FA43 advice

y0chang · 12-27-2019, 02:15 PM

The FA limited pixie dust is seen better on a full frame body. The edges of a lens image circle are what defines a great lens. Not just sharpness, but the contrast and the focus transitions of the image of the edge vs at the center.

mconwxdr · 12-27-2019, 02:37 PM - **1 Like**

Yeah, I borrowed my Dad's K-1 and I just posted in another thread how I like the FA43 images better on the K-1 than the K-70. It's been fun having the FA43 to play with, but it's not my K-1 so I won't be buying the FA43 and the end of the rental period.

I decided to buy the DA40 again instead of the FA43 or HD35. The FA43 doesn't give me enough over the DA40 to justify the $250+ price difference (used). With the excellent high-ISO performance of the K-70, I don't feel like I need < 2.8.

Snapppy · 12-27-2019, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by mconwxdr

Yeah, I borrowed my Dad's K-1 and I just posted in another thread how I like the FA43 images better on the K-1 than the K-70. It's been fun having the FA43 to play with, but it's not my K-1 so I won't be buying the FA43 and the end of the rental period.

I decided to buy the DA40 again instead of the FA43 or HD35. The FA43 doesn't give me enough over the DA40 to justify the $250+ price difference (used). With the excellent high-ISO performance of the K-70, I don't feel like I need < 2.8.

I think that's a good call. And look, you saved yourself some money

**aslyfox** · 12-27-2019, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by Snapppy

I think that's a good call. And look, you saved yourself some money

the DA 40mm F2.8 Limited and XS are very nice lenses IMHO

**pepperberry farm** · 12-27-2019, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by mconwxdr

Yeah, I borrowed my Dad's K-1 and I just posted in another thread how I like the FA43 images better on the K-1 than the K-70. It's been fun having the FA43 to play with, but it's not my K-1 so I won't be buying the FA43 and the end of the rental period.

I decided to buy the DA40 again instead of the FA43 or HD35. The FA43 doesn't give me enough over the DA40 to justify the $250+ price difference (used). With the excellent high-ISO performance of the K-70, I don't feel like I need < 2.8.

I bought a copy of the FA43 and sold it a month later in favor of the DA40 Limited - just didn't do it for me...

ZombieArmy · 12-31-2019, 09:56 PM - **2 Likes**

I rather liked the FA 43, it's a unique lens with good rendering. However for how I shoot the 40 XS was a better choice so I sold the 43 since I'm not made of money and can't justify owning both

TerryL · 01-02-2020, 02:16 PM

First off, make sure it’s calibrated to your camera. Mine took a +9, now it’s one of my favorites.

TerryL · 01-03-2020, 10:10 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I bought a copy of the FA43 and sold it a month later in favor of the DA40 Limited - just didn't do it for me...

Although, you took some beautiful photos with it during that time.

**pepperberry farm** · 01-03-2020, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by TerryL

Although, you took some beautiful photos with it during that time.

thank you - it just never gelled with me....

bdery · 01-06-2020, 06:28 AM

Here's my review of it:

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

and my opinion of it and its siblings:

Comparing the 3 Pentax FA Limited Primes - Hands-On Tests | PentaxForums.com

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
HD FA35 or FA43 limited. Am I crazy that I like FA35 samples better?	mconwxdr	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	41	02-27-2020 08:54 AM
People On patrol with the FA43	Fries	Post Your Photos!	5	11-04-2019 02:48 PM
There was a "price I couldn't refuse" on a FA43 Limited and I jumped on it	ZombieArmy	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	15	04-30-2018 12:20 AM
DA35mm Ltd Macro vs FA43 mm f1.9 - Advice needed	hcc	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	15	06-20-2010 09:16 PM
DA35 vs DA40 vs vs FA43 + DA70 vs FA77 bying advice	plunun	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	3	11-23-2008 05:16 AM

12-27-2019, 02:15 PM	#16
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793	The FA limited pixie dust is seen better on a full frame body. The edges of a lens image circle are what defines a great lens. Not just sharpness, but the contrast and the focus transitions of the image of the edge vs at the center.

12-27-2019, 02:37 PM - 1 Like	#17
mconwxdr Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma Photos: Gallery Posts: 344 Original Poster	Yeah, I borrowed my Dad's K-1 and I just posted in another thread how I like the FA43 images better on the K-1 than the K-70. It's been fun having the FA43 to play with, but it's not my K-1 so I won't be buying the FA43 and the end of the rental period. I decided to buy the DA40 again instead of the FA43 or HD35. The FA43 doesn't give me enough over the DA40 to justify the $250+ price difference (used). With the excellent high-ISO performance of the K-70, I don't feel like I need < 2.8.

12-27-2019, 03:27 PM	#18
Snapppy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 485	Originally posted by mconwxdr Yeah, I borrowed my Dad's K-1 and I just posted in another thread how I like the FA43 images better on the K-1 than the K-70. It's been fun having the FA43 to play with, but it's not my K-1 so I won't be buying the FA43 and the end of the rental period. I decided to buy the DA40 again instead of the FA43 or HD35. The FA43 doesn't give me enough over the DA40 to justify the $250+ price difference (used). With the excellent high-ISO performance of the K-70, I don't feel like I need < 2.8. I think that's a good call. And look, you saved yourself some money

12-27-2019, 03:33 PM	#19
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by Snapppy I think that's a good call. And look, you saved yourself some money the DA 40mm F2.8 Limited and XS are very nice lenses IMHO

12-27-2019, 03:42 PM	#20
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	Originally posted by mconwxdr Yeah, I borrowed my Dad's K-1 and I just posted in another thread how I like the FA43 images better on the K-1 than the K-70. It's been fun having the FA43 to play with, but it's not my K-1 so I won't be buying the FA43 and the end of the rental period. I decided to buy the DA40 again instead of the FA43 or HD35. The FA43 doesn't give me enough over the DA40 to justify the $250+ price difference (used). With the excellent high-ISO performance of the K-70, I don't feel like I need < 2.8. I bought a copy of the FA43 and sold it a month later in favor of the DA40 Limited - just didn't do it for me...

12-31-2019, 09:56 PM - 2 Likes	#21
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	I rather liked the FA 43, it's a unique lens with good rendering. However for how I shoot the 40 XS was a better choice so I sold the 43 since I'm not made of money and can't justify owning both

01-02-2020, 02:16 PM	#22
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	First off, make sure it’s calibrated to your camera. Mine took a +9, now it’s one of my favorites.

01-03-2020, 10:10 AM - 1 Like	#23
TerryL Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Virginia, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 850	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I bought a copy of the FA43 and sold it a month later in favor of the DA40 Limited - just didn't do it for me... Although, you took some beautiful photos with it during that time.

01-03-2020, 11:04 AM	#24
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	Originally posted by TerryL Although, you took some beautiful photos with it during that time. thank you - it just never gelled with me....

01-06-2020, 06:28 AM	#25
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Here's my review of it: SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews and my opinion of it and its siblings: Comparing the 3 Pentax FA Limited Primes - Hands-On Tests \| PentaxForums.com