Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 Classic and HD Review: A Tale Of Two Fifties

[@ScreenFiends]

I've never owned, used, or even touched a Pentax camera, but I am over the moon that you guys cover brands outside of the big three. There is an integrity to that that goes beyond chasing numbers and trends that most other reviewers could only dream of. Huge, huge respect.

[@SininStyle]

The best part is it exposes those who never look outside those brands to another option. Surprising how many don't even consider Pentax. Their dials and menus are much more comfortable to use.

[@POVwithRC]

​@@SininStyleI and many others do not consider Pentax even though we are aware of them. DSLRs are not worth going backwards to learn about.

[@gschweiger]

@@POVwithRC Going backwards? What does that mean? You can buy brand new K1 and K3s with brand new glass today. There is nothing "backwards" about it.

[@POVwithRC]

@@gschweiger Whatever you need to tell yourself 😊 Up until 2008 or so you could still buy a showroom new VW beetle made with 1960's tooling in Mexico. Brand new glass, the whole nine yards. Most rational consumers wouldn't want to go backwards to that, either. I'm glad your identity is wrapped up in using a dinosaur, but don't get mad when most people don't want to come be prehistoric with you.

[@generalardi]

@@gschweiger "Backwards" in the sense that a more modern style of camera (mirrorless) is available and both Nikon and Canon having announced that they are no longer developing new DSLR models. For someone who is on mirrorless it usually doesn't make much sense to go "back" to a DSLR.

[@howardkastner5843]

Thanks for showing Pentax some love.

[@pelham8910]

Wow, a Pentax review that's 5 hours old, not 5 years! I have the prior version of this on a K1 which is compact enough to make it on a trip and shoot low light interiors. Very useful. The K1 still takes great pictures and I still haven't seen any reason to switch. Glad they're still here, but some more users would be nice. They really do make interesting cameras.

[@mursejoyy]

I love my K1 MK1. I don't think that I will ever part with the brand at this point. I bought a Fujifilm for video but otherwise love shooting my Pentax with the limited lenses on the street. Fingers crossed for a K1 MK3 in the future... maybe even monochrome.

[@birdboy92]

@@mursejoyy I've tried mirrorless cameras by Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus, but I always end up selling them and going back to my Pentax gear. There's something about the density of the K-1 ii that feels so good in the hand - I own a Pentax LX film camera too, and it's the same thing. They feel like robust tools, not like fragile toys. In Olympus's defense, the E-M1 ii feels good too, but I couldn't get around the small M4/3 sensor. I've yet to hold a Sony camera that feels good, and the only Fuji camera I've not worried about instantly breaking is the X-H2, which is almost as big as the K-1!

[@sofiadahlen1187]

I switched from Sony to Pentax this summer! Bought me a K1-ii and am very satisfied! Going back to OVF has been refreshing.

[@acrummey85]

Given the rather dismissive attitude of many KZbinrs regarding Pentax it is good to see a fair point of view. Pentax is a niche player now (dare I say like a certain German brand) which makes it an acquired taste but innovative in its own way. Thanks for this, I was a Pentax user and owned the original FA 50mm f1.4 and yes, it was pretty soft wide open.

[@Laura-f4l]

What did you switch to? I'm thinking of switching to full frame but I don't know where to go

[@FidelisG]

You have no idea how happy I am that you guys made a video on something Pentax!

[@gschweiger]

Thanks for covering some Pentax gear! It lets us Pentaxians feel included. I would love to see a similar review of the new-ish HD FA limited lenses - 21mm, 31mm, 43mm and 77mm.

[@gschweiger]

The were all updated with the new HD coatings just a couple years ago.@@ChristofferNelsonG

[@FCSNT54]

@@gschweiger Have you tried both the new and old versions?

[@gschweiger]

@@FCSNT54 I have not. It is my understanding that there is minimal difference. But I thought it would give an excuse for someone to do a reviewfor us niche users.

[@FCSNT54]

@@gschweiger yeah, I sold all of my pentax gear years ago but still kept the Fa 43 and 645 135 as there was something about the optics of those two lenses. used them on multiple different cameras since, but was thinking about maybe returning and getting either a K1ii or a k3iii, and would be curious on the FA77 and also Fa 31 and if the new coatings made a difference.

