Showcase Pentax 50mm f/1.7 SMC K-Mount

[Dewi]

This review is for the Pentax M K mount SMC 50mm f1,7 lens NOT the Takumar as in the thread title - as no such lens exists in 50mm F/L . (The thread title should really be amended to avoid confusion).

This seems to be a great little lens from what I've seen of it's results so far. I've only had it a day or so at the time of writing this and so far I'm very impressed with it, especially given that it cost me just £15 and is in incredibly good condition.

Here are a few sample images - these are shot in RAW at f5.6 1/200th sec ISO 200 handheld


First off, straight out of camera with no PP at all other than a reduction in size and a file conversion to JPEG, there's been no additional sharpening or other image manipulation.

View attachment 342538


This is a 100 crop, again straight from camera in RAW and converted to JPEG no image manipulation whatsoever

View attachment 342539


And finally the same image with a bit of PP applied in Photoshop - Smart Sharpen and Auto Tone with a slight colour adjustment

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

This could turn out to be a little gem of a lens.

 

[Dave Reynell]

Can anyone tell me how I can post a picture (actually a composite of two images) to this forum. Given, yes given ! A 50mm/f1.7 Pentax-M some time back I clipped it onto my Panasonic G1 a few days ago (with a cheap adapter - most certainly not a Novoflex) and took a wide-angle pano of a local scene. The camera was set up on a tripod and I obviously, had to focus manually. I was staggered by the quality of the final images. Hence my request.

With thanks

Dave

 

[Dewi]

You'll have to open an account at a photo hosting site such as Flikr or Photobucket, then copy and paste the url link or image code into your post here.

Here's are a couple of shots I took today on my Olympus0 E PL5 with the 50mm Pentax SMC f1.7 I bought a few weeks ago if you click on the photo it'll take you back to their source on Photobucket, Flikr is probably better for serious photography but I never got on with it. If I want to post decent shots I can host them on my own website.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Dave Reynell]

Thanks Dewi,

I like your pics. It's just dawning on me that the SMC Pentax-M 50mm/f1.7 was/is a particularly good piece of glass and works beautifully on micro-four-thirds cameras. I'll post one of my photo's when I've got something worthwhile.

Dave

 

[Dewi]

More shots from my 50mm f1.7 SMC Pentax on the Olympus E-PL5. Taken today

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[MiguelATF]

Assorted Images

A few shots taken with my 50mm f/1.7 Pentax lens - mounted on my GX7 - which is particularly well-suited to this lens thanks to the GX7's brilliant built-in focus-peaking abilities.

First a Halloween mask, hanging from the end of a bookshelf in my writing office -

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Mask by La Chachalaca Fotografía, on Flickr

Then some small "kitchen deities" - Japanese wooden 'kitchen gods' who survey their kingdom from a perch on a shelf high above he kitchen -

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Kitchen Gods by La Chachalaca Fotografía, on Flickr

And finally, last but not least, a rather bizarre image - of a Chinese toy car, driven by two tiny all-American-looking plastic dolls - which lives atop a bookshelf next to an array of books.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Bookcase Driving Dolls by La Chachalaca Fotografía, on Flickr

 

[MiguelATF]

Easter bunnies

Taken with my 50mm f/1.7 Pentax lens, mounted on my Lumix GX7. Wide-open at f/1.7 - this is a great lens.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Easter Bunnies by La Chachalaca Fotografía, on Flickr

 

[Dave Reynell]

I was given mine, attached to a K2 body (now defunct) and it lay about for quite a while. Then I got a PK/MTF adapter and wow ! It produces the most spectacular, stitched, landscape panoramics. The focal length is simply perfect for this application. I love the sheer quality of this lens. No need for expensive Pana-Leicas anymore !

 

[Ricoh]

A momentary derailment (sorry, if it annoys anyone), how does the SMC 50mm f1.7 compare to the Oly 50mm f1.8 in terms of optical performance?

 

[HaViet]

Wow...amazing images.

I think I am going to get one myself. Could you tell which adapter you're using with this lens?

Thanks

 

[tjdean01]

I have two copies and usually try to stop down a bit at least to f2.2. About the Leica comparison, I don't think it would lose by much! My Konica Hexanon 50/1.7 matches it but it's bigger and I had to make my own stop at f2.2 so avoid the wide-open ghosting most of these lenses have. Regradless, the Pentax 50 is a great lens with great character and probably my favorite to use!

(All straight out of camera jpeg [PM2] & downsized. No sharpening, no cropping, nothing.)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[PENpal]

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Got excited to find in a Salvation Army Thrift Shop 2 Pentax 50 mms - f2.0 and f1.7 sold for $9 each. Although I already have the same f2.0 bought from a fellow Mu-43 member, I decided to buy both. Then went to another local antique shop to check if I could trade the f2.0 for another lens. Lo and behold, they had a Cosmicar 28mm f 2.8 that looks exactly like the the Pentax lens. Talked to the owner and he agreed to swap. 'Twas a lucky day for me I guess.

 

[Dave Reynell]

A momentary derailment (sorry, if it annoys anyone), how does the SMC 50mm f1.7 compare to the Oly 50mm f1.8 in terms of optical performance?

Not a problem. I'm not sure how the two would compare, but if it is of any help, I have used my excellent G1 "kit" - the 14 ~ 45 (not 42) zoom to shoot a similar landscape scene on a number of occasions (as a photo-monitoring project) and have found the Pentax 50mm/f1.7 equal in every way.

If someone could explain to me how to post a few examples, I'll be happy to do so.

Dave

 

[Ricoh]

Thanks for that Dave.
I just happen to have a Pentax MX with a number of lenses, including the SMC 50 1.7. I might pick myself an adaptor and give it a whirl!
Steve

 

[Dewi]

A momentary derailment (sorry, if it annoys anyone), how does the SMC 50mm f1.7 compare to the Oly 50mm f1.8 in terms of optical performance?

Hi Richo - sorry for delay in replying, I've only just spotted this. I looked at getting the Oly f1.8 50mm before going for the Pentax f1.7 50mm. I looked at several sample images from it and it appeared to produce blown out whites from what I could see, and somebody else also commented on the same thing. I guess the camera body would also have an effect on that though but I don't have any such issues with the little Pentax on My Oly E-PL5. Hope that helps

 

[Itchybiscuit]

I saw this thread and as I haven't actually tried to capture this 'bokeh' using my SMC Pentax-M 1:1.7 50mm, I decided to grab a shot or two in the local urban area. I think I may have to work on it a little...

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

I own the SMC Pentax-M 1:2 50mm as well so my next project is to take them both out for a walk and compare shots of the same subject/settings when I get home.

 

[PENasonic]

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

 

[Dave Reynell]

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Here's an attempt to upload an image of mine taken with my G1 and the SMC Pentax-M 50mm/f1.7. A panorama of three stitched images.

 

[Dave Reynell]

I give up !

 

[Itchybiscuit]

I give up !

Upload your image to a file host like Photobucket Dave. You'll then get a link to the image which, once you delete the URL info, you can paste directly in this forum.

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Taken with a Pentax smc f1.7/50mm @f5.6 on a GF1.