SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens

SMC Pentax-FA 43mm f/1.9 Limited Lens: Performance

We start with considering the rather unusual focal length, at least in terms of the DSLR. This ends up being a very long standard lens, or indeed a very short telephoto. Despite that, it does prove in the field to be quite a versatile length, allowing a modest degree of selection to a subject. It is just long enough to allow distortion free portraits at reasonably close distances.

Chromatic Aberration chart
		Looking at the graphs, Chromatic Aberration is superbly controlled at the centre of the field, but despite the crop sensor becomes visible by the corners. This is a consequence of CA not being such a perceived problem on film. However, fortunately, even at the corners most subjects do not show much fringing. In practice it is acceptable.

Flare is not a problem for Pentax SMC coated lenses. Distortion is around 1% barrelling, well within acceptable limits for a non-macro lens and much better than many zoom lenses.

MTF50 chart
		The MTF50 graph describes the fine resolution of the lens and it acquits itself very well indeed. Corrections are heavily biased towards the centre at larger apertures, but this evens up across the field as we stop down and gives a best performance overall at f/4 and f/5.6. There is a classic rise and fall pattern to the graph and this is clearly a high quality lens.
MTF20 chart
		The MTF20 graph tells us more about contrast and impact. This is the bite of the lens and where the 43mm excels. The performance is even, it peaks at high levels at f/4 and f/5.6 and will result in punchy images full of impact.

This is borne out in practice and where more colourful descriptive language comes into this review. The lens has character, call it fine bokeh, and a certain “something” that lifts it beyond the literal reproduction of a scene. Skin tones are very flattering, texture is excellent and architecture is rendered accurately. Beyond the technical aspects and the cold figures, we have a lens with some life and quality about it.

Fairly tame wildlife can be approached successfully without the animal feeling too crowded, ISO200, 1/320, f/8, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)		Landscape shots show good sharpness and detail, ISO200, 1/80, f/8, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)
Close portraits show no distortion thanks to a reasonable working distance, ISO200, 1/320, f/5, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)		Compact lenses are a boon for travel photography, ISO200, 1/750, f/8, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)
A selective composition looks natural and shows that the 43mm is not too long on digital, ISO200, 1/320, f/8, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)		The 43mm focal length on digital is unusual but allows for tight crops, ISO200, 1/350, f/8, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)
A comfortable working distance allows good communication with the model, ISO200, 1/250, f/5, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)		CA is visible to some extent at the corners of the image, but is not intrusive, ISO200, 1/1000, f/8, 43mm (35mm equiv: 64mm)

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