About Fa 43mm ltd

Jim Downey · 10-31-2008, 06:44 AM

Hi I've only had my 43 for a couple of months but I'll first say this is the sharpest lens I have ever owned other than my Tammy 90. It has taken awhile to get use to the focal length of this short tele and when to use it though. Here are a few photos using it. /Users/rdowney/Desktop/Sunflower Group 2 mapped.jpg/Users/rdowney/Desktop/SC Farm Int..jpg/Users/rdowney/Desktop/Pigeonpoint LightHouse .jpg

jsherman999 · 10-31-2008, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by k100d

so what's the deal? you gettin one?

Originally posted by Nesster

Yea, are you?

Yeah, these images have that 'pro' feel to them that 31ltd and FA 85 images
seem to - good job, all.

prodigital2000 (O Canada) has one on it's way to me. I ordered it right before
I had my little lake mishap, so it's outside of budget now, but I hope to talk myself
into hanging on to it.

.

**tranq78** · 10-31-2008, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by jsherman999

Yeah, these images have that 'pro' feel to them that 31ltd and FA 85 images
seem to - good job, all.

prodigital2000 (O Canada) has one on it's way to me. I ordered it right before
I had my little lake mishap, so it's outside of budget now, but I hope to talk myself
into hanging on to it.

.

The FA43 is a darn good lens. It was poorly regarded and badly trashed on DPR until a couple years ago. The critics were actually only a few people. I guess if you scream how bad it is often enough then others believe it to be true. A few people (including me) talked about how good lens it was but positive comments were ignored.

Then a couple of forum leaders tried the lens out, discovered that it's fantastic, and now it's highly regarded.

I mentally shake my head every time I think about this. A lot of people really missed out on using this lens. You know, we are capable of making our own decisions about things.

There's more to a lens than pure sharpness or corner performance. There's also color, contrast, that fabled 3-D look, and the specular glow you can get (which no one talks about).

The FA Limiteds (and all the good Pentax lenses) have this utterly delicious combination of attributes. Plus I don't pixel peep and I've come to realize that corner performance isn't a noticeable issue when I am actually making images.

I've had prints done for friends and relatives. The technicians at the photo lab have remarked on the images produced by the FA43, and they see lots of pictures taken by all brands of lenses.

If the FA Limiteds sported a Canon logo you can bet your next paycheque that they will cost much, much more than what we pay for them.

I think every serious prime lens user should own a complete set of the FA Limiteds. So there.

jsherman999 · 10-31-2008, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by tranq78

...
Plus I don't pixel peep and I've come to realize that corner performance isn't a noticeable issue when I am actually making images.
...

Same here. Corner performance is only important to me when I'm shooting
architecture, and then mostly I use my M 20 f/4, which kills in the corners.

.

cyclocross · 11-01-2008, 01:32 PM

Just got a 43mm and just learning photography!

Piotr · 11-01-2008, 02:26 PM

I have my 43mm for few weeks and have no enough time to really use it, so just first shots:

Pentax *ist DS ,Pentax smc P-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited 1/2000s f/1.9 at 43.0mm iso200

Pentax *ist DS ,Pentax smc P-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited 1/2500s f/14.0 at 43.0mm iso200

Syb · 11-01-2008, 02:59 PM

Amazing pictures in this thread. It strikes me that all the "I love my .... lens" threads are long series of better-than-good-results ... very inspiring!

legacyb4 · 11-01-2008, 08:17 PM

Tweaked my K10D with the FF/BF utility and it's given me faith in my 43mm again (I was getting inconsistent results with the lens with the focus point being ever so slightly off.

Here are my results shooting wide open; I have an early release model if that means anything.

TKH · 11-03-2008, 08:15 AM

Today I bought again a FA43.
I am so happy and glad.

I possessed the objective already twice.

First time I sold it because I changed from the silver color to the black version.

The second time I believed a Nokton can replace the FA43 . What fatal mistake. I was missing the lens so often. So I snaped one in the eBay shop of a canadian seller a few minutes ago.

I hope I will hold it in my hands at the end of the week.

I promise you I will never let it going away again!

Best,
Rainer

Also a reason for buying the FA43 was the information of the dealer I ordered my DA55* that the lens will not come this year. The dealer stayed in Hanoi last week and he said that the production is stil not on.

Syb · 11-03-2008, 09:37 AM

Thanks for that promise. I feel much more comfortable now...

roentarre · 11-03-2008, 12:43 PM

That is what I felt towards all the fa limited. They are really something special and I am intending to keep them forever.

**Ron Boggs** · 11-03-2008, 12:58 PM

DA*55 will likely be worth the delay, but still doesn't deny that the 31,43 and 77 limiteds have a special quality and luminence that makes my heart flutter.

TKH · 11-03-2008, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by Ron Boggs

DA*55 will likely be worth the delay, but still doesn't deny that the 31,43 and 77 limiteds have a special quality and luminence that makes my heart flutter.

The pics on your webside make my heart flutter. 160 days till I´m back again on the scottish west highland way. Try to make pics half as good as yours...

**Ron Boggs** · 11-03-2008, 02:47 PM

Thanks for the kind words.

heatherslightbox · 11-03-2008, 05:27 PM

I had a 43, but I got rid of it to get the DA35. Not that I regret getting the DA35, but I do regret getting rid of the 43. If I don't get a 50/1.4 for Christmas, I may just spend the extra money and get another 43 (I'm tempted to take 50 off my wish list). It's just such a solid piece of glass, petite without being too small, and produces great results.

Heather

11-01-2008, 01:32 PM	#305
cyclocross Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 29	Just got a 43mm and just learning photography! Last edited by cyclocross; 11-01-2008 at 01:43 PM.

