Pentax 43mm f1.9, is it worth it?

**aslyfox** · 05-01-2021, 06:04 AM

the FA and DA limiteds have an appeal to some, not all will like them

but if you like what they offer, I agree, it is hard to stop at one

I should know: all SMC FA Limiteds [ MIJ ] and all SMC DA Limiteds primes are among my lenses

[ my wife has been very, very nice to me ]

Last edited by aslyfox; 05-01-2021 at 06:09 AM.

**aslyfox** · 05-01-2021, 06:06 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by jerryleejr

The 43 was my first limited, and just like lays potato chips the 77 and 21 soon followed now I’m wrestling between the 31 and DFA21 as my next purchase…

JJ

to me neither the DA 20-40mm zoom or the D FA 21 are members of the true " limited " family

but what do I know ?

[ not as much as I may claim but more than some people, my in- laws and brothers included, give me credit for ]

**Belnan** · 05-01-2021, 06:18 AM - **1 Like**

The FA 43 1.9 is a really special lens. I will likely get it again someday, I had it.. returned it.. regretted it. It was a money thing, wah wah.

**bwgv001** · 05-03-2021, 09:17 PM

Great lens, glad I bought it. I have lots of fun using it.

bdery · 05-04-2021, 05:50 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by aslyfox

to me neither the DA 20-40mm zoom or the D FA 21 are members of the true " limited " family

How can we know anything without the 21 being released?

As for the 20-40, we can discuss at length, but it's a compact, metal, beautifully assembled, high-optical-quality lens without the specs to make it a STAR lens. It's a Limited all right.

jct us101 · 05-04-2021, 09:13 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by aslyfox

to me neither the DA 20-40mm zoom or the D FA 21 are members of the true " limited " family

but what do I know ?

[ not as much as I may claim but more than some people, my in- laws and brothers included, give me credit for ]

They are a bit oversized for the whole point of the limited line

**aslyfox** · 05-04-2021, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by jct us101

They are a bit oversized for the whole point of the limited line

And the limiteds are prime lenses except for the 20-40

**pepperberry farm** · 05-04-2021, 11:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by bdery

How can we know anything without the 21 being released?

As for the 20-40, we can discuss at length, but it's a compact, metal, beautifully assembled, high-optical-quality lens without the specs to make it a STAR lens. It's a Limited all right.

I've always thought the current D FA100mm f2.8 Macro WR should have been a Limited lens...

bdery · 05-05-2021, 05:56 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

I've always thought the current D FA100mm f2.8 Macro WR should have been a Limited lens...

I agree. The only reasons I think it isn't are that the inner shaft is plastic, and it might have more PF than what is deemed acceptable. Apart from that, it certainly fits the bill.

5ks · 05-06-2021, 09:40 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by 5ks

- - - well ... I just decided to go for the XS 40...

So much for my patience! But is it a decent compromise or just a starter?

The deal is done: I got the DA 40 XS. Quite nice, and less vignetting with FF (K-1) that I feared.

Next step: learning to get the most of it! ... and perhaps get a snap-on lens cap?

**aslyfox** · 05-06-2021, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by 5ks

The deal is done: I got the DA 40 XS. Quite nice, and less vignetting with FF (K-1) that I feared.

Next step: learning to get the most of it! ... and perhaps get a snap-on lens cap?

congratulations

you now own the best lens in its class [ of one ]

and a darn good lens as well

I got one of these for a lens hood

CowboyStudio 27mm DV-s DV Screw Mount Lens Hood with Cap for Digital Video Camera and Camcorder,

unfortunately Amazon says not available now

I got a cheap 27mm filter and glued the push on cap to it to create my own screw on cap

5ks · 05-07-2021, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

congratulations

you now own the best lens in its class [ of one ]

and a darn good lens as well

I got one of these for a lens hood

CowboyStudio 27mm DV-s DV Screw Mount Lens Hood with Cap for Digital Video Camera and Camcorder,

unfortunately Amazon says not available now

I got a cheap 27mm filter and glued the push on cap to it to create my own screw on cap

Thanks!

I started with ordering a 27 mm snap-on lens cap. For hood, I'm not quite sure yet, but might try something ... perhaps I could do it with step-up rings, but that would probably be clumsy and ugly. I think I'll get some field experience first to see how much the hood is needed in real life.

johnha · 05-08-2021, 03:28 AM - **1 Like**

For film cameras the 43 is a no brainer, the aperture ring alone is a really big feature. I bought mine for using on my LX and then bought a K-1 just to use this lens at it's natural focal length (I struggle to make it work on APS-C).

Apart from that you have two choices: SMC or HD and silver or black!

simsburyphoto · 05-08-2021, 07:34 PM - **1 Like**

I recently got a used FA 43mm. I really think it will live on my K1ii.

JJ-eire · 05-09-2021, 02:05 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks for the replies everyone. In the end, I didn't get the 43mm, it was a bit too much at €389, I had to buy a new laptop and couldn't justify the cost (yet). However it doss look like a great lens and a worthy addition to any setup.

I suppressed my G.A.S. with a Konica 40mm 1.8 and a Nikon FA in v.good condition. Now on film, some days I either shoot all Nikon (D750, F80, FM/FA) covers most Nikon prime lenses or all Pentax (MZS + Mz30) and a few primes.

That 70mm limited is looking pretty tempting to fill in the gap.

