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FA 43mm Listed as Discontinued

kea828
Posted 24/01/2016 - 15:39 Link
From PhotoRumours :-

Paraphrased: B&H's (New York) web-site states that the FA 43mm prime lens is not available and cannot be ordered as it is discontinued.

I think this an excellent walkabout lens and it will be a great pity if it gets dropped. However, if this is the lead up to a refreshed WR HD version of at least the same quality being issued, then I'm all in favour.

The lens is now shown as available for order on the B&H site, so it may just have been a tremporary warehouse supply issue and poor phrasing.
Regards,
Kea828
johnriley
Posted 24/01/2016 - 16:45 Link
We've had this before with B&H with various lenses. With a FF camera on the way I'd be surprised if they ditched this lens, but not surprised if an HD version appeared.
Best regards, John
Algernon
Posted 24/01/2016 - 18:16 Link
It doesn't make any sense discontinuing it with the FF camera only weeks away and Ricoh have already promoted it on the FF website.

In the days of film AP described it as the "World's Best Standard Lens" in a test against the Contax 50mm f/1.4 (See AP dated 17th Oct. 1998 )

--
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

Algi
Edited by Algernon: 24/01/2016 - 18:16
johnriley
Posted 24/01/2016 - 18:32 Link
I remember that Algi. I wonder how it compares now to the new Zeiss lenses?
Best regards, John
Posted 24/01/2016 - 20:20 Link
I'd be astonished if this was true... As Algi says above, part of their teaser strategy has been built around the ltds... http://www.pentax.com/en/pentaxff/...

Best
Edited by thingsthatihaveseen: 24/01/2016 - 20:21
joostdh
Posted 24/01/2016 - 21:56 Link
If there is one lens I have that I look forward too on FF, it must be my FA 43mm. Strange indeed...
Pentax K-1| D-FA 24-70mm | FA 43mm F1.9 Ltd | FA* 85mm F1.4 | D-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR | DA* 200mm F2.8 | Pentax AF 540FGZ
ronniemac
Posted 24/01/2016 - 23:55 Link
For PhotoRumours read Photophibs.

Pentax would not discontinue a lens they are using in promotion material for the new FF.

Just incase anyone hasn't seen it: link
Jonathan-Mac
Posted 25/01/2016 - 08:09 Link
I've been saying for years that the FA Ltd lenses need a refresh (coatings, add quick-shift, maybe optical tweaks) and Pentax would really miss a trick if they don't do this now for the FF camera coming out. Otherwise, despite the reputation of the three lenses, many people will say they're not happy with using it with lenses designed well over a decade ago for film.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is what's happening, though what John says about B&H is absolutely true.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Edited by Jonathan-Mac: 25/01/2016 - 08:10
joostdh
Posted 25/01/2016 - 09:17 Link
Seeing as they have already gone through the process of updating five DA Limited primes to a HD coating, doing the same for three FA Limiteds seems trivial. Adding WR, quick shift and/or electronic drive to the AF does should require some additional engineering and is therefor more work. But at the end of the day the three amigos are a massive draw for the Pentax FF so I can imagine it being done.

But having the FA 43mm listed as discontinued without a replacement is causing confusing and – in my eyes – another indication of the lack of thoughtful marketing coordination at Ricoh.
Pentax K-1| D-FA 24-70mm | FA 43mm F1.9 Ltd | FA* 85mm F1.4 | D-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR | DA* 200mm F2.8 | Pentax AF 540FGZ

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