Pentax K-mount lenses: Pentax Users, what is the difference between Pentax “HD” lenses and their “smc F-A” lenses. Which one be preferable to use with a Full Frame body? Thanks for...

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Pentax Users, what is the difference between Pentax “HD” lenses and their “smc F-A” lenses.
Which one be preferable to use with a Full Frame body?

Thanks for your Pentax-related comments and feedback. — Ralph

mrpentaxk5ii

rjaywallace wrote:

Pentax Users, what is the difference between Pentax “HD” lenses and their “smc F-A” lenses.
Which one be preferable to use with a Full Frame body?

Thanks for your Pentax-related comments and feedback. — Ralph

The HD is a High Defanition coating added to some new Pentax lens, on the bottom of the old lens you will find a green line around the lens barrel, on the new lens it is red, the SMC FA lens are older glass designed for 35mm film cameras, these lens are small, compact and have a screw drive such as the Pentax 77 mm F-1.8 lens.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

mrpentaxk5ii wrote:

The HD is a High Defanition coating added to some new Pentax lens, on the bottom of the old lens you will find a green line around the lens barrel, on the new lens it is red, the SMC FA lens are older glass designed for 35mm film cameras, these lens are small, compact and have a screw drive such as the Pentax 77 mm F-1.8 lens.

Thank you for responding, Mr. Pentax.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

rjaywallace wrote:

Pentax Users, what is the difference between Pentax “HD” lenses and their “smc F-A” lenses.
Which one be preferable to use with a Full Frame body?

Thanks for your Pentax-related comments and feedback. — Ralph

The most important aspect of a Pentax lens is what follows the word "Pentax".

"Pentax-DA" provides a APS image circle

"Pentax-FDA" provides a FF image circle

everything else was designed for film, so also provides a FF image circle, which seems to satisfy those who have a K-1.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

rjaywallace wrote:

Pentax Users, what is the difference between Pentax “HD” lenses and their “smc F-A” lenses.
Which one be preferable to use with a Full Frame body?

Thanks for your Pentax-related comments and feedback. — Ralph

The SMC FA are older autofocus 35mm and Medium Format lenses. HD refers to a lens coating used on newer lens designs (SMC refers to coating used back then)!