HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 § 03 Head to head
HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 vs Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8
Pentax 50mm f/1.4 is 0.7 stops brighter maximum aperture. Pentax 50mm f/1.8 is 108 g lighter.
Both lenses are made for the Pentax K mount: the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 is a 50mm f/1.4 prime, and the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 is a 50mm f/1.8 prime. On paper the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 comes out ahead, 5 advantages to 1, but which one suits you depends on what you shoot.
HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 
Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 01
Key differences
Why is the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 better than the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8?
- 0.7 stops brighter maximum aperture (f/1.4 vs f/1.8)
- Has a physical aperture ring
- More aperture blades (8 vs 7)
- Smaller filter thread (49 mm vs 52 mm)
- Covers a larger sensor format (full-frame vs APS-C)
Why is the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 better than the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4?
- 108 g lighter (122 g vs 230 g)
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Which should you buy?
- portrait For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- low-light For low-light shooting, the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
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Specification
| Specification | HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 | Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 50mm | 50mm |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.4 ◆ | f/1.8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/22 | f/22 |
| Lens type | Standard prime lens | Prime lens |
| Format | Full Frame | APS-C |
| Weight | 230 g (8.1 oz) | 122 g (4.30 oz) ◆ |
| Dimensions | 65 mm (diameter) x 37 mm (length) | 63 x 38.5 mm |
| Minimum focusing distance | 0.45 m (1.5 ft) | 0.45 m (17.72 inches) |
| Maximum magnification | 0.15x | — |
| Image stabilization | No | No |
| Weather sealing | No | No |
| Aperture ring | Yes | No |
| Aperture blades | 8 (rounded) ◆ | 7 |
| Optical construction | 7 elements in 6 groups | 6 elements / 5 groups |
| Filter size | 49 mm ◆ | 52 mm |
| Lens mount | Pentax K | Pentax K |
| Released | 1991 | — |
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Size
- A · HD
- B · Pentax
- 37 × 65 mm
- 38.5 × 63 mm
The Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 is 1 mm longer and 108 g lighter than the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4.
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Sample frames
HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4
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Video reviews
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Questions
- Which lens has the brighter aperture, the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 or the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8?
- The HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 opens to f/1.4, against f/1.8 on the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8, 0.7 stops brighter.
- Which is lighter, the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 or the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8?
- The Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 weighs 122 g, 108 g less than the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 (230 g).
- Do the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 and the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 have image stabilization?
- No, neither lens has optical image stabilization; rely on in-body stabilization if your camera has it.
- Is the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 or the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 better for portrait photography?
- For portrait photography, the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
- Is the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 or the Pentax smc DA 50 mm f/1.8 better for low-light shooting?
- For low-light shooting, the HD Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4 has the edge: its f/1.4 aperture gathers more light than f/1.8.
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