Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Review
As the oldest lens in the Pentax lineup—it was introduced in 1997—you'd expect the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited ($599.95) to deliver optical performance that's behind the times. But that isn't the case at all. The svelte, all-metal prime lens is quite sharp, even when paired with the high-resolution full-frame Pentax K-1 ($1,599.00 at Amazon) . It lacks some modern features, including weather sealing and an in-lens focus motor, but it's still the best standard-angle lens you can get for a full-frame Pentax, so we're naming it Editors' Choice.
DesignThe FA 43mm ($596.95 at Amazon) set the tone for the Limited series. It's very small, at just 1.1 by 2.5 inches (HD) without its lens hood. It extends when focused close by about a quarter inch. It weighs just 5.5 ounces and supports 49mm front filters. The hood adds about a half inch to the height, but a negligbile amount of weight. A slip-on metal cap is included. Older versions of the FA 43mm are marked Made in Japan, while newer copies...
The Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited is the oldest lens that Pentax still makes, but its performance has withstood the test of time, and it captures the perfect standard-angle field of view on a full-frame camera.
Sharp; Compact; Wide aperture; Excellent build quality; True standard-angle design
Slow, noisy autofocus; Some barrel distortion; Dim corners at wide apertures; Omits weather sealing