FA* or FA limiteds

Harmonica · 10-08-2008, 08:53 AM

Just wondering....any sense to sell the following three FA* lenses:
FA* 24mm f2
FA* 28-70mm f2,8
FA* 85mm f1,4

...and buy three limited lenses instead:
FA 31mm f1,8
FA 43mm f1,9
FA 77mm f1,8

What would I loose and what would I get (I have 14mm prime too)?

1.) Smaller and lighter lenses....yes.

2.) Loose stops (f1,4 possibility)...I quess I could live with that
(and if not then I would purchase DA* 55mm f1,4 later on).

3.) No zoom lens anymore. Well, I prefer prime lenses much more anyway.

But what else? Has anyone compare some of these lenses performance to each other?

legacyb4 · 10-08-2008, 09:31 AM

If your FA* 85mm is in very good shape, you could probably sell that and finance the 2 of the 3 of the Limited lenses alone judging from the prices you see on eBay.

Why not start with the 43mm and see if you can live with the 24/43/85 instead of the zoom?

troyz · 10-08-2008, 10:37 AM

The first one I'd sell would be the FA24 (based on focal length alone -- I've never owned this particular lens).

The first one I'd buy would be the FA31 (a very very very good fast "true normal"). In fact, if I could have only one lens on my K20D, this would be it.

Next on the list would be a DA21 or maybe a full-frame 20-ish lens if you want a lens that functions as a wide on APC-C and an ultrawide on film. (I'm ignoring ultrawide zooms because you say you prefer primes.)

**roentarre** · 10-08-2008, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Harmonica

Just wondering....any sense to sell the following three FA* lenses:
FA* 24mm f2
FA* 28-70mm f2,8
FA* 85mm f1,4

...and buy three limited lenses instead:
FA 31mm f1,8
FA 43mm f1,9
FA 77mm f1,8

What would I loose and what would I get (I have 14mm prime too)?

Between Fa* 24mm f2 and 31mm f1.8 - I would simply go for Fa 31 mm ltd. Fa* 24mm is surely wider but I personally experienced problems regarding its colour accuracy. I am not a WB clumsy but this lens is not good on digital SLR for landscape. Even with hood, its flare control is mediocre. Personally I enjoy Fa* 24mm f2 bokeh and most of the time, the expected harsh bokeh turns out nicely at f2

That lovely Fa* 28-70 is a good zoom and I don't see any problems with it except that it is typically prone to paint loss, not weather resistant to any condition and it is heavy. Getting A Fa 43mm ltd could be dissapointing since they are really two different lenses not only being one zoom and one prime, but the rendering and intended purposes are rather different. Fa 43 mm ltd is definitely light and having soft corners that is not so pleasant with off centre protraits even stopping down. The Fa* 28-70 zoom has more pleasant bokeh under most conditions comparing to fa 43 mm ltd

Now Fa 77 ltd vs Fa* 85/1.4

This is always a sensitive topic and measurebation has proven it again and again. Optically, really little difference unless you are a commited microbiologist to go through all your images under microscope.

Most of the time, I could not tell the difference between Fa 77 ltd and Tamron zoom at f2.8. So not to mention whether there is much difference between Fa* 85 f1.4 to Fa 77 ltd. The autofocus on both camera are dodgy and the advantage with fa 77 ltd is really the smaller size and less likely to get cosmetic damage.

Fa* 85mm f1.4 tends to get better images with hight contrast setting and directional lighting. It seems to render better mood comparing to Fa 77 ltd.

Harmonica · 10-09-2008, 09:39 AM

Thanks Roentarre and others.

Probabaly the best option would be to keep all those FA* lenses, save some money, and just pick up 31mm Ltd someday in the future? 31mm Ltd would give me one small, light, and very top quality lens....for general purposes.

Just wondering, how good the upcoming DA* 55mm f1,4 might be compare FA 31mm Ltd?

Any idea why Pentax has not put some DA* 200mm f4 1:1 macro into the Lens road map? Because that would be very, very tempting lens....

ariahspam · 10-09-2008, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Harmonica

Just wondering, how good the upcoming DA* 55mm f1,4 might be compare FA 31mm Ltd?

I'd compare the FA31 to the upcoming DA*30. (I need a fast normal!) If you aren't rushed... you can probably wait for this comparison. Let's hope it is like a FA31 with weather seals and quickshift.

*k100d* · 10-09-2008, 12:48 PM

you'd also get better build quality and looks

i've never personally tried an FA* lens but i always see them scratched up and the paint that they use looks kind of tacky.

maybe you should sell the zoom and the 24, that should get you close to getting all 3 if you go for the prodigital2000 price ( i got my set from them)
seems like everyone who sells an 85 is regretful afterwards, especially a 1.4

**roentarre** · 10-09-2008, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by Harmonica

Thanks Roentarre and others.

Probabaly the best option would be to keep all those FA* lenses, save some money, and just pick up 31mm Ltd someday in the future? 31mm Ltd would give me one small, light, and very top quality lens....for general purposes.

Just wondering, how good the upcoming DA* 55mm f1,4 might be compare FA 31mm Ltd?

Any idea why Pentax has not put some DA* 200mm f4 1:1 macro into the Lens road map? Because that would be very, very tempting lens....

You are welcome.

Glad that you appreciated my input.

If you are after a fine lens collection, Fa 31 ltd is definitely worthwhile. It is in deed a reliable lens for walking around without any purposes - that sounds like a sin...

I am after Da* 55mm f1.4 and hopefully the optics is not a 50mm lens design (since it is doomed to be aweful especially with bokeh) - my gut feeling is that pentax might try to save some money to use 50mm design to quote it as a 85mm equivalent etc.

Da* 200mm macro is a dream and pentax will charge a premium without anyone daring to buy it anyway. A lens sale with such a high price would mean little sale volume so it would be a fat chance for it to be released anyway. Even if pentax wants to release a macro of this caliber, it is likely to be 135mm macro to save money.

kenyee · 10-09-2008, 03:09 PM

I wouldn't let an 85/1.4 go if I had one...no matter which camera system you have that kind of lens on, the lens formula always seems to have great bokeh and rendering...

*m8o* · 10-09-2008, 06:55 PM

B&H is asking $1500 for a used 85/1.4 now... Early in the year it was $1200'ish when lusted after it, I mean handled it. Seems like a bargain now.

*FHPhotographer* · 10-09-2008, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by k100d

you'd also get better build quality and looks
i've never personally tried an FA* lens but i always see them scratched up and the paint that they use looks kind of tacky.

maybe you should sell the zoom and the 24, that should get you close to getting all 3 if you go for the prodigital2000 price ( i got my set from them)
seems like everyone who sells an 85 is regretful afterwards, especially a 1.4

Simon, I went to your website but can't find any EXIF data. I assume all were shot with the K100D, but with which lenses?
Brian (FHPhotographer)

*k100d* · 10-09-2008, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by FHPhotographer

Simon, I went to your website but can't find any EXIF data. I assume all were shot with the K100D, but with which lenses?
Brian (FHPhotographer)

first click the gallery you want to see, that brings up thumbnails. click the thumbnails, and when you're in that view, there's a tab for Photo Info

*FHPhotographer* · 10-09-2008, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by k100d

first click the gallery you want to see, that brings up thumbnails. click the thumbnails, and when you're in that view, there's a tab for Photo Info

Thanks. I see a preponderance of 43mm, many 77mm and some 21mm but didn't see any 31mm. I'm wondering if there is an issue with the 31 and the K100D ? Before I sink $800+ in that lens, I want to make sure it really is the best of the "normal" walk around lenses as people say, but you seem to prefer the 43...
Brian (FHPhotog)