WOW, I am in love with a lens.... FA-31 1.8 Limited

matix · 09-10-2007, 04:23 AM

Finally, I found the lens to round out my collection, and it is a beauty. I had been looking for a black FA 31mm f1.8 Limited for months, listening and reading all the accolades on this lens, but the pricing would have put me over the no duty limit, and there were no used ones that I could find.

Got lucky last week, found one on eBay that was the right price and jumped on it, no pics of it so the auction was slow starting, but the Buy it Now was more than $150 better than the best on line price.

First pic today, and I am stoked.. man, gotta love this Pentax top product, now have to get time to use it. This shot (Exif embedded) did require the flash as there was backlit sun and it was breezy.

Phil

Finn · 09-10-2007, 04:34 AM

Sounds like you got quite a deal. definitely my favorite lens, too...although were you as surprised as I was at how much of a beast it is? Man, the thing is HUGE...

ChrisN · 09-10-2007, 04:48 AM

Yep - great lens!

matix · 09-10-2007, 04:51 AM

Originally Posted by Finn

Sounds like you got quite a deal. definitely my favorite lens, too...although were you as surprised as I was at how much of a beast it is? Man, the thing is HUGE...

Really? Actually I thought it was small compared to my Bigma

Actually it is kinda small IMHO, about the size of my long gone 18-55 DA kit lens, a bit longer maybe. It is just a shade under 3" (70mm) dia and 2.25" (65mm) long long. It is extremely well balanced, not as heavy as I had been led to believe, and complements the K10D superbly.

Phil

**roentarre** · 09-10-2007, 05:52 AM

Congrads. The lens is a gem. I have the lens on most of the time

Tbear · 09-10-2007, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisN

Yep - great lens!

You guys are not helping my LBA by posting stuff like that. I've been in internal conflict for months about whether it is worth the $750 for the 31 mm f/1.8. If I had endless resources it would be a no-brainer.

Regards,

Ted

ChrisN · 09-10-2007, 03:37 PM

Surrender to the force, Ted - resistance is futile!

Yep, it's a big investment, but one worth working for if you like that focal length and the way this lens draws.

matix · 09-10-2007, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisN

Surrender to the force, Ted - resistance is futile!

Yep, it's a big investment, but one worth working for if you like that focal length and the way this lens draws.

Yeah, it is a big investment as you say.. now time to sell my SMC F 50mm 1.7 to help defray this cost. Is a special lens though, so I think it will be used a bunch.

Phil

sft · 09-11-2007, 05:35 PM

Nice flower shot - it does Macro/Close Focus well becasue of the incredibly smooth and beautiful bokeh. The thing really renders beautifully. One of my favorites too - got 4 primes (DA21 Ltd, FA31 Ltd, FA50, DFA100 Macro) and I love tham all the 31 sure is a very impressive all-arounder and probably has the best rendering along with the DFA100 - the FA50 is close too for bokeh and the DA21 is a great landscape lens but can't quite match the others for bokeh obviously.

I've only had mine for a few weeks as-well but it really is stellar and I was surprised at all the comments about size & weight too. I don't find it that big either - maybe compared to my DA21 it is

But otherwise it feels excellent on the K10D.

Some of my favorites with it over last few weeks

creampuff · 09-11-2007, 06:35 PM

Nice images from a great lens. Most expensive because of the aspherical glass front element.

gasamia · 09-12-2007, 01:18 AM

The len render the image so delicately in coloring. Really my favorite one.

I really expect more for Pentax, to enhance the R&D capability and utilize better sensor. Hope some day, FA 31 can perform the full power to show Pentaxers how photos should be like.

Mechan1k · 09-13-2007, 01:12 AM

ahhhh ... I'd love to get one ... but $1300AUD is a bit steep for me.

I remember that series of the evening street scenes of your's Sinan ... they really show how amazing this lens really is.

Although might be about $500 cheaper if i source one from O/S though ... then it might be a viable option.

But for now that I have a FA50 f/1.4 and Tamron 90mm Macro f/2.8 on order at the moment ... that will keep me amused for a while ... when they are paid off and in my possession.

Id still love an FA31 Ltd though.

sft · 09-13-2007, 03:57 PM

Hey Simon - the FA31 is superb indeed but it is damn expensive no doubt about it - a decent alternative is the FA35 f/2 - it doens't have the build quality of the Ltd and the bokeh is smoother in the Ltd due to 9 aperture blades vs 6 but otherwise the FA35 is a great lens and at a great price - it sure is sharp too - probably more or less the same sharpness as the Ltd I think. Couple that with a DA21 Ltd and youve got yourself a nice set from WA to mod-tele/Macro

Quite similar focal lenghts to my prime-kit then.