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

@@FCSNT54 I just recently came back to a K1 Mark II because of the K3 Mark III Monochrome. The K1 has aged really well, and it is a pleasure to shoot with. It's really interesting how much we have progressed with so little improvement in the past 10 years. A lot of things have gotten worse actually.

[@videojeroki]

I like that unlike on dpreview there were no attempts to make fun of Pentax. I don't own Pentax gear but i have enough respect for their engineers and customers to appreciate their products.

[@RobberZhi]

“A stark, bright light source/like the sun, for example/strong highlights like that” is the profoundest haiku ever composed.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

Greetings and salutations from Mississauga, Ontario! Watched this awesome video on my TV. As a Pentax user through and through (wife uses Nikon Z-6ii, but both children use my Pentax gear), I really appreciate you covering this brand. I have HD Pentax DA 15, 21, and 35 mm and will now go for this one as well. On a related note, I have laid my hands on several mirrorless cameras (I also have Canon RP), but the whole gear is so expensive that after lots and lots of research, I have decided to spend that money in traveling and photography with Pentax gear rather than spent thousands of dollars on other expensive cameras and lenses. Thank you again for going off the beaten track and do this video!

[@DonaldWMeyers-dwm]

The thing I like is there is a wealth of vintage glass out there for the Pentax. You might have to manually focus and set aperture, but they are still great lenses.

[@HusbandnWifeDuo]

@@DonaldWMeyers-dwm I agree! While I don't have those lenses, I can always borrow a few of them from a friend.

[@williamself1949]

Thanks very much Chris and Jordan for continuing to feature Pentax products! This was a very interesting comparison. I found my way to the Pentax K1ii after many years of shooting mirrorless, so I had a laugh when Chris mentioned this tendency to try to replay his footage in the viewfinder. I still have my mirrorless setup, but after readjusting to a DSLR I have to say that my Pentax offers a certain tactile feeling that I've been missing.

[@busydadscooking001]

Neat to see these two lenses compared. It really seems like Pentax is targeting someone who loves the entire process of photography - carrying a heavy body, planning shots or walking around looking for them, then later reviewing and carefully considering which to keep or use. Someone who loves doing this to the point they would look forward to dedicating a weekend day specifically for photography. smallest one I could get at the time.

[@ronbokje6213]

My dad collected Pentax so long as I can remember. At the beginning of this year he want to sell the total collection. I really liked the old lenses and I needed a replacement for my camera, so he gave me all his prime k-mount lenses and lot myself a K1 markII. It’s an amazing camera and really surprised how good the old glass is. And a modern camera that works perfectly with all the lenses it’s special. Oldest lens is a 20mm from 1977 and still functions brilliant on the new camera.

[@knwohwo9737]

it’s so cool (and sustainable) that all these vintage lenses still work perfectly on the modern digital pentax bodies. no adapters needed :)

[@loboptlu]

@@knwohwo9737 they even made a mirrorless with kmount ,unfortunately the designer had no idea of how to design cameras , pentax k-01 have one , best pictures out of any 16 mp of the same time ,but unfortunately the designer forgot ergonomics and an efv. modified k5 sensor

[@geoffreybassett6741]

Great video guys! With glass now essentially near perfect I hope more manufacturers go for something more creative like this. Zooms that sacrifice corner performance to achieve compactness, primes that focus on look/seperation rather than sharpness, etc.

[@ryankwan1934]

Sigma is already doing that on their APS-C f/2.8 zooms.

[@Needacreate]

Informative, fun-to-watch, and absolutely fair hands-on review of the re-done Old School FA50s. Great to see some Pentax stuff featured this way for a change.

[@vivekmars]

Started my photography journey with k5, then k3, then went to Nikon canon and Sony, nothing gave me the joy of shooting with a Pentax camera, it was a brand made by photographers for photographers, love from India ❤

[@robert_may]

I wish Pentax would drop a retro DSLR on us. The Nikon Zf shows it'll be popular, but I'd love a real viewfinder on such a thing and access to the huge range of Pentax lenses. Modern Pentax bodies are...curiously shaped, but their old designs were gorgeous and I'm sure something inspired by them would sell well.

