Pentax SMC P-D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens Review

Pentax SMC P-D FA 50mm f/2.8 Macro Handling and Features

The body of this 50mm macro lens is constructed from high quality plastics with a wide rubberised focusing ring and a metal lens mount. The lens only weighs 265g, even so the lens feels quite robust. This lens balances well with the Pentax K-5 IIs body used for testing, due to its light weight and reasonably compact dimensions.

Focusing isn't performed internally, which is normal for a 50mm macro optic, but the 49mm filter thread does not rotate, making it perfect for use with polarising and graduated filters. The wide rubberised manual focusing ring doesn't rotate during auto-focus and the lens is equipped with a 'Quick Shift' system that allows manual adjustments to be applied without having to switch to manual focus mode. Manual focusing action is smooth, but not particularly well damped. To stiffen up the manual focus ring, a switch on the side operates a clamp, which stiffens up the manual focus ring, making fine adjustments easier to apply. Unfortunately the manual focus action feels gritty with the clamp applied. A distance scale is provided, with a reference scale for the magnification achieved. A hyperfocal scale is also provided, but only f/16 and f/32 are marked. The scale is quite compact as well, which makes it of very limited use. 



Although focusing is screw-driven, it locks onto subjects fairly quickly for a macro lens. The older screw-driven system does generate more noise than newer silent focusing lenses do though. No focus limiter is provided to prevent the lens hunting as much if it is difficult to obtain focus.

The minimum focus distance of 19.5cm is typical for a macro lens of this focal length and there is still well over an inch of working distance available.

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