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43mm limited

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Wow, I didn't know there were any copies that are sharp wide open. I have the DA21 as well, and I would not put it in the same league as the 43 in league in terms of image quality. Both are really sharp (except wide open on the 43 for me), but there's a provia slide-like quality to the images taken with the 43--although good luck getting that to show in prints. Also I find the 21 is a little more prone to the CA, but nothing much to be concerned with.
 
This picture was taken with the DA 50-200 @ 200mm. and wide open at f/5.6 as close as the lens could focus.
http://picasaweb.google.com/LuthierCole/GrandmaSFarm/photo#5090882247952645602

You may notice the slight vignetting and slightly soft edges. If it bothered me I'd just correct the vignetting with software and use a bit more depth of field by using f/11 as the photozone review suggests.

The point is, even such great reviews as those at photozone need a sort of subjective view to fully appreciate.

If I had the money for my hobby I'd buy the FA 43 ltd. in a heartbeat, though I'd get a black one so as not to stand out in a crowd, review or no review. But for me, I get lots of satisfaction using the DA 40 for half the price.
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Lipo
 
I just bought this lens a few weeks ago, and it has pretty much not been off my camera since then. I absolutely love the pictures that I seem to be getting with this lens, both in terms of the focal length, which seems perfect for composing nice, tight and interesting shots, and for the vivid colours. Here are two I shot tonight at Vancouver's Playland. This lens is particularly wonderful for portraits and candids.





The last one is an example of what can happen when you forget that you have the camera on Manual. Even with some rather wild over-exposure, I find the shot oddly (and abstractly) appealing, even though it doesn't tell you much about the lens!



Cheers,
Jeff
 
I think Pop Photo's review of the DA 40mm may help depending on whether you require close-in shots:

The DA 40mm popphoto review is at: http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses/1716/lens-test-pentax-da-40mm-f28-limited-af.html

The lens is also reviewed at Photodo.com at: http://www.photodo.com/topic_45.html

I read some time ago that the FA 50mm 1.4 is close in quality. I use this lens which is a bargain for around $180-200. But, there is no exception for the metal build quality of the limited lenses. The 43mm will also do double duty on 35mm film SLRs if you ever want to trade off. I don't know anyone with buyer's remorse on the 43mm!!
 
coleviolin said:
If I had the money for my hobby I'd buy the FA 43 ltd. in a
heartbeat, though I'd get a black one so as not to stand out in a
crowd, review or no review. But for me, I get lots of satisfaction
using the DA 40 for half the price.
Click to expand...
I haven't personally used DA-40 but from what I've seen it is a great lens indeed. I chose FA-43 for an extra stop and the aperture ring. If I didn't need that, I would have gone for DA-40. My respect for DA limiteds is based on my experience with DA-21.

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Cheers,

Igelfeld
 
I'm sure the FA 43 is beautiful in every way. I'd love to handle one some day. About the DA 40 though, I don't know why the reviews keep knocking the slim focus ring like it's a fault. To me it's completely intuitive and efficient, beautifully designed and comfortable. It's right there, when you rest the camera on your left hand. I suppose it's different if you hold your left hand with palm facing down/right. Is that incorrect? hmmmm...

Any lens is going to make you compromize in some way, as a result of design, quality or focal length, etc... It's like saying "the FA 43 is a great lens, sadly though, it doesn't have zoom, so you'll have to move around a bit more, we're going to have to give it a 9 out of 10." Bah...
igelfeld said:
coleviolin said:
If I had the money for my hobby I'd buy the FA 43 ltd. in a
heartbeat, though I'd get a black one so as not to stand out in a
crowd, review or no review. But for me, I get lots of satisfaction
using the DA 40 for half the price.
Click to expand...
I haven't personally used DA-40 but from what I've seen it is a great
lens indeed. I chose FA-43 for an extra stop and the aperture ring.
If I didn't need that, I would have gone for DA-40. My respect for DA
limiteds is based on my experience with DA-21.

--
Cheers,

Igelfeld
Click to expand...
--
Lipo
 
So far so good, but I have not really had the opportunity to really work it out. I took one picture of my house that really bothered me though, lots of CA throughout the entire photo particularly on the edges of the roof where it met the sky, and on every edge of the shingles. I chose to ignore the problem and toss the picture out as a "user" generated problem, and not a lens issue for now. It's interesting how different using a fixed focal length lens requires a bit more thought than the zoom's I have been accustomed too. Composition takes a bit more energy.
 
Congratulations. I really love my old M 50/1.7 that came with my second hand MX body. It's got some special quality I cannot describe. I'm sure you've got the best of all worlds with the 43 Ltd. now. Enjoy, and post some shots...
--
Lipo
 
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