[@MontrencoPerez]

A digital K1000 would be fantastic.

[@AdamCasada]

I'm surprised you say curiously shaped. 🤔 My K-1 was significantly more comfortable in the hand than my A7R IV.

[@robert_may]

@@AdamCasada Oh yeah don't get me wrong - they're nicely ergonomic. Just the prism area being so tall and forward has always made them look a bit weird. Very much function over form.

[@SummersSnaps]

Amen

[@kalinmir]

thats probably not possible...the electronics need to go somewhere...there is the MX-1 retro compact but it doesn't have a viewfinder or a "prism housing"

[@LuigiVN]

You know I haven't watched the A9 III video because well, it's just another top-of-the-line from Sony. But this, this I clicked immediately. When was the last time you saw something like this? Pretty cool, thanks for covering it. Sometimes I feel like buying a Pentax DSLR just to have access to their lenses. I have no really rugged cameras so having one for situations where I know it can get wet would be pretty sweet.

[@GODSPEEDseven]

As long as your expectations aren't to rival focusing speeds of mirrorless cameras... you would be REALLY happy with a Pentax body. Even the entry-level KF/K-70 is a much more rugged body than any of the entry-level of other brands. Fully weather-sealed! I can't tell you how many times I've shot at -10 degrees, in rain, snow, etc.. Then you get beefy tanks like the K-1 that almost make you feel like it's a modern medium format.. awesome tool to hold! Image quality is there, they've always had a very good dynamic range and the fact every body has IBIS means it's easy to adapt from super old lenses to anything modern with ease. I mean, you do get into a niche in a way, but I've been shooting Pentax for a while now and have no will to change.. regardless how "fancy" and crazy new cameras have gotten. Honestly, you get a more old-school approach. It sits perfectly between shooting film and shooting mirrorless. You still have to know your settings and you get the "surprise" that mirrorless has more or less taken away. It's more fun, less clinical. More for the joy of just shooting and enjoying the art and dealing with its shortcomings. Go for it, you won't regret it.. and also, the community being much smaller also means it's quite alot friendlier.

[@knwohwo9737]

just get a used k5ii(s) for 200 bucks and you are good to go!

[@vexphoto]

Pentax lives! Love it...

[@richardnovak7772]

Thanks for the good review. I don't have either lens, but just got a used SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 (was in production 1991-2023) - essentially the lens that the new "Classic" is meant to reproduce. I'll be using it on my K-1-II, K-70, and some of my Pentax film bodies as well. I'm amused by some of the comments below, with statements like "I can't imaging buying a Pentax myself" or "I wouldn't buy a DSLR", etc. That's fine, just buy whatever you want, but that doesn't affect what I'm going to use. As someone who has been using Pentax cameras for over 50 years, I see no reason to change, especially since I can use my Pentax K-mount lenses forwards and backwards across my cameras from 1975 through today. I do use a couple other camera brands as well for specific purposes, but for general shooting for my own enjoyment Pentax has always given me all I need at a good price point. I think these two new lenses are a good example of them giving their customers options for what they need or enjoy. Again, thanks for the good review.

[@AngeloRyanMaalat]

The G9ii looked especially good in this episode, idk what they did but it looks so much better for some reason

[@POVwithRC]

Mm, something is up. 🧐

[@cz77777]

i wonder what lenses was used here, image is very pleasing

[@Wildridefilms]

Jordan probably learnt to expose it better. The initial videos were a bit off, with a lot of overexposure and weird skintones, but he seems to have gotten the hang of it and it has started to look really good since the last couple of weeks.

[@-grey]

Awesome idea. I wish Fujifilm was still doing this with their XF range. An update like this to the 35f1.4 would be very welcome. The Pentax shots have a quality to them that reminds me of the Canon 1D. Very pleasing look. ✨

[@mursejoyy]

The old DSLR era is a total vibe. I love hearing the shutter of mine click and looking through a bright OVF. I don't enjoy the EVF of my Fuji nearly enough as my Pentax's OVF.

