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HD FA 43 f/1.9 ltd. first shot

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klimbkat

klimbkat

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After my SMC FA 43 suffered from a broken focus gear, review of the various options led me to an early birthday present. The new HD version appears virtually identical to my ~2008 copy except for a green "bump" on the focal scale ring and handling and focus is the same. A quick brick wall check revealed ever so slight softness in one corner at f/1.9 and resolved by f/3.2, otherwise fine. Since the 43 is not a full frame reference lens (certainly not wide open), that is not an issue.

It's raining outside today so first shot is a percussive melange . . .



09fd9c5d56264de295c97529f74b88ce.jpg




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Doug

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My passion for photography is a good fit with my passion for places and the myriad of unique things, large and small, in this amazing world we live in. Whether it is the highest Himalayan peaks or the bees in my flowers, I am fascinated by the process of capturing and transforming the images -...
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Congratulations on a favorite lens!
 
Nice lens, congrats! Still plunking along with my old SMC version, on the OG K-1:

6a06d179b5dd4ccfb1b04983cdaea750.jpg




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Beautiful lens/picture. Just surprised that this lens is not a FF lens! You sure?

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Peter
 
Last edited:
flektogon said:
Beautiful lens/picture. Just surprised that this lens is not a FF lens! You sure?
Click to expand...
Ha - I never said it was not full frame, merely that it is not consideredc to be a full frame *reference" lens, one that is as perfect edge to edge as possible. The FA 43 has always had a bit of a dreamy look and part of that formula results in some softness near the edges at wide apertures. For many, that is part of the attraction to the 43, that it seems to float a central sharp subject in a sea of lovely bokeh. And, due to this, the lens is typically used without great regard for sharpness of those edges.

I've enjoyed using the 43 on film, APS-C, and full frame - happy to have a working copy again.
 
klimbkat said:
flektogon said:
Beautiful lens/picture. Just surprised that this lens is not a FF lens! You sure?
Click to expand...
Ha - I never said it was not full frame, merely that it is not consideredc to be a full frame *reference" lens, one that is as perfect edge to edge as possible. The FA 43 has always had a bit of a dreamy look and part of that formula results in some softness near the edges at wide apertures. For many, that is part of the attraction to the 43, that it seems to float a central sharp subject in a sea of lovely bokeh. And, due to this, the lens is typically used without great regard for sharpness of those edges.

I've enjoyed using the 43 on film, APS-C, and full frame - happy to have a working copy again.
Click to expand...
 
Oiche said:
klimbkat said:
flektogon said:
Beautiful lens/picture. Just surprised that this lens is not a FF lens! You sure?
Click to expand...
Ha - I never said it was not full frame, merely that it is not consideredc to be a full frame *reference" lens, one that is as perfect edge to edge as possible. The FA 43 has always had a bit of a dreamy look and part of that formula results in some softness near the edges at wide apertures. For many, that is part of the attraction to the 43, that it seems to float a central sharp subject in a sea of lovely bokeh. And, due to this, the lens is typically used without great regard for sharpness of those edges.

I've enjoyed using the 43 on film, APS-C, and full frame - happy to have a working copy again.
Click to expand...
I'm surprised that somebody doesn't know this is a film era lens, they must have just arrived on Earth.
Click to expand...
Even as a film era lenses (and a good ones at that) the FA43 & FA77 have deliberate designs that concentrate more on centre sharpness and allow the edges and corners to go soft. This (IMO) works better with the FA77 as a portrait type lens. With the FA43 it is more of a mixed bag, perhaps working better on APSC cameras.

I like both of mine although the FA77 works better for me.

If you want clinically sharp edge-to-edge performance you should consider other options.

YMMV

Doug
 
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