FA 43mm F1.9 Limited for traveling

yorik · 11-16-2014, 09:20 AM

The FA 43 is a great lens (and in fact a great documentary lens), and would be a great choice for trip photography. It is also solidly built... BUT, it is definitely not weather sealed. There is no gasket at the lens mount, and dust will definitely penetrate there over time and so will moisture - this can affect the camera as well as the lens, even if the camera is weather sealed like the K5. Likewise, the lens is not internally focusing, so dust and moisture can also penetrate the lens barrel as the barrel moves. How much dust/moisture accumulates and how fast it accumulates will depend on the conditions to which you expose the lens.

robjmitchell · 11-16-2014, 10:31 AM

For travel I have always used a sigma 17-70 for the convenience. Stopped down for landscapes the composition is way more critical than the lens you are using unless you need flare resistance (which the 43ltd is not as good as modern da ltds) I would go for the 18-135wr or wait and see if the new 16-85wr is a strong performer (released at end of month)

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11-16-2014, 09:20 AM	#16
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	The FA 43 is a great lens (and in fact a great documentary lens), and would be a great choice for trip photography. It is also solidly built... BUT, it is definitely not weather sealed. There is no gasket at the lens mount, and dust will definitely penetrate there over time and so will moisture - this can affect the camera as well as the lens, even if the camera is weather sealed like the K5. Likewise, the lens is not internally focusing, so dust and moisture can also penetrate the lens barrel as the barrel moves. How much dust/moisture accumulates and how fast it accumulates will depend on the conditions to which you expose the lens.

11-16-2014, 10:31 AM	#17
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	For travel I have always used a sigma 17-70 for the convenience. Stopped down for landscapes the composition is way more critical than the lens you are using unless you need flare resistance (which the 43ltd is not as good as modern da ltds) I would go for the 18-135wr or wait and see if the new 16-85wr is a strong performer (released at end of month)