Early version of Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Silver?

d.bradley · 06-01-2010, 09:48 PM

WITHDRAWN LISTING - NOW A DISCUSSION THREAD

Item Description
This Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens (Silver) was NOS at a small camera shop and acquired in a bulk buy, I'm reselling a few of the lenses I don't see fitting into my lineup. The lens looks to have been on the shelf out of the box and may have been mounted on bodies for demonstration purposes, as there was surface dust on the lens and (velvet-type) hood interior before I cleaned it up for sale. There is no internal dust or indications of wear on the lens. There are however marks on the lens cap shown in the photos. I'm sure you will be pleased with its condition opon arrival. Comes with original box, caps, and documentation.

See example photos at:
Pbase
Pentax Photo Gallery

See reviews at:
Pentax Forums
Photography Review

NIB!

Front

Back

Marks on Lens Cap

Last edited by d.bradley; 06-01-2010 at 11:12 PM.

elpolodiablo · 06-01-2010, 10:03 PM

SN 0003983!! My word this must be an earlier sample, different pouch too.

alfdog · 06-02-2010, 06:26 AM

One of the earlier versions with lead glass I think? I think this is worth more with the older style bag too. Good luck with your sale.

farfisa · 06-02-2010, 06:41 AM

I remember reading something about the early version too which supposedly used special materials in the glass. There were comparison photos with other versions but I can't find the link for all the googling in the world. The conclusion was that the original was sharper and had better CA control.
(But with any test, it could've been sample variation)

d.bradley · 06-02-2010, 07:31 AM

Interesting stuff guys, I really appreciate the insight! I had no idea there were different versions of the lens. Off to do some more research!

---------- Post added 06-02-2010 at 10:39 AM ----------

Here's a link to a forum discussion talking about the differences:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd-14.html

And the discussion picks up again here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd-26.html

Special Standard - Pentax FA 43mm f1.9 Limited - PhotoMalaysia Community

Neat!

alfdog · 06-02-2010, 08:27 AM

found a thread on here

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd-14.html

farfisa · 06-02-2010, 01:54 PM

Yeah, that's it! This is the blog post I was thinking of, which is linked to from those threads:
???? PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited ??-???

You hanging on to it?

Aegon · 06-02-2010, 03:45 PM

I was counting my pennies and arranging a loan from the bank to buy this lens.

Haha, I'm exaggerating, but I was planning to buy it once I convinced the wife.

axl · 06-02-2010, 11:33 PM

Originally posted by elpolodiablo

SN 0003983!! My word this must be an earlier sample, different pouch too.

my is 0003706 with brown pouch again

d.bradley · 06-03-2010, 06:07 AM

I'm kicking myself because I just let go the other more recent black 43mm that came in my bulk buy and I could have done an up-to-date english language comparison of the two lenses. CURSES! Now I'm stuck, I have no idea what to do with this facinating lens.

axl · 06-03-2010, 08:21 AM

Originally posted by d.bradley

I'm kicking myself because I just let go the other more recent black 43mm that came in my bulk buy and I could have done an up-to-date english language comparison of the two lenses. CURSES! Now I'm stuck, I have no idea what to do with this facinating lens.

put it on your camera, go out and start taking pictures...
FA43ltd is one of the most rewarding lenses I have ever used... I gave me 4 PPG acceptances from 1st outing...

alfdog · 06-03-2010, 09:00 AM

Use it or sell it, that wonderful lens has been sitting in a box for way too long.

d.bradley · 06-03-2010, 10:04 AM

Use or sell...yah that's the question. I originally was thinking to sell, as I have my 50/1.4 SMC Takumar which I love to death, and is a little close to the 43mm for my taste, but there is real temptation to slap this one on the K10D for a while and see how it works. Still, i can't help but think that someone out there would appreciate the merits of the early production model more than I would.

Building a lineup is like bringing home a batch of kittens, how do you decide which ones deserve a better home?

farfisa · 06-03-2010, 11:13 AM

I think you have a rare opportunity here. I know you got a good deal on a bunch of those lenses, but who knew you had something that special on your hands?

So, yes, there's money to be made, but anybody could make the money reselling lenses--you happen to have a nice camera that fits this lens!

I think you should try it out. If you don't like it, sell it in a few months. Even though you couldn't sell it as "BNIB," I think you'd get close to what you were asking earlier, maybe more--the price on the 43 isn't going down, and they don't make them like this anymore.

edit-- Oh yeah, is there anything you're keeping from the batch?

d.bradley · 06-03-2010, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by farfisa

I think you have a rare opportunity here. I know you got a good deal on a bunch of those lenses, but who knew you had something that special on your hands?

So, yes, there's money to be made, but anybody could make the money reselling lenses--you happen to have a nice camera that fits this lens!

I think you should try it out. If you don't like it, sell it in a few months. Even though you couldn't sell it as "BNIB," I think you'd get close to what you were asking earlier, maybe more--the price on the 43 isn't going down, and they don't make them like this anymore.

edit-- Oh yeah, is there anything you're keeping from the batch?

I wanted to keep one fancy lens that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise...the 31/1.8. I've wanted that one ever since I switched over from Minolta years ago and sold my then coveted 35/1.4. This silver fox is messing up all my best laid plans.

