To those who own the FA50mm 1.4 and the FA43mm 1.9

rustynail925 · 05-17-2010, 09:37 AM

so despite the FA43 being wider and slower @1.9
it has better bokeh/OOF than the FA50 @1.4
Am i right??

HermanLee · 05-17-2010, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by rustynail925

so despite the FA43 being wider and slower @1.9
it has better bokeh/OOF than the FA50 @1.4
Am i right??

Is this what you're looking for?
If yes, some of us probably can help you to take some shots to show the BOKEH comparison between the two at f/2.
I have FA43 & F50/1.4 not the FA50/1.4 because I sold it after finding out the F50/1.4 gives me slightly better exposure than the F50/1.4
F & FA version is very similar actually but some rate the F50 slightly higher and I'm one of them after owning both lenses.

If you'd like, let us know what kind of subject & setting you'd want to see and maybe we can help.

legacyb4 · 05-17-2010, 01:01 PM

43mm F1.9 @ ISO 400

A 50mm F1.4 @ ISO 400 (same bokeh/OOF characteristics of FA 50mm)

Mechan1k · 05-17-2010, 01:08 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
FA43 seems a nicer image ... the Bokeh isn't as busy by the looks of it. And the colours look better in it as well. Along with it being a sharper image as well.

JeffJS · 05-17-2010, 01:19 PM

I never did such shots with the FA50 but here is one with the 43Ltd

f5.6

f2.0

I can't knock the 50 in terms of IQ, it's a good lens but the 43 (complete with it's pixie dust) I think is far more pleasing in results.

drool

**rparmar** · 05-17-2010, 04:16 PM

Please read my thread FA43 too soft? for test shots and discussion.

The FA 43mm Limited might well be the best lens Pentax has ever made. It is the only one they released in a Leica mount, which says something.

Blue · 05-18-2010, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

Please read my thread FA43 too soft? for test shots and discussion.

The FA 43mm Limited might well be the best lens Pentax has ever made. It is the only one they released in a Leica mount, which says something.

That also supports my theory that not only did the 43 get Pixie dust, it got left handed Pixie dust.

rustynail925 · 05-18-2010, 08:09 AM

Thanks for the examples

rustynail925 · 05-18-2010, 08:10 AM

Originally posted by HermanLee

If you'd like, let us know what kind of subject & setting you'd want to see and maybe we can help.

any subjects and a blurred background is enough. People, flowers, objects

Pentaxor · 05-18-2010, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by rustynail925

any subjects and a blurred background is enough. People, flowers, objects

rusty, what exactly are you looking for? a fast 50 portrait lens?

I would give my vote to the FA43 anytime against the FA50/1.4.
I'm not saying that the FA50/1.4 is a bad lens, but it seems to lack something or find it mediocre for my taste. I don't think that you will need the extra stop speed if your concern is only about bokeh since the FA43 has a great bokeh.

Ketsuppi11 · 05-19-2010, 03:43 PM

According to photozone Fa50mm is sharper at F2 than 43mm is at 1.9.

A bit surprising for me...

wlachan · 05-19-2010, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

Please read my thread FA43 too soft? for test shots and discussion.

I am not sure if I should laugh or just ignore it, but feel that it should be pointed out, though any sane photographers should have already known. Any jpegs being displayed at such low resolution will be sharp. The first 3 samples you have shown are both small and over-sharpen. I can pull any of my blurry shots, downsize them and sharpen, I guarantee they will be very sharp. I maintain my view that the FA43 is soft wide open on film or digital, but that's not my point here. If anyone tried to prove something, at least post 100% crop, not downsized jpegs which make no sense at all. I know I will be bashed, but something has to be pointed out.

Originally posted by rparmar

The FA 43mm Limited might well be the best lens Pentax has ever made. It is the only one they released in a Leica mount, which says something.

Optically, FA31 is one of the best Pentax ever made (others include A*85/1.4 & A*200/4 Macro IMHO). The FA43 suffers from poor wide open sharpness, donut bokeh, weak edge/corner sharpness and barrel distortions on FF (film). I remember vividly back them people acknowledged the weakness and defended that it was due to the lack of computerized design. The design was based on the subjective evaluation of the designer. Since the digital age, people take a different turn and made it an awesome design (partly due to the weakness being cropped out I guess because it is indeed very sharp one stop down on APS-C). BTW, the Leica version was never popular or sold well. It was weak against the Leica lenses by all account.

