HD PENTAX-D FA★50mmF1.4 SDM AW

A new-generation, high-performance Star-series lens delivering superb imaging power and exceptional resolving power

This large-aperture, single-focus standard lens is the newest model in the acclaimed PENTAX Star (★) series — the lineup boasting the best imaging performance of all PENTAX lenses for use with K-mount digital SLR cameras. The lens delivers the superb imaging power demanded of a new-generation, high-performance Star-series lens, assuring exceptional resolving power from the center to the edges of the image field, even when set to open aperture. Thanks to PENTAX-original lens coating technologies — including the latest Aero Bright Coating II assuring exceptionally low reflectance, and the high-grade HD Coating — it produces extra-sharp, high-contrast images free of flare and ghost images. Its dustproof, weather-resistant body also makes it extremely dependable and durable for shooting in demanding outdoor conditions.

Features / Specifications

New-generation, high-performance Star-series lens with large F1.4 maximum aperture

 This lens has been developed as a new-generation member of the high-performance Star series — a lineup designed to deliver extra-clear, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness by compensating various aberrations to a minimum. After conducting an extensive review of the Star-series standards, PENTAX has designed this lens to assure greatly improved resolving power, looking ahead to its use with more advanced, next-generation camera bodies. It provides exceptionally high imaging performance even at open aperture, in addition to a beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect and an outstanding image rendition at close ranges. Developed as the first model of the new-generation Star-series lenses, this large-aperture: standard lens boasts an extra-large F1.4 maximum aperture, useful with many different subjects in a range of applications, including portraiture with an effectively defocused background, and handheld shooting of indoor scenes.

State-of-the-art optical technology

The lens is treated with PENTAX-developed Aero Bright Coating II* — a lens-coating nanotechnology employing a super-low refractive film fabrication process. By coupling this advanced lens coating with the high-grade, multi-layer HD Coating** — which reduces average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum to less than 50% of conventional multi-layer coatings — this lens effectively reduces flare and ghost images to a minimum even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting. By incorporating three super-low dispersion glass elements and one aspherical element in its optics, it effectively compensates chromatic and spherical aberrations, and produces brilliant, high-contrast images with edge-to-edge sharpness. Since it minimizes distortion even at a focusing distance of approximately one meter, it produces crisp, distortion-free images over the entire focusing range, from the minimum focusing distance to infinity.

*A state-of-the-art, PENTAX-original lens coating technology developed from nanotechnology. It applies a silica aerogel layer with a uniform porous structure over a regular multi-coating layer to reduce surface reflections across a wide wavelength range and produce crisp, high-quality images.
**HD stands for High Definition.

HD Coating to enhance imaging performance

The lens incorporates the PENTAX-developed, multi-layer HD (High Definition) Coating. Compared with conventional multi-layer coatings, it improves light transmittance while reducing average reflectance in the visible ray spectrum. This means that it can deliver clear, well-defined images with minimal flare and ghost images, even under demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.

Dustproof, weather-resistant construction

Developed as an AW (All Weather) model, this lens features a dependable dustproof, weather-resistant structure with eight special seals to prevent the intrusion of water and dust into the lens interior. When paired with a PENTAX weather-resistant digital SLR camera body, it forms a durable, reliable digital imaging system that performs superbly in demanding shooting settings — even in rain or mist, or at locations prone to water splashes or spray.

SP Coating

SP coating is a PENTAX-original special coating that provides superior performance in repelling water and oils. It is used on the front surface of the first high-performance lens for effective protection of the lens surface. This coating not only prevents adhesion of dust, water drops, oils, and other substances, but it also makes it easy to wipe off objects that adhere to the lens.

Comparison of dirt adhesion (oil-based ink) A lens surface treated with SP Coating has a very smooth surface without the adhesion of the oil-based ink.	Comparison of wipe-off (oil-based ink)  A lens surface treated with SP Coating can be wiped clean more easily and completely, even after the ink has dried.

Supersonic AF motor (SDM) This lens features a newly developed ring-type SDM (Supersonic Direct-drive Motor), which generates as much as 7.5 times the torque of the conventional SDM installed in existing lenses. Thanks to this enormous driving power, the lens assures a smooth, high-speed shift of the heavy, multi-element rear lens group during focusing operation.

