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SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited

Sharpness 
 9.5
Aberrations 
 8.7
Bokeh 
 9.0
Autofocus 
 9.1
Handling 
 9.4
Value 
 8.8
Reviews Views Date of last review
100 400,676 Mon December 4, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
96% of reviewers $506.39 9.38
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
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SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
supersize
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
supersize
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
supersize
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
supersize
SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
supersize

Description:
The Pentax FA 43mm limited is a standard prime lens featuring a metal construction and superior optics.

It was for a while also available as a manual focus lens in the Leica M39 rangefinder mount with a matching optical viewfinder. That version was labeled smc Pentax-L 1:1.9 43mm Special.

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
Full-frame / 35mm film
Lens Mount
Pentax K
Aperture Ring
Yes (A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 8 blades
Optics
7 elements, 6 groups
Mount Variant
KAF
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F1.9
Min. Aperture
F22
Focusing
AF (screwdrive)
Quick-shift
No
Min. Focus
45 cm
Max. Magnification
0.12x
Filter Size
49 mm
Internal Focus
No
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

APS-C: 37 ° / 31 °
Full frame: 53 ° / 45 °
Hood
MH-RA 49 mm
Case
Dedicated pouch
Lens Cap
Dedicated metal push-on
Coating
Ghostless,SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Diam x Length
64 x 27 mm (2.5 x 1.1 in.)
Weight
155 g (5.5 oz.)
w/ Hood: +10g
Production Years
1997 to 2021
Pricing
$499 USD current price
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-FA 1:1.9 43mm Limited
Product Code
20170 (silver), 20180 (black)
Reviews
User reviews
In-depth review
Variants

Black and silver


Features:
Screwdrive AutofocusAperture RingAutomatic ApertureFull-Frame SupportDiscontinued
Purchase: Buy the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited
In-Depth Review: Read our SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited in-depth review!
Sample Photos: View Sample Photos
Price History:



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Junior Member

Registered: December, 2018
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 37

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 4, 2023 Recommended | Price: $175.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Incredibly sharp even at 100%, front and back depth of field
Cons: maybe cost? no quick shift
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 7    Value: 6    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K1   

I was very skeptical of this lens, given both the reviews here, and having the FA 35/2, DFA 50/2.8 macro, and the 77. Surely I couldn't justify keeping the 43, given how sharp the DFA 50 macro is.

But this AIV version is now the sharpest lens I have (out of 12)

Photographing subjects in low-light (f/2.8), and reviewing at 100% zoom magnification reveals individual strands of hair - extraordinary sharpness. Beautifully rendered front and rear depth of focus, producing photos I never achieved with the K1 before. The rendering is special, and I finally understand what "pixie dust" is.

No regrets at all buying this lens. Other than my copy is silver, and my body is black. Still have a lot of love for the 77, the handling is better, but the 43 is magnificent.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: May, 2014
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 2,046

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: November 27, 2022 Recommended | Price: $350.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Extremely sharp, Nice contrast, fast AF
Cons: None so far
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K5 IIs   

I never thought I would be saying this, but this is my favorite Limited lens. Actually, this is last of the "3 Amigo" lenses I purchased opting for the more famous 31mm, and 77mm. I'm not too crazy about pancake lenses becuse they look sort of 'dorky' on my camera(IMHO). This is another reason why I waited/procrastinated to purchase this lens for so long. I got this lens back during the COVID-19 epidemic (April/2020), so I had plenty of time to test it since then.

My first impression was like WOW ! This lens definately had the "wow" factor, especially since I didn't expect it. Right off the bat the images looked wonderful. Tack sharp, colorful with lots of contrast. My copy came straight from Japan and is the Silver version. Not sure how much difference this makes, but I didn't want to take any chances.

This lens as well my other '3 Amigos' are Screw Drive lenses. Meaning there is a motor inside the camera that turns the lens focusing ring until it focuses. Outdoors the noise these screw drive motors make is not really an issue. Actually, I kind of like the noise because it lets me know the camera/lens is Auto Focusing. However, indoors such as at a funeral or a museum it can get quite annoying.

