Pentax Launches HD Editions for 3 Limited Full-Frame Lenses

2021.02.24

Pentax unveiled 3 refreshed versions of the highly-acclaimed Limited series lenses for Full-Frame cameras. These Limited lens excel in optical performance and durability with metal barrels and mechanical aperture-rings. New versions launched today improve image quality with the use of HD coatings to minimize flaring plus add weatherproof and freezeproof (down to -10C) construction not featured in the originals.

The widest is the Pentax HD FA 31mm F/1.8 Limited that provides a slightly wide field of view of 70° when used on a Full-Frame camera. This lens offers a bright F/1.8 maximum aperture with 9 blades for rendering smooth bokeh. The lens is beautifully constructed with direct mechanical focus and aperture-rings. Autofocus is coupled with a mechanical link and driven by the camera which allows it to focus faster with newer camera bodies. A fixed metal hood protects the front element, while it petal shape allows access to a 58mm filter-thread.

By being the widest and having a bright aperture, this is the heaviest lens in the group. It weighs 341g but is quite compact at under 7cm long and 65mm wide, barely wider than the Pentax K-mount. The Pentax HD D FA 31mm F/1.8 Limited is priced at $1050 USD.

The incredibly compact Pentax HD D FA 43mm F/1.9 Limited provides a standard angle-of-view with focal-length that matches the diagonal of Full-Frame sensors. This gives it a very natural 53° field-of-view. It manages to offer a bright F/1.9 apeture, fractionally less wide than the other two lenses, while being just 27mm long. This lens is made of an ultra-slim metal barrel between its mechanical focus and aperture rings.

It is very surprising how compact this lens is. Even in its slim size, it manages to squeeze in a retractable cylindrical lens hood which slides back to made a 49mm filter-thread accessible. The body of the Pentax HD D FA 43mm F/1.9 Limited is also weatherproof and freezeproof. As expected, this is an extremely light lens that weighs a mere 155g. Pentax priced this new 43mm F/1.9 Limited lens at $600 USD.

The third lens is the Pentax HD D FA 77mm F/1.8 Limited It offers a slightly narrower field-of-view than normal for flattering portraits. With its 31° angle-of-view it does not require much working distance. Its bright F/1.8 maximum aperture and 9 rounded-blade iris makes renders blurred backgrounds with smooth bokeh. Again, this lens is made of a metal barrel with mechanical aperture and focus-rings for direct control.

Pentax also fit a retractable cylindrical lens barrel in the 77mm F/1.8 Limited. This lens is highly compact but weighs 270g due to its premium metal construction. Autofocus is driven by the camera, making this lens work with digital and film cameras equally well. The Pentax HD D FA 77mm F/1.8 Limited is priced at $800 USD.

All 3 new lenses are expected some time in April. There is no exact date but preordering is possible to ensure getting one of these Limited premium lenses early:

• Pentax HD FA 31mm F/1.8 Limited: Adorama - B&H Photo
• Pentax HD FA 43mm F/1.9 Limited: Adorama - B&H Photo
• Pentax HD FA 77mm F/1.8 Limited: Adorama - B&H Photo

• Lens