The smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic Lens is developed for use with PENTAX K-mount digital SLR cameras. This new compact standard lens offers a uniquely distinct design concept, allowing photographers to choose the lens that best fits their style, creative aesthetic, and applications. The new lens is based on the legacy smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 lens, which was launched in 1991 as a standard lens for film-format SLR cameras. Despite its compact dimensions, the lens incorporates large-diameter optical elements that cover the full-frame image circle of K-mount cameras.

Unique Visual Effect

The smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 Classic produces a unique image rendition commonly created by lenses designed 50 years ago. When set to an open aperture and against a strong backlight, it produces a unique visual effect commonly known as a rainbow flare. It retains the retro-classic exterior design of the original smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4, with a black matte finish and a matte-black focus ring.

Distinctive Imaging Characteristics

Through intentional fine-tuning of the lens design, this lens produces a unique visual effect commonly known as rainbow flare when it captures an image at an open aperture and against a strong backlight. It lets the photographer change the position and size of the rainbow flare by shifting the relative position of the subject and light source, creating a unique, one-and-only visual expression not available with the latest lenses. By closing the aperture down to F4 or smaller, the photographer can capture sharper, crisper images that are free of not only rainbow flare but also ordinary flare and ghost images.

Nostalgic Design

This lens retains the exterior design of the smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4, featuring a black matte finish and a matte-black focus ring. It has no green ring, the symbolic design of a recent PENTAX digital-specific lens to recreate the nostalgic appearance of an old-time lens from the film-format SLR era.

Versatile Use

When mounted on a PENTAX digital SLR camera body, this lens can be used as a 50mm standard lens in the full-frame format or a 76.5mm medium-telephoto lens in the APS-C format. With a full-frame camera, it provides an angle of view close to that of the human visual field, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications, such as snapshots, scenic images, and portraiture.

Large Aperture

The large F1.4 open aperture produces images with a very shallow depth of field.

Super Protect Coating

A water- and grease-repellent SP (Super Protect) coating has been applied to the front surface of the lens, making it easier to wipe off water or stains.

Soft and Natural Bokeh

The eight-blade diaphragm control mechanism produces a soft, natural bokeh (defocus) effect from the open aperture to F2.8 and also minimizes the streaking effect of point light sources.

Compatibility

It is designed to be fully compatible with older K-mount digital SLR cameras and film-format AF SLR cameras. The lens allows the photographer to retain all camera functions thanks to the aperture ring installed on the lens body and the mechanism designed to couple the lens with the camera’s motor-driven, in-body AF system.