The SDM/USM type lenses are much quieter, but they can be so quiet, that you are left wondering if the lens is working or not ? Sort of like driving an Electric car with zero-to-none engine noise, it can get quite eerie. Despite the noise, the 43mm is the quietest of the '3 Amigos' ( 31mm, 77mm) BTW. My guess is that since it was built later, the technology had improved somewhat ? But don't quote me on that.


To me, this lens performs, or is right up there with the much more expensive Zeiis, Voightlander and Leica lenses plus it got AF ! Not sure how Pentax pulled it off ? When I downloaded the images to my computer, I saw sharpness I have neer seen before in a lens. Even objects that were far, far away were relatively sharp. I think even the most radical pixel-peepers out there would have nothing to complain about in this regard. Then there was 3D-look/pop that people rave about. It didn't happen 'once in a blue moon' like with other lenses/brands I tried, but pretty consistently.

Some say they like the 35mm Macro, or the 50mm f1.7 better, but I tested this lens against both and it came out on top. To me, the 35mm Macro did not produce the natural colors that the 43mm did, or did it produce the 3D-look as often. It was a little too 'clinical' to me for normal scenes. To my surprise, the 43mm blew-out the 50mm f1.7 (which is one of my favorite lenses and highly rated on this forum and despite having a little longer reach) right out of the water when it came to sharpness ! Although, I like the Bokeh on the 50mm f1.7 a little better.

Is this lens better than the 31mm and the 77mm Limiteds ? Well 'Yes" and "No". For my type of shooting yes !!. It's small, relatively quiet and unobtrusive and produces extremely sharp images. As you know the 31mm and the 77mm are the highest rated lenses on this forum. However my version of the 31mm is subject to flare and busy/weird looking Bokeh caused by the flare at times. No such problem with the 43mm, this lens is virtually flare free.

The 77mm is a great lens no doubt, but to me it doesn't have the 'WOW" factor that I expected. It could be that it sits in my bag more often than it should, due to the pretty long Telephoto Range which on a cropped-sensor camera is equivalent to 122mm. Unless you are shooting portraits, or need some distance when taking travel photos, there are just not that many subjects for this long range. Then again, I could be wrong...
   
Pentaxian

Registered: April, 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Posts: 10,894

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: September 30, 2022 Not Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 6 

 
Pros: Compact, compatible with film cameras as well as digital, decent performer
Cons: Not that fast, disappointing build quality, disappointing optical quality, MFD
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 5    Value: 3    New or Used: New    Camera Used: K-3   

I bought this lens to replace the DA 40mm Limited as I wanted an AF standard prime for my film cameras which would also work well on digital. I've shot quite a bit of film on it but not scanned any of the results yet, so at this time this review is based solely on it's performance on my K-3.

I have the silver version because it's what was available used in my city. I would have much preferred black as the silver one looks ugly on my K-3.

Every Pentax fan knows the Limited series, DA and FA, of lenses, and their legendary reputation, and as an owner of all the DA Limited lenses I hankered after the FAs as they are faster and film/FF compatible. The DA 40mm is a nice lens, very handy with great image quality, but only f/2.8, and if you want something faster in that focal length and with AF then this is your only option.

I expected to be enthralled by the 43mm from the start, both in optical and build quality, but I have been disappointed by both. I would say the build quality is poorer than that of the DA Limited lenses, though that's possibly because of the aperture ring, which is light and a little loose when it should be firm. Perhaps the DA Limiteds have an advantage there in not having an aperture ring to let them down. Overall the 43mm feels too light, the metal too thin, and the tolerances too loose, leaving a feeling of fragility and sub-par assembly.

