[axl]

Hi all,
I know, I know... just another "which one" thread. If you don't like them, you can stop reading now.

If you don't mind sharing your opinion, I'll be happy to hear it though.
So, situation is: I have just bough 77ltd and have to sell some other stuff to finance it. FA100/2.8 macro is going for sure but that doesn't get me even to the half of the budget so I should be selling another lens. But...
Shall I keep the TRIO (all silver, all made in Japan) or shall I keep 31 + 50/1.2 + 77?
Both lenses have pros and cons (subjective):
43: + size, weight, AF, AE
- tad short for portraiture, tad slower I'd like, not as nice OOF rendering as 50/1.2

50/1.2: + probably the best IQ I've seen from Pentax SMC lens, unmatched OOF rendering, great short portrait lens,
- size, weight, prone to CAs, fully manual

Ideally I'd keep both, but I don't think my finances will allow it. So if you were in my boots, which one would you keep?

Thanks,
Peter

PS: option 3: sell 10-20 and keep 31, 43, 50, 77 (I am really considering this too..as much as I love 10-20...)

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Last edited by axl; 08-01-2010 at 12:49 AM.

[Just12hvFun]

I wouldn't recommend selling the 10-20 as 31 just isn't wide enough on APSC

Between the 43 and 50, there's always this temptation to keep a full set of the FA Ltds. More so when they are the silver ones

But, IMHO, between the 43 and 50, your main concerns should be: can you achieve what the 43 is best at with the 31 and can the K50/1.2 fullfil the role of the 43 and still give you more

I too have them both. If necessary, I'm more likely to keep the K50/1.2. Chances are better that I can at least try to emulate the 43 with the 31, but there's absolutely nothing else except another f1.2 that can give you that magical 1.2 look

Just my thoughts :ugh:

[alvarossorio]

Well, if you ever regret selling one of them, the 43 mm seems much easier to find...

[scorpioh]

Not quite true for a Silver MIJ version. I would keep the limiteds and get a A50/1.2 someday. Somehow the A version is more convenient over the K and looks nicer too.

[axl]

Not quite true for a Silver MIJ version. I would keep the limiteds and get a A50/1.2 someday. Somehow the A version is more convenient over the K and looks nicer too.

agreed on that, plus my is brown bagged coming from very FIRST series of 43s.
I was thinking of getting A50/1.2 but they are very scarce....

[sajah]

Tough choice I have both and wouldn't want to sell both of them. Despite the fact that my copy of K 50 1.2 isn't as sharp and contrasty as I expected wide open, and unlike FA 77 my FA 43 is not as stunning as I expected wide open (but stop down a bit and the it pops!). So for me they're complementing each other. I always use K 50 1.2 wide open and almost always use FA 43 stop down to F2.2 at least.

[axl]

I wouldn't recommend selling the 10-20 as 31 just isn't wide enough on APSC

Between the 43 and 50, there's always this temptation to keep a full set of the FA Ltds. More so when they are the silver ones

But, IMHO, between the 43 and 50, your main concerns should be: can you achieve what the 43 is best at with the 31 and can the K50/1.2 fullfil the role of the 43 and still give you more

I too have them both. If necessary, I'm more likely to keep the K50/1.2. Chances are better that I can at least try to emulate the 43 with the 31, but there's absolutely nothing else except another f1.2 that can give you that magical 1.2 look

Just my thoughts :ugh:

this is exactly where I'm getting stuck. 43 is a superb lens, but tad too close to 31 on APSC. 31 can do just about everything that 43 can but is 3x the size and 2x the weight. 50 is unique but big and heavy and it makes me miss some shots due to exposure errors and MF skills. Then there is of course the temptation of keeping silver MIJ trio....
according to stats I ran for May - June - July (I got 50 at the end of April) numbers are:
31 = 334 keepers
43 = 171
50 = 289
now the logical conclusion of this is that 43 should go... but.....
oh well

I'd probably keep the 43 ltd since I tend to like AF. However, a K50 f/1.2 isn't very easy to come by I suppose and I'm afraid you'll regret if you ever sell such a unique jewel. So 43 it is that goes.

[pinholecam]

IMHO, it will depend on how much you can live with MF.
If you don't need the AF, then the 50/1.2 is likely the one to keep. The 50/1.2 can most likely replicate what the 43 will do, but not the other way round.

I keep a 43ltd as my only AF 'normal' for those situations where my other hand is not free (ie. holding an off camera flash; carrying the groceries; etc)

[Piotr]

Choose option 3.

I've tested/owned about 50 lenses and in my opinion Ltd 31, 43, 77 as 50/1.2 are special.
You can always sell and buy any zooms but these special primes are too good to be sell. You will regreat if you sell it.

[axl]

Choose option 3.

I've tested/owned about 50 lenses and in my opinion Ltd 31, 43, 77 as 50/1.2 are special.
You can always sell and buy any zooms but these special primes are too good to be sell. You will regreat if you sell it.

I'm leaning more and more towards this option...
10-20 truly gave me some terrific shots but it's a lens that's easy (and relatively cheap) to re-buy at some point in the future. Silver MIJ 43 and K50/1.2 would be MUCH harder to get and would probably cost more (at least the 43 would with 50 just about the same)
Having 31 as widest? Well, for some time I think I could manage and in 2011 (my 2010 budget is in overdraft ) I would buy some nice WA....

[scorpioh]

agreed on that, plus my is brown bagged coming from very FIRST series of 43s.
I was thinking of getting A50/1.2 but they are very scarce....

On that account, I revert my opinion. You should sell your 43 and sell it to ME! d:

[RBellavance]

The 43 is a more versatile lens, it is much smaller, and AF. Plus, the K50/1.2 will probably net you more money for its sale.

Unless you absolutely must have the extra-thin DOF of the K50, I think it's relatively easy.

Then again, that's easy to say when it's not me who has to part with one of those lenses

[ll_coffee_lP]

- AF vrs MF is one consideration
- If you sell one now and try to buy it again in the future... what's the chances of finding one in good/great condition?

That's all I have to add.

c[_]

[dgaies]

The 43 is a more versatile lens, it is much smaller, and AF. Plus, the K50/1.2 will probably net you more money for its sale.

Unless you absolutely must have the extra-thin DOF of the K50, I think it's relatively easy.

Then again, that's easy to say when it's not me who has to part with one of those lenses

I would think selling the 43 would net you about 150 USD more than a K50/1.2.

Not really sure which I would sell, although I do have both at the moment as well (well, it's a black 43 and an A50/1.2, but close enough). I have a similar dilemma now between the 77 and the FA*85 I recently picked up. It just feels wrong to break up the trio