quality. I wouldn't upgrade for the FA over the M, unless metering and/or AF were important to me. For myself, I'm happy enough with the A 50/1.4. Fred
