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Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens with Case and Hood (Black) | List Price: $788.99
Discount Price: $417.05
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Brand: Pentax
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Minimum focus distance of 1.5 feet
- TTL open-aperture metering
- Fully automatic diaphragm
- Only 5.5 ounces and 1.1 inches
- Comes with case and lens hood
Classic lens! [Posted on 2007-11-06]
The 43mm Limited has a reputation as a diva - very very good but temperamental. I've only seen mostly the very very good bits so far. I did some adhoc comparisons (with not only other SLR lenses but with a Ricoh Diacord and a Kodak Retina IIa) which clearly indicated the superior resolving power and dynamics of this lens. Where others start to seem fuzzy or begin to flare, the 43mm is still showing good definition. The color balance and gradation is excellent.
May 2008 update: I've since compared the 43 to several Takumars (two versions of the 50/1.4 and a 55/1.8) and even wide open the 43 has more resolution and contrast. In some situations the Takumars have more magic, but the 43 always keeps up and often exceeds them in actual image quality. One of its biggest advantages is how well it resists flare - often flare is what reduces contrast in an image.
I like 43mm on a full 35mm frame, and on a digital body it is short enough to work well indoors where 50mm might be pushing it. 43mm in my eyes gives a more natural perspective than the 35mm does.
This lens is extremely well made and it's small. It works great on film cameras, even the manual focus is silky. Temperamental? Perhaps, but this also makes it an expressive tool. I highly recommend it as a beautiful object and a lens, a future collectible.
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