Lens Hood  included

In addition to a variety of features, such as our unique multi-coating and the prevention of reflections in the lens barrel, a large special lens hood is included with this PENTAX lens to minimise ghosting and flare that occurs in backlit and other adverse conditions. As such, the lens hood is an integral part of the optical system and should always be used when using the lens. Most PENTAX lenses are designed so that the lens tip does not rotate when zooming and focusing to facilitate the use of circular polarising filters. This is further supported by a small window in the lower part of the aperture to allow the circular polarising filter to be operated.

PENTAX K Mount

The lens mounts for PENTAX interchangeable lenses are based on the bayonet K mount, which has remained unchanged since its inception in 1975. It is a mount unique to PENTAX that features a large aperture combined with superior ease of replacement, accuracy, and toughness. These features are utilized to comfortably incorporate an iris control mechanism, autofocus mechanism, and other functions for enabling nearly complete compatibility with conventional lenses. The PENTAX K Mount keeps its advanced versatility despite differences in camera and lens functions.

Others

1. Nine-blade, round-shaped diaphragm to produce a natural, beautiful bokeh (defocus) effect up to F2.8 aperture: setting, while minimizing the streaking effect of point light sources

2. A minimum focusing distance of 40 centimeters, effective in capturing images with a defocus effect

3. Electromagnetic diaphragm-control mechanism,* for flawless, high-precision exposure control during movie recording
* This mechanism is available when the lens is mounted on a K-1 Mark II, K-1, K-3 II, KP, K-70, K-3, K-S2 or K-S1, K-50 camera body.

4. Quick-Shift Focus system, which allows the user to instantly switch to manual-focus operation after the subject is captured in focus by the camera’s AF system.

【MTF Chart】 

Geometric optics MTF (MTF calculated without referencing the effects of light diffraction phenomenon) 

F1.4

F4

F8

Wave optical MTF (MTF calculated referencing the effects of light diffraction phenomenon) 

F1.4

Spatial Frequencies	S:Sagittal	M:Meridional
10 lines/mm
30 lines/mm

MTF chart information

MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) is a kind of index used to evaluate lens performance, which represents the extent of subject contrast reproduction as spatial frequency.
The MTF chart here shows the contrast on the vertical axis, and distance from the center of the image on the horizontal axis. For the spatial frequency, 10 lines/mm shows a low frequency, and 30 lines/mm shows a high frequency, resulting in the MTF graph. On the graph, the solid line represents the S direction (sagittal direction and radiation direction) MTF, and the broken line represents the M direction (meridional direction and concentric circular direction) MTF.
In general, a low-frequency MTF is proof of a clear, high-contrast lens, and a high-frequency MTF is proof of a sharp lens with high resolving power.

 Sample Images

Aperture: F5.6, Shutter speed: 1/100sec, Focal length: 50mm, White balance: Auto, ISO sensitivity: 200, Finishing touch/Custom image: Portrait  Photo by Masatsugu Ide

Aperture: F4.0, Shutter speed: 1/200sec, Focal length: 50mm, White balance: CTE, ISO sensitivity: 100, Finishing touch/Custom image: Muted  Photo by Kiyotaka Kitajima

Aperture: F2.0, Shutter speed: 1/320sec, Focal length: 50mm, White balance: Daylight, ISO sensitivity: 100, Finishing touch/Custom image: Natural  Photo by Yoshiaki Kobayashi

Aperture: F9.0, Shutter speed: 1/60sec, Focal length: 50mm, White balance: Auto, ISO sensitivity: 100, Finishing touch/Custom image: Landscape  Photo by Yoshiaki Kobayashi

Aperture: F2.2, Shutter speed: 1/800sec, Focal length: 50mm, White balance: Auto, ISO sensitivity: 200, Finishing touch/Custom image: Portrait  Photo by Masatsugu Ide

Aperture: F8.0, Shutter speed: 1/400sec, Focal length: 50mm, White balance: Daylight, ISO sensitivity: 100, Finishing touch/Custom image: Bright  Photo by Yoshiaki Kobayashi

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