Originally posted by a5m FAs are ugly and have more plastic than metal. IMO in terms of build quality they are plastic rubbish. It's obvious Pentax skimped on them. The Fs have more metal. FA50/1.7 weighs 170g vs 205g of the F50/1.7.
I personally prefer the Fs way more than the FAs. In terms of build quality, looks and performance. I had two FA50/1.7's and after testing for sharpness I kept the F50/1.7. So what if they're grey, I actually like that.
I got rid of two FA35/2s. I wish they made a F35/2.
I think they're kind of rugged. I have all metal lenses, the FA Limited's and Zeiss ZK's and wotnot. But I'm always fearful of scratching the damn things. With the FA 1.4/50 I'm not. I don't have to care and can just get on and shoot.
I wish the FA Limited's had been built in the same manner as the FA's, albeit with better manual focus control etc and AW sealing (not WR, full AW). I don't care what stuff looks and feels like, I just want to shoot and concentrate on the results.
Pentax is sold as a rugged brand, but few of their lenses are.