As the oldest lens in the Pentax lineup-it was introduced in 1997-you'd expect the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited ($599.95) to deliver optical performance that's behind the times. But that isn't the case at all.

Sharp; Compact; Wide aperture; Excellent build quality; True standard-angle design

Slow, noisy autofocus; Some barrel distortion; Dim corners at wide apertures; Omits weather sealing

The Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited lens ($749.98 direct)  is a compact all-metal prime lens that can be used with Pentax D-SLRs and the K-01 interchangeable lens camera. When used on an APS-C camera it captures a 64.5mm equivalent field of view, which makes it a long normal or short telephoto...

Pentax smc FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited is one of the only four FA lenses from the company's film era that are still being manufactured and sold nowadays. The lens was the first one to bear 'Limited' designation and despite its rather high price tag, ~US$500, remained quite popular among users.

This is the second of the three Limited lenses from Pentax, originally designed for film and aiming to be of the highest manufacturing and optical standards. The 43mm was actually the first to be released, alongside the MZ-3 film SLR in 1998.

John Riley casts his expert opinion on the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited lens.

High quality of construction; Compact; Built on lens hood; High quality results; Fast maximum aperture

High Price

Similar to its cousins (DA 40mm f/2.8, FA 50mm f/1.4) the Pentax SMC-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited is a very good performer with a few weaknesses. At f/1.9 the contrast and resolution is somewhat soft but beyond the quality is superb and probably as good as it gets on the K10D.

Perhaps the very best normal you can buy.

The review here argues over fractions of a percent in distortion and worries about Vietnamese manufacturing; A photographer who actually uses the FA43 will succumb to the pleasures of a top-class lens with magical imaging.

Price -- but compared to Zeiss, Voigtlander and Leica it is reasonable and worth every penny; Especially as the alternatives do not support auto-focus

43Ltd is a great portrait lens as FA50/1.4 or A50/1.2. And as similar lenses Pentax is sharp, with great color rendition and has a beautiful bokeh. Additionally, it is compact and well built. Highly recomended.

Size; build; sharpness; color rendition

none

What can I say about the mighty 43mm... For those who are not familiar with Pentax this lens as well as the other FA Limited lenses are known in Pentax circles as the 3 amigos. The 31mmm 43mm and 77mm.... These lenses are every bit as sharp as any L Series lens Canon puts out.

This lens is absolute gem. I have both FA50 and FA35 and I was eager to see what will the FA43 be like. It leaves the FA50 in dust and even has a bit edge of appeal against the FA35.

excelenent contrast and bokeh

little bit of CA