Optically the 43mm is sharp in the very centre wide open, but bear in mind that's on APS-C, so on full-frame the sharp part of the image will be a very small area indeed. It needs to be stopped down to f/2.5 to reliably get images that are decently sharp when focused outside of dead centre, and that leaves it with a paltry 1/3 of a stop advantage over the DA 40mm. Apertures larger than that are useable but be prepared for a little glow and AF mis-focusing. Bokeh and rendering are OK, but nothing special. I don't value lenses purely on sharpness as some do, I love a lens that adds a je-ne-se-quoi to it's images (perhaps the Limited pixie-dust), and the 43mm disappoints here, where I expected it to excel. There's no pixie-dust here. For just 7mm difference in focal length it seems much more difficult to get subject isolation out of the 43mm when compared to a good 50mm lens. The much, much cheaper DAL 50mm f/1.8 produces better results in this regard.

Minimum focusing distance is 45cm, which is typically what a 50mm lens has, but this is just 43mm, so magnification is lower and this results in being unable to get in as close as I would like.

All-in-all, it's very much missing the pixie dust that the FA Limited series are reputed to have. That's not to say it's a poor performer, it isn't, but it's merely adequate where it should be excellent, and as such comes nowhere near to deserving it's reputation. The DA 40mm is smaller, performs at least as well (albeit slower) and is half the price. F and FA 50mm f/1.7 lenses are also better.

If it weren't for the price I'd probably rate this as a seven or eight but the price can't be ignored - this is the most expensive Pentax lens I've owned and yet it's not in the top five (or probably ten) of performers. As such, it deserves nothing more than a lowly six at best.

I have now sold the 43mm and I don't miss it at all. I've got a pair of F 50/1.7s, which cost me €70 each, and they perform as well or better than the 43mm and are better built, despite being plastic on the outside.

Here's how it looks on my K-3:


K-3 and FA 43mm Limited
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr

Some sample images:


Flowers
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Pipo
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Building in the snow
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


Mara
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr


IMG_4209
by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
   
New Member

Registered: July, 2022
Posts: 12

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 29, 2022 Recommended | Price: $330.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: sharp, great colour and contrast, great build, small and light
Cons: could be cheaper if im nitpicking
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax Z-1p   

For film, this lens is what I'd consider to be the perfect street photography lens: Small, Light, Well built, Top shelf colour and clarity. Focal length is great too as I found my F50/1.7 on film makes me wanna take a step or two backwards more often than not. 43 is the step backward.

I haven't used it stopped down too much because I'm not obsessed with bokeh. But I have used it wide open for night shooting and you can see the results below. Really, really nice with a roll of Fuji 400 pushed to 800.

If inconspicuous night shooting, general documentation, and a sort of old school colour is your thing, and you keep having to step backwards on a fast 50, this is the one.


   
Pentaxian

Registered: December, 2007
Location: In the most populated state... state of denial
Posts: 1,851
Review Date: June 1, 2022 Recommended | Price: $350.00 | Rating: 7 

 
Pros: Optics, good looks, small and well built
Cons: Some CA wide open - purple fringing
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 5    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K3-iii, K5-iis   

Got a silver one used,
while this is a 20 yr old lens, I wanted to give it a try

First impressions was the lens cap and pouch are very nicely made.
Lens feels solid and well made, even though the lettering in the DoF scale had faded

Ran a few quick tests, AF is fast and precise
Bokeh is neutral (below 4), after f/4 is a bit busy
Color rendition is on the bright side (warm)
Pictures are sharp and have good separation of foreground and background even at 1.9, optimal around 8
Basically no flare or ghosts
CA wide open is noticeable in the corners with APS, should be worse in 35mm. Mostly gone at f/5.6

PS. Took the lens on a trip and Purple fringing in the center is very noticeable below f/4, and that bothers me a lot



Center Crop
   
New Member

Registered: September, 2020
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 3
Review Date: October 17, 2020 Recommended | Price: $250.00 | Rating: 5 

 
Pros: Build quality, flare resistance, very sharp when well stopped down
Cons: Unacceptable distortion, inflexible, poor bokeh, so-so wider aperture performance
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 4    Bokeh: 4    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 6    Value: 6    New or Used: New    Camera Used: MZ5n/MX   

OK - let's be honest. What this is, is your Dad's Pentax M 50mm 1.7 carcass with updated optics and autofocus

I agree with Camera Quest who were amazed that Pentax had the temerity to build a lens out of metal when poly carbonate was all the rage - it was a bold move. I read Amateur Photographer's review of the lens by Dr Stewart Bell, who was very impressed and I got one second hand.

