The FA Un-Limited Club

Pixel-8 · 01-13-2015, 01:44 PM - **1 Like**

A few B&W shots taken in local Chinese Garden (Portland, Oregon)

K7 with FA 28-70/4 (made in Vietnam version)

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Pixel-8 · 01-16-2015, 01:42 PM

I find that this lens does really really well imaging at f6.3 to f7.1, across the entire lens' range from 28 to 70mm. Colors can be muted compared to Pentax primes and overall contrast is generally moderate. Lends itself to B&W conversions on the K7 which otherwise gives a fairly low DR/high contrast rendition to images. There is a fair amount of micro-contrast detail but not earth shattering sharpness wide open, SOOC (needs post processing a bit of unsharp mask). Out of focus areas are generally smooth and nicely represented. For a low cost zoom (got this one for less than $50), this lens performs. The made in Vietnam versions seem to have no issues with rear element separation, according to reports. I see no evidence of lens separation in mine. A much maligned and misunderstood lens.

zzeitg · 01-16-2015, 04:13 PM - **2 Likes**

Just 5 random shots from my first day with FA50 f1.7...

Jonathan Mac · 01-17-2015, 02:21 AM

The FA 50/11.7 is a really great lens, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot.

zzeitg · 01-17-2015, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

The FA 50/11.7 is a really great lens, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot.

I'm pretty sure... These FA (F) lenses are becoming my obsession. There're so many to test and explore!

First shot with my FA 20-35 (@29 mm):

simon_199 · 01-18-2015, 12:43 PM - **1 Like**

Taken from my bedroom window with FA 80-320. Not the best photo ever but the light was dim, and the little animal really fast :P

hoopsontoast · 01-20-2015, 12:51 AM

FA20-35 with ND4 and CPL filter. I keep noticing more and more dust! Its a real issue when stacking filters out in the field!

khanhtung · 02-11-2015, 06:42 AM - **1 Like**

My cheap FA 100-300 f4.7-5.8.Sometime it soft but the color is good.

Jorgario · 02-11-2015, 12:03 PM

Here is an old picture, just to say hello and subscribe this thread; K 30 + FA 80-320mm

Jorgario · 02-13-2015, 10:07 AM

One more with the smc PENTAX-FA 80-320mm F4.5-5.6 + K 30:

Driline · 02-24-2015, 07:44 PM

Pentax FA 100 Macro with K-3

Jorgario · 03-07-2015, 11:34 AM - **1 Like**

I was really impressed, once again, with the color rendition of the FA 28mm f2.8 and I want to show you this picture:

theunartist · 03-18-2015, 03:08 AM

Originally posted by hoopsontoast

FA20-35 with ND4 and CPL filter. I keep noticing more and more dust! Its a real issue when stacking filters out in the field!

The "dust" you see is on your sensor and not on the lens or stacked filters. I see a spot or two on right side of image...

Originally posted by khanhtung

My cheap FA 100-300 f4.7-5.8.Sometime it soft but the color is good.

+1 Very nicely done...

hoopsontoast · 03-21-2015, 04:09 AM

Originally posted by theunartist

The "dust" you see is on your sensor and not on the lens or stacked filters. I see a spot or two on right side of image...

+1 Very nicely done...

Ah ha, I will try with the K-01 dust cleaner more, I have it set to auto when you turn it on/off but it still gets in there!

rob1234 · 03-21-2015, 01:20 PM

Couple of shots with my bargain FA50/1.7 - some fungus, but still seems to perform better than my old F50/1.7. Both wide-open:

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01-16-2015, 01:42 PM	#272
Pixel-8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 265	I find that this lens does really really well imaging at f6.3 to f7.1, across the entire lens' range from 28 to 70mm. Colors can be muted compared to Pentax primes and overall contrast is generally moderate. Lends itself to B&W conversions on the K7 which otherwise gives a fairly low DR/high contrast rendition to images. There is a fair amount of micro-contrast detail but not earth shattering sharpness wide open, SOOC (needs post processing a bit of unsharp mask). Out of focus areas are generally smooth and nicely represented. For a low cost zoom (got this one for less than $50), this lens performs. The made in Vietnam versions seem to have no issues with rear element separation, according to reports. I see no evidence of lens separation in mine. A much maligned and misunderstood lens.

01-16-2015, 04:13 PM - 2 Likes	#273
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Just 5 random shots from my first day with FA50 f1.7...

01-17-2015, 02:21 AM	#274
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	The FA 50/11.7 is a really great lens, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot.

01-17-2015, 03:13 PM	#275
zzeitg Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Bohemia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,017	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac The FA 50/11.7 is a really great lens, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot. I'm pretty sure... These FA (F) lenses are becoming my obsession. There're so many to test and explore! First shot with my FA 20-35 (@29 mm):

01-18-2015, 12:43 PM - 1 Like	#276
simon_199 Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 614	Taken from my bedroom window with FA 80-320. Not the best photo ever but the light was dim, and the little animal really fast :P

01-20-2015, 12:51 AM	#277
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861	FA20-35 with ND4 and CPL filter. I keep noticing more and more dust! Its a real issue when stacking filters out in the field!

02-11-2015, 06:42 AM - 1 Like	#278
khanhtung New Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 23	My cheap FA 100-300 f4.7-5.8.Sometime it soft but the color is good.

02-11-2015, 12:03 PM	#279
Jorgario Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San José Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,769	Here is an old picture, just to say hello and subscribe this thread; K 30 + FA 80-320mm

02-13-2015, 10:07 AM	#280
Jorgario Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San José Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,769	One more with the smc PENTAX-FA 80-320mm F4.5-5.6 + K 30:

02-24-2015, 07:44 PM	#281
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,705	Pentax FA 100 Macro with K-3

03-07-2015, 11:34 AM - 1 Like	#282
Jorgario Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San José Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,769	I was really impressed, once again, with the color rendition of the FA 28mm f2.8 and I want to show you this picture:

03-18-2015, 03:08 AM	#283
theunartist Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 2,542	Originally posted by hoopsontoast FA20-35 with ND4 and CPL filter. I keep noticing more and more dust! Its a real issue when stacking filters out in the field! The "dust" you see is on your sensor and not on the lens or stacked filters. I see a spot or two on right side of image... Originally posted by khanhtung My cheap FA 100-300 f4.7-5.8.Sometime it soft but the color is good. +1 Very nicely done...

03-21-2015, 04:09 AM	#284
hoopsontoast Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 861	Originally posted by theunartist The "dust" you see is on your sensor and not on the lens or stacked filters. I see a spot or two on right side of image... +1 Very nicely done... Ah ha, I will try with the K-01 dust cleaner more, I have it set to auto when you turn it on/off but it still gets in there!

03-21-2015, 01:20 PM	#285
rob1234 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wiltshire/Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 1,760	Couple of shots with my bargain FA50/1.7 - some fungus, but still seems to perform better than my old F50/1.7. Both wide-open: