SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Review

Conclusion

The FA 43mm F1.9 Limited carries quite a following in our forums. Like its two FA Limited siblings, the lens' reputation is among the best and many people expect that pixie dust must have been used in its manufacture. Still, it always appears one step behind the 31mm and 77mm in most people's mind.

Originally available in black or silver (the latter now being discontinued), with an elegantly engraved, minuscule metal body, the 43mm is a small jewel. As should be expected of a Limited, the manually-assembled lens is a small jewel with no loose parts, wobble or mechanical flaws. The Limited reputation is no exaggeration and plastic lenses pale in comparison.

Like all FA lenses, the 43mm is compatible with every K-mount camera ever made thanks to its aperture ring. The lens uses the older screw-drive AF system which, in this case, is almost noiseless thanks to the small weight of the lens. It is also fast, rivaling modern DC lenses in most circumstances.

The focal length is an interesting choice and serves the lens well. 43mm is a "perfect normal" and makes the lens extremely versatile. There is little that a skilled photographer cannot do using this focal length, especially on full frame.

Optically, the lens performs like a Limited should, for the most part. Center sharpness is excellent at all apertures, with only a small decrease in sharpness wide open. It is usable up to F22, without the dramatic loss in resolution which often occurs at smaller apertures. As a portrait lens, the 43mm positively shines.

Distortion is a non-issue and bokeh is buttery, especially at wider apertures. Transitions are gradual, well-tuned, and subject isolation is very effective. Images have a 3D "pop" which cannot be quantified but is a hallmark of the FA Limited, and part of their design philosophy.

The 43mm shares some optical flaws with the FA 31mm. First, chromatic aberrations and purple fringing are strong, especially below F4. Vignetting is also visible on uncorrected images. Corrections are easy to apply in post-processing for these flaws, which should be of little impact in everyday use.

What the 43mm might lack when compared to the 31mm and 77mm boils down to one thing: corner sharpness at wider apertures. While some corner softness is to be expected, in particular for apertures below F2.8, in the 43mm's case the softness is stronger than what we would have expected, especially on full frame. In fairness, this is of little practical impact: wider apertures are generally used for subject isolation, and soft corners don't matter in that case. As the aperture closes, corners quickly reach a level of sharpness close to the center. Still, this is one limitation of the lens that shouldn't be understated.

Rendering is typical for a Limited, which is to say far better than a typical lens. Colors are rich, slightly warm, there is a lot of detail in the shadows and transitions are pleasantly gradual. Beyond any measurement of sharpness or distortion, the lens' rendering is what makes it special.

Pros

• Superb build quality in a tiny format
• Excellent center sharpness at all apertures
• Smooth and creamy bokeh
• Distortion almost absent
• Beautiful rendering with rich colors
• Fast AF, compares with modern DC lenses, even with live view
• Low vignetting on APS-C
• Well-controlled flare and ghosting
• Able to create beautiful starbursts

Cons

• Strong vignetting on full frame
• CA and purple fringing present at wider apertures
• Soft corners at wider apertures

Pricing

The FA 43mm F1.9 Limited is the least expensive of all the Pentax FA Limited, with a street price of $496.95 in October 2017.

Rating

Who is it For

With its compact size, rugged metal build, fast aperture and normal focal length, the FA 43mm looks like a do-it-all lens. It is well suited for photographers who want to travel light. Paired with a small body such as a K-S2, K-70 or even KP, this combo can rival the size of many mirrorless kits.

While more expensive than a basic 50mm, the FA 43mm is relatively cheap for a FA Limited. It is thus a good choice for those who want to own a Limited without breaking the bank.

The Bottom Line

20 years after its inception, the FA 43mm F1.9 Limited is still relevant. Apart from corner softness at wide apertures, its optical flaws are few and easy to correct (built-in lens correction in modern camera bodies will take care of most of them without the user knowing). The lens has an excellent reputation, and a shame that it sometimes stands in the shadows of the FA 31mm and 77mm. It is a rewarding and capable lens.

Be sure to check the user reviews or post your own if you already own this lens.