prime35mmvintage
SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.7
Pentax · 1977-1984
The quintessential Pentax standard lens. Compact, sharp, and affordable with excellent build quality. The SMC coating delivers superb contrast and flare resistance. A perfect introduction to manual focus photography.
Known for
- General photography
- Portraits
- Street photography
- Learning manual focus
Considerations
- 6 aperture blades
- Not as fast as f/1.4
Optical Characteristics
Sharpness (wide)4/5
Sharpness (stopped)5/5
Contrast5/5
Flare Resistance5/5
CA Control4/5
Vignetting Control4/5
Distortion Control5/5
Bokeh: Smooth, pleasant rendering
Rendering: Classic Pentax character
Color: Neutral with good saturation
Common Issues
- Focus ring stiffness
- Sticky aperture blades
Buying Guide
Extremely common and affordable. Check aperture operation and focus smoothness. One of the best value lenses available.
Specifications
MountPentax K
Focal Length50mm
Max Aperturef/1.7
Min Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades6
Min Focus0.45m
Filter Size49mm
Weight190g
Optical Design
FormulaDouble Gauss
Elements6
Groups5
CoatingSMC (Pentax)
Pricing
£25 - £60
Typical used price
Mint: ~£90
Excellent value standard lens
Adapts To
Sony EFujifilm XCanon RFMicro Four Thirds
Compatible Cameras
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Last verified: Jan 2026Report an error