[stevebrot]

yes...

...is it possible you just want to pick up some undervalued lenses?


Steve

[pepperberry farm]

...is it possible you just want to pick up some undervalued lenses?


Steve

me?

the only unicorn I have left is an A* 85/1.4

[aslyfox]

Well , you probably already can guess my question.. . .

my questions for the OP

what don't you like about what you have ?

are you one of those who need the " latest and brightest " ?

do you want to buy before there are any reviews ?

[tncasual]

All the SMC LTD owners need to sell their lenses for the new ones. Flood the used market with the SMC versions so us not so economically advantaged have a better shot at picking one up. Please.

[stevebrot]

me?

the only unicorn I have left is an A* 85/1.4

Are you saying that owners did not flood the market with affordable copies when the D FA* 85/1.4 was released?


Steve

(...noticed there is an Planar T* 85/1.4 ZK on eBay for only $1200... )

[pepperberry farm]

Are you saying that owners did not flood the market with affordable copies when the D FA* 85/1.4 was released?


Steve

(...noticed there is an Planar T* 85/1.4 ZK on eBay for only $1200... )

nope...

that Planar is severely overpriced.....

[ChristianRock]

This should give you a good idea of what to expect:
HD vs. SMC Pentax Limited Primes Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I actually expect a bigger difference between SMC and HD in the case of the FA lenses, because the DAs were much newer when they were updated. The newest FA Limited (31mm) is now 20 years old...

[Wheatfield]

Well , you probably already can guess my question.
I do have SMC silver versions of those lenses and love them.
Is there that much difference between SMC and HD with rounded aperture blades Limited lenses?
The HD's apparently are cheaper , why?
Will value of SMC's drop dramatically?
Are HD's much better in photo IQ?
Should we all rush and sell all SMC's and order HD's in the anticipation of much more pleasurable experience?

If you really want to up your photo IQ game, forget the Limiteds and get the D FA* 50mm and 85mm lenses.
Expect the SMC's to drop in value.

---------- Post added Feb 25th, 2021 at 03:48 PM ----------

I actually expect a bigger difference between SMC and HD in the case of the FA lenses, because the DAs were much newer when they were updated. The newest FA Limited (31mm) is now 20 years old...

How much difference did it make with the FA35/2?

[ChristianRock]

How much difference did it make with the FA35/2?

That is actually the right question, isn't it?

Maybe someone who has had both can answer. I have heard good things about the FA 35mm update, but it might not be that dramatic.

[Des]

I have the 43 and the 77. I think each might benefit from HD coatings, particularly the 43 which can be horrible into a bright light source. I don't much care about startbursts. But for me (and I suspect most owners of the smc versions), the cost and trouble of selling and replacing with HD versions would not be worth it. I get the impression that that has been the experience of owners of green-ring DA Limiteds too.

[noelpolar]

Should I save my pennies for some 200 dollar 31s and 77s to be available later this year?

I bet most of you would keep both versions rather than selling them too cheap.

There would be something about having a set with a K1 in all one's houses and cars...... mmm the silver car, the black car.......

Anyway.... 347 isn't going anywhere... (glass from the past, is the best blast)

[i_trax]

Perhaps will create a black&silver FA combination , as it was suggested ( to keep our World in a healthy balance ) .
I have a Black SMC 35mm LTD , Silver SMC 40mm LTD and Silver HD 15mm LTD with variety of Black / Silver bodies to match.
Are we going to get red and blue varieties to match new K-1 Limited line?
??????????????????PENTAX?????J limited 01? - ???? Watch
With K-3III on the horizon it is indeed very exciting future for all Pentaxians !

In case of dilemma, keep the smc as limited backup and buy the new HD. You get the best of both worlds: stars burst from the smc version and rounded bokeh balls from the HD version.

[Lowell Goudge]

Well , you probably already can guess my question.
I do have SMC silver versions of those lenses and love them.
Is there that much difference between SMC and HD with rounded aperture blades Limited lenses?
The HD's apparently are cheaper , why?
Will value of SMC's drop dramatically?
Are HD's much better in photo IQ?
Should we all rush and sell all SMC's and order HD's in the anticipation of much more pleasurable experience?

Are you unhappy with them, with respect to flair, sharpness, contrast?
If the answer is no what is your problem, other than wanting to spend for nothing?

[stevebrot]

That is actually the right question, isn't it?

Maybe someone who has had both can answer. I have heard good things about the FA 35mm update, but it might not be that dramatic.

PF member @BigMacCam has owned both versions of the FA 35/2. Perhaps they will check in with their experience.

From my perspective, the dramatic change for the FA 35/2 was ergonomic such that I was actually tempted to shift over simply to get a better focus ring. The optics, however, remained the same. Part of the problem for both it and the FA Limiteds is that the "ghostless" coatings on all four models is pretty awesome. My first impression of my FA 35/2.0 was one of disbelief when I looked into the front element and saw almost no reflections shining back at me. Quite simply, whatever characteristic the lens has are not something that can be addressed by coatings.

I will be very interested in seeing comparisons here between the original FA Limiteds and those with the HD coatings. To be honest, I don't expect to see any groundbreaking improvements traceable to coatings.


Steve

(...no "digital" coatings don't cure PF or CA...)

[stevebrot]

Perhaps will create a black&silver FA combination , as it was suggested

A "panda" FA limited might be sort of cool.


Steve