**rparmar** · 05-19-2010, 04:23 PM

Originally posted by wlachan

I know I will be bashed, but something has to be pointed out.

You will only be bashed for your inability to read what was clearly stated.

The thread referred to does contain 100% crops. Maybe you didn't get that far? They show even more clearly than the web-reduced images the superiority of the FA43.

Also try to realise that the demos are not meant to be an extensive tests, and in no way pretend to be. Rather they are "real world" demonstrative tests. In other words, I test by doing things the way I normally would, not by setting up special cases. These limitations are clearly stated.

There are plenty of MTF tests that corroborate the info I have presented. Some of these are quoted verbatim.

Originally posted by wlachan

Optically, FA31 is one of the best Pentax ever made

But not as good as the FA43 which is sharper everywhere except in the corners wide open. And rarely is that a problem in real use situations. (I would not recommend an FA43 for copy work but then again it doesn't have the magnification so the issue is moot.)

Originally posted by wlachan

BTW, the Leica version was never popular or sold well. It was weak against the Leica lenses by all account.

That is not based on fact at all, but due to the mythic belief that Leica is just better. This is fully covered in this post.

Please note that in none of this am I stating the FA43 is a perfect lens or the best ever in the world at any cost. I do believe it is the best Pentax has produced (or at least among the very best) and at its price is an absolute bargain.

Danny Delcambre · 05-19-2010, 04:31 PM

I have FA 50mm 1.4. It have so much Bokeh but change to f20 or f22 are no bokeh.
It alwaus perfect exposure. Very Cool. I would like to have FA31ltd in future.

Voe · 05-19-2010, 05:05 PM

The 43mm Limited is sharp enough wide open to not call it soft, it's sharp as most other lenses wide open. And most lenses wide open don't reach corner sharpness until stopped down a little.

Here are full size untouched samples of 43mm Limited wide open for all who say that the lens is soft wide open (go and view Original in flickr):
Pentax FA 43mm Limited @ f/1.9 - a set on Flickr

05-19-2010, 03:57 PM	#27
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by rparmar Please read my thread FA43 too soft? for test shots and discussion. I am not sure if I should laugh or just ignore it, but feel that it should be pointed out, though any sane photographers should have already known. Any jpegs being displayed at such low resolution will be sharp. The first 3 samples you have shown are both small and over-sharpen. I can pull any of my blurry shots, downsize them and sharpen, I guarantee they will be very sharp. I maintain my view that the FA43 is soft wide open on film or digital, but that's not my point here. If anyone tried to prove something, at least post 100% crop, not downsized jpegs which make no sense at all. I know I will be bashed, but something has to be pointed out. Originally posted by rparmar The FA 43mm Limited might well be the best lens Pentax has ever made. It is the only one they released in a Leica mount, which says something. Optically, FA31 is one of the best Pentax ever made (others include A85/1.4 & A200/4 Macro IMHO). The FA43 suffers from poor wide open sharpness, donut bokeh, weak edge/corner sharpness and barrel distortions on FF (film). I remember vividly back them people acknowledged the weakness and defended that it was due to the lack of computerized design. The design was based on the subjective evaluation of the designer. Since the digital age, people take a different turn and made it an awesome design (partly due to the weakness being cropped out I guess because it is indeed very sharp one stop down on APS-C). BTW, the Leica version was never popular or sold well. It was weak against the Leica lenses by all account. Last edited by wlachan; 05-19-2010 at 04:10 PM.

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05-17-2010, 09:37 AM	#16
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	so despite the FA43 being wider and slower @1.9 it has better bokeh/OOF than the FA50 @1.4 Am i right??

05-17-2010, 10:49 AM	#17
HermanLee Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern California, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 729	Originally posted by rustynail925 so despite the FA43 being wider and slower @1.9 it has better bokeh/OOF than the FA50 @1.4 Am i right?? Is this what you're looking for? If yes, some of us probably can help you to take some shots to show the BOKEH comparison between the two at f/2. I have FA43 & F50/1.4 not the FA50/1.4 because I sold it after finding out the F50/1.4 gives me slightly better exposure than the F50/1.4 F & FA version is very similar actually but some rate the F50 slightly higher and I'm one of them after owning both lenses. If you'd like, let us know what kind of subject & setting you'd want to see and maybe we can help.