[@loboptlu]

@@mursejoyy get what you mean , after shooting my pentax and then using my sony i always get the impression the sony shutter must have a problem with how weak it sounds , like damn do i need to get it repaired.

[@sulev111]

A9III has nothing on K1II.

[@hetschipVeronica]

For me the modern digital Pentax cameras have the visual signature of their 6x7 'siblings', same pentaprism and overall impression. I loved the 6x7 camera's, fabulous lenses and great results, I used them for professional work in the days.

[@jw48335]

I can't wait to see what Pentax kicks out with their film camera lineup. This feels like they're laying the groundwork for a film SLR body. Unsure if I'd swap from my EOS 3 (the original eye-af ftw ) but I'll be very tempted if it's a solid offering.

[@gschweiger]

It is my understanding that the the first camera Pentax is looking to release is a fixed-lens film camera, not an SLR.

[@jw48335]

@@gschweiger Correct, likely the first two, as those are less complex.

[@StrangelyIronic]

They haven't shown anything, there's a good chance they're just ricoh copying Fujis Instax cameras in concept and not what people think they're doing with actual cameras. They announced the idea of film cameras not long after Fuji made the statement that those film cameras were their "golden goose". Before that Ricoh was moments away from effectively killing Pentax, credible sources said massive layoffs were planned, leaving a skeleton crew pretty much.

[@jw48335]

@@StrangelyIronic If that was indeed the case, I doubt Pentax representatives would bother showing up at major analog events like they have been right up until a month ago soliciting feedback on what people are hoping to see. I think that properly identified that just as with Leica, If you are the only film camera maker of a particular type of camera, you can charge a price premium such that you will make a profit. By all accounts the monochrome K3iii has sold better than their top projections. You've got to keep in mind the Japanese market as well, which can sustain a lot on its own.

[@douglasstemke2444]

Thanks for throwing some love to Pentax! You definitely earned some respect from Pentaxians. I have the A version and a similar SMC Super Takumar. Love the lenses. I'm not so sure though about that rainbow effect on the new lens though. I can get the same thing (or something quite similar) with a Cokin filter.

[@lelanddyer9461]

PENTAX yeah baby❤❤❤❤

[@manugeee]

I also had the honour to get a classic lens and can strongly agree with you. The classic is a pretty cool lens and you can also use it totally manual with modern mirrorless cameras. Works pretty well. I tested it purely on my Sony camera and till now never had a Pentax slr in my hands. 🤪 Cool that you also covered this lens and not only the perfectly rendered modern lenses, that come out today. 😊👍

[@mursejoyy]

Thank you for showing Pentax some love! If I didn't already have their 43mm Limited for my K1 I probably would pick up the classic lens. Looking forward to more lenses from Pentax of yesteryear.

[@dbkfrogkaty1]

Glad to see you showing some love for Pentax lenses. I have the original FA 50mm f/1.4 on my good ol' Pentax K-5II. The lens does a wonderful job for me and always has.

[@tomsun3159]

i would appreciate the comparison between the SMC FA 50 mm 1.4 (the one sold since 30 years and a lot of the pentaxians allready own) and the SMC FA 50 mm 1.4 classic

[@cyrilhamel8289]

Doing a review of classical stuff is an excellent idea !! Making it a regular thing of your channel would be really great 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@SoCaG]

happy to see Pentax on Petapixel :)

[@stevenjohnson4283]

