[Mistral75]

Online seminar re. the three HD FA Limited lenses.

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

[gazonk]

I've only noticed vignetting at f/2.4 on a few shots, mostly it's less noticeable than on the DFA 28-105 (where it can be pretty visible every now and then, but easy correctable).

I feel a little sorry for my 35 ltd, too, it was my favourite lens on K-5. I have used it every now and then for close ups, though, if you get close enough, there's no vignetting. And I use it (just slightly cropped) for "scanning" slides and negatives.

Two shots with K1 mk2 and the DA70 from a couple of days ago. Both f/2.4. No cropping, default DxO processing from RAW with all bells&whistles turned off (i.e. NO vignetting correction etc.).

[Serkevan]

Online seminar re. the three HD FA Limited lenses.

CP+2021 ONLINE リコーイメージング㈱ - YouTube

It has been set to private already. Anyone had a chance to watch it before that?

[biz-engineer]

Anyone had a chance to watch it before that?

Yes but it was in Japanese. I couldn't understand a word about what was said.

[JPT]

Yes but it was in Japanese. I couldn't understand a word about what was said.

The speaker (the less youthful one) was the same person who gave this talk I attended in November 2019. I would say about 70% of what he said was the same, so I'll just link to the report I wrote before.
The FA Limited Development Story (also a little DA Limited) - PentaxForums.com

What was new this time was that he had tried the HD versions and he and Iwasaki-san showed comparison photos. They showed significantly less flare when a light sources was in the frame or outside. It was also interesting that starburst still seem possible, but probably less so than before.

It seems that the 43 is the one that benefits from the change the most. Especially because it has an 8-blade aperture, meaning the new rounded blades make more of a difference. Also it gains the finger point that was missing from only the 43mm. He seems very proud of that design touch.

The last bit was Iwasaki-san and Ikenaga-san briefly showing and talking about the new DA* 16-50 f2.8. But discussion of that belongs in another thread. Unfortunately, there was no talk about the DFA21mm lens at all. I figured if they were going to show that at all, it would be in this talk, but sadly not.

[c.a.m]

Since joining Pentax Forums, my impression is that the FA 77mm Limited, of all lenses, has received the consistently highest accolades from users. It's highly rated and often recommended. It 'won' the 2014 Lens Tournament, edging out the runner-up, the FA 31mm Limited, and it's high in the list in the 2021 Tournament. Indeed, the FA 77 Ltd is a spectacular lens, despite its age and its minor flaws (if I dare use that word).

Similarly, folks rave about the FA 31mm Limited, while the FA 43 -- with its unique personality -- is also highly regarded and enjoyed. Many members have aspired to get one or all of the FA Limiteds, while others have encouraged such aspirations!

Without question, the designers of the original trio added a special sauce to their recipes -- these are time-tested, classic lenses. I think that the refreshed HD versions are bound to produce decades more of amazing images, and very satisfied users. Imagine 20 years from now, using an exceptional lens that had its origin more than four decades earlier!

A cook may fiddle with a time-tested recipe, but sometimes the results challenge the palate. Like Mama's favourite lasagna, Nana's pierogies, or Dad's BBQ ribs, classic family-loved dishes are usually best left unchanged, or perhaps tweaked only a little. Just be careful with the salt!

The new HD FA Limiteds: Good on you, Ricoh Imaging!

- Craig

[Andrea K]

...
What was new this time was that he had tried the HD versions and he and Iwasaki-san showed comparison photos. They showed significantly less flare when a light sources was in the frame or outside. It was also interesting that starburst still seem possible, but probably less so than before.
...

The colors reproduction is the same of the old smc version?

---

Last edited by Andrea K; 02-26-2021 at 07:56 AM.

[Serkevan]

Since joining Pentax Forums, my impression is that the FA 77mm Limited has received the consistently highest accolades from users. It's highly rated and often recommended. It 'won' the 2014 Lens Tournament, edging out the runner-up, the FA 31mm Limited, and it's high in the list in the 2021 Tournament. Indeed, the FA 77 Ltd is a spectacular lens, despite its age and its minor flaws (if I dare use that word).

Similarly, folks rave about the FA 31mm Limited, while the FA 43 -- with its unique personality -- is also highly regarded and enjoyed.

Without question, the designers of the original trio added a special sauce to their recipes -- these are classic lenses. I think that the refreshed HD versions are bound to produce decades more of amazing images, and very satisfied users. Imagine 20 years from now, using an exceptional lens that had its origin more than four decades earlier!

Good on you, Ricoh Imaging!

- Craig

In my very short experience with it, the 43mm has been excellent, although on occasion -seemingly at random, but I'm sure there's a method to the madness that I just have to find- it decides that it wants to make the background look more nervous than yours truly after entirely too much caffeine and overwork . On the other hand, the foreground blur in, for example, food shots is delicious.


The 77, in comparison, is every bit as good as its reputation... and it's, perhaps more importantly, consistently fantastic (except the few times that you have to go in to remove some purple from highlights - hopefully the HD coatings help there!).


Can't comment on the 31 because that one over here would cost me as much as the other 2 FA Ltds plus my beloved M20/4.

[house]

Unfortunately, there was no talk about the DFA21mm lens at all. I figured if they were going to show that at all, it would be in this talk, but sadly not.

Eeeek! Please Pentax don't make it another one of those prototype unicorns that fade into the night. :'(

[phoebus]

Available to pre-order from SRS in UK:

Pentax HD FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £1,099.00 (SMC £1,349)
Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 649.00 (SMC £ 729)
Pentax HD FA 77mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 799.00 (SMC £ 949)

Is this a first for newer version being cheaper than original?

[Serkevan]

Available to pre-order from SRS in UK:

Pentax HD FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £1,099.00 (SMC £1,349)
Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 649.00 (SMC £ 729)
Pentax HD FA 77mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 799.00 (SMC £ 949)

Is this a first for newer version being cheaper than original?

The HD FA 35/2 is also about 200€ cheaper than the SMC was.

[house]

Available to pre-order from SRS in UK:

Pentax HD FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £1,099.00 (SMC £1,349)
Pentax HD FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 649.00 (SMC £ 729)
Pentax HD FA 77mm F1.8 Limited Lens - Pre-Order £ 799.00 (SMC £ 949)

Is this a first for newer version being cheaper than original?

The HD FA 35mm f2 is considerably cheaper than the SMC in sweden.

[ehrwien]

The HD FA 35/2 is also about 200€ cheaper than the SMC was.

In Germany (amazon) there are a few (new) SMCs to be had for 225€. I don't think I could get an HD for 25€ somewhere?

[Serkevan]

In Germany (amazon) there are a few (new) SMCs to be had for 225€. I don't think I could get an HD for 25€ somewhere?

I meant at the Ricoh store, where the SMC was 600€ if memory serves well .
I've already seen the HD used for 260€ or so, though.

[reh321]

Now, Adorama is also advertising these lenses.
B&H and Adorama did both advertise a Metabones K-to-Q adapter in September 2019 that turned out to be a "Unicorn"
{I even pre-ordered one from B&H}, but this should provide some hope that Pentax will deliver these.