About Fa 43mm ltd

stevenlin · 07-08-2008, 11:18 AM

The Link 1: Type of PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited

The Link 2: PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited

k100d · 07-08-2008, 12:18 PM

what's the difference? i only noticed the cover has black letters.
i thought you were going to show the M39 screwmount version

d.bradley · 07-08-2008, 12:27 PM

the coating?

Miserere · 07-08-2008, 12:53 PM

Their serial numbers?

Last edited by Miserere; 07-09-2008 at 08:09 AM.

MikeH · 07-08-2008, 01:08 PM

What's the purpose of blurring the serial numbers? I don't get it.

Anyhow, the only significant difference appears to be the front element coating.

Nesster · 07-08-2008, 02:32 PM

Looks to me the one with the single digit serial number could be a prototype?

Otherwise, is this saying that a serial number that doesn't start with 002 is the other version? And is the other version different in what way?

frank · 07-08-2008, 02:52 PM

It was reported by some Taiwanees that there are two versions of the FA43, the old version (w/ a series number smaller than 20000) and new version. Pentax might changed coating material used for the new version, thus the different colors from the front element. Those guys also did some test and showed different colors, produced by the two versions, and the pics from the old version seem to be brighter, probably due to the lead material used in coating. There was also some talks about the QC issues on the later version (the glass element of some later version isn't exactly centered, you can see this from the rear end). That's why sometimes the older types are much sort after ones and slightly more expensive on the second hand market.

Here are two of those testing shots they posted:

Photo by the old version:

Photo by the new version:

There were some similar talks on the FA77 as well (series number smaller than 7000 is old version).

These are not my opinion or experience but what those guys found. To be honest, I don't really know if this is true. But Pentax does have more QC issues nowadays than they used to have. I guess it's true to most camera or lenses manufacturers.

Last edited by frank; 07-08-2008 at 06:48 PM.

creampuff · 07-08-2008, 05:00 PM

Good post frank. Given the length of the production run of the FA Limiteds, I think it is expected that Pentax would have made modifications and tweaks to the lenses. Certainly the older version looks much better. My suspicion is since Limited lenses can easily be found pretty much everywhere nowadays, some measure of production tweaks have been made along the way.

stevenlin · 07-08-2008, 09:22 PM

Originally posted by k100d

what's the difference? i only noticed the cover has black letters.
i thought you were going to show the M39 screwmount version

Originally posted by MikeH

What's the purpose of blurring the serial numbers? I don't get it.

Anyhow, the only significant difference appears to be the front element coating.

Originally posted by Nesster

Looks to me the one with the single digit serial number could be a prototype?

Otherwise, is this saying that a serial number that doesn't start with 002 is the other version? And is the other version different in what way?

Please click the link.....

LINK: PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited

Voe · 07-09-2008, 02:57 AM

Originally posted by stevenlin

Please click the link.....

LINK: PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited

Thanks for the link.

The barrel looks very similar to Contax Tessar T* 45/2.8. I am wondering if Pentax have also used the same optical formula as Contax Tessar 45mm.

Miserere · 07-09-2008, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the info Frank. Looks like the 2nd photo could do with +1/3 EV to look like the first. If that's all it takes, not a big deal.

ogl · 07-09-2008, 09:33 AM

I have 0017775 serial number of FA43. What is now?

Gooshin · 07-14-2008, 11:53 AM

the FA 43 lens hood also fits my FA50, and my DA21, and the FA35.. and probably a bunch of other lenses as well

its very sleak and the felt lined cap makes it easier to use since you dont have to squeeze anything.

where can i buy replacements?

k100d · 07-14-2008, 12:04 PM

PentaxWebstore 49mm Lens Hood MH-RA
no mention of cap either, sure you still want it ? :P

Gooshin · 07-14-2008, 12:05 PM

Originally posted by k100d

PentaxWebstore 49mm Lens Hood MH-RA
no mention of cap either, sure you still want it ? :P

YES!!

when i win the lottery....

