Help me love my FA 43

Fat Albert · 07-07-2014, 09:25 PM

Forgive the vague subject, but I'm stuck at the hospital and bored to tears.

Maybe it's squeezed out by my 35 Macro and 50s, but I'm having a tough time loving my 43 the way most others do. The MFD is frustrating, and it meters like sh!t on my K5 with the Canon focusing screen. I'm inclined to sell it, but I'm afraid I'll get seller's remorse the instant I do that. I know that lens preferences are a deeply personal thing, yet I feel like something is wrong with me for not totally loving this lens.

The 35 Macro Limited, on the other hand...I want to have children with it!

Sandy Hancock · 07-07-2014, 09:28 PM

Put it on your camera and shoot with it every day for a month. Join a Single In Challenge. Find its strengths, work around its weaknesses.
If no love by the end of the month sell it without remorse.

alamo5000 · 07-07-2014, 09:37 PM

I rather recently got the 43 myself. I have to say though, when it's on, its on with this lens. What I see with it more than anything is a special kind of rendering. It's subtle but nice. I have the 40mm Limited as well and I like that one too, but to me these two are different animals. Again it's subtle. The 43 for me is a bit more an artist's lens. That said I don't think I will sell my 40mm

The 40mm is a more pop kind of lens and the 43 seems more like a unique dusty flavor of rendering lens. Just take a few shots with it and compare. I'm loving mine.

tabl10s · 07-07-2014, 09:53 PM

Originally posted by Fat Albert

Forgive the vague subject, but I'm stuck at the hospital and bored to tears.

Maybe it's squeezed out by my 35 Macro and 50s, but I'm having a tough time loving my 43 the way most others do. The MFD is frustrating, and it meters like sh!t on my K5 with the Canon focusing screen. I'm inclined to sell it, but I'm afraid I'll get seller's remorse the instant I do that. I know that lens preferences are a deeply personal thing, yet I feel like something is wrong with me for not totally loving this lens.

The 35 Macro Limited, on the other hand...I want to have children with it!

You're right that something is wrong with you(hanging out & singing in junkyards

). I've used mine for sports & snapshots and love it(being that it's a brown bagger doesn't hurt as I'll never sell it).

ASa · 07-08-2014, 12:49 AM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Put it on your camera and shoot with it every day for a month. Join a Single In Challenge. Find its strengths, work around its weaknesses.
If no love by the end of the month sell it without remorse.

That's one excellent advice.

Na Horuk · 07-08-2014, 01:12 AM

Stop using metering, if its a problem. Go full M: no metering, no auto-ISO, no AF, BW jpeg (maybe with tint)., pretend you are using an SLR. That will help you develop skills for all other lenses, as well. Skills like understanding metering, predicting a good exposure, focusing on composition, achieving critical focus/sharpness, having a steady hand and shutter button. To help with this, you can start a photo project. Photos of objects, only old things, special medicinal tools, the lunches, looking for shapes, "use a little toy or something as protagonist"," etc.
Hope you get out soon

**savoche** · 07-08-2014, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by Fat Albert

Forgive the vague subject, but I'm stuck at the hospital and bored to tears.

Sorry to hear that.

Quote:

Maybe it's squeezed out by my 35 Macro and 50s, but I'm having a tough time loving my 43 the way most others do. The MFD is frustrating, and it meters like sh!t on my K5 with the Canon focusing screen. I'm inclined to sell it, but I'm afraid I'll get seller's remorse the instant I do that. I know that lens preferences are a deeply personal thing, yet I feel like something is wrong with me for not totally loving this lens.

Quite the opposite with me (well, I don't have the Macro) - I haven't used my 35 of any of the 50ies after I got the 43 (and FA28). Of course, if you like to get close you will want to use a macro anyway.

I struggle with metering with any lens with the EE-S screen, mostly underexposure, and maybe more with my slower lenses than with the 43. I doubt I will swap the screen on the K-3 (and the brighter viewfinder is easier to use with the stock screen anyway).

I agree with Na Horuk - use the lens every day for a while to get to know it properly. Then you'll know if it's for you or not. I know I won't sell mine!

Quote:

The 35 Macro Limited, on the other hand...I want to have children with it!

