Pentax FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited samples

tomO2013 · 06-07-2016, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by chickentender

You may do well to have it bench tested. I've not heard of a ton of copy variation with the FA43 in particular, but the first FA31 that I owned several years ago saw decreased use for a lonnnnng time because I thought I was nuts as well. A lot of shots that looked like missed focus (slightly) and other oddness, at many focus distances but especially problematic at infinity. It was finally determined that it was ever so slightly decentered and I had it repaired (a long ordeal) after which it performed *much* better. In the meantime I had picked up a used copy locally (as I was without the original for more than 6 months- long story) and it was IMMEDIATELY apparent how much better that copy was, and even slightly better than the repaired original I received back.
Food for thought - I mention because your brief description sounded familiar, but also because I've never experienced anything like that with my 43 on the DSLR I've had (K-7, K-5, and K-3) or any of the film bodies, auto-focus or manual. It's always been sharp as tacks and nails focus.

Thanks - that's great advice. I'll totally check that out and see if it is decentered just needs an ever so slight focus adjust.

LeRolls · 06-08-2016, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by tomO2013

I see from most of your work you are shooting with the K3 so that 31mm on the K3 is going to be giving you closer to the FOV that you get with the 43mm on the K1.

Have you considered your options for semi-wide with smooth out of focus background when you go K1 given that you don't like the 43mm?

I recently purchased an FA 85 1.4 from eBay (still waiting for it to ship). If it is a good copy then I will try to transition from the 77 to the 85 for my standard portraits especially on the K-1. For slightly wider shots I will use the 77.

At least that's the plan.

digitalandfilm · 06-12-2016, 06:09 AM - **1 Like**

happy with this lens!

tomO2013 · 06-15-2016, 11:57 PM

Ok ran a number of rounds through lens align and focus tune tonight with the 43mm wide open.
Lens tune recommended that at the X25 distance that I use with a +2 adjustment.
So far I'm getting much more accurate shots. I calibrated with flash lighting to try and get it as consistent as possible.
I also noticed that my 31mm needed +3 - also at X25 distance.
I'm going to take it for another test drive. When it hits focus this lens is extremely sharp and all the good things that you read about. Going to test with a more extended test drive tomorrow...

tomO2013 · 06-26-2016, 03:03 AM - **1 Like**

So I am starting to really like this lens... a lot!

Focus adjust works wonders - show wide open at F1.9.

Lunch on Whyte! by tom.ohle, on Flickr

Sage97 · 08-11-2016, 06:59 PM - **1 Like**

GateCityRadio · 08-26-2016, 08:19 PM - **1 Like**

Sage97 · 09-29-2016, 07:52 AM - **3 Likes**

Cross posted elsewhere

**klh** · 09-29-2016, 09:04 AM - **3 Likes**

edin_togger · 01-03-2017, 02:04 PM - **5 Likes**

I ordered the "Ltd Trio" (31/43/77) while there are good sale offers on in the UK as I wanted a lightweight alternative to my 24-70 and I have been putting the 31 and 43 through their paces.

I had read a few mixed things about the 43mm on the K1 but so far I can't help but be impressed by what is a tiny bit of kit!

1. Edinburgh City Centre at night

2. Bass Rock from Seacliff Beach, East Lothian

3. Seacliff Harbour and Tantallon Castle, East Lothian

**Eagle94VT** · 05-27-2017, 02:15 PM - **3 Likes**

Reverse 43 on the K1

**Eagle94VT** · 05-29-2017, 05:02 PM - **2 Likes**

Backwards again

AquaDome · 05-30-2017, 04:45 PM - **2 Likes**

I just received an FA43 and had to take it out for a test drive. Peonies are blooming in the garden.

ChatMechant · 06-05-2017, 07:30 PM - **1 Like**

On the K-1

bdery · 06-06-2017, 06:02 AM

Finding a used copy of this lens in good shape and in silver seems awfully hard. People seem to hang on to it, and seeing the images here I can understand why.

