Pentax 43mm 1.9 (ltm): a first look

[raid]

After completing the massive testing procedure for 26 lenses in the range 35mm-40mm, I was contacted by a fellow RFF member, offering me a promise to send me eventually a Pentax 43mm/1.9 lens to try out. This lens came out in Pentax mount and then in this rare LTM version.

The lens is rather large when compared to other 40mm lenses. The Summicron C ismuch smaller. The Pentax is luxurious looking and feeling lens that is very well made. Someone at PN described it as "putting the Summicron to shame mechanically".

The lens seems to have sold for $500-$1200 overall, with $750 being a good price. It comes with an excellent 43mm/50mm finder that users seem to be praising online.

Focusing was a snap with the Pentax on the Bessa T and it was more difficult on the CL, but this was more the age factor for the CLand not the lens. Others have already tested such a lens for falre and concluded that it is exceptionally flare resistant.

I have uploaded about twenty images that were taken with the Pentax. You will see the dimensions being too wide,and thisis because I cropped the lower strip of most photos taken on the front porch. Dana was sitting a certain way that made me include a wooden fence, and since it was OOF, I took it out. The similar images taken with the Summicron are given too.

I included all photos, so there will be some not fully sharp because Dana moves all the time. I cannot see any major differences between the images. At first, I thought that I saw some extra punch with the Pentax images, but then I saw a similar quality in the Summicron-C.

Summicron: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=755095
Pentax: http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=755092


The two lenses are shown here side by side:

This is one example of a Pentax image:

This is an example of a Summicron image:

 

[Paul T.]

As always, it show that the lens is not the most crucial variable.

This photo is perhaps the most 3-dimensional. It is purely down to the lighting, of course...

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6299819

More and more I find that 40mm is my favourite FOV. I can't imagine ever getting rid of my Summicron C, even if testing conclusively reveals another lens is better...

 

[raid]

As always, it show that the lens is not the most crucial variable.

This photo is perhaps the most 3-dimensional. It is purely down to the lighting, of course...

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6299819

More and more I find that 40mm is my favourite FOV. I can't imagine ever getting rid of my Summicron C, even if testing conclusively reveals another lens is better...

Hi Paul,

You have a good eye; I also spotted this one as a 3D example with the Summicron. I mentioned something on PN [within an older tread on the Pentax] regarding the Pentax doing really well on the front porch images but that the Summicron did equally well with the back yard images ... from which this pic is taken.

 

[foto_fool]

Hi Daniel,

All I have to do is to wait until the younger daughter (Lina) is taking her afternoon nap, then Dana wants her photos taken. She will just say " I want photos".

😀 - this cracks me up. Lately when I pick up a camera my 2-year-old says "Dad - cheese me!" or yells "DON'T cheese me!" and runs away. My 4-year-old has picked up on this now. They must have picked this up at school - I don't recall ever asking them to "Say cheese".

Anyway, thanks for this comparison Raid. There may be conditions where the Pentax will out-perform the Summicron, but what you have shown here does not make me want to track down the Pentax. The older, smaller and less expensive Summicron holds its own.

- John

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I'd be interested in seeing some pictures comparing lens flare characteristics.

Chris

 

[raid]

I'd be interested in seeing some pictures comparing lens flare characteristics.

Chris

Chris,

My Summicron was used in an earlier flare test for 40mm lenses, and it did very well. It is very hot in Florida these days, and I was not ready a few days ago for a sauna photo session with bare bulbs and so on. Users of the Pentax have stated that it is exceptionally flare resistant. Maybe this is not an issue.

I could shoot into some light with the Pentax.I still have to complete another roll.

 

[raid]

I forgot to mention that most images were taken wide open. A few were taken at 2.8 or 4.0.

Raid

 

[sepiareverb]

Color is remarkable consistent between the two scans shown above, somewhat less so on some of the ones on the linked pages. I would expect more 'snap' in the color from the more modern coatings on the Pentax. I'll take a more considered look tomorrow- just got home after a long day of travel, and I'm about ready to collapse.

 

[gavinlg]

Gosh those pentax fellows make some beautiful glass sometimes don't they.
The summicron is still holding it's own though - especially for its size which is a big factor for me! I wonder if the multicoated rokkor 40 would give better contrast than the single coated 'cron?

 

[foto_fool]

Gavin - I'm with you on the size factor. Though I'm pretty sure all the Summicron C's were multi-coated. Raid asked the question in his original poll - compare with Summicron or CV40 Nokton? Though I think I voted for the Summicron it might be interesting the do a 3-way comp with the Nokton. Raid? Need a Nokton? Or you could send ME the Pentax 😛 . Or maybe we could make some more work for Roland.

- John

 

[raid]

John,

I sent you a pm regarding your suggestion.

 

[raid]

Color is remarkable consistent between the two scans shown above, somewhat less so on some of the ones on the linked pages. I would expect more 'snap' in the color from the more modern coatings on the Pentax. I'll take a more considered look tomorrow- just got home after a long day of travel, and I'm about ready to collapse.

Relax and come back here. I have a roll of B&W film taken with the Pentax that is still undeveloped and another color roll uncompleted.

 

[raid]

Gosh those pentax fellows make some beautiful glass sometimes don't they.
The summicron is still holding it's own though - especially for its size which is a big factor for me! I wonder if the multicoated rokkor 40 would give better contrast than the single coated 'cron?

I had Roland's Rokkor from his CLE among the 26 lenses that I recently tested here. I also had my Summicron C in the test. The thread should have images that can provide information. I understand that posted images will limit detection of finer points.

 

[sepiareverb]

Well in checking out the scans further I seem to be seeing a little more shadow detail in the Pentax scans, and perhaps a little bit more in the details of Dana's hair, as you've said Raid hard to see in scans what we'd see in the print. Hope you've had fun with it- and hope the bug bite wasn't too big.

Overall I don't see the huge gain I expected to see from the modern design & coatings. But for me proof is in the prints, I'll add some impressions here after making a few large prints from this lens- and try a direct comparison with my Summicron 40 as well.

 

[raid]

Well in checking out the scans further I seem to be seeing a little more shadow detail in the Pentax scans, and perhaps a little bit more in the details of Dana's hair, as you've said Raid hard to see in scans what we'd see in the print. Hope you've had fun with it- and hope the bug bite wasn't too big.

Overall I don't see the huge gain I expected to see from the modern design & coatings. But for me proof is in the prints, I'll add some impressions here after making a few large prints from this lens- and try a direct comparison with my Summicron 40 as well.

Hi Bob,
Making a print is the best way to go, unless you are familiar with inspecting negatives under large magnification. The lens is a luxury item,and it is a high performer, but the Summicron C is also a high performer.

I am more into vintage lenses since they give me the effects that I like to get for portraits of my daughters. Needless to say that I would be super happy to get such a Pentax one day. 😀

Raid

 

[sepiareverb]

Well I certainly appreciate your taking the time with this Raid. I'll be adding some scans from prints in a month or so (he says with fingers crossed).

 

[raid]

I will be looking forward to seeing some of your scans. It is interesting to see what you can find on prints that cannot be seen on scans.

 

[charjohncarter]

Thanks Raid, I love your tests. For some unknown reason I like the the Pentax 40.

 

[raid]

No problem; I guess, you mean the Pentax 43mm lens, don't you? The Pentax SLR lenses are really great lenses, and having a lens made as a luxury lens most likely implies that Pentax used the best it had in design and built.