Test/ First Impression Pentax HD FA 43/1.9 limited edition with 44 MP S1Rii

[dirk]

I have the newest version of the Pentax HD FA 43/1.9 limited edition. I use it on my Lumix cameras with a cheap K&F concept adapter. No contacts. Just a metal ring.

Since the Lumix S1Rii arrived this afternoon, I wanted to do a quick check how this lens performs on a 44MP sensor.

• Google Pixel 8 Pro
• Pixel 8 Pro back camera 6.9mm f/1.68
• ƒ/1.68
• 6mm
• 1/43s
• ISO 457

I have to say I am really impressed. This lens gives excellent sharpness, even if you zoom in to the maximum on the camera display.

I do not have access to a PC atm, therefore I try to show it with images on my smartphone, transferred via Lumix Lab.

Since I can not upload 44MP files here, I show first the whole image via a screenshot of my smartphone and then a huge crop of the 44 MP image on the smartphone. Shot with 1/125s and F1.9

2 images at ISO 2000, 1 image at ISO 6400

• Panasonic DC-S1RM2
• Pentax HD FA 43/1.9 Limited
• 43mm
• 1/125s
• ISO 2000

• Panasonic DC-S1RM2
• Pentax HD FA 43/1.9 Limited
• 43mm
• 1/125s
• ISO 6400

• Panasonic DC-S1RM2
• Pentax HD FA 43/1.9 Limited
• 43mm
• 1/125s
• ISO 2000

If I have more time I might do a side by side comparison with my Leica Q3 43 with similar resolution.

I like also the smooth bokeh of the Pentax lens. I am a little bit surprised, that the Pentax lens performs this well on a 44MP sensor, because it is an older design and only the coating was improved with this newest generation.

Chapeau, Pentax...

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

Just to clarify, the Pentax Limited lenses are not limited edition. Just "Limited".

 

[dirk]

Just to clarify, the Pentax Limited lenses are not limited edition. Just "Limited".

I was surprised that they call them at all with "limited" in the name. Limited edition would be something positive, something special, like s Leica M limited edition. But "limited" alone sounds more like "limited in its capabilities".

But both, the 43mm and 77mm limited are great lenses.

 

[Jonathan-Mac]

I was surprised that they call them at all with "limited" in the name. Limited edition would be something positive, something special, like s Leica M limited edition. But "limited" alone sounds more like "limited in its capabilities".

But both, the 43mm and 77mm limited are great lenses.

Yes, Pentax are not the best at naming things. Just look at their use of a star symbol in naming, usually replaced with an asterisk when typing, which causes problems in searches as it's the wildcard character - *ist, FA*, DA* etc.

 

[cascadian]

Their da40 and da70 lenses do nicely as well despite their aps.c design, they are ok in 4:3 ratio and great at 1:1. I didn't try xpan.

 

[robin0112358]

No-one should be surprised by the superb optics of Pentax lenses. But I guess they have fallen by the wayside of popular imagination.

In the right hands the 43 Limited is an amazing lens, though I now prefer older designs due to the haptics of manual focusing.