I scored this lens super cheap and am really happy with it! Nice color and contrast and center is very sharp from f2. Whole image is razor sharp from f5.6. I am using this lens on a Sony Nex 5n which is APS-C so I don't see the actual corners of the image though. Build quality of this lens is A+, smooth focus ring and aperture clicks. Wide open at f1.7 everything is pretty soft but the center is still sharp enough for portraits. If you shoot wide open at anything strongly lit you will get ghosting and CA but this can be used for artistic effect. Also bokeh when stopped down is hexagonal so that may be a con for you if you like creamy bokeh. Overall I highly recommend this lens.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
the Pentax-A 50 f1.7 is, first of all, a super good value for a very decent lens. I'm using the lens on 35mm B&W film and as far as I can tell, it stays consistently sharp even at the larger apertures. Speaking of apertures, it only has 6 blades, so at smaller apertures the hexagonal bokeh comes into play. Not my favorite thing, but besides that it's an excellent, straight forward lens.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great little lens. Has some heft to it and I'm very confident in its durability. Manual focus is quick, and it has a nice wide aperture for low light and quick shooting. If you're ok with fully manual controls, this is incredible value.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Optically the Pentax A series 50mm 1:1.7 lenses are spectacular and super sharp wide open and just gets better stopped down. IMHO it also has a pleasing bokeh. The price satisfaction ratio with this lens compared to a modern auto focus prime is very high. Also being it is a A series lens you can set the aperture in camera with a modern Pentax DSLR which is a great advantage over older manual lenses. The disadvantage of course is on a modern DSLR you have to focus: and without a proper focus screen it can be a challenge. With a proper focus screen installed you get great pictures. I like this lens and its focal length makes a nice portrait lens and nice for product photography. Also of course being fast it is great indoors in low light.
The images are sharp but using a manual lens is quite a challenge in this autofocus era. But once you get used to it, the images speak for themselves. The lens is compact, heavy and well built. Good focus and aperture rings. No complaints at all with this one.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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