People have wondered why the FA* and it's predecessor were so highly regarded by those who own it.

I am hoping to put to rest exactly what this lens is capable of and why it's got legendary status of being possibly the finest lens in terms of clarity that Pentax has ever made.

How about being able to render the individual colors within a pixel from 12 inches away? Even at 100% the image shows the separate colors, something our eyes cannot see, tinier than the sharpened tip of a pencil.

This was a handheld shot, in dim conditions, but it should do. Of course, a screenshot of other legendary telephotos is a good subject too...

First at 12.5%, a little larger than what you'd see on a LCD screen:


Now at 25%:


Now at 100%:


The collective unit of a red/green/blue is just one tiny "white" pixel on my LCD panel.

I hope this puts things in perspective...

Cheers,
Marc

[Alvin]

Just to further that perspective, a wide open shot with my buddy's Gemini 135/2.8 1:4 macro. 100% crop. Shot at 3 feet.

That's a crazy shot, Marc!

[Rolly]

Yeah. Awesome ain't it.

That's a great example. Thanks

[roentarre]

Marc, I never knew how amazing the lens is until you demonstrated these hidden colour!

This is insane!

[Marc Langille]

Just to further that perspective, a wide open shot with my buddy's Gemini 135/2.8 1:4 macro. 100% crop. Shot at 3 feet.

That's a crazy shot, Marc!

I thought you might like that one...

[Alvin]

I thought you might like that one...

You gotta make some funky abstract with this. Lets see you photoshop this one

[Marc Langille]

You gotta make some funky abstract with this. Lets see you photoshop this one

Yikes! Marc quickly exits stage left...