Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited (APS-C)
Specifications
As of mid-2014, the Pentax FA 43mm Limited lens is primarily available in black. The Silver version is no longer readily available in most markets, although B&H Photo has been stocking it for the past several months in the US.
Below are the key lens specifications of the FA 43mm:
Lens Name | SMC PENTAX-FA 1:1.9 43mm Limited |
Optical Formula | 7 elements in 6 groups |
Image Circle | 24x36mm (full-frame) |
Autofocus | Yes, screw drive |
Field of View | 31° horizontal, 37° diagonal (APS-C) 45° horizontal, 53° diagonal (24x36) |
Aperture Range | F1.9 - F22 |
Aperture Blades | 8 |
Aperture Ring | Yes |
Max. Magnification | 0.12x |
Minimum Focusing Distance | 45cm |
Internal Focus | No |
Quick Shift Focusing | No |
Filter Diameter | 49mm |
Cap | Metal push-on cap lined with green felt |
Hood | Round metal screw-in hood (MH-RA 49mm) |
Case | Black faux leather pouch |
Diameter x Length | 64x27mm (without hood) |
Weight | 155 g (5.5 oz) |
Mount Designation | KAF2 |
Lens Correction Support* | Yes |
Weather Sealing | No |
Price (US MSRP) | $746 - black $596 - silver |
Country of Origin** | Japan (early production) Vietnam (current production) |
*Pentax FA Limited lenses support in-camera lens corrections when paired with a compatible body (i.e. any Pentax K-mount DSLR from 2009 or newer). Lens corrections can compensate for vignetting, distortion, and chromatic aberrations in your JPEG files. Note that when enabled, lens corrections add 1-3 seconds of processing time.
AIV Version of the FA 43mm - Notice the gaps around the serial number (courtesy of forensicscientist)
**Early production versions of the FA 43mm were "Made in Japan" (MIJ). More recent FA 43mm lenses are "Assembled in Vietnam" (AIV). There is no physical or optical difference between the "Made in Japan" and "Assembled in Vietnam" versions of any Limited lens, with the exception of the text indicating this. Early silver MIJ Limited lenses also shipped with red leather pouches rather than black faux leather pouches. MIJ FA 43mm lenses have the text "Made in Japan" engraved around the front of the lens whereas AIV FA 43mm lenses have "Assembled in Vietnam" discretely engraved on the lens mount, such that the text is not visible when the lens is mounted on a camera.
Next, we will take a look at what's in the box.