Would you give up FA35/2 for Fa31

yusuf · 02-17-2011, 03:09 AM

Well, subject said it all, Would you give up FA35/2 for Fa31? I love my FA35 but just wondering. So far the pics I saw from FA31, I am sure FA35 is capable of producing the same, may be 99% to make it in favor of FA31. Granted it's 4mm wider and a bit faster though

Fabian · 02-17-2011, 03:24 AM

Here's what I think is quite a good comparison between the two:

Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited observations « robertsdonovan.com

**Ash** · 02-17-2011, 03:33 AM

I don't see any reason to favour the 35/2 over the 31 ltd if you intend to spend that kind of money. Optically the 31 is hard to beat whereas the 35 lacks some of the 'soul' (3D rendering qualities, colours & contrast) as with the common comparisons between the 50/1.4 and the 43 ltd.

yusuf · 02-17-2011, 03:36 AM

isn't 3D just a myth

**Ash** · 02-17-2011, 04:14 AM

I'll just assume you're being facetious.

dgaies · 02-17-2011, 06:33 AM

I had (and loved) my FA35 for over 3 years before buying the FA31. Sold the 35 a couple months after buying the 31 as I can't see a good reason for having both. It's true that the 35 can give you most of what the 31 does (plus slightly faster AF in a lighter package), but at the end of the day the overall IQ and build of the 31 is superior.

elho_cid · 02-17-2011, 06:35 AM

the FA35 has 49mm filter thread and detachable lens hood which both make it very practical to use compared to FA31

GeneV · 02-17-2011, 06:53 AM

As the previous poster noted, there is a size and weight advantage to the FA35 as well as keeping to the standard (since the M series) Pentax filter size. A K-x with an FA35/2 is almost as light as with a DA40, and it is a super compact night combo. On film, I also find the FOV of the FA35 to be one to which I am accustomed, and I would hate to be without a real 35somewhere on the shelf.

If someone offered me an even trade, of course I'd go for the FA31 and never look back, but when I acquire an FA31 someday, I will try to keep the FA35.

vrrattko · 02-17-2011, 07:06 AM

Let's forget for a moment about IQ and build quality. Consider also what kind of photography do you want to do....i owned FA35 before and now I'm happy with Fa31, but:
for street photography and candids FA35 might be better, it's more compact and much more unsuspicious if you remove the hood. FA 31 seems to attract more attention, it is big and bulky and looks like a medium telephoto (what some people probably think).
Both 31 and 35 have pleasant perspective for street photography - it's not standard but also not wide angle, something in between - but usually it's enough to draw you into the action.

jjdgti · 02-17-2011, 08:27 AM

Originally posted by Fabian

Here's what I think is quite a good comparison between the two:

Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited observations « robertsdonovan.com

Fabian: Thanks for the link.

In my opinion, the FA 35mm f/2 is a very nice lens. It is good enough to pass the 31mm lens if money is the main reason. I would spend the difference on getting another lenses to complete my lens lineup.
However, if money is not the problem I will get the 31mm without thinking.

henryjing · 02-17-2011, 12:54 PM

I haven't used FA35/2, but I heard it is a really nice lens with underestimated optical performance. However, I would rather mount my FA 31mm silver on my camera, because it makes me look unique. I think, limited lens are symbol of Pentax, which Canon and Nikon don't have.

henryjing · 02-17-2011, 12:56 PM

Moreover, FA 31mm is sharp even at wide open and it has the best coating on the lens.

Originally posted by henryjing

I haven't used FA35/2, but I heard it is a really nice lens with underestimated optical performance. However, I would rather mount my FA 31mm silver on my camera, because it makes me look unique. I think, limited lens are symbol of Pentax, which Canon and Nikon don't have.

vrrattko · 02-17-2011, 01:09 PM

Well Canon shooters have L-lenses, which are also special and could be identified by white metal body with red stripe if I remember well....
Nikkor has some great glass as well, just you can't distinguish it so easily from the standard lenses

Pentaxor · 02-17-2011, 02:59 PM

without significant amount of additional compensation, Yes I would trade the FA35 for the FA31. at the current price of the FA31, forget it. I still can't justify paying for it at $800 or more. maybe for $700, I would definitely go for. for something over my limit, I would rather buy something else.

yusuf · 02-17-2011, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by henryjing

Moreover, FA 31mm is sharp even at wide open and it has the best coating on the lens.

Well, as I heard, FA35/2 is known to be even sharper, it's a bit of bokeh that is distinguishing both.

I know FA31 has sterling reputation, superb build quality and would love to own one and trying to justify

So as far as FA31 IQ goes, yet to see the magic like FA77 which FA35 can't produce.

02-17-2011, 03:09 AM	#1
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Would you give up FA35/2 for Fa31 Well, subject said it all, Would you give up FA35/2 for Fa31? I love my FA35 but just wondering. So far the pics I saw from FA31, I am sure FA35 is capable of producing the same, may be 99% to make it in favor of FA31. Granted it's 4mm wider and a bit faster though

02-17-2011, 07:06 AM	#9
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	FA31 vs FA35 Let's forget for a moment about IQ and build quality. Consider also what kind of photography do you want to do....i owned FA35 before and now I'm happy with Fa31, but: for street photography and candids FA35 might be better, it's more compact and much more unsuspicious if you remove the hood. FA 31 seems to attract more attention, it is big and bulky and looks like a medium telephoto (what some people probably think). Both 31 and 35 have pleasant perspective for street photography - it's not standard but also not wide angle, something in between - but usually it's enough to draw you into the action.

02-17-2011, 01:09 PM	#13
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	FA31 vs FA35 Well Canon shooters have L-lenses, which are also special and could be identified by white metal body with red stripe if I remember well.... Nikkor has some great glass as well, just you can't distinguish it so easily from the standard lenses

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02-17-2011, 03:24 AM	#2
Fabian Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 49	Here's what I think is quite a good comparison between the two: Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited observations « robertsdonovan.com

02-17-2011, 03:33 AM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I don't see any reason to favour the 35/2 over the 31 ltd if you intend to spend that kind of money. Optically the 31 is hard to beat whereas the 35 lacks some of the 'soul' (3D rendering qualities, colours & contrast) as with the common comparisons between the 50/1.4 and the 43 ltd.

02-17-2011, 03:36 AM	#4
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497 Original Poster	isn't 3D just a myth

02-17-2011, 04:14 AM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	I'll just assume you're being facetious.

02-17-2011, 06:33 AM	#6
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	I had (and loved) my FA35 for over 3 years before buying the FA31. Sold the 35 a couple months after buying the 31 as I can't see a good reason for having both. It's true that the 35 can give you most of what the 31 does (plus slightly faster AF in a lighter package), but at the end of the day the overall IQ and build of the 31 is superior.

02-17-2011, 06:35 AM	#7
elho_cid Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Prague Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,199	the FA35 has 49mm filter thread and detachable lens hood which both make it very practical to use compared to FA31

02-17-2011, 06:53 AM	#8
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	As the previous poster noted, there is a size and weight advantage to the FA35 as well as keeping to the standard (since the M series) Pentax filter size. A K-x with an FA35/2 is almost as light as with a DA40, and it is a super compact night combo. On film, I also find the FOV of the FