An early morning "Start of Day" shoot with the SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.4, a highly regarded vintage prime lens known for its compact size, superb build quality, and excellent, high-contrast performance. The lens, though, which was in production from 1975 to 1977, is more often wrongly misrepresented as the later version SMC Pentax-M 50mm 1:1.4 (1977 to 1984), which is lighter, more compact, and has almost similar image characteristics.
And just as well, the lens series was not officially referred to as a K-series lens by Pentax, a designation given to later K-mount lenses (such as the M, A, F, FA, and DA series) produced in tandem with later model cameras.
Introduced by Pentax with the launch of Pentax K-series 35mm SLR film cameras, the lens was in production from 1975 to 1977. It is an all-metal and glass 7-element in 6 groups (with SMC coating) 35mm full frame lens, has an automatic 8-blade diaphragm, and an aperture ring with a range from f1.4 to f22.
The SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.4 is an all metal and glass 7 elements in 6 groups (with SMC coating) 35mm full frame lens, with an automatic 8-blade diaphragm, an aperture ring with a range from f/1.4 to f/22, a compact dimension of 63mm (diameter) x 43 mm (length), a minimum focusing distance of 45cm, weighs 265 grams, and takes 52mm filters.
It is rated for Sharpness at 9.0, Aberrations at 8.6, Bokeh at 9.4, Handling at 9.5, and Value at 9.1 on PentaxForums.
Reviews indicate that images are rather soft wide open at f/1.4, with sharpness improving markedly from about f/2 to f/2.8 onwards, with very good central and edge quality when stopped down. Bokeh is smooth and creamy.
The Pentax K-m (K2000 in the US) is a compact, entry-level 10.2MP CCD DSLR from 2009, noted for its ease of use, light weight, and fast autofocus. The camera, with built-in shake reduction and good high-ISO performance, is ideal for beginners for its ease of use and automated features.
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