TMI!

seventysixersfan · 07-08-2014, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by alamo5000

I have the 40mm Limited as well and I like that one too, but to me these two are different animals. Again it's subtle. The 43 for me is a bit more an artist's lens. That said I don't think I will sell my 40mm

I'm with you on this. I can't bring myself to selling the DA 40 because the rendering is different, as well as the handling. I love both for different reasons/applications.

**miltona580** · 07-08-2014, 08:57 AM

Shoot stuff with lots of contrast. That's where it really shines. My favorite picture with it is of a gazebo surrounded by flowers of many colors on a overcast day. It came out wonderfully.

**gofour3** · 07-08-2014, 09:37 AM

The FOV on an APS-C body would make me want to sell the FA43 as well, however on a FF film camera it’s one of my favorite lenses. Keep it for when FF comes.

Phil.

DeadJohn · 07-08-2014, 09:43 AM

If you like your 35 and 50, sell the 43 with no remorse. The DA 35 macro gives you far superior close focusing while the 50 gives you a wide aperture for low light and bokeh.

I love the rendering of the FA 43 but don't have much use for that focal length. The length of my keepers is either wide or telephoto. I rarely take anything within middle focal lengths. I also feel handicapped by the FA 43's rather long minimum focus distance.

DonThomaso · 07-08-2014, 09:57 AM - **2 Likes**

I shoot portraits and find the 40/43mm focal lenght good on APS-C for a very short tele / long normal lens. On the K-5 my FA43 did struggle, it had trouble focusing accurately, and adjustment wasn't possible since it both front- & backfocused. I've been using it on my K-3 for a couple of months, and it is much more reliable. It has lots of charachter and it's only major weakness I've found are very soft corners at wider apertures, but for portraits that doesn't really matter.

Shot with K-3 and FA43 at f/2.5

robjmitchell · 07-09-2014, 04:44 AM

Make sure your focus is adjusted properly. With the 43 its the difference between "meh" and "HOLY COW!"

noelpolar · 07-09-2014, 06:41 AM

I've just got an early 43.......has potential

IGP4486 by Noelpolar, on Flickr

Driline · 07-09-2014, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by noelpolar

I've just got an early 43.......has potential

IGP4486 by Noelpolar, on Flickr

Great pics with the FA 43, just as I would expect. Do you find that the FA 31 is as sharp as the 43? Can you tell a difference?

07-07-2014, 09:25 PM	#1
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	Help me love my FA 43 Forgive the vague subject, but I'm stuck at the hospital and bored to tears. Maybe it's squeezed out by my 35 Macro and 50s, but I'm having a tough time loving my 43 the way most others do. The MFD is frustrating, and it meters like sh!t on my K5 with the Canon focusing screen. I'm inclined to sell it, but I'm afraid I'll get seller's remorse the instant I do that. I know that lens preferences are a deeply personal thing, yet I feel like something is wrong with me for not totally loving this lens. The 35 Macro Limited, on the other hand...I want to have children with it!

07-07-2014, 09:53 PM	#4
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	Originally posted by Fat Albert Forgive the vague subject, but I'm stuck at the hospital and bored to tears. Maybe it's squeezed out by my 35 Macro and 50s, but I'm having a tough time loving my 43 the way most others do. The MFD is frustrating, and it meters like sh!t on my K5 with the Canon focusing screen. I'm inclined to sell it, but I'm afraid I'll get seller's remorse the instant I do that. I know that lens preferences are a deeply personal thing, yet I feel like something is wrong with me for not totally loving this lens. The 35 Macro Limited, on the other hand...I want to have children with it! You're right that something is wrong with you(hanging out & singing in junkyards). I've used mine for sports & snapshots and love it(being that it's a brown bagger doesn't hurt as I'll never sell it).

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07-07-2014, 09:28 PM	#2
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	Put it on your camera and shoot with it every day for a month. Join a Single In Challenge. Find its strengths, work around its weaknesses. If no love by the end of the month sell it without remorse.

07-07-2014, 09:37 PM	#3
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	I rather recently got the 43 myself. I have to say though, when it's on, its on with this lens. What I see with it more than anything is a special kind of rendering. It's subtle but nice. I have the 40mm Limited as well and I like that one too, but to me these two are different animals. Again it's subtle. The 43 for me is a bit more an artist's lens. That said I don't think I will sell my 40mm The 40mm is a more pop kind of lens and the 43 seems more like a unique dusty flavor of rendering lens. Just take a few shots with it and compare. I'm loving mine.

