smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic for images with a unique optical effect
This lens is based on the smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4, which was introduced in 1991 as a standard lens for 35mm SLR cameras.
Due to its large aperture and distinctive image rendering, which differs from today's lenses for digital cameras, it has become increasingly popular, especially in recent years.
The popularity of this lens, which is one of Pentax's best-selling lenses, prompted us to redesign it. On the one hand, we wanted to preserve the special image rendition of the classic, and on the other hand, we wanted to produce a modern Lens that meets the current demands of photography. The result is two lenses, and depending on the photographer's task or creative direction, they can decide which lens to choose.
The smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic has a specific fine-tuning of the lens design, as it creates a unique visual effect commonly known as "Rainbow Flare" when shooting with an open aperture and strong backlight. By changing the framing or position relative to the light source, the photographer can influence the position and size of the effect, making the Lens different from the HD PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4
Distinctive imaging characteristics
By fine-tuning the lens design, this lens has been created to produce a unique visual effect commonly known as rainbow reflection when an image is taken with the aperture open* and in front of strong backlighting.** This allows the photographer to change the position and By shifting the relative position of the subject and light source, the size of the rainbow reflection can be increased, creating this unique visual expression that is not possible with the latest lenses. By reducing the aperture to F4 or smaller, the photographer can also capture sharper, crisper images with minimal flare and ghosting.
* It can be difficult to create rainbow reflections when the Lens is mounted on an APS-C format digital SLR camera, as the camera's image sensor is only designed to utilize the central area of the image circle.
** During shooting, the user is recommended to attach a neutral density filter (ND filter) (included in the standard accessories) or a commercially available ND filter that reduces the light transmission in the Lens to less than 1/16 Lens. When viewing an image through the camera's optical viewfinder, the user is advised to avoid looking directly into strong light sources.
The lens coating of each optical element of the smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic has been fine-tuned to minimize the appearance of unwanted ghosting while retaining those essential for distinctive reproduction.
SP coating
SP Coating is a special coating developed by PENTAX that offers outstanding performance in water and oil repellency. It is used on the front surface of the first high-performance lens to effectively protect the lens surface. This coating not only prevents the adhesion of dust, water droplets, oils and other substances, but also makes it easier to wipe off objects adhering to the lens.
Striking image reproduction
Thanks to its wide open aperture of F1.4, this Lens captures images with a very shallow depth of field. Its eight-blade diaphragm control mechanism creates a smooth, natural bokeh (defocusing) effect from open aperture to F2.8 and also minimizes the streaking effect of point light sources.
Nostalgic design
This Lens retains the exterior design of its base model - the smc PENTAX-FA50mm F1.4 - and features a black matte finish and a matte black focus ring. It has no green ring - the symbolic design of the latest PENTAX brand Lens - to recreate the nostalgic appearance of the interchangeable lenses developed for PENTAX Z-series film format cameras.
Compatibility with older cameras
Thanks to the aperture ring installed on the lens body and the coupling mechanism with the motorized AF system in the camera's body, this lens is fully compatible with older K-mount digital SLR cameras and AF SLR cameras in film format cameras, allowing the photographer to retain all the camera functions of these models.
MTF diagram
Geometric optics MTF (MTF calculated without reference to the effects of the light diffraction phenomenon)
Since it is impossible to avoid the light diffraction phenomenon on the actual lens, the wave optical MTF is more realistic. However, the geometric MTF is suitable if you only want to compare the effects of geometric aberration correction on the MTF.