Shocked Chris didn't do his usual take a dump on Pentax in this review. I've had the old FA 50mm SMC 1.4 for years and never really liked it on apsc, I mean it was okay, but when I bought a K-1 I really really liked the rendering of the whole lens, WITH the vignette, and the soft corners and the 3D pop and dimensionality. Its like those old timey round windows on ships - I think they're call portals - because its like looking through a portal into another world. It is my favorite lens on the K-1 and I came late to full frame, so I'm kicking myself about the look of the vintage lenses. Thats why vintage lenses rock with all the so-called "bad aberrations" that lead the viewers eye to the subject. Whereas modern lenses are edge to edge and corner to corner sharp, and they all have the exact same bokeh, and no one can tell the difference between a modern 50mm 1.4 from Sony, Canon or Nikon, because they are all doing the exact same thing - edge to edge and corner to corner sharp with zero aberrations. I mean look at the comparison reviews of 135mm f1.8 lenses, and they all look pretty much so the exact same - freaking clones. Maybe clowns. A lens like this belongs of full frame. Unfortunately Fuji lovers miss out because all their lenses are sharp edge to edge and corner to corner, and apsc won't give the full rendering of the whole effect of the lens. Its like the youtubers buying full frame voightlander lenses in X-mount, [or buying Leica M-mount adapted to X-mount] what a waste of time, as the lens was designed for full frame and you'll never see the image as the lens designer intended. Simons Utak also reviewed this lens and also on apsc and the Classic is too cropped for apsc to really see the rainbow flares. Don't adapt the Classic to apsc if you're thinking that, go watch the Simon Utak video about it. These lenses are based on the design of the old school Pentax Takumar 50mm 1.4 design that hasn't changed for 50 years. 7 Element lens, low element count and plenty of 3D pop! A classic just got better

[@loboptlu]

have a k1 and a kf ,plus those 2 lenses among others , never had a problem getting the rainbow on my kf,granted it is a bit easier with the k1 but not a real problem,only graze the sun;). (for those not understanding my meaning ,take a shot with the sun not visible ,just outside view but glare lvl ,no need for nd then, and you will get a nice rainbow on the other side of the picture).

[@CianMcsweeney]

I miss lenses that were this compact while still having a 1.4 aperture, was shooting with my XF 35mm 1.4 this weekend and the results were beautiful from such a tiny package. Not even pro's always need their lenses to be clinically sharp across the frame

[@larryzapata2614]

I love that you guys cover interesting lenses that are out of the ordinary. I could care less about $12000 sony systems. I am actually ordering the classic.

[@violetsprite]

Random question: Has Canada updated their money yet with portraits of the King? The object used for the sharpness section triggered this thought. I remember watching a documentary years ago that talked about the process that England will have to go thorough when the time arrived to do so.

[@niccollsvideo]

They have not yet. I believe there is a plan to slowly add into circulation the face of King Charles. Probably still a couple years away

[@ВиталийБаранов-р8ъ]

Original FA 50/1.4 is my least favorite 50mm that I used (I used a lot of them). But I really like colorful reflections in its lens coatings the best.

[@tncowdaddy]

Great video! I could watch Chris and Jordan review a pinhole camera and enjoy it! This video exemplifies what you've said on the podcast several times about finding the right camera system/setup for the right person/job. I have a special place in my heart for Pentax because that was the the right setup for me starting out. My first DSLR was a K100D, and one of the first lenses I acquired was a decades old SMC Pentax-M 50mm F1.4 manual focus lens. It was the lens I used to practice and learn photography fundamentals. Even though I've moved to mirrorless, I don't think I could ever part with that combo.

[@ScottJWaldron]

Wow, a Pentax video! Nice job on the video as usual. I had the FA 50mm f/1.4 back in the day. It was.. well.. serviceable. 😄 The difference in rainbow flare is interesting! I do remember that being an aspect of the original FA.

[@absolutelyeverything]

“Why am I watching this? I don’t use Pentax… Oh hey look it’s Chris!”

[@Paulnt04]

I shot Pentax back in the late 90s/early 2000s. I loved it. I am spoiled by mirrorless now, but if I were to just walk around doing street photography at my leisurely pace, I’ve found myself wondering if I could even do a film SLR anymore. You have to be deliberate. I might not want to go back like some to shooting film for the character and classic systems like medium format Hasselblad like some so, but it could be a fun casual nostalgia camera to run with the classic 50mm.

[@knwohwo9737]

how about a pentax k10d for that gorgeous ccd colors and great ergonomics?

[@LeeIveson]

Great review 👏 I can't speak on the HD version as I've not shot with that lens so it was nice to see the side by side comparrison. I pretty much came to the same conclusion about the classic version, a really fun lens to use.

[@Stokey_73]

That’s it classic version for me. Great review thought the flaring would harm overall dynamic performance but I guess not!

