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SMC Pentax 55mm F2 Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax 55mm F2

Sharpness 
 8.8
Aberrations 
 8.8
Bokeh 
 9.1
Handling 
 9.5
Value 
 9.3
Reviews Views Date of last review
19 92,925 Sun February 9, 2020
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
89% of reviewers $50.18 9.00
SMC Pentax 55mm F2

SMC Pentax 55mm F2
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SMC Pentax 55mm F2
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Description:
This is the cheaper version of the 55mm bayonet lens in the K series. It shares the optical formula and physical dimensions with the F1.8 variant.



SMC Pentax 55mm F2
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (no A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 6 blades
Optics
6 elements, 5 groups
Mount Variant
K
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F2
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
Manual
Min. Focus
45 cm
Max. Magnification
0.17x
Filter Size
52 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 29 ° / 25 °
Full frame: 43 ° / 36 °
Hood
PH-R52
Case
Dedicated hard case
Lens Cap
Plastic clip-on
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
63 x 39 mm
Weight
221 g
Production Years
1976 to 1977
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX 1:2 55mm
Reviews
User reviews
Features:
Manual FocusAperture RingFull-Frame SupportDiscontinued
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax 55mm F2
Author:
Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-15 of 19
New Member

Registered: February, 2019
Posts: 15

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 9, 2020 Not Recommended | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Feels nice
Cons: Images no better than M series 50mm f2 or f1.7
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 7    Camera Used: Mainly film   

A neat lens that takes superb images on par with the superb Series M 50mm lens and the rather plastic A Series of later years. I mainly use film so I don't over-process my images through any on-board digital camera technologies, and minimise any software edits that boost up the actual image.

An f2 never bothers me as I rarely take pictures that need f1.8 or lower.

I can only rate this lovely lens at 7 as, by 2020, the rear lens element (not the rear lens but the next element in) has glued-together glass and this separates after a while, giving a hazy and discordant viewing through the lens. See the diagram, above. I have one like this, and had two f1.8 equivalents that also had varying stages of what is called "separation" that is expensive and difficult to repair. Be careful not to buy one like this. Even if yours looks fine, as the years go by, this design will fail in all lenses due to the mechanics of the material used to snug the glass together. So check yours is in perfect condition by shining an LED torch up the lens to see if you have blooming haze or light discordance in that back end. Don't shine into our eyes directly and don't stare too long.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: July, 2013
Location: People's Republic of America
Posts: 9,895

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: December 31, 2019 Recommended | Price: $27.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, fantastic rendering and build
Cons: None
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K20D, K-r, K10D, K-50, K-S1   

This is one of the hidden gems of the Pentax lineup. Everyone says the SMC-M 50 1.7 is the best value in photography, and it is an absolutely great value. Yet this lens probably edges it by just a little bit. The bokeh is as good as I've ever seen - and I have the SMC K 50 1.2 which I guess sets the bar on bokeh - but this is just about as good albeit slightly different.

The rendering is to die for.

I think the fact that this lens is an f1.8 design artificially "handicapped" to f2 actually makes this the better lens between it and the f1.8 counterpart. If you've been around a while, the old saying is that manufacturer's lenses are always at their best at about 1/3 of a stop down from wide open, which is where they're perfectly sharp. Well with manual lenses that wasn't possible because the first click is always a full stop... but with this one, the "wide open" aperture is 1/3 stop down from the lens design. Which means it's very sharp and the bokeh is like wide open bokeh. Win-win as far as I am concerned! (the "Plastic Fantastic" 35 2.4 lens is built - willingly or not - on the same principle, which is why my copy is super sharp from wide open).

Sharpness - Great as I've said - from wide open.

Microcontrast - I have to mention it because it's great as well. The tone transitions are beautifully rendered.

Rendering - could it be improved? I'm not sure

Aberrations - much better controlled than a K series should be! I don't remember it being a problem, ever... the fact that it's technically not "wide open" even when wide open at f2 might have something to do with that as well.

Handling - perfect

Bokeh - perfect. In-focus to out of focus transition about as good as K 50 1.2.

Recently I bought some metal hoods for my K and M lenses... the 5 dollar ones you find easily online. They have helped with contrast wide open when shooting in harsh light. But beware you should use a smaller hood if you shoot this lens on full frame, I only shoot APS-C.

Here the K 55 f2 is at the very left with its friends M 100 2.8 (center) and K 55 1.2 (hogging the K-50).


