Ricoh/Sears 50mm f2 PK mount -best ever 50mm lens?

[stingom]

Hi,
I read in a recent UK magazine called What Digital Camera (August Edition) that this manual lens matches the Nikon 50mm f1.4 and beats the Olympus Zuiko 50mm f1.8 in terms of resolution. I decided to search the web and got some comments that this is one of best 50mm lens ever made. I was surprised. I looked up my own database and found some info rating this lens 4.8 beating Leica R 50mm f2 and f1.2 rated at 4.5. To give you an idea of the rating scale, the Contax Planar 50mm and 85mm f1.4 is rated at 5.0.

Source: Swedish Lens Tests
www.geocities.com/Yosemite/8917/lensrat1.html

aslo see this review:
www.markcassino.com/b2evolution/index.php?title=subjective_impressions_of_k_mount_lenses&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

"Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm f2 (K Compatible): This is rumored to be one of the sharpest lenses ever made for 35mm cameras. I bought an old, clunky, all metal version of this lens for $10 on eBay. I have yet to test it out."

by markcassino.com

I wonder can anyone back this up?

Thanks,
Simon

[stingom]

Here's the data from WDC:

[doubs43]

I have a 50mm f/2 Rikenon in M42 mount. It came on a Ricoh Singlex II a couple of weeks back but I haven't had time to take pictures with it yet except a few at f/2 on my Pentax *ist-DS. That's not a very good way to evaluate it. The lens doesn't have an auto-manual switch and the Pentax won't activate the diaphram so I'm stuck with f/2.

Most accounts I read about Rikenon lenses indicate that they are very good. Considering the prices they currently bring I doubt that you can go wrong with them. That's just my opinion though.

Walker

[John Parry]

Sorry - just a reminder about the Pentacon 50mm



and



Although I forgot to mentiion it at at the time, the feather was less than a quarter inch across. Just what we do!

Regards - John

[doubs43]

I've done a bit of digging and found a Rikenon 50mm f/1.7 lens with an auto-manual switch. I took these images with it on my Pentax *ist-DS camera set for ISO 400. The first two have been cropped and the last two are full-frame. All have been sharpened a little and brightened slightly as it was late when I took these. The bee just happened to come around as I prepared to take pictures of the flowers.

Bumble Bee at f/1.7


Bumble Bee Two at f/1.7


Ferns at f/5.6


Bricks at f/8


IMO the lens is quite good but not earth shaking. It's certainly no better than John's Pentacon or my 55mm f/1.8 Super-Takumar. Still, I wouldn't feel disadvantaged taking it with me on a shoot.

Walker