FA Limiteds To Be Discontinued?

Franky2step · 04-12-2013, 08:03 AM

can't PF be fixed and/or removed with software? I don't see this as a lens problem that requires a overhaul of the lens lineup.

gazonk · 04-12-2013, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by Franky2step

can't PF be fixed and/or removed with software?

PentaxForums fixed and/or removed?

The doomsday thinking here needs a fix at least: I'd say that the only tea leaf reading that's possible from these market movements is that Pentax is preparing for FF. Which is highly improbable right now. In any case, the sky is not falling

**gofour3** · 04-12-2013, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

From what I have seen purple fringing isn't affected by coatings - it is an optical-electrical thing, the lens design itself affects resolution and aberration control. Coatings are there merely to aid light transmission and improve image contrast and flare tolerance.

My guess is it’s something in the newer DSLR sensors interacting with these older film lenses that is causing the PF issue. The FA Limited’s were designed for film cameras where purple fringing has never been the same issue.

Phil.

Zygonyx · 04-12-2013, 02:07 PM

Well, my bet is that they will stay close to the most recent sale prices as new-ware, minus 20% as used lenses.
The D-FA tilt-shift and hopefully SDM new Limited FF models having a 15 to 20% price markup.

bossa · 04-12-2013, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by gofour3

My guess is it’s something in the newer DSLR sensors interacting with these older film lenses that is causing the PF issue. The FA Limited’s were designed for film cameras where purple fringing has never been the same issue.

Phil.

According to Wikipedia: PF is an axial abberation where the purple /violet/UV wavelengths aren't corrected for in the lens design. Film was not very sensitive to these wavelengths and so it wasn't a problem back in the day. Sensor are apparently very sensitive to these wavelengths and thus we get PF... Has anyone experimented with UV filters or otherwise to see if this can minimize PF?

PF can be removed in PP but sometimes it leaves artifacts like grey edges.. especially on petals with the same colours present.

twitch · 04-12-2013, 03:27 PM

Since switching from Aperture to LR4 I've been a lot less worried about PF, it's very easy to remove now whereas it was a pain in A3. As bossa said though, if there's an extreme case it can leave a grey edge.

**gofour3** · 04-12-2013, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by bossa

According to Wikipedia: PF is an axial abberation where the purple /violet/UV wavelengths aren't corrected for in the lens design. Film was not very sensitive to these wavelengths and so it wasn't a problem back in the day. Sensor are apparently very sensitive to these wavelengths and thus we get PF...

That makes sense, I’ve never heard of PF until a couple years ago.

Phil.

**Digitalis** · 04-12-2013, 05:21 PM

Originally posted by bossa

Has anyone experimented with UV filters or otherwise to see if this can minimize PF?

The Leica M8 I use needs a UV/IR cut filter to supplement the weakened internal cut filter - with or without this filter there is no reduction in PF.

bossa · 04-12-2013, 06:53 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

The Leica M8 I use needs a UV/IR cut filter to supplement the weakened internal cut filter - with or without this filter there is no reduction in PF.

Cheers..

ElJamoquio · 04-12-2013, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Since switching from Aperture to LR4 I've been a lot less worried about PF, it's very easy to remove now whereas it was a pain in A3. As bossa said though, if there's an extreme case it can leave a grey edge.

Are you talking about PF or CA?

I've had good luck with CA, bad luck with PF, admittedly in LR3. I have LR4 now, but haven't looked into PF tools.

builttospill · 04-12-2013, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by bossa

The latest Pentax Lens Brochure has NO FA limited lenses listed as part of the system.

No, they're not being discontinued. I got to page four of the brochure where it read "PENTAX SDM lenses drive the autofocus
system significantly faster" and knew it wasn't real, so they can't be discontinuing them.

Originally posted by Digitalis

- in all seriousness, it is possible pentax may be giving these lenses a revamp - if they do then expect the old FA limited to suffer a serous price drop.

Actually, if they revamp them, there's a high chance they won't have an aperture ring. This will probably increase prices of the current FA Limiteds with the ring.

twitch · 04-12-2013, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by ElJamoquio

Are you talking about PF or CA?

I've had good luck with CA, bad luck with PF, admittedly in LR3. I have LR4 now, but haven't looked into PF tools.

Both are easy to remove now

Winder · 04-12-2013, 07:42 PM - **1 Like**

Hopefully the prices shoot up and I can sell my 31mm for the new Sigma 35mm F/1.4.

twitch · 04-12-2013, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

Actually, if they revamp them, there's a high chance they won't have an aperture ring. This will probably increase prices of the current FA Limiteds with the ring.

I agree. Also inevitably the rendering will be different (I'd put my money on edge to edge sharpness at the expense of smooth bokeh) and so the legacy FA limiteds will have an appeal still.

It's not an "if" these lenses will be discontinued of course, all lenses eventually are, and these FA limiteds have already had a long life.

**Digitalis** · 04-12-2013, 07:57 PM

yes, the aperture ring was one of the primary points of interest for me as a photographer with the FA limited lenses. Which is why I like to use my Leica M cameras as well.

though my point was if the new lenses that replace the FA limited lenses have superior image quality* then there will still be a drop in the price on the older FA LTD lenses.

*As good as the FA limted lenses are there is still room for improvement - also an expansion of the FA limited lens line up would be a great way to pave the road for a future FF camera, say a 20mm f/2 and a 120mm f/1.8?

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04-12-2013, 08:03 AM	#46
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	can't PF be fixed and/or removed with software? I don't see this as a lens problem that requires a overhaul of the lens lineup.