07-08-2008, 11:18 AM	#196
stevenlin Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Republic of Taiwan Posts: 35	The two versions of FA 43/1.9... The Link 1: Type of PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited The Link 2: PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited

07-14-2008, 11:53 AM	#208
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	where to get FA43 Ltd lens hoods? the FA 43 lens hood also fits my FA50, and my DA21, and the FA35.. and probably a bunch of other lenses as well its very sleak and the felt lined cap makes it easier to use since you dont have to squeeze anything. where can i buy replacements?

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07-08-2008, 12:18 PM	#197
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	what's the difference? i only noticed the cover has black letters. i thought you were going to show the M39 screwmount version

07-08-2008, 12:27 PM	#198
d.bradley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 631	the coating?

07-08-2008, 12:53 PM	#199
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Their serial numbers? Last edited by Miserere; 07-09-2008 at 08:09 AM.

07-08-2008, 01:08 PM	#200
MikeH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 273	What's the purpose of blurring the serial numbers? I don't get it. Anyhow, the only significant difference appears to be the front element coating.

07-08-2008, 02:32 PM	#201
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	Looks to me the one with the single digit serial number could be a prototype? Otherwise, is this saying that a serial number that doesn't start with 002 is the other version? And is the other version different in what way?

07-08-2008, 02:52 PM	#202
frank Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,202	It was reported by some Taiwanees that there are two versions of the FA43, the old version (w/ a series number smaller than 20000) and new version. Pentax might changed coating material used for the new version, thus the different colors from the front element. Those guys also did some test and showed different colors, produced by the two versions, and the pics from the old version seem to be brighter, probably due to the lead material used in coating. There was also some talks about the QC issues on the later version (the glass element of some later version isn't exactly centered, you can see this from the rear end). That's why sometimes the older types are much sort after ones and slightly more expensive on the second hand market. Here are two of those testing shots they posted: Photo by the old version: Photo by the new version: There were some similar talks on the FA77 as well (series number smaller than 7000 is old version). These are not my opinion or experience but what those guys found. To be honest, I don't really know if this is true. But Pentax does have more QC issues nowadays than they used to have. I guess it's true to most camera or lenses manufacturers. Last edited by frank; 07-08-2008 at 06:48 PM.

07-08-2008, 05:00 PM	#203
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Good post frank. Given the length of the production run of the FA Limiteds, I think it is expected that Pentax would have made modifications and tweaks to the lenses. Certainly the older version looks much better. My suspicion is since Limited lenses can easily be found pretty much everywhere nowadays, some measure of production tweaks have been made along the way.

07-08-2008, 09:22 PM	#204
stevenlin Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Republic of Taiwan Posts: 35	Originally posted by k100d what's the difference? i only noticed the cover has black letters. i thought you were going to show the M39 screwmount version Originally posted by MikeH What's the purpose of blurring the serial numbers? I don't get it. Anyhow, the only significant difference appears to be the front element coating. Originally posted by Nesster Looks to me the one with the single digit serial number could be a prototype? Otherwise, is this saying that a serial number that doesn't start with 002 is the other version? And is the other version different in what way? Please click the link..... LINK: PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited

07-09-2008, 02:57 AM	#205
Voe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 719	Originally posted by stevenlin Please click the link..... LINK: PENTAX FA 43/1.9 Limited Thanks for the link. The barrel looks very similar to Contax Tessar T* 45/2.8. I am wondering if Pentax have also used the same optical formula as Contax Tessar 45mm.

07-09-2008, 08:32 AM	#206
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	Thanks for the info Frank. Looks like the 2nd photo could do with +1/3 EV to look like the first. If that's all it takes, not a big deal.

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07-09-2008, 09:33 AM	#207
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	I have 0017775 serial number of FA43. What is now?

07-14-2008, 12:04 PM	#209
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	PentaxWebstore 49mm Lens Hood MH-RA no mention of cap either, sure you still want it ? :P

07-14-2008, 12:05 PM	#210
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by k100d PentaxWebstore 49mm Lens Hood MH-RA no mention of cap either, sure you still want it ? :P YES!! when i win the lottery....