06-01-2010, 09:48 PM	#1
d.bradley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 631	Early version of Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Silver? WITHDRAWN LISTING - NOW A DISCUSSION THREAD Item Description This Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens (Silver) was NOS at a small camera shop and acquired in a bulk buy, I'm reselling a few of the lenses I don't see fitting into my lineup. The lens looks to have been on the shelf out of the box and may have been mounted on bodies for demonstration purposes, as there was surface dust on the lens and (velvet-type) hood interior before I cleaned it up for sale. There is no internal dust or indications of wear on the lens. There are however marks on the lens cap shown in the photos. I'm sure you will be pleased with its condition opon arrival. Comes with original box, caps, and documentation. See example photos at: Pbase Pentax Photo Gallery See reviews at: Pentax Forums Photography Review NIB! Front Back Marks on Lens Cap Last edited by d.bradley; 06-01-2010 at 11:12 PM.

06-02-2010, 07:31 AM	#5
d.bradley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 631 Original Poster	Interesting stuff guys, I really appreciate the insight! I had no idea there were different versions of the lens. Off to do some more research! ---------- Post added 06-02-2010 at 10:39 AM ---------- Here's a link to a forum discussion talking about the differences: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd-14.html And the discussion picks up again here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd-26.html Special Standard - Pentax FA 43mm f1.9 Limited - PhotoMalaysia Community Neat! Last edited by d.bradley; 06-02-2010 at 12:50 PM.

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06-01-2010, 10:03 PM	#2
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	SN 0003983!! My word this must be an earlier sample, different pouch too.

06-02-2010, 06:26 AM	#3
alfdog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 176	One of the earlier versions with lead glass I think? I think this is worth more with the older style bag too. Good luck with your sale.

06-02-2010, 06:41 AM	#4
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	I remember reading something about the early version too which supposedly used special materials in the glass. There were comparison photos with other versions but I can't find the link for all the googling in the world. The conclusion was that the original was sharper and had better CA control. (But with any test, it could've been sample variation)

06-02-2010, 08:27 AM	#6
alfdog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 176	found a thread on here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd-14.html

06-02-2010, 01:54 PM	#7
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	Yeah, that's it! This is the blog post I was thinking of, which is linked to from those threads: ???? PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited ??-??? You hanging on to it?

06-02-2010, 03:45 PM	#8
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	I was counting my pennies and arranging a loan from the bank to buy this lens. Haha, I'm exaggerating, but I was planning to buy it once I convinced the wife.

06-02-2010, 11:33 PM	#9
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by elpolodiablo SN 0003983!! My word this must be an earlier sample, different pouch too. my is 0003706 with brown pouch again

06-03-2010, 06:07 AM	#10
d.bradley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 631 Original Poster	I'm kicking myself because I just let go the other more recent black 43mm that came in my bulk buy and I could have done an up-to-date english language comparison of the two lenses. CURSES! Now I'm stuck, I have no idea what to do with this facinating lens.

06-03-2010, 08:21 AM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by d.bradley I'm kicking myself because I just let go the other more recent black 43mm that came in my bulk buy and I could have done an up-to-date english language comparison of the two lenses. CURSES! Now I'm stuck, I have no idea what to do with this facinating lens. put it on your camera, go out and start taking pictures... FA43ltd is one of the most rewarding lenses I have ever used... I gave me 4 PPG acceptances from 1st outing...

06-03-2010, 09:00 AM	#12
alfdog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 176	Use it or sell it, that wonderful lens has been sitting in a box for way too long.

06-03-2010, 10:04 AM	#13
d.bradley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 631 Original Poster	Use or sell...yah that's the question. I originally was thinking to sell, as I have my 50/1.4 SMC Takumar which I love to death, and is a little close to the 43mm for my taste, but there is real temptation to slap this one on the K10D for a while and see how it works. Still, i can't help but think that someone out there would appreciate the merits of the early production model more than I would. Building a lineup is like bringing home a batch of kittens, how do you decide which ones deserve a better home?

06-03-2010, 11:13 AM	#14
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	I think you have a rare opportunity here. I know you got a good deal on a bunch of those lenses, but who knew you had something that special on your hands? So, yes, there's money to be made, but anybody could make the money reselling lenses--you happen to have a nice camera that fits this lens! I think you should try it out. If you don't like it, sell it in a few months. Even though you couldn't sell it as "BNIB," I think you'd get close to what you were asking earlier, maybe more--the price on the 43 isn't going down, and they don't make them like this anymore. edit-- Oh yeah, is there anything you're keeping from the batch?

06-03-2010, 11:25 AM	#15
d.bradley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 631 Original Poster	Originally posted by farfisa I think you have a rare opportunity here. I know you got a good deal on a bunch of those lenses, but who knew you had something that special on your hands? So, yes, there's money to be made, but anybody could make the money reselling lenses--you happen to have a nice camera that fits this lens! I think you should try it out. If you don't like it, sell it in a few months. Even though you couldn't sell it as "BNIB," I think you'd get close to what you were asking earlier, maybe more--the price on the 43 isn't going down, and they don't make them like this anymore. edit-- Oh yeah, is there anything you're keeping from the batch? I wanted to keep one fancy lens that I wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise...the 31/1.8. I've wanted that one ever since I switched over from Minolta years ago and sold my then coveted 35/1.4. This silver fox is messing up all my best laid plans.