Pentax SMC-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited

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 ...

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...

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.