05-17-2010, 01:01 PM	#18
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	43mm F1.9 @ ISO 400 A 50mm F1.4 @ ISO 400 (same bokeh/OOF characteristics of FA 50mm)

05-17-2010, 01:08 PM	#19
Mechan1k Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,891	^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ FA43 seems a nicer image ... the Bokeh isn't as busy by the looks of it. And the colours look better in it as well. Along with it being a sharper image as well.

05-17-2010, 01:19 PM	#20
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	I never did such shots with the FA50 but here is one with the 43Ltd f5.6 f2.0 I can't knock the 50 in terms of IQ, it's a good lens but the 43 (complete with it's pixie dust) I think is far more pleasing in results.

05-17-2010, 04:16 PM	#21
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Please read my thread FA43 too soft? for test shots and discussion. The FA 43mm Limited might well be the best lens Pentax has ever made. It is the only one they released in a Leica mount, which says something.

05-18-2010, 07:25 AM	#22
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by rparmar Please read my thread FA43 too soft? for test shots and discussion. The FA 43mm Limited might well be the best lens Pentax has ever made. It is the only one they released in a Leica mount, which says something. That also supports my theory that not only did the 43 get Pixie dust, it got left handed Pixie dust.

05-18-2010, 08:09 AM	#23
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Thanks for the examples

05-18-2010, 08:10 AM	#24
rustynail925 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551 Original Poster	Originally posted by HermanLee If you'd like, let us know what kind of subject & setting you'd want to see and maybe we can help. any subjects and a blurred background is enough. People, flowers, objects

05-18-2010, 02:02 PM	#25
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by rustynail925 any subjects and a blurred background is enough. People, flowers, objects rusty, what exactly are you looking for? a fast 50 portrait lens? I would give my vote to the FA43 anytime against the FA50/1.4. I'm not saying that the FA50/1.4 is a bad lens, but it seems to lack something or find it mediocre for my taste. I don't think that you will need the extra stop speed if your concern is only about bokeh since the FA43 has a great bokeh.

05-19-2010, 03:43 PM	#26
Ketsuppi11 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Photos: Albums Posts: 217	According to photozone Fa50mm is sharper at F2 than 43mm is at 1.9. A bit surprising for me...

05-19-2010, 04:23 PM	#28
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by wlachan I know I will be bashed, but something has to be pointed out. You will only be bashed for your inability to read what was clearly stated. The thread referred to does contain 100% crops. Maybe you didn't get that far? They show even more clearly than the web-reduced images the superiority of the FA43. Also try to realise that the demos are not meant to be an extensive tests, and in no way pretend to be. Rather they are "real world" demonstrative tests. In other words, I test by doing things the way I normally would, not by setting up special cases. These limitations are clearly stated. There are plenty of MTF tests that corroborate the info I have presented. Some of these are quoted verbatim. Originally posted by wlachan Optically, FA31 is one of the best Pentax ever made But not as good as the FA43 which is sharper everywhere except in the corners wide open. And rarely is that a problem in real use situations. (I would not recommend an FA43 for copy work but then again it doesn't have the magnification so the issue is moot.) Originally posted by wlachan BTW, the Leica version was never popular or sold well. It was weak against the Leica lenses by all account. That is not based on fact at all, but due to the mythic belief that Leica is just better. This is fully covered in this post. Please note that in none of this am I stating the FA43 is a perfect lens or the best ever in the world at any cost. I do believe it is the best Pentax has produced (or at least among the very best) and at its price is an absolute bargain.

05-19-2010, 04:31 PM	#29
Danny Delcambre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 550	I have FA 50mm 1.4. It have so much Bokeh but change to f20 or f22 are no bokeh. It alwaus perfect exposure. Very Cool. I would like to have FA31ltd in future.

05-19-2010, 05:05 PM	#30
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719	The 43mm Limited is sharp enough wide open to not call it soft, it's sharp as most other lenses wide open. And most lenses wide open don't reach corner sharpness until stopped down a little. Here are full size untouched samples of 43mm Limited wide open for all who say that the lens is soft wide open (go and view Original in flickr): Pentax FA 43mm Limited @ f/1.9 - a set on Flickr