Comparative review: HD Pentax-FA Limited Trio vs SMC Pentax-FA Limited Trio

Adam · 06-08-2021, 11:27 PM - **12 Likes**

Bernard (@bdery) has recently completed our in-depth review that compares the new HD Pentax-FA limited trio (31mm, 43mm, 77mm) to the older SMC versions. We'll be officially announcing the review in the coming days. In the meantime, the review is already available below. Enjoy!

HD vs. SMC Pentax FA Limited Lenses Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Adam
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hcc · 06-09-2021, 02:02 AM

Great. Many thanks to Bernard (@bdery) and PF.
Cheers from down under ....

house · 06-09-2021, 03:47 AM

Wow, the handling of bright lights are hugely improved! I was interested to see how the smc+ghostless would fare against hd only. The winner is obvious.

sundown · 06-09-2021, 04:25 AM

Cool, now I know I don't need the HD version hehe

Bring on the 21.

**sergysergy** · 06-09-2021, 05:20 AM

This will be an interesting one.

stevebrot · 06-09-2021, 08:35 AM

Yay! This review is long-awaited.

Steve

**Mbaez** · 06-09-2021, 10:19 AM

Thank you @bdery and @Adam!

Last edited by Mbaez; 06-09-2021 at 12:02 PM.

bdery · 06-09-2021, 10:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by hcc

Great. Many thanks to Bernard (@bdery) and PF.

A pleasure!

Originally posted by stevebrot

Yay! This review is long-awaited.

I did my best to speed things up!

**kiwi_jono** · 06-09-2021, 03:52 PM

Thanks Bernard!
I love starbursts and quite surprised to see how good they were on the HD variant. Yes you need to stop down a bit more perhaps but to me the HD actually looked a bit cleaner than on the SMC (due to less flare by the looks of it).
In any case I'm happy to stick with my current SMC lenses but if I was buying now I would seriously consider the HD variant.

vijaykishan · 06-10-2021, 07:33 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks a TON, As usual a very thorough review and can't thank you enough Bernard!

Andrea K · 06-10-2021, 07:34 AM

Bernard, please add a purple fringing test (above all for the 77mm) and, if you can, a color balance test on film. Thanks!

Great work!

**aslyfox** · 06-10-2021, 07:35 AM

great work on the review

but I am sticking with my MIJ FA Limiteds

**Mbaez** · 06-10-2021, 07:39 AM

I prefer the bokeh and highlights roll-off in the 31 HD.
Now I need the money

Thanks again!

HoutHans · 06-14-2021, 11:47 PM

Thanks for this review. I've alwqays admired how the reviewers are meticulous and methodical, this really adds to the usefulness of the reviews.

MegaPower · 06-15-2021, 12:23 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

great work on the review

but I am sticking with my MIJ FA Limiteds

hand on MIJs

but that HD FA43 with the green dot makes it perfect

06-08-2021, 11:27 PM - 12 Likes	#1
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Comparative review: HD Pentax-FA Limited Trio vs SMC Pentax-FA Limited Trio Bernard (@bdery) has recently completed our in-depth review that compares the new HD Pentax-FA limited trio (31mm, 43mm, 77mm) to the older SMC versions. We'll be officially announcing the review in the coming days. In the meantime, the review is already available below. Enjoy! HD vs. SMC Pentax FA Limited Lenses Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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06-09-2021, 02:02 AM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Great. Many thanks to Bernard (@bdery) and PF. Cheers from down under ....

06-09-2021, 03:47 AM	#3
house Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,306	Wow, the handling of bright lights are hugely improved! I was interested to see how the smc+ghostless would fare against hd only. The winner is obvious.

06-09-2021, 04:25 AM	#4
sundown Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 588	Cool, now I know I don't need the HD version hehe Bring on the 21.

06-09-2021, 05:20 AM	#5
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	This will be an interesting one.

06-09-2021, 08:35 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Yay! This review is long-awaited. Steve

06-09-2021, 10:19 AM	#7
Mbaez Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NY Photos: Albums Posts: 3,773	Thank you @bdery and @Adam! Last edited by Mbaez; 06-09-2021 at 12:02 PM.

06-09-2021, 10:58 AM - 1 Like	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by hcc Great. Many thanks to Bernard (@bdery) and PF. A pleasure! Originally posted by stevebrot Yay! This review is long-awaited. I did my best to speed things up!

06-09-2021, 03:52 PM	#9
kiwi_jono Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,437	Thanks Bernard! I love starbursts and quite surprised to see how good they were on the HD variant. Yes you need to stop down a bit more perhaps but to me the HD actually looked a bit cleaner than on the SMC (due to less flare by the looks of it). In any case I'm happy to stick with my current SMC lenses but if I was buying now I would seriously consider the HD variant.

06-10-2021, 07:33 AM - 1 Like	#10
vijaykishan Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Photos: Gallery Posts: 999	Thanks a TON, As usual a very thorough review and can't thank you enough Bernard!

06-10-2021, 07:34 AM	#11
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	Bernard, please add a purple fringing test (above all for the 77mm) and, if you can, a color balance test on film. Thanks! Great work!

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06-10-2021, 07:35 AM	#12
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,581	great work on the review but I am sticking with my MIJ FA Limiteds

06-10-2021, 07:39 AM	#13
Mbaez Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NY Photos: Albums Posts: 3,773	I prefer the bokeh and highlights roll-off in the 31 HD. Now I need the money Thanks again!

06-14-2021, 11:47 PM	#14
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,117	Thanks for this review. I've alwqays admired how the reviewers are meticulous and methodical, this really adds to the usefulness of the reviews.

06-15-2021, 12:23 AM	#15
MegaPower Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hong Kong / Irvine, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 636	Originally posted by aslyfox great work on the review but I am sticking with my MIJ FA Limiteds hand on MIJs but that HD FA43 with the green dot makes it perfect