HD vs. SMC Pentax FA Limited Lenses

Starbursts

Starbursts, sometimes called sunstars, are an image characteristic which can particularly enhance night pictures. The image below, shot with the SMC DA 21mm Limited, shows how starbursts can add a little something to an image in the right circumstances.

The SMC 31mm and 43mm perform well in this regard. The SMC 77mm is average. Below, we compare directly the starbursts produced by the SMC and HD versions of the three FA Limited.

31mm F1.8

	SMC 31mm F1.8	HD 31mm F1.8
F1.8
F2
F2.8
F4
F5.6
F8
F11
F16
F22

The 31mm has never been seen as class-leading for starbursts, but the older SMC version is regarded as better than average.

Below F8, the SMC lens performs better than the HD for starbursts. Even at F2.8, the SMC 31mm can produce discrete but pleasing starbursts.

The good news is that, from F8 and beyond, the two lenses essentially deliver similar results. The HD 31mm can thus be used to enhance night pictures with well-shaped starbursts.

43mm F1.9

	SMC 43mm F1.9	HD 43mm F1.9
F1.9
F2
F2.8
F4
F5.6
F8
F11
F16
F22

We had reported in the SMC 43mm review that this lens performs is excellent in its ability to create beautiful starbursts. It shows again here. Even at F2.8, the rays are visible, few enough to be well defined, and nicely tapered.

The HD 43mm does show starbursts starting at F4 but they are much more diffuse until F8. At that point, just like with the 31mm, the two versions of the 43mm become hard to distinguish, which is a good point in favor of the HD 43mm.

77mm F1.8

	SMC 77mm F1.8	HD 77mm F1.8
F1.8
F2
F2.8
F4
F5.6
F8
F11
F16
F22

The 77mm has never been regarded as a great performer for starbursts. In that regard, the HD version does nothing to improve the results, but does not really degrade results either. Again, F8 seems to be the pivoting point where starbursts become visible and pleasing for both versions.

Verdict

The the 31mm and 43mm, the HD version delivers poorer starburst performances below F8, but similar results at F8 and smaller apertures. The 77mm shows comparable results for the two versions.

In summary, while the SMC lenses do perform better for starbursts, the HD lenses are far from the disaster that some expected. They can still be used to produce pleasing and well-shaped rays, which is better than what many other lenses can claim.