Off I went to make use of it.

What I found was a lens that had some really interesting characteristics: it could deal with contra-jour light extremely well - highlights? No problem. Street lights at night? So what! This to me was the landscape photographer's lens - stopped down to F8-11 - wow! - the picture quality could not be argued with. It IS sharp across the frame.

But when I started using wider apertures - it just looked plain ordinary and lacked the punch and drawing of the faster Pentax 50's.

There was another problem - distortion. Those using this lens on digital may have images pre-processed and the distortion ironed out. On E6 the distortion was plain disappointing - I mean REALLY, REALLY bad. Any of the Pentax 50-55mm could knock this blue-blood into a cocked hat regarding distortion.

Another problem area was bokeh. It was hard to get separation at closer distances and the bokeh was very busy - distracting. I honestly think that any 50mm is frankly more useful performance wise.. I don't think that the 43 Limited is a good light gatherer either.

It's series name 'Limited' is quite apt given that to me it has a limited application - photographing nature where there is not a straight line in sight. I would not use it for architectural photography. It excels at landscapes - but then so could most of the Pentax 50's - including the f2 versions.

So, you are paying a lot of money for a lens that to me at least has a limited use. When I sold it I was left scratching my head in puzzlement 'What was that all about?' I asked.

I felt that I'd been had. This is not a lens for all seasons in my view. It has a niche application I think. Think hard before you buy is my advice.

My view is that this is an ideal standard lens for landscape/environmental photography - big vistas with bright light in the frame, mixed light. It does this superbly well, without peer in my view. Other than that, not much else - there are better and more flexible options.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: November, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,749

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 9, 2020 Recommended | Price: $375.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: 3d-pop rendition; bright aperture; focal lenth; sharpness
Cons: CA; weak corners

This was the last lens I ever thought I'd get. It didn't really seem to fit a purpose for me, as I didn't particularly do portraiture, the focal length seemed a bit odd on aps-c, etc etc.

But then suddenly it made perfect send. I'd got the DA21 and then the DA15 limited, and rounding it out with the 43 1.9 would be a perfect solution to have a three-lens, small and compact kit would cover all bases. Low-light was covered, medium-telephoto was covered - perfect!

It really does have the 3-d pop that people describe. It's subtle at times, but other times it's fantastic. It makes photographs with large depths of field (f/5.6-f/11) have more pop to them. And that's how I like to shoot! The first thing that I found disappointing is I tried a vertical portrait wide open, and the subjects' heads were relatively close to the edge of the frame and looked out of focus. CA is more visible than in my other limiteds but it's never been a significant problem for me.

Great lens, very versatile. I end up using it far more than I'd expect! Wonderful for landscapes too, as it helps to simplify the subject and cut out extraneous features I might not want in the field of view. I would recommend it - it might surprise you!
   
Senior Member

Registered: February, 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 198

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 3, 2020 Recommended | Price: $400.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: size, build quality, image quality
Cons: none

Had a HD DA40 LTD, and wavered on buying this. Found a store with old stock clearing out and picked it up.
MIJ version so really old.
That said compared to the DA 40 which was very good the pictures now just have more life to them.
Nothing wrong with image quality after fine tuning the focus.
Highly recommend if someone is thinking of getting this for the K1.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: June, 2011
Posts: 485

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 8, 2019 Recommended | Price: $300.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: small, image quality, character, focal length
Cons: still a little too pricey (I think), hard to manual focus, far minimum focusing distance
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 10    Autofocus: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K-1   

I do have some negative things to say about this lens, but the fact that it has remained on my Pentax K-1 for months now as my primary lens really tells you how I feel.