04-12-2013, 08:50 AM	#47
gazonk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oslo area, Norway Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,746	Originally posted by Franky2step can't PF be fixed and/or removed with software? PentaxForums fixed and/or removed? The doomsday thinking here needs a fix at least: I'd say that the only tea leaf reading that's possible from these market movements is that Pentax is preparing for FF. Which is highly improbable right now. In any case, the sky is not falling

04-12-2013, 01:46 PM	#48
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by Digitalis From what I have seen purple fringing isn't affected by coatings - it is an optical-electrical thing, the lens design itself affects resolution and aberration control. Coatings are there merely to aid light transmission and improve image contrast and flare tolerance. My guess is it’s something in the newer DSLR sensors interacting with these older film lenses that is causing the PF issue. The FA Limited’s were designed for film cameras where purple fringing has never been the same issue. Phil.

04-12-2013, 02:07 PM	#49
Zygonyx Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ile de France Posts: 4,033	Well, my bet is that they will stay close to the most recent sale prices as new-ware, minus 20% as used lenses. The D-FA tilt-shift and hopefully SDM new Limited FF models having a 15 to 20% price markup.

04-12-2013, 03:09 PM	#50
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546 Original Poster	Originally posted by gofour3 My guess is it’s something in the newer DSLR sensors interacting with these older film lenses that is causing the PF issue. The FA Limited’s were designed for film cameras where purple fringing has never been the same issue. Phil. According to Wikipedia: PF is an axial abberation where the purple /violet/UV wavelengths aren't corrected for in the lens design. Film was not very sensitive to these wavelengths and so it wasn't a problem back in the day. Sensor are apparently very sensitive to these wavelengths and thus we get PF... Has anyone experimented with UV filters or otherwise to see if this can minimize PF? PF can be removed in PP but sometimes it leaves artifacts like grey edges.. especially on petals with the same colours present.

04-12-2013, 03:27 PM	#51
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Since switching from Aperture to LR4 I've been a lot less worried about PF, it's very easy to remove now whereas it was a pain in A3. As bossa said though, if there's an extreme case it can leave a grey edge.

04-12-2013, 03:35 PM	#52
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by bossa According to Wikipedia: PF is an axial abberation where the purple /violet/UV wavelengths aren't corrected for in the lens design. Film was not very sensitive to these wavelengths and so it wasn't a problem back in the day. Sensor are apparently very sensitive to these wavelengths and thus we get PF... That makes sense, I’ve never heard of PF until a couple years ago. Phil.

04-12-2013, 05:21 PM	#53
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by bossa Has anyone experimented with UV filters or otherwise to see if this can minimize PF? The Leica M8 I use needs a UV/IR cut filter to supplement the weakened internal cut filter - with or without this filter there is no reduction in PF.

04-12-2013, 06:53 PM	#54
bossa Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Adelaide Posts: 4,546 Original Poster	Originally posted by Digitalis The Leica M8 I use needs a UV/IR cut filter to supplement the weakened internal cut filter - with or without this filter there is no reduction in PF. Cheers..

04-12-2013, 07:03 PM	#55
ElJamoquio Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4,873	Originally posted by twitch Since switching from Aperture to LR4 I've been a lot less worried about PF, it's very easy to remove now whereas it was a pain in A3. As bossa said though, if there's an extreme case it can leave a grey edge. Are you talking about PF or CA? I've had good luck with CA, bad luck with PF, admittedly in LR3. I have LR4 now, but haven't looked into PF tools.

04-12-2013, 07:25 PM	#56
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	Originally posted by bossa The latest Pentax Lens Brochure has NO FA limited lenses listed as part of the system. No, they're not being discontinued. I got to page four of the brochure where it read "PENTAX SDM lenses drive the autofocus system significantly faster" and knew it wasn't real, so they can't be discontinuing them. Originally posted by Digitalis - in all seriousness, it is possible pentax may be giving these lenses a revamp - if they do then expect the old FA limited to suffer a serous price drop. Actually, if they revamp them, there's a high chance they won't have an aperture ring. This will probably increase prices of the current FA Limiteds with the ring.

04-12-2013, 07:42 PM	#57
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by ElJamoquio Are you talking about PF or CA? I've had good luck with CA, bad luck with PF, admittedly in LR3. I have LR4 now, but haven't looked into PF tools. Both are easy to remove now

04-12-2013, 07:42 PM - 1 Like	#58
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Hopefully the prices shoot up and I can sell my 31mm for the new Sigma 35mm F/1.4.

04-12-2013, 07:45 PM	#59
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by builttospill Actually, if they revamp them, there's a high chance they won't have an aperture ring. This will probably increase prices of the current FA Limiteds with the ring. I agree. Also inevitably the rendering will be different (I'd put my money on edge to edge sharpness at the expense of smooth bokeh) and so the legacy FA limiteds will have an appeal still. It's not an "if" these lenses will be discontinued of course, all lenses eventually are, and these FA limiteds have already had a long life.

04-12-2013, 07:57 PM	#60
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	yes, the aperture ring was one of the primary points of interest for me as a photographer with the FA limited lenses. Which is why I like to use my Leica M cameras as well. though my point was if the new lenses that replace the FA limited lenses have superior image quality* then there will still be a drop in the price on the older FA LTD lenses. *As good as the FA limted lenses are there is still room for improvement - also an expansion of the FA limited lens line up would be a great way to pave the road for a future FF camera, say a 20mm f/2 and a 120mm f/1.8?