Is FA limiteds due for refresh?

robjmitchell · 05-23-2016, 03:36 AM

The FA limiteds have a different colour rendering than the DA primes, Thats something I wouldn't want to loose.

farmerDavid · 05-23-2016, 08:24 AM

It was mentionned somewhere not long ago that the man himself confirmed that they are back in production as they are. I wonder how does quick-shift work? Do they need a whole redesign of the AF? Its clearly feasible to do it small as all DA limited have it.
David

**jatrax** · 05-23-2016, 09:52 AM

DA Limited refresh was never on the road map.

Abbazz · 05-23-2016, 10:39 AM

I am not sure whether I am qualified because I only own the FA 77/1.8 Ltd lens. So I will limit the scope of my comments to tis lens.

I loved the FA 77 Ltd lens on film. When I tried it on my first Pentax *ist-D, I immediately realized that there was a problem because the lens delivered nice pictures but many were ruined because of the amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration (bokeh CA) and purple fringing. On my full-frame Sony A7, it was even worse. So, I replaced the lens with a Zeiss Sonnar 100/3.5 (for lansdcape and general photography) and a Cosina-Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar 90/3.5 (for close-up shots).

So, I guess my answer would be, yes, the DA 77 Ltd is overdue for refresh...

Cheers!

Abbazz

**Digitalis** · 05-23-2016, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Abbazz

nice pictures but many were ruined because of the amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration (bokeh CA) and purple fringing. On my full-frame Sony A7, it was even worse.

This is a very common criticism, however when the FA77 is stopped down such faults in image quality are easily controllable, I will remind you that two other lenses in a similar price bracket: the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G and Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 both have identical issues with PF and LoCa*, Though the Carl Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 seems to have this well under control....for a price.

* The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens being the worst of the two in regard to aberrations.

**monochrome** · 05-23-2016, 04:03 PM

To date I am pleased with the images from the 43 and really quite stunned by the 77 on my K-1. I'm humbled by the 31, but with some work I believe it will be going away my best lens.

They don't need a refresh, as it were. There are other more pressing things Pentax needs to do (24, 35, 85, 135 in Limited trim) before they change the FA Limiteds, if they ever do.

ChatMechant · 05-24-2016, 11:10 AM

The original trio doesn't really need improving, except maybe quickshift would be nice. What I would like to see is more of them, like a 19mm f/4 and a 123mm f/1.9 (just to keep with the odd focal theme)

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05-23-2016, 03:36 AM	#16
robjmitchell Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Aus Posts: 1,776	The FA limiteds have a different colour rendering than the DA primes, Thats something I wouldn't want to loose.

05-23-2016, 08:24 AM	#17
farmerDavid Guest	It was mentionned somewhere not long ago that the man himself confirmed that they are back in production as they are. I wonder how does quick-shift work? Do they need a whole redesign of the AF? Its clearly feasible to do it small as all DA limited have it. David

05-23-2016, 09:52 AM	#18
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	DA Limited refresh was never on the road map.

05-23-2016, 10:39 AM	#19
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	I am not sure whether I am qualified because I only own the FA 77/1.8 Ltd lens. So I will limit the scope of my comments to tis lens. I loved the FA 77 Ltd lens on film. When I tried it on my first Pentax *ist-D, I immediately realized that there was a problem because the lens delivered nice pictures but many were ruined because of the amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration (bokeh CA) and purple fringing. On my full-frame Sony A7, it was even worse. So, I replaced the lens with a Zeiss Sonnar 100/3.5 (for lansdcape and general photography) and a Cosina-Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar 90/3.5 (for close-up shots). So, I guess my answer would be, yes, the DA 77 Ltd is overdue for refresh... Cheers! Abbazz

05-23-2016, 03:54 PM	#20
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Abbazz nice pictures but many were ruined because of the amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration (bokeh CA) and purple fringing. On my full-frame Sony A7, it was even worse. This is a very common criticism, however when the FA77 is stopped down such faults in image quality are easily controllable, I will remind you that two other lenses in a similar price bracket: the Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G and Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 both have identical issues with PF and LoCa, Though the Carl Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 seems to have this well under control....for a price. The Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 lens being the worst of the two in regard to aberrations.

05-23-2016, 04:03 PM	#21
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	To date I am pleased with the images from the 43 and really quite stunned by the 77 on my K-1. I'm humbled by the 31, but with some work I believe it will be going away my best lens. They don't need a refresh, as it were. There are other more pressing things Pentax needs to do (24, 35, 85, 135 in Limited trim) before they change the FA Limiteds, if they ever do.

05-24-2016, 11:10 AM	#22
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	The original trio doesn't really need improving, except maybe quickshift would be nice. What I would like to see is more of them, like a 19mm f/4 and a 123mm f/1.9 (just to keep with the odd focal theme)