11-01-2008, 08:17 PM	#308
legacyb4 Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tri-Cities, British Columbia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,784	Tweaked my K10D with the FF/BF utility and it's given me faith in my 43mm again (I was getting inconsistent results with the lens with the focus point being ever so slightly off. Here are my results shooting wide open; I have an early release model if that means anything. Last edited by legacyb4; 11-02-2008 at 09:39 AM.

11-03-2008, 08:15 AM	#309
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371	Pentax FA43 the 3. Today I bought again a FA43. I am so happy and glad. I possessed the objective already twice. First time I sold it because I changed from the silver color to the black version. The second time I believed a Nokton can replace the FA43 . What fatal mistake. I was missing the lens so often. So I snaped one in the eBay shop of a canadian seller a few minutes ago. I hope I will hold it in my hands at the end of the week. I promise you I will never let it going away again! Best, Rainer Also a reason for buying the FA43 was the information of the dealer I ordered my DA55* that the lens will not come this year. The dealer stayed in Hanoi last week and he said that the production is stil not on.

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10-31-2008, 06:44 AM	#301
Jim Downey Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Santa Cruz, California Posts: 1	Hi I've only had my 43 for a couple of months but I'll first say this is the sharpest lens I have ever owned other than my Tammy 90. It has taken awhile to get use to the focal length of this short tele and when to use it though. Here are a few photos using it. /Users/rdowney/Desktop/Sunflower Group 2 mapped.jpg/Users/rdowney/Desktop/SC Farm Int..jpg/Users/rdowney/Desktop/Pigeonpoint LightHouse .jpg

10-31-2008, 08:30 PM	#302
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by k100d so what's the deal? you gettin one? Originally posted by Nesster Yea, are you? Yeah, these images have that 'pro' feel to them that 31ltd and FA 85 images seem to - good job, all. prodigital2000 (O Canada) has one on it's way to me. I ordered it right before I had my little lake mishap, so it's outside of budget now, but I hope to talk myself into hanging on to it. .

10-31-2008, 10:42 PM	#303
tranq78 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,005	Originally posted by jsherman999 Yeah, these images have that 'pro' feel to them that 31ltd and FA 85 images seem to - good job, all. prodigital2000 (O Canada) has one on it's way to me. I ordered it right before I had my little lake mishap, so it's outside of budget now, but I hope to talk myself into hanging on to it. . The FA43 is a darn good lens. It was poorly regarded and badly trashed on DPR until a couple years ago. The critics were actually only a few people. I guess if you scream how bad it is often enough then others believe it to be true. A few people (including me) talked about how good lens it was but positive comments were ignored. Then a couple of forum leaders tried the lens out, discovered that it's fantastic, and now it's highly regarded. I mentally shake my head every time I think about this. A lot of people really missed out on using this lens. You know, we are capable of making our own decisions about things. There's more to a lens than pure sharpness or corner performance. There's also color, contrast, that fabled 3-D look, and the specular glow you can get (which no one talks about). The FA Limiteds (and all the good Pentax lenses) have this utterly delicious combination of attributes. Plus I don't pixel peep and I've come to realize that corner performance isn't a noticeable issue when I am actually making images. I've had prints done for friends and relatives. The technicians at the photo lab have remarked on the images produced by the FA43, and they see lots of pictures taken by all brands of lenses. If the FA Limiteds sported a Canon logo you can bet your next paycheque that they will cost much, much more than what we pay for them. I think every serious prime lens user should own a complete set of the FA Limiteds. So there.

10-31-2008, 11:13 PM	#304
jsherman999 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,237	Originally posted by tranq78 ... Plus I don't pixel peep and I've come to realize that corner performance isn't a noticeable issue when I am actually making images. ... Same here. Corner performance is only important to me when I'm shooting architecture, and then mostly I use my M 20 f/4, which kills in the corners. .

11-01-2008, 02:26 PM	#306
Piotr Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warsaw Photos: Gallery Posts: 338	I have my 43mm for few weeks and have no enough time to really use it, so just first shots: Pentax ist DS ,Pentax smc P-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited 1/2000s f/1.9 at 43.0mm iso200 Pentax ist DS ,Pentax smc P-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited 1/2500s f/14.0 at 43.0mm iso200

11-01-2008, 02:59 PM	#307
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	Amazing pictures in this thread. It strikes me that all the "I love my .... lens" threads are long series of better-than-good-results ... very inspiring!

11-03-2008, 09:37 AM	#310
Syb Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Near Utrecht, Netherlands Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,221	Thanks for that promise. I feel much more comfortable now...

11-03-2008, 12:43 PM	#311
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	That is what I felt towards all the fa limited. They are really something special and I am intending to keep them forever.

11-03-2008, 12:58 PM	#312
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,349	DA*55 will likely be worth the delay, but still doesn't deny that the 31,43 and 77 limiteds have a special quality and luminence that makes my heart flutter.

11-03-2008, 02:12 PM	#313
TKH Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 371	Originally posted by Ron Boggs DA*55 will likely be worth the delay, but still doesn't deny that the 31,43 and 77 limiteds have a special quality and luminence that makes my heart flutter. The pics on your webside make my heart flutter. 160 days till I´m back again on the scottish west highland way. Try to make pics half as good as yours...

11-03-2008, 02:47 PM	#314
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,349	Thanks for the kind words.

11-03-2008, 05:27 PM	#315
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	I had a 43, but I got rid of it to get the DA35. Not that I regret getting the DA35, but I do regret getting rid of the 43. If I don't get a 50/1.4 for Christmas, I may just spend the extra money and get another 43 (I'm tempted to take 50 off my wish list). It's just such a solid piece of glass, petite without being too small, and produces great results. Heather