FA 43mm f1.9 Limited

theunartist · 02-13-2012, 09:14 AM

I am looking at this lens, but it is not the silver color but black. Great shape, rave reviews here but was wondering if there are any inherent differences between the silver or black? Is one more collectible and/or pricey than the other?

PF Reviews: SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Thanks, Rick

BillS · 02-13-2012, 09:22 AM - **1 Like**

The silver tends to sell for me, it's less common and more collectible. But they are otherwise identical. As far as I can tell, silver is still made (so new ones are MIV vs MIJ)

If you want to collect it, get an early serial number (and MIJ) and silver.

If you just want a camera lens, buy the cheapest one.

(What is what I did.)

**jatrax** · 02-13-2012, 09:23 AM - **1 Like**

Silver seems to always be more expensive at auction, so collectible value is definitely higher. But optically it is the same lens, just a different paint job.

theunartist · 02-13-2012, 09:31 AM

That's good to know they're identical builds! I am looking at one locally, and it's not anywhere near how much the silver ones seem to go for (reviews section)...

Ubuntu_user · 02-13-2012, 10:11 AM

The silver coating seems to be more durable than the regular black (possibly because of anodizing vs paint?) in my experience...

axl · 02-14-2012, 01:51 AM - **1 Like**

It's funny with 43s. I went through 4 copies. 3x silver MIJ and one black MIJ. Have a look at this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd.html

To sum things up:
Silver MIJ come around often
Black MIJ seem to be rare (or at least not as available as silver)
Build may vary between batches but not noticeably so
First series of silver (first ever made) (most probably) used leaded glass and/or different coatings.
The early series with brown pouches seem to fetch more.
Black MIJ sells for as much as silver MIJ
And as poster above wrote, the silver finish is way more durable because of anodization vs painting the lens

My 2p

MegaPower · 02-14-2012, 02:30 AM

They are the same. pick the one you like.

**felixkh** · 02-14-2012, 06:09 AM

Here in Singapore, both are priced the same. Here we need to pay at least USD $933.40 for either version.

axl · 02-14-2012, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by MegaPower

They are the same..

I used to think so too, but sadly that's not true...

theunartist · 02-14-2012, 04:32 PM

Originally posted by axl

It's funny with 43s. I went through 4 copies. 3x silver MIJ and one black MIJ. Have a look at this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd.html

To sum things up:
Silver MIJ come around often
Black MIJ seem to be rare (or at least not as available as silver)
Build may vary between batches but not noticeably so
First series of silver (first ever made) (most probably) used leaded glass and/or different coatings.
The early series with brown pouches seem to fetch more.
Black MIJ sells for as much as silver MIJ
And as poster above wrote, the silver finish is way more durable because of anodization vs painting the lens

My 2p

Is this the synopsis of the 29 page thread? I don't have the heart to go through all 29 pages

Originally posted by axl

I used to think so too, but sadly that's not true...

Are they not optically the same?

dgaies · 02-14-2012, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by theunartist

Are they not optically the same?

The optical formulas are identical, as is the build quality as far as I can tell (and I've had my share of copies of the 43 over the past few years).

The older copies of the FA43 are reported to use leaded glass and/or different coatings. This may very well be the case, although I'm not 100% sure anyone has confirmed this with 100% certainty. Whether this has an impact on IQ is another story. I personally think there are more differences just from sample variation between 43 lenses (of all types) than there is between types of 43 lenses based on their age and/or color.

zapp · 02-15-2012, 07:29 AM

I don't think a silver lens is more collectable just because it is silver - I also don't care about people paying more for the same lens in a different color/finish... 20 years ago black was considered the pro color - you wanted a black Nikon camera not a chrome version. Most photographers wear black clothes... Silver is more shiny than black. For me the black lens would have all the advantages. Selling gear in different color or finishing is a marketing gag. Seems like many people fall for it.

fikkser · 02-15-2012, 09:52 AM

Sorry for hi-jacking this thread.

I'm in love with all pics I've seen from the FA 43. I must get it, even tho I got the FA 35 and DA 40. :S

The problem is that the price is up to about 600£ or 1000 dollars (with tax). Thats more than it used to be just a year or two ago. Is that how much I'll have to be prepared to pay?

Anyone got tips about some cheap european store/ebay site?

axl · 02-15-2012, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by fikkser

Sorry for hi-jacking this thread.

I'm in love with all pics I've seen from the FA 43. I must get it, even tho I got the FA 35 and DA 40. :S

The problem is that the price is up to about 600£ or 1000 dollars (with tax). Thats more than it used to be just a year or two ago. Is that how much I'll have to be prepared to pay?

Anyone got tips about some cheap european store/ebay site?

keep and eye on marketplace here or pentaxuser.co.uk. Used 43s come regularly between £400-£450.

Good luck

axl · 02-15-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by theunartist

Is this the synopsis of the 29 page thread? I don't have the heart to go through all 29 pages

Are they not optically the same?

I wouldn't call in synopsis... I've read the thread back in the days, and if I remember correctly there is a link somewhere there which is related to different versions of 43Ltd. In that linked thread you'll find examples of how early version renders differently to later ones. I have witnessed this myself as my black 43 copy was WAY cooler in tone than my DA*55 yet all three silver copies were warmer!