This lens is a fantastic documenting tool on full-frame. I like the 35mm focal length best, but 43mm has grown on me as the pictures come out looking so natural. I know there's some thought and science behind why they picked that focal length for the sensor size, and being a true "standard" lens, and I don't know too much about how all that works but it does feel like a very natural what-you-see-is-what-you-get length.

If the fact that I left it on my K-1 isn't enough to show you how I value this lens, I also have done something I never thought I would do with a $1k+ setup - shoot in JPEG. The pictures come out so predictably good, and I was finding myself performing the exact same edits to the pictures. Mind you, these aren't pictures I'm trying to sell or anything, just documenting family life, so I wasn't worried about being heart broken if anything bad did happen. Just a very small contrast boost, and a little saturation and the pictures are beautiful. That's seriously impressive.

I think it's acceptably sharp for shooting people wide open center frame, and stopping down to even 2.8 seems great to me. I don't really see any sharpness issues.

Now for the cons.

I really do get bummed consistently about the minimum focusing distance. Seems like it might be one of those things that's physically impossible to deliver in their design and keep the other bonuses like size, but it hurts nonetheless. That being said, having to take a step back and reframe gets me to take more of the scene in anyway and that can be good. It's just those times where I wanted to be in closer.

I think it's overpriced. That's me being kinda cheap, because I am, but I think a somewhat close comparison could be made to the FA 50mm 1.4, which has gotten me similarly great images, and is way cheaper used. Maybe one day I would compare the lenses side by side and sell off the 43mm, but I have this illogical love with the 43mm already that probably means I won't. I bought my 43mm for what I consider a pretty good price at $300, and that felt like pushing it for me.

So, it's up to you. You definitely get a great lens that is uniquely different than the FA 50mm 1.4, but are they more aesthetically pleasing to you? Well, it's arguments like that that keep this forum open

Hope this helped somehow, there are already really solid reviews on this lens, but wanted to offer maybe my unique perspective.
   
Seeker of Knowledge

Registered: August, 2016
Location: Topeka, Kansas
Posts: 24,581
Review Date: November 5, 2019 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: build quality, reputation is lived up to
Cons: none I found
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: k 3 II   

this is the black model

interesting, the pouch has gold lettering which is something I hadn't seen before

of course this is my first FA limited, my others are the SMC DA Limiteds

made in japan ( don't know if that matters )

purchased used from Adorama
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2009
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Posts: 2,437

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: October 5, 2019 Recommended | Price: $340.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Wonderful build, small, light, useful focal length on FF
Cons: Corners not as sharp and center wide open
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-1   

Some review sites are pretty harsh about this lens. It think mainly they focus so much on corner sharpness wide open (and also there seems to be a bit of sample variation coming into play too). Corners are not perfect wide open but not that bad either (at least on my copy). Stop down a bit and everything is sharp.

On the K-1 its a very useful focal length and now my default initial lens when I go walk about. Handling wise its a joy to use while also being very small, light and unobtrusive.

There is a bit of pixie dust in there too, but perhaps not as much as in the FA31.

Some sample images (I will add some more later):
1. At f4

2. At f2.8
   
amateur dirt farmer

Registered: December, 2014
Location: probably out in a field somewhere...
Posts: 41,659

8 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 2, 2019 Recommended | Price: $350.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: color, clarity, sharpness, rendering, quality-feel
Cons: MFD, no quick-shift, occasional CA
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 10    Handling: 8    Value: 8    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: K-3   

I finally bought a copy (used from the Marketplace) of the venerated FA 43mm f1.9 Limited - slightly intimidating, given its status as one of the Three Princesses (or Amigos, or whatever you call this trinity), but here we go:

of course, there's the build quality of the FA Limited - all metal, tight tolerances, engraved markings, all the things we've come to know and love about these lenses - she's a beauty...

two shortcomings for me are immediately apparent from the get-go: MFD of just under 18" and no quick-shift, but this lens was designed in a different time, to a different spec so I'll just adjust...

beyond those two issues, however, all is a land of sweet bokeh, beautiful colors, and rendering that is just delectable...

witness:

daisies by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

spring storm by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

chainmail by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

snake in the box by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr

there is one quirk I learned about the FA 43 Ltd during my month with her: do not force the lens; what I mean is, this lens has a definite, distinct style of shooting that gives you the opportunity to see why it's a legend....