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05-01-2021, 06:04 AM	#31
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	the FA and DA limiteds have an appeal to some, not all will like them but if you like what they offer, I agree, it is hard to stop at one I should know: all SMC FA Limiteds [ MIJ ] and all SMC DA Limiteds primes are among my lenses [ my wife has been very, very nice to me ] Last edited by aslyfox; 05-01-2021 at 06:09 AM.

05-01-2021, 06:06 AM - 2 Likes	#32
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by jerryleejr The 43 was my first limited, and just like lays potato chips the 77 and 21 soon followed now I’m wrestling between the 31 and DFA21 as my next purchase… JJ to me neither the DA 20-40mm zoom or the D FA 21 are members of the true " limited " family but what do I know ? [ not as much as I may claim but more than some people, my in- laws and brothers included, give me credit for ]

05-01-2021, 06:18 AM - 1 Like	#33
Belnan Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,090	The FA 43 1.9 is a really special lens. I will likely get it again someday, I had it.. returned it.. regretted it. It was a money thing, wah wah.

05-03-2021, 09:17 PM	#34
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 697	Great lens, glad I bought it. I have lots of fun using it.

05-04-2021, 05:50 AM - 1 Like	#35
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by aslyfox to me neither the DA 20-40mm zoom or the D FA 21 are members of the true " limited " family How can we know anything without the 21 being released? As for the 20-40, we can discuss at length, but it's a compact, metal, beautifully assembled, high-optical-quality lens without the specs to make it a STAR lens. It's a Limited all right.

05-04-2021, 09:13 AM - 1 Like	#36
jct us101 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 3,793	Originally posted by aslyfox to me neither the DA 20-40mm zoom or the D FA 21 are members of the true " limited " family but what do I know ? [ not as much as I may claim but more than some people, my in- laws and brothers included, give me credit for ] They are a bit oversized for the whole point of the limited line

05-04-2021, 09:59 AM	#37
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by jct us101 They are a bit oversized for the whole point of the limited line And the limiteds are prime lenses except for the 20-40

05-04-2021, 11:34 AM - 1 Like	#38
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,677	Originally posted by bdery How can we know anything without the 21 being released? As for the 20-40, we can discuss at length, but it's a compact, metal, beautifully assembled, high-optical-quality lens without the specs to make it a STAR lens. It's a Limited all right. I've always thought the current D FA100mm f2.8 Macro WR should have been a Limited lens...

05-05-2021, 05:56 AM - 1 Like	#39
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by pepperberry farm I've always thought the current D FA100mm f2.8 Macro WR should have been a Limited lens... I agree. The only reasons I think it isn't are that the inner shaft is plastic, and it might have more PF than what is deemed acceptable. Apart from that, it certainly fits the bill.

05-06-2021, 09:40 AM - 2 Likes	#40
5ks Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 681	Originally posted by 5ks - - - well ... I just decided to go for the XS 40... So much for my patience! But is it a decent compromise or just a starter? The deal is done: I got the DA 40 XS. Quite nice, and less vignetting with FF (K-1) that I feared. Next step: learning to get the most of it! ... and perhaps get a snap-on lens cap?

05-06-2021, 11:12 AM	#41
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	Originally posted by 5ks The deal is done: I got the DA 40 XS. Quite nice, and less vignetting with FF (K-1) that I feared. Next step: learning to get the most of it! ... and perhaps get a snap-on lens cap? congratulations you now own the best lens in its class [ of one ] and a darn good lens as well I got one of these for a lens hood CowboyStudio 27mm DV-s DV Screw Mount Lens Hood with Cap for Digital Video Camera and Camcorder, unfortunately Amazon says not available now I got a cheap 27mm filter and glued the push on cap to it to create my own screw on cap

05-07-2021, 08:38 AM	#42
5ks Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern Finland Posts: 681	Originally posted by aslyfox congratulations you now own the best lens in its class [ of one ] and a darn good lens as well I got one of these for a lens hood CowboyStudio 27mm DV-s DV Screw Mount Lens Hood with Cap for Digital Video Camera and Camcorder, unfortunately Amazon says not available now I got a cheap 27mm filter and glued the push on cap to it to create my own screw on cap Thanks! I started with ordering a 27 mm snap-on lens cap. For hood, I'm not quite sure yet, but might try something ... perhaps I could do it with step-up rings, but that would probably be clumsy and ugly. I think I'll get some field experience first to see how much the hood is needed in real life.

05-08-2021, 03:28 AM - 1 Like	#43
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	For film cameras the 43 is a no brainer, the aperture ring alone is a really big feature. I bought mine for using on my LX and then bought a K-1 just to use this lens at it's natural focal length (I struggle to make it work on APS-C). Apart from that you have two choices: SMC or HD and silver or black!

05-08-2021, 07:34 PM - 1 Like	#44
simsburyphoto Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 244	I recently got a used FA 43mm. I really think it will live on my K1ii.

05-09-2021, 02:05 PM - 1 Like	#45
JJ-eire New Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Catalunya Posts: 22 Original Poster	Thanks for the replies everyone. In the end, I didn't get the 43mm, it was a bit too much at €389, I had to buy a new laptop and couldn't justify the cost (yet). However it doss look like a great lens and a worthy addition to any setup. I suppressed my G.A.S. with a Konica 40mm 1.8 and a Nikon FA in v.good condition. Now on film, some days I either shoot all Nikon (D750, F80, FM/FA) covers most Nikon prime lenses or all Pentax (MZS + Mz30) and a few primes. That 70mm limited is looking pretty tempting to fill in the gap.