[@XATNEP1]

Thanks for an interesting review, I believe the Classic lens comes with a Pentax ND filter which is why it is slightly more expensive than the HD version

[@niccollsvideo]

It does!

[@pete_au]

Hey Jordan, the footage coming off that G9II looks freaking awesome! Great work!

[@jean-philippeperetti8463]

From around 1977 up until 3 years ago, I was a Pentaxian. After shooting a wedding in the snow and cold temperature, I decided to switch to another brand. The K-1, the 70-200mm zoom, battery grip and monopod made for a somewhat heavy setup. I'm almost 70, have shaking hands and wear glasses. The A7RV makes my life a bit easier with that out-of-this-world autofocus. Other than that I would have kept shooting Pentax. Unfortunately, each time the company changed hands, they failed to keep up with the newer technologies. That being said, the pictures straight out of the K-1 compared very well with Nikon's D850 in comparison tests. I had a Pentax LX and a Pentax-A 50mm F1.4 lens for more than 30 years. I'd love to find another one. That film camera was and still is a classic.

[@derekrosshall]

some of are still obsessed with a floppy mirror and a chunky shutter sound! Glad to see Pentax get some love

[@EdwardMartinsPhotography]

I just posted my test of the Pentax K3 Mark III Monochrome against a sheet of Ilford FP4+ 8x10 film... No point in shooting film anymore. 🙂 And since I've been using the DSLR's more because of the K3 Mark III Monochrome, I find I like them better than an EVF for composition, it's clearer and more accurate for me. The 31, 43 and 77mm limited lenses have gobs of personality and are always a pleasure to shoot with as well. Pentax may be really small and not keeping with times, but I think we have reached a point where that's a good thing. 🦕🦖🦕🦖

[@FCSNT54]

funny you guys release a video about Pentax, I was thinking of getting one.

[@mamo4104]

Great Review, thank you. Typical Pentax superb color rendition and resolution , a great lens for sure. I desperately want the classic version but I have invested heavily in Nikon gears....what to do?

[@eguitarstar]

Great to see a video on a less popular brand.

[@foblivio]

Nice review. Appreciate you testing something that’s not mainstream. Well done.

[@patrickmeyer2802]

mein gott it is the pentax on the peta pixel. But seriously I have every iteration so far of the penty 50 f/1.4s except for the DA* version (I am not made of money) and they are some of my favourite standard primes. I literally shot an entire short film on my SMC M 50 (with a couple of shots on a 28mm), and the whole thing looks beautiful.

[@theharper1]

Thanks for the positive review, Chris! I was curious about the real world differences between the two lenses. Psst... there's a setting on the camera to automatically show the image on the rear display for a few seconds after you take a photo. 😉🙃

[@kilohotel6750]

I still have my K50 and whenever I pull it out I’m shocked at the autofocus noise now compared to the almost silent RF system I’m using now.

[@knwohwo9737]

not for the faint of heart :) but the same autofocus lens will work on an analog film body from the 80ies, an analog but autofocus body from the 90ies, a ccd apc from the 2000ers or a digital fullframe from the 2010er or the monochrome k3iii. and that is FRICKIN AWESOME!

[@FerrumMaster]

Finally, a lens I have actually used. I still shoot on film, my world does not stop on mirrorless. The 50mm FA was and is a good option in the wast sea of nifty 50ies. Matter of taste.

[@OfficialSushiSystemAmbassador]

Yes, Pentax! Nice to see some Pentax content here. Own many camera systems, but no Pentax (yet), also the Ricoh P&S cameras, and think the Pentax Limited primes are interesting and unique in their own kind of quirky way.

[@ВіталійДедік]

Nice video, as the test is the king that i like and yes, someone remembers (d)SLRs still exist.

[@Apexseals87]

You guys did forget that there's a special "yellow" mode in the k-1ii firmware update with the classic lens to give that radioactive yellowing lens look for pentax cameras only. While you can use this on any camera, you only get that look with pentax.

[@eaMCMLXXIX]

With APS-C my old FA50 1.4 was very nice at f2.2, but I changed to the DA55 and still use it on FF. I think with the HD coating the FA is still a worthy lens.