I tried to force the lens into MFD, wide-open shots as I would any other close-focusing or macro lens I own and the results were not pleasing to the eye at all - flat, busy bokeh, uninspiring shots were the result...

but give the lens the chance to flow, to allow the Art to happen, and it's sooo rewarding...

my flickr album for the FA43 Limited:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157678017630147/page1
   
Forum Member

Registered: December, 2018
Location: Telemark
Posts: 86
Review Date: April 7, 2019 Recommended | Price: $372.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Unbelievable lens
Cons: None
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: Pentax K1   

One of the best lenses I've used on any camera system.

It's so unique.

Not only the focal length and aperture capabilites, but the build quality, the sharpness, the 3d effect, the bokeh. I just love this lens.

My only downside, which isn't really fair to blame the lens is that I don't use this focal lenght enough. Still, I have 2743 shots with this lens, and it's more of a pro grade lens than the last lens I reviewed here, the 28-105. Kind of surprised that they both have around the same rating at this forum
   
Senior Member

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Great Plain, Hungary
Posts: 204

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 1, 2018 Recommended | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Ideal focal lenght, personality
Cons: none for me
New or Used: Used    Camera Used: LX, K-1   

I do not praise this lens for its sharpness or lab test results, as I do not share the obsession for these characteristics. From a user point of view this lens is where I should have started my search for my personal taste of lenses.
During the yeas I went through different lenses, mostly 50mm and 35mm ones, shooting them extensively, but none of them really satisfied me.

Then a few years ago I bought this lens with my K-7. Then the K-7 went and this lens stayed. And I found the focal lenght I prefer. Since then I have one 40ish mm lens in every system (SLR, rangefinder and equvivalent medium format) I own.

But this lens by far is my favourite. It is always paired with my LX and taken mostly to trips. Nothing else. And it works brilliantly. Wide enough, yet one can separate subject. Bright enough if you need light, and light enough not to make you tired and sick of carrying your gear. Also makes my K-1 a charming and powerful asset.

All in all, give it a try, and forget about testing it. It is good without needing to prove it again and again.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: December, 2013
Posts: 796

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 14, 2018 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Small, light, fast, sharp
Cons: Easy to loose lens cap, screw mount hoos, no quick shift
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Autofocus: 8    Handling: 8    Value: 9    New or Used: Used    Camera Used: KP, K-30, PZ-1p   

The lens is very compact and well built. Comfortable to use. I use it wide open regurarly and I see it sharp. (On APS-C)

I like the renderation and bokeh of it, but to be honest the DA*55 is even better. Altough the 43mm focal length is much better then the 55mm indoors. Compared to the other FA limiteds it has a similar character, but I use more the other too. When I got it I was totally blown by the image quality so I got the FA77 and then the FA31 too. Now in my library I have 344 shot with the FA31 336 with the FA77 and only 177 with the FA43 from the date I have them all.
For studio portraits or indoor events I really like this lens. On my (full frame) PZ-1p it bacomes a true normal lens, and according to it this is my most used one.

Only the lens cap which I don't like, it falls down some times. Oh, yes and the hood goes to the filter screw mount, so occupies it.

Here are some shots taken with it:
IMG171015_0045 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG171015_0036 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG171015_0067 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG171009_0003 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG171105_0004 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG171231_0003 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr

IMG180505_0059 by Benjámin Czétényi, on Flickr
Add Review of SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Buy the SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited



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