The SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.4, a first-generation K-mount SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.4 (1975 to 1977) manual focus prime, is more than often wrongly misrepresented as the later version SMC Pentax-M 50mm 1:1.4 (1977 to 1984). The later Pentax-M version is lighter, more compact, and has almost similar image characteristics. The lens series, just as well, was not officially referred to as a K-series lens by Pentax, the designation was given to later K-mount lenses (such as the M, A, F, FA, and DA series) produced in tandem with later models cameras.
Introduced by Pentax with the launch of Pentax K-series 35mm SLR film cameras, the lens was in production from 1975 to 1977. It is an all metal and glass 7 elements in 6 groups (with SMC coating) 35mm full frame lens, has an automatic 8-blade diaphragm, an aperture ring with a range from f1.4 to f22, a compact dimension of 63mm (diameter) x 43 mm (length), a minimum focusing distance of 45cm, weighs 265 grams, and takes 52mm filters. The lens is rated for Sharpness at 9.0, Aberrations at 8.6, Bokeh at 9.4, Handling at 9.5, and Value at 9.1 on PentaxForums.
Despite its age, the SMC Pentax 50mm 1:1.4 I tested was still in excellent overall condition. Seen here mounted on the 10MP CCD Pentax K-m, the lens is a joy to handle and use. A nice and compact fit on the Pentax K-m, which in turn, makes the camera a snug fit in the hand. With soft images at wider apertures, the lens is not a contender for a sharp lens award. Bokeh is interesting and the colors are bright (typical of Pentax glass) though, and stopping down to smaller aperture openings improves sharpness significantly.
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