07-08-2014, 12:49 AM	#5
ASa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tampere/Helsinki Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 218	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Put it on your camera and shoot with it every day for a month. Join a Single In Challenge. Find its strengths, work around its weaknesses. If no love by the end of the month sell it without remorse. That's one excellent advice.

07-08-2014, 01:12 AM	#6
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Stop using metering, if its a problem. Go full M: no metering, no auto-ISO, no AF, BW jpeg (maybe with tint)., pretend you are using an SLR. That will help you develop skills for all other lenses, as well. Skills like understanding metering, predicting a good exposure, focusing on composition, achieving critical focus/sharpness, having a steady hand and shutter button. To help with this, you can start a photo project. Photos of objects, only old things, special medicinal tools, the lunches, looking for shapes, "use a little toy or something as protagonist"," etc. Hope you get out soon

07-08-2014, 01:37 AM	#7
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Fat Albert Forgive the vague subject, but I'm stuck at the hospital and bored to tears. Sorry to hear that. Quote: Maybe it's squeezed out by my 35 Macro and 50s, but I'm having a tough time loving my 43 the way most others do. The MFD is frustrating, and it meters like sh!t on my K5 with the Canon focusing screen. I'm inclined to sell it, but I'm afraid I'll get seller's remorse the instant I do that. I know that lens preferences are a deeply personal thing, yet I feel like something is wrong with me for not totally loving this lens. Quite the opposite with me (well, I don't have the Macro) - I haven't used my 35 of any of the 50ies after I got the 43 (and FA28). Of course, if you like to get close you will want to use a macro anyway. I struggle with metering with any lens with the EE-S screen, mostly underexposure, and maybe more with my slower lenses than with the 43. I doubt I will swap the screen on the K-3 (and the brighter viewfinder is easier to use with the stock screen anyway). I agree with Na Horuk - use the lens every day for a while to get to know it properly. Then you'll know if it's for you or not. I know I won't sell mine! Quote: The 35 Macro Limited, on the other hand...I want to have children with it! TMI!

07-08-2014, 08:50 AM	#8
seventysixersfan Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by alamo5000 I have the 40mm Limited as well and I like that one too, but to me these two are different animals. Again it's subtle. The 43 for me is a bit more an artist's lens. That said I don't think I will sell my 40mm I'm with you on this. I can't bring myself to selling the DA 40 because the rendering is different, as well as the handling. I love both for different reasons/applications.

07-08-2014, 08:57 AM	#9
miltona580 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 309	Shoot stuff with lots of contrast. That's where it really shines. My favorite picture with it is of a gazebo surrounded by flowers of many colors on a overcast day. It came out wonderfully.

07-08-2014, 09:37 AM	#10
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,092	The FOV on an APS-C body would make me want to sell the FA43 as well, however on a FF film camera it’s one of my favorite lenses. Keep it for when FF comes. Phil.

07-08-2014, 09:43 AM	#11
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	If you like your 35 and 50, sell the 43 with no remorse. The DA 35 macro gives you far superior close focusing while the 50 gives you a wide aperture for low light and bokeh. I love the rendering of the FA 43 but don't have much use for that focal length. The length of my keepers is either wide or telephoto. I rarely take anything within middle focal lengths. I also feel handicapped by the FA 43's rather long minimum focus distance.

07-08-2014, 09:57 AM - 2 Likes	#12
DonThomaso Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Skåne, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 482	I shoot portraits and find the 40/43mm focal lenght good on APS-C for a very short tele / long normal lens. On the K-5 my FA43 did struggle, it had trouble focusing accurately, and adjustment wasn't possible since it both front- & backfocused. I've been using it on my K-3 for a couple of months, and it is much more reliable. It has lots of charachter and it's only major weakness I've found are very soft corners at wider apertures, but for portraits that doesn't really matter. Shot with K-3 and FA43 at f/2.5

07-09-2014, 04:44 AM	#13
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	Make sure your focus is adjusted properly. With the 43 its the difference between "meh" and "HOLY COW!"

07-09-2014, 06:41 AM	#14
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	I've just got an early 43.......has potential IGP4486 by Noelpolar, on Flickr

07-09-2014, 08:22 AM	#15
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,704	Originally posted by noelpolar I've just got an early 43.......has potential IGP4486 by Noelpolar, on Flickr Great pics with the FA 43, just as I would expect. Do you find that the FA 31 is as sharp as the 43? Can you tell a difference?