Pentax HD Pentax-DA FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW Lens

In addition to a modified gauss-type rear focus-lens group, the lens also features a group of aberration-correction elements in its front optical group, which effectively compensate for aberrations which cannot be corrected by a modified gauss-type group. The lens therefore assures uniform resolving power and excellent color reproduction from the center to the edges of the image field. Its minimum focusing distance has been reduced to a mere 40 centimeters. By incorporating a powerful, high-torque ring-type ultrasonic wave motor SDM, it also shifts the heavy rear optical group more efficiently and smoothly, for responsive, high-speed autofocus operation.

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.

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.

Newly developed ring-type ultrasonic wave 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.

Image rendition at open aperture

Even at open aperture, the lens optimizes the subject’s beauty and elegance with sharply focused eye areas and fresh, lively skin tones. The natural bokeh effect is another distinguishing feature of this lens.

A minimum focusing distance of 40cm

Thanks to a minimum focusing distance of just 40 centimeters, the lens has the versatility for use in a wide range of subjects and scenes, including the photography of flowers and table settings.

Bokeh effect

Since the lens de-emphasizes the edges of the light source, it creates a natural, true-to-life bokeh effect. It also prevents vignetting from affecting the defocused peripheral areas of the image field, allowing you to emphasize the bokeh effect in the resulting image.

Aero Bright Coating II / HD Coating

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, the lens effectively reduces flare and ghost images to a minimum, even in demanding lighting conditions such as backlighting.

Dustproof, weather-resistant All Weather (AW) construction to optimize

Imaging performance at any time, and in all shooting conditions

Developed as an All Weather (AW) model, the 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 dustproof, 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. It also responds to the exacting demands of professional photographers: its focus ring is ideally shaped to assure firm hold and error-free focusing operation even with a wet or gloved hand; it provides dependable operation at a temperature from -10°C to 40°C; and it features the high-rigidity lens barrel structure required for field photography.

New-generation SDM — a ring-type ultrasonic wave motor that generates 7.5 times more torque than conventional motors

In order to shift the heavy, rear focus-lens group more smoothly and efficiently during focusing operation, the lens features a newly developed ring-type ultrasonic wave motor SDM, which generates as much as 7.5 times the torque of the compact SDM installed in existing DA?-series lenses. Thanks to this enormous driving power, the lens assures high-speed, high-precision autofocus operation. Because of minimal backlash of the focus ring, it also provides responsive manual-focus operation.

Simple, sturdy yet attractive design

The lens barrel has been designed for a superior appearance. It features a panel line accentuated with the leveled construction of parts, and a uniformly designed body line all the way to the exclusive flower-shaped lens hood. Including the gold line symbolic of the Star-series lens and the familiar deep-green ring — a trademark of PENTAX interchangeable lenses — the lens is in keeping with a design concept standardized for both color scheme and parts positioning. This design concept will be applied to future Star-series lenses, as a reminder of the consistency and dependability of the PENTAX Star series.