[@maboleth]

Thanks for the great review, much appreciated! Very interested for the Classic one. I've noticed that you talk about either 1.4 or 2.8, what about f2 or f1.8? Many lens improve a lot when being stepped down for a tiny bit. Though I don't mind softness at all, as long AF nailed the focus to the subject.

[@larrycolen6123]

Interesting video, I have an FA 50/1.4 from about 12 years ago and am rather curious about how they compare side by side with it as well. Likewise, how they compare with the DFA 50/1.4. The funny thing is that I didn't really particularly like my 50/1.4 on my APS bodies, but on the K-1 it works well.

[@sdhute]

Kinda getting bored with my mirrorless and EVF. Time to get back into Pentax k1 ii or K3iii. Amazing too how small these are for FF lenses.

[@amermeleitor]

How it's the thing with Pentax? The focus motor is in the lenses or in the camera body? Or it's like Nikon that have both ways, some with and some without?

[@Unschaerferelation137]

Both is possible. Depends on the lens you use. Pentax K Bajonett on the K1 e.g. is backwards compatible to all lenses since 1975 with MF, AF (in body motor) or newer PLM. I shoot with Pentax because of the backwards compatibility and the fact that used lenses from the 90s still perform very good at a very attractive price point. So I bought older lenses that where originally too expensive for me when I was younger. Honestly I wouldn’t buy a lens for 1000$/€ because the older lenses deliver what I need for a fraction of this price. This certainly not true for professionals but for me as an advanced amateur I‘m very happy with Pentax gear.

[@amermeleitor]

@@Unschaerferelation137 thanks!

[@stuartcarden1371]

I would get the classic too - SMC coatings have always been great, so I don't see too much added benefit to the HD ones. Plus the classic is just a lot more fun!

[@LOLA6ifyable]

I own most gear I need at this point. Time for the gear I want - Pentax DSLR and any of those 2 , maybe the classic version. I always liked Pentax , always tried to be a lttile diffrent. too bad it didn't work that well for them..

[@arielelijah1282]

Did these lenses have character on the Supertakumar 50 mm f1.4 8 element version?

[@MrCloud254]

The return of the old intro!!

[@EquatorialVillager]

I may be one of the few who hadn't missed it while it was gone 🙈

[@melmaciandissenter2324]

Chris is such a Pentax shill. He tested the Pentax k5 in 2012, and now this ... Unbelievable ! 😋

[@niccollsvideo]

I know right! And the K3III a couple year ago, and the KF release, and a look back at the best Pentax cameras, and Pentax 110 lenses on M43rds, and the 11-18 lens, and…. Looks like I am a Pentax Shill

[@theharper1]

🤣😂😅

[@sotitofanschop]

Best handling bodies 🙌🏼 and some awesome awesome lenses

[@guyjordan8201]

Very cool review. Thank you.

[@DcgK1000]

Thanks for talk about this lenses!

[@paulhancock]

Can't comment on the lenses, but I've always wanted to pick up a Pentax K1-II. Such a quirky but superbly built DSLR with features ahead of its time... Doubt I'd ever use it, but one day I'll have one!

[@knwohwo9737]

i‘d even be happy with just a k1, not sure why i would need the mark ii. but yeah, my main camera is a k5iis and am more than happy with that one. and all the great pentax glass.

[@eviltango]

Thanks! Now I need to get a K1ii 😆

[@ralfbruening]

Thanks for this Review, it was a great surprise and just after the end i found myself touching my Pentax K1 and my LX. Maybe it would be the way to develop a new Camera looking and feeling like the LX as mirrorless? 😊

[@thebitterfig9903]

I feel like the HD one should have lost the aperture ring, and been housed with some WR. One thing missing at Pentax is affordable WR primes, considering that there are WR kit zooms from Pentax.

[@GaryDevouges]

I own the regular 1992 version of this lens and I wonder if the new HD version could be "better" Would focus be faster ? Would it be a little bit sharper ? Has anyone compared these lenses with the 1992 discontinued version ? Thanks

[@leotomma3494]

You should do one with a 50mm full frame lens, I plan on buying one

[@fredericetancelin1105]

You should try the DA 55mm f1.4 on full frame.