06-26-2016, 03:03 AM - 1 Like	#80
tomO2013 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 155	So I am starting to really like this lens... a lot! Focus adjust works wonders - show wide open at F1.9. Lunch on Whyte! by tom.ohle, on Flickr Last edited by tomO2013; 06-27-2016 at 12:21 AM.

09-29-2016, 09:04 AM - 3 Likes	#84
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	FA43 on MZ-S with Ektar 100 film

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited samples	TOUGEFC	Lens Sample Photo Archive	274	01-19-2024 07:39 AM
Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 AL Limited samples	twitch	Lens Sample Photo Archive	375	11-29-2022 05:24 PM
Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited samples	Marlboroman	Lens Sample Photo Archive	64	11-30-2021 05:26 AM

06-07-2016, 08:50 AM	#76
tomO2013 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 155	Originally posted by chickentender You may do well to have it bench tested. I've not heard of a ton of copy variation with the FA43 in particular, but the first FA31 that I owned several years ago saw decreased use for a lonnnnng time because I thought I was nuts as well. A lot of shots that looked like missed focus (slightly) and other oddness, at many focus distances but especially problematic at infinity. It was finally determined that it was ever so slightly decentered and I had it repaired (a long ordeal) after which it performed much better. In the meantime I had picked up a used copy locally (as I was without the original for more than 6 months- long story) and it was IMMEDIATELY apparent how much better that copy was, and even slightly better than the repaired original I received back. Food for thought - I mention because your brief description sounded familiar, but also because I've never experienced anything like that with my 43 on the DSLR I've had (K-7, K-5, and K-3) or any of the film bodies, auto-focus or manual. It's always been sharp as tacks and nails focus. Thanks - that's great advice. I'll totally check that out and see if it is decentered just needs an ever so slight focus adjust.

06-08-2016, 12:17 PM	#77
LeRolls Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 4,504	Originally posted by tomO2013 I see from most of your work you are shooting with the K3 so that 31mm on the K3 is going to be giving you closer to the FOV that you get with the 43mm on the K1. Have you considered your options for semi-wide with smooth out of focus background when you go K1 given that you don't like the 43mm? I recently purchased an FA 85 1.4 from eBay (still waiting for it to ship). If it is a good copy then I will try to transition from the 77 to the 85 for my standard portraits especially on the K-1. For slightly wider shots I will use the 77. At least that's the plan.

06-15-2016, 11:57 PM	#79
tomO2013 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 155	Ok ran a number of rounds through lens align and focus tune tonight with the 43mm wide open. Lens tune recommended that at the X25 distance that I use with a +2 adjustment. So far I'm getting much more accurate shots. I calibrated with flash lighting to try and get it as consistent as possible. I also noticed that my 31mm needed +3 - also at X25 distance. I'm going to take it for another test drive. When it hits focus this lens is extremely sharp and all the good things that you read about. Going to test with a more extended test drive tomorrow...

08-11-2016, 06:59 PM - 1 Like	#81
Sage97 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,238

08-26-2016, 08:19 PM - 1 Like	#82
GateCityRadio Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Greensboro,NC Posts: 503

09-29-2016, 07:52 AM - 3 Likes	#83
Sage97 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 3,238	Cross posted elsewhere

01-03-2017, 02:04 PM - 5 Likes	#85
edin_togger Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 76	I ordered the "Ltd Trio" (31/43/77) while there are good sale offers on in the UK as I wanted a lightweight alternative to my 24-70 and I have been putting the 31 and 43 through their paces. I had read a few mixed things about the 43mm on the K1 but so far I can't help but be impressed by what is a tiny bit of kit! 1. Edinburgh City Centre at night 2. Bass Rock from Seacliff Beach, East Lothian 3. Seacliff Harbour and Tantallon Castle, East Lothian

05-27-2017, 02:15 PM - 3 Likes	#86
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291	Reverse 43 on the K1

05-29-2017, 05:02 PM - 2 Likes	#87
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291	Backwards again

06-05-2017, 07:30 PM - 1 Like	#89
ChatMechant Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Matsuyama Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,284	On the K-1

06-06-2017, 06:02 AM	#90
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Finding a used copy of this lens in good shape and in silver seems awfully hard. People seem to hang on to it, and seeing the images here I can understand why.