SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited Review
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General Image Quality
On the following pages we will look in detail at every measurable performance parameter, but for the moment we will consider those subjective elements that can make or break an image.
Field of View
43mm is, theoretically, the most 'normal' focal length there is. A full frame sensor's diagonal is exactly 43mm long and the FA 43mm's focal length obviously matches this value.
In other words, on full frame 43mm delivers a 'natural' field of view, close to what the eyes see (in particular regarding perspective). As such, the FA 43mm offers a focal length well suited to a variety of usages. It is a jack-of-all-trades and, apart from zooming in on distant subjects, it can be used in pretty much any situation. In this particular case, the lens' diminutive size makes it even more polyvalent.
On APS-C, the field of view is of course narrower but still comfortable. In fact, many users find the 40-43mm lenses more usable than the ubiquitous 50mm, especially indoors. The FA 43mm is a good portrait lens on APS-C, and although not as flexible as on full frame, it can still serve many purposes.
Color and Contrast
The Limited lenses, both the FA and the DA lines, are known for their distinctive rendering. The so-called 'pixie dust' is a hallmark of the Limited, and the FA 43mm does not disappoint. As mentioned earlier, the FA Limited were designed specifically to generate a unique look.
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The lens' rendering lives up to expectations: the colors are rich, slightly warm, the highlight and shadow transitions are pleasantly gradual. There are no harsh transitions and the result are appealing images in many scenarios. There is little to criticize here, and a lot to enjoy.
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Metering and Exposure
We did not experience any exposure errors with the lens, even in challenging conditions, for instance with bright light sources in the frame.
Starbursts
Starbursts are one of the most pleasant surprises we encountered while testing the lens. Some Pentax lenses, in particular the SMC versions of the DA 21mm and DA 15mm, have an almost legendary reputation in this regard. On the other hand, the FA 43mm is rarely mentioned in relation to its starbursts creation.
Looking at the images below, it is easy to see that, even at F2.5, the lens is capable of generating beautiful, well-shaped starbursts. The effect is even more visible at F8 as can be expected. The FA 43mm can certainly hold its own even when compared to the best lenses in this regard.
F2.5 |
F8 |
Lens Corrections and EXIF Data
Even though the FA 43mm Limited was originally made for film cameras, it still includes all the necessary data for modern camera bodies to apply in-camera lens correction when required. Vignetting, diffraction, aberration, and distortion can be adjusted in-camera.
EXIF data is complete and accurate, and Pentax camera bodies are able to record every relevant parameter into the file. Note that it is up to your software to properly decode this data when an image is viewed on a PC.
On-Board Flash Usage
The K-1 does not have an on-board flash. When testing on a K-3 (an APS-C DSLR), we did not observe any shadow caused by the flash. This is not surprising considering the minuscule size of the lens.
User Report
The FA 43mm Limited does not receive quite as much love as its two FA Limited siblings. That is not to say it is not liked: with an average user rating of 9.48 in our database, it is a mere 0.03 points behind the FA 31mm.
On the other hand, 43mm is close to the universal 50mm. The latter is an 'accessible' focal length, one of the first optical designs that students tackle. As such, making a good 50mm is easily achieved. Because of this, and despite all its qualities, the FA 43mm is less unique than either its 31mm or 77mm companions.
The 43mm has a lot going for it: sharp images, gorgeous colors, a minuscule size (especially without the hood), a metal body, great bokeh and rendering. To repeat what we have written about the FA 31mm, the 43mm's images have a little something that's hard to measure, but immediately noticeable. Whether the higher price when compared to most 50mm is worth it is a subjective decision; we would argue that in most cases it is indeed worth it.
In the next sections we will look at the optical performances of the SMC FA 43mm Limited.
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