[@maciejbury5759]

I have a wish: pentax K3 MONO - how does IT perform as a VIDEO CAMERA?

[@JoeMustang99]

Well done. But I gotta admit, I was more interested in seeing the G9ii footage than I was in the lenses. Still good to see the differences in the lenses!

[@arcanum70]

I love my Pentax glass. I just wish that someone would make an adapter for Z and R cameras that would allow me to use autofocus. They have fully manual adapters, but sometimes it's nice to use autofocus, lol.

[@AdamCasada]

I will say, even with the $450 monster adapter to mount pentax glass on sony, AF was not great. Not enough to make me keep it. Now I don't have a ton of top notch pentax glass - just the FA* 85, the D FA 24-70, and other mid range FA stuff, but the performance of those was pretty mediocre and I preferred to start buying Sony glass, which is mostly superior anyway.

[@AnotherOtherMan-alive]

Curious how it would stack up against the FA 1.4 seeing as they still make it.

[@hilberto2217]

Just picked up the HD one

[@genevostok]

I can really tell an uptick in video quality with the G9 II!

[@spidermann5000]

FA 50mm f1.4 is actually fun on FF Sony. You can focus really quick with the short and easy going focus throw, really fun lens!. I expect these two to be the same. For a short time the 50 1.4 was even my favorite lens when i started with FE mount (albeit adapted) and the lens that convinced me that manual focus is the way for me to go(unless i go tele or shot moving stuff of course). It must also be noted that it was the second best focusing lens i had even in the dark on my k3ii however the cake in that category takes the Sigma AF 28mm f/1,8 Asph. High-Speed Wide, that one could focus far beyond the point of even barly acceptable lowlight performance but i digress^^

[@johnyoung1606]

Thanks Guys :) :) :)

[@vincents.6639]

can you review the Pentax K3iii monochrome please?

[@shreddz]

Fuck yeah pentax! How awesome is it to not have ai mentioned once. Instead its 'character'.

[@castlepeople]

Is there any way to use this lens on another camera body? like sony

[@niccollsvideo]

Absolutely. You can get a simple adapter and pop it on a mirror less body. Manual focus only but you would capture the same flare patterns

[@AdamCasada]

Additionally, for $450, you could even get the Monster Adapter LA-KE1 and have AF 😅

[@GemmaHentsch]

Now I’m curious about how well they’d work on a Sony body adapted :p

[@chrisw443]

I wish pentax would make a more video centered offering.

[@marcp.1752]

Ah Chris does have his *fave* focal length, a nify-fifty! 🙂 35mm here all the way, always since the 80's.

[@tomsun3159]

Unfortunately there is no comparison to Star-Lens (yes i know tripple the price). Sadly the HD has no WR-Design that would be great for being around (light and WR).

[@jlwilliams]

I can't imagine I’d ever buy a Pentax camera or either of these lenses, but in spite of that I really enjoyed this segment. It was a welcome antidote to the bombast of the recent S*** hyperbole-fest… just hangin' out with Chris as he shows us a couple of cool, fun lenses is a great way to spend a few minutes on the internet! More like this, please…

[@VanDanmark]

I don't know - have you seen the K3 III Monochrome? 😀

[@markwilkins1224]

My first camera was the Spotmatic, and ive had the 6x7 since 1989. OK ive dated myself. But one thing ive witnessed lately is that Nostalgia/Retro sells. Pentax needs to get on the wagon and produce a Spotmatic Retro. Chrome, not all black. They need to do this like...yesterday.

[@yawningmarmot]

If you want to get that rainbowy flare, you can also buy an old Helios-44-2 at 10th of the price, easily adaptable to practically anything with its M42 mount. Still, it's nice to see special effects lenses like this :)

[@gsrox2007]

Helios 44/44-2 don't do this kind of flare. You need to look at the Canon dream f/0.95 or the canon 50 LTM f/1.2 (to a lesser extent).

[@yawningmarmot]

@@gsrox2007 It's not exactly the same but similar

[@gicking3898]

Some nice photos and observations :)

[@bluewhistleschannel6058]

Great review!

Nice😊 I like pentax