Optical design is the same (in fact it's the same as used for 50/1.4 and 1.2 with very minor tweaks IMO) but the coatings and/or glass used on 43s did change over the length of production of the lens. There are too many folks reporting this for it to be a sample variations

my 2p

02-13-2012, 09:14 AM	#1
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542	FA 43mm f1.9 Limited I am looking at this lens, but it is not the silver color but black. Great shape, rave reviews here but was wondering if there are any inherent differences between the silver or black? Is one more collectible and/or pricey than the other? PF Reviews: SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Reviews - FA Prime Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Thanks, Rick

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02-13-2012, 09:22 AM - 1 Like	#2
BillS Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Holliston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 68	The silver tends to sell for me, it's less common and more collectible. But they are otherwise identical. As far as I can tell, silver is still made (so new ones are MIV vs MIJ) If you want to collect it, get an early serial number (and MIJ) and silver. If you just want a camera lens, buy the cheapest one. (What is what I did.)

02-13-2012, 09:23 AM - 1 Like	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Silver seems to always be more expensive at auction, so collectible value is definitely higher. But optically it is the same lens, just a different paint job.

02-13-2012, 09:31 AM	#4
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542 Original Poster	That's good to know they're identical builds! I am looking at one locally, and it's not anywhere near how much the silver ones seem to go for (reviews section)...

02-13-2012, 10:11 AM	#5
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	The silver coating seems to be more durable than the regular black (possibly because of anodizing vs paint?) in my experience...

02-14-2012, 01:51 AM - 1 Like	#6
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	It's funny with 43s. I went through 4 copies. 3x silver MIJ and one black MIJ. Have a look at this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd.html To sum things up: Silver MIJ come around often Black MIJ seem to be rare (or at least not as available as silver) Build may vary between batches but not noticeably so First series of silver (first ever made) (most probably) used leaded glass and/or different coatings. The early series with brown pouches seem to fetch more. Black MIJ sells for as much as silver MIJ And as poster above wrote, the silver finish is way more durable because of anodization vs painting the lens My 2p

02-14-2012, 02:30 AM	#7
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	They are the same. pick the one you like.

02-14-2012, 06:09 AM	#8
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Here in Singapore, both are priced the same. Here we need to pay at least USD $933.40 for either version.

02-14-2012, 02:19 PM	#9
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by MegaPower They are the same.. I used to think so too, but sadly that's not true...

02-14-2012, 04:32 PM	#10
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542 Original Poster	Originally posted by axl It's funny with 43s. I went through 4 copies. 3x silver MIJ and one black MIJ. Have a look at this thread: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/31678-about-fa-43mm-ltd.html To sum things up: Silver MIJ come around often Black MIJ seem to be rare (or at least not as available as silver) Build may vary between batches but not noticeably so First series of silver (first ever made) (most probably) used leaded glass and/or different coatings. The early series with brown pouches seem to fetch more. Black MIJ sells for as much as silver MIJ And as poster above wrote, the silver finish is way more durable because of anodization vs painting the lens My 2p Is this the synopsis of the 29 page thread? I don't have the heart to go through all 29 pages Originally posted by axl I used to think so too, but sadly that's not true... Are they not optically the same?

02-14-2012, 04:51 PM	#11
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by theunartist Are they not optically the same? The optical formulas are identical, as is the build quality as far as I can tell (and I've had my share of copies of the 43 over the past few years). The older copies of the FA43 are reported to use leaded glass and/or different coatings. This may very well be the case, although I'm not 100% sure anyone has confirmed this with 100% certainty. Whether this has an impact on IQ is another story. I personally think there are more differences just from sample variation between 43 lenses (of all types) than there is between types of 43 lenses based on their age and/or color.

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02-15-2012, 07:29 AM	#12
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	I don't think a silver lens is more collectable just because it is silver - I also don't care about people paying more for the same lens in a different color/finish... 20 years ago black was considered the pro color - you wanted a black Nikon camera not a chrome version. Most photographers wear black clothes... Silver is more shiny than black. For me the black lens would have all the advantages. Selling gear in different color or finishing is a marketing gag. Seems like many people fall for it.

02-15-2012, 09:52 AM	#13
fikkser Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Borlänge, Sweden Posts: 373	Sorry for hi-jacking this thread. I'm in love with all pics I've seen from the FA 43. I must get it, even tho I got the FA 35 and DA 40. :S The problem is that the price is up to about 600£ or 1000 dollars (with tax). Thats more than it used to be just a year or two ago. Is that how much I'll have to be prepared to pay? Anyone got tips about some cheap european store/ebay site?

02-15-2012, 01:32 PM	#14
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by fikkser Sorry for hi-jacking this thread. I'm in love with all pics I've seen from the FA 43. I must get it, even tho I got the FA 35 and DA 40. :S The problem is that the price is up to about 600£ or 1000 dollars (with tax). Thats more than it used to be just a year or two ago. Is that how much I'll have to be prepared to pay? Anyone got tips about some cheap european store/ebay site? keep and eye on marketplace here or pentaxuser.co.uk. Used 43s come regularly between £400-£450. Good luck

02-15-2012, 01:37 PM	#15
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by theunartist Is this the synopsis of the 29 page thread? I don't have the heart to go through all 29 pages Are they not optically the same? I wouldn't call in synopsis... I've read the thread back in the days, and if I remember correctly there is a link somewhere there which is related to different versions of 43Ltd. In that linked thread you'll find examples of how early version renders differently to later ones. I have witnessed this myself as my black 43 copy was WAY cooler in tone than my DA*55 yet all three silver copies were warmer! Optical design is the same (in fact it's the same as used for 50/1.4 and 1.2 with very minor tweaks IMO) but the coatings and/or glass used on 43s did change over the length of production of the lens. There are too many folks reporting this for it to be a sample variations my 2p