Here it is on the K-50 at f2


K20D, f2
red car by ChristianRock, on Flickr

K20D, f2 - in focus to out of focus transition
Leaf in the Water by ChristianRock, on Flickr

K10D, f2 - included because it got a lot of likes on flickr (for my standards...)
Foosball bokeh by ChristianRock, on Flickr

K20D, f5.6
1939 Chevy Painel by ChristianRock, on Flickr

K10D, f2.8
K 55 f2-f2.8 test by ChristianRock, on Flickr
   
Pentaxian

Registered: May, 2016
Posts: 3,722

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 19, 2018 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: sharp, pretty close focus
Cons: CA
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 7    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K3ii   

In the center, at f2 (max aperture) it's at least as sharp as the FA 50/1.4 at f2, with just slightly less contrast; it's much sharper than my M 50/2 at f2. The same holds at f5.6, although by then the M catches up. It's about as large as the FA 50/1.4. Solid build quality.
   
Junior Member

Registered: March, 2017
Location: Vienna
Posts: 28
Review Date: April 2, 2018 Recommended | Price: $60.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: sharp
Cons: none
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K3   

on APS-C a very good old lens.For the first time a had some problems with overexpose but by a little training my problems disappeared an i had some fun with this lens.I can recommend this glass.

   
New Member

Registered: March, 2018
Posts: 8

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: March 21, 2018 Not Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Colour rendition, contrast, build quality and handling
Cons: Sawtooth bokeh from 2.8-4.8 and midframe and corner softness on FF
Sharpness: 6    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 7    Camera Used: Sony a7   

I got a copy of this lens in beautiful condition. The handling and built quality is great. This lens is the same lens as the K55/1.8, but this one has a baffle which stops it mechanically down to f/2.

I tested this lens on a full frame Sony a7.
The bokeh is quite smooth, but the sawtooth bokeh at 2.8 and 4 are really annoying. It's weird that no one mentions this.
Wide open the lens is sharp and contrasty enough in the centre. The centre is at its best at f/5.6 and f/8. The corners improve when stopping down. At F/11 the corners are only "good", not excellent.
The extreme corners never get sharp. The softness is visible at 1:1 magnification on a 28 inch uHD screen.
At f/11 the diffraction kicks in. The centre lose a little bit of sharpness.
The lens is not flare resistance as modern lenses. A lens hood is a must.

On a full frame the lens performs better at close distances. So I can recommend it for portrait use, not for landscapes.
On an APS-C camera the lens should perform way better.
   
New Member

Registered: September, 2016
Posts: 3

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: September 13, 2016 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Value! Sharp at f2.0.
Cons: No a-setting for aperture. Maybe a tad long focus throw.
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-30   

Runs circles around the Pentax-M 50mm f2.0, which is the only other classic normal lens I own. Very nice bokeh and not soft at all at f2.0. Meters perfectly on my K-30. Wonderful build quality. Focus throw is very long, which may or may not be to your liking. All images at f2.0 with corresponding 100% crop.

   
amateur dirt farmer

Registered: December, 2014
Location: probably out in a field somewhere...
Posts: 41,249
Review Date: April 1, 2016 Recommended | Price: $55.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: well-built, superb handling, amazing color rendition
Cons: loss of contrast in strong light

An amazing lens - supposedly less desirable than the K55/1.8, but I cannot see why...

Superb handling due to it's quality construction and well-damped focus ring. Sure, it's not an 'A' lens, so you have to remember to think a bit before you shoot (green button, dude), but how hard is that? You're using a 40-year-old manual lens; you're going to have to be involved in your shot, period.

Color rendition, smooth bokeh, reasonable MFD - it's all here in one package.

I used this lens for the Single In February challenge and it did not disappoint:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157663633315590

If you are wanting to try your hand using manual lenses, this is a good place to start.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: November, 2013
Posts: 1,740

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: June 7, 2015 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: building quality,
Cons: some people might consider too "slow"
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 10    Camera Used: K1000   

The so called K55 mm f2.0 was originally designed as budget kit lens for the original K1000 (the ones with a serial number on the top plate that were produced at the time the other K series were made) in the same way the Takumar 55mm f2 was the kit lens for the SP1000 that the K1000 replaced.

As the Takumar f2 was the same lens as the Takumar f1.8 with a different diaphragm (Pentax didn't produce "cheap" gear, they preferred to de-rate the specs of the upper range and sell it as low range, it's sufficient to remember the case of the SP500), so the K55mm f2.0 is the same optically speaking as the K55mm f1.8, of course the K55s were carry over Taks in new dress so we might say all four lenses are the same and the same considerations apply: they are all very good.

The K55 mm f2.0 is the rarest of these four lenses because the original K1000 was produced for a short lifespan and the lens was available just with the camera while the f1.8 could be bought separately, when the K series was discountinued in the last 70s and the production of the K1000 was supposedly moved to Hong Kong (1979, or at least there are adverts of the first K1000 with brown leatherette from that year) the cameras were delivered with the new budget lens, the M50 mm f2.0.

IMO these lenses are optically superior to the M lenses and I would recommend a K55mm also because the image in the viewfinder is bigger and therefore more 1:1, while M cameras have a bigger viewfinder so the image is alreay at natural size with the 50mm.

Here there are some samples, they are all film, non post processed scans from negative, not that great but true to what you can on print:









   
Inactive Account

Registered: November, 2013
Posts: 9
Review Date: November 9, 2014 Recommended | Price: $40.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: everything
Cons: none
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10   

perfect portrait lens on crop sensor
centre sharp ++++ great colours , smooth quality manual focus
great lens on par with the pentax M 50mm f2
   
New Member

Registered: May, 2013
Location: Jakarta
Posts: 2
Review Date: May 2, 2014 Recommended | Price: $70.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Everything
Cons: None
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 8    Camera Used: K5   

fast, sharpness, color saturation, bokeh, everything is excellent
difficult to find weaknesses of this lens, here are the sample shot:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/roe_groho/sets/72157643498217064/
   
Site Supporter

Registered: November, 2010
Location: California
Posts: 2,223
Review Date: January 26, 2014 Recommended | Price: $80.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Very sharp and contrasty wide open
Cons: The stopping down with green button for some, not me
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-5   

This is an absolutely wonderful lens for portraits, and other subjects:


Big Eyes by Palenquero, on Flickr
   
New Member

Registered: October, 2011
Posts: 5
Review Date: September 28, 2012 Recommended | Price: $45.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, great colors
Cons: None
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 9    Value: 9    Camera Used: K2000   

Not as popular as its "faster" 1.8 sibling, but awesome nonetheless.

I prefer center-sharp lenses as they add more depth to the images, making them appear lifelike.

This lens delivers the goods for so little, an outstanding performance!
   
Site Supporter

Registered: February, 2011
Location: Niagara
Posts: 3,905

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 27, 2012 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Sharp, smooth bokeh
Cons:

Great colour and sharpness from this lens. I had not used it because I have a copy of FA 50/1.4 and it sat with some other film relics I inherited. Had I known of its quality, I might never have purchased the FA 50/1.4 because, besides the extra stop in speed and "A" pin, I find the 55/2 nicer in many aspects.

It is surprisingly sharp. Below, taken at f5.6 using hyperfocal scale:

Market Day by _Matt_T_, on Flickr

It is AMAZINGLY flare resistant. I don't think the FA 50/1.4 would have done so well here:

Sunset on Dialtone by _Matt_T_, on Flickr

The colours are generally stunning:

Calming Lake Ontario by _Matt_T_, on Flickr

And the bokeh is smooth and in my opinion appealing:

Japanese Parasol I (Coprinus plicatilis) by _Matt_T_, on Flickr

In general a very well behaved lens with a useable focal length, especially for portraits:
   
Senior Member

Registered: May, 2012
Posts: 111

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 7, 2012 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, Beautiful Colours, Well Built,
Cons: Focus Ring is a little long if you need to be quick
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-r, K1000   

Used this constantly on my old K1000, then on my K-r afterwards. It's hard to describe how wonderful this lens is as a basic, dependable lens. I've had numerous people comment on it's quality, and it's a great buy, especially as they are now going for around $40 on Ebay.

If you want a lens that is great for plants, portraits, and a few landscapes, this is the one.

I actually never knew of the existence of it's f1.8 brother until now, but I don't think it would make that much of a difference: I get on fine with f2, and it'll probably be cheaper too.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: April, 2010
Location: Tasmania
Posts: 349
Review Date: May 13, 2010 Recommended | Price: $50.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very sharp, excellent bokeh
Cons: Manual

I have only had this lens a short while but it has fast become my favourite. Very sharp pics with excellent bokeh on a K-7 for such a cheap lens. 55mm is an excellent walk around size on a DSLR. I haven't given it a ten as I don't have anything similar to compare it to yet.
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