Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in Lenses
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Lenses
The reason to own an F/1.4 lens is that you want to use the lens mostly open so you can get the nice bokeh and the fast exposure time. But this lens is not particularly sharp when used wide open. It's not awful, but it's not great either. If you stop it down, then it becomes quite sharp, but then you may as well have bought an F/5.6 to begin with. It's also mildly radioactive due to the thorium in the glass, and the lens yellows over time due to the radioactivity. (The radioactivity is not a health concern, according to a health physicist I spoke to about it.) The yellowing can be counteracted by exposure to UV light, but it's another tick against it. I'm not upset about this purchase, but neither am I thrilled. On the other side, the lens FEELS really solid, and it's a well-designed piece of equipment in the mechanical sense. Depending on what you want from it, this could be an okay lens, or you might want to look for something better.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I love the mechanical, metal, feel. It's 1.4 is great at low light. AND for portait. Bokeh is quite nice although nowhere near as beastly as an 85mm or an m44-2 that I own, but it does a good enough job that I don't need to complain unless I want a more artsy look. I seem to go to this one for more situations than any of my other collection of various 50's. This is my work horse 50 :D and does so well!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Super rezkozst and excellent quality! It's just now my favorite lens, the image is very sharp and at the same time have Aperture 1.4 and plastic, soft, very pleasant. Workmanship is simply magnificent! Metal and glass. Rings of field and aperture are rotated very gently, the sharpness easily! At first thought to buy it, play around and sell, but now leave Me Forever!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This lens is extraordinary. It's build like a mini tank, all metal, and it's focus ring moves like butter. It takes very sharp photos, and produces very nice bokeh. I used it a lot for video because the focus ring is so smooth. I also got awesome portraits with amazing bokeh.
Verified purchase: No
My experience with these lens have been phenomenal, when I was originally searching for a lens to replace the standard 18-55mm from my canon. This is a gem piece to all photographers/videographers to have in their collection, the quality feels strong and smooth to focus for those seeking to do video work with it like myself. Also the bokeh these lens produce is beautiful and sharp, overall I can't mention enough how these lens become of my favorites and will continue holding them for years to come.
Item was well priced for starting bid and it was my good fortune that did not get outbid. Item was exactly as described and as long time owner of that camera system found item to be great quality.
The other 50mm lens I've used is the Pentax DA 50mm 1.8, it was a superb lens, autofocusing accurately and the image is sharp. The SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4, on the other hand, is as sharp, if not sharper. Even at wide open there is no loss to image sharpness. It's only drawback compared to the DA 50mm was the lack of modern autofocus.
Great Experience overall.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Testing so far mounting on Canon T2i with adapter, shows good color and bokeh. However, images are a little soft at wide open (f1.4 and f2). The lens I bought has minor sratches and pitting, but so far I don't see where it has effected image quality. This lens is a must have if you are into using vintage lenses on your digital SLR's.
Have two of these lenses plus a Nikkor 50mm.. The Asahi versions are m42 and smaller than the Nikkor but IMO sharper. Both operate similarly as well. The Asahi versions with 8 elements are simply marvelous lenses.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned