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Pentax SMC-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited

Rating 4.4 21 reviews
Manufacturer: Pentax
price $1,015.19
PriceGrabber
19 years ago

43mm limited

This lens is the brother of the 77mm and it has the "3d effect." Color rendition and contrast are great. The lens build quality is top notch all metal. Very happy with this lens and the ideal normal length in my opinion.
Pros:
  • Build quality
  • color rendition and contrast
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PC Magazine
13 years ago

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited

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.
Pros:
  • Sharp
  • Compact
  • Wide aperture
  • Excellent build quality
  • True standard-angle design
Cons:
  • Slow, noisy autofocus
  • Some barrel distortion
  • Dim corners at wide apertures
  • Omits weather sealing
Read more on PC Magazine
itreviews.com
13 years ago

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited

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...
Read more on itreviews.com
B&H Photo
10 years ago

Maybe the Best in the Pentax Stable

Fast, incredibly sharp, quick focusing, excellent in indoor light and highly compact..... This is a gem of a lens. I had it and then sold it because I have some good lens in the 30-50mm range. But as I was going through my Lightroom catalogue, I just loved the shots I had with this lens.
Read more on B&H Photo
PC Magazine
9 years ago

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Review

The Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited is the oldest lens that Pentax still makes, but its performance has withstood the test of time, and it captures the perfect standard-angle field of view on a full-frame camera. 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. The svelte, all-metal prime lens is quite sharp, even when paired with the high-resolution full-frame Pentax K-1 ($1,599.00 at Amazon) . It lacks some modern features, including weather sealing and an in-lens focus motor, but it's still the best standard-angle lens you can get for a full-frame Pentax, so we're naming it Editors' Choice. DesignThe FA 43mm ($596.95 at Amazon) set the tone for the Limited series. It's very small, at just 1.1 by 2.5 inches (HD) without its lens hood. It extends when focused close by about a quarter inch. It weighs just 5.5 ounces and supports 49mm front filters. The hood adds about a half inch to the height, but a negligbile amount of weight. A slip-on metal cap is included. Older versions of the FA 43mm are marked Made in Japan, while newer copies...
Pros:
  • Sharp
  • Compact
  • Wide aperture
  • Excellent build quality
  • True standard-angle design
Cons:
  • Slow, noisy autofocus
  • Some barrel distortion
  • Dim corners at wide apertures
  • Omits weather sealing
Read more on PC Magazine
PC Magazine
4 years ago

Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Review

The Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited introduces some small, but thoughtful, upgrades to one of photography's timeless lenses. Pentax's Limited lenses have garnered plenty of acclaim and won their share of devotees over their twenty-plus years of existence. The oldest, the SMC FA 43mm F1.9 Limited, debuted in 1997 and is getting a modest refresh in its twenty-fifth year. The new Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited ($599.95) improves flare resistance, adds anti-smudge protection to the front glass, and swaps a polygonal aperture for a circular one. The changes aren't huge, but the new HD FA 43mm is just as lovely a lens as the original and an Editors' Choice winner just the same.For Cameras New and Old Some cosmetic changes aside, the HD FA 43mm looks and handles just like the original SMC edition. It's strikingly small, especially when you leave off its threaded hood. The lens measures just 1.1 by 2.5 inches (HD), weighs 5.5 ounces, and supports 49mm threaded filters. The barrel is aluminum and the lens is available in your choice of black or silver. We received the black edition for review. Our Experts ...
Pros:
  • Slim and sharp with f/1.9 aperture
  • Optics show exceptional character
  • Aperture ring for 35mm SLR and mirrorless cameras
  • Rounded aperture blades for circular highlights
  • HD coating improves flare resistance
  • Anti-smudge fluorine SP coating
Cons:
  • Skips weather protection and Quick Shift focus
  • Chromatic aberration is apparent
  • Shows some focus breathing
  • Busy bokeh look isn't for everyone
Read more on PC Magazine
photozone.de
18 years ago

Pentax SMC-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited - Review / Test Report

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.
Read more on photozone.de
SLR Lens and Camera Reviews
16 years ago

Pentax smc FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens Review

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.
Read more on SLR Lens and Camera Reviews
slrgear.com
16 years ago

Pentax 43mm f/1.9 Limited SMC P-FA review by elho_cid

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.
Pros:
  • excelenent contrast and bokeh
Cons:
  • little bit of CA
Read more on slrgear.com
photodo
15 years ago

REVIEW: SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens

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.
Read more on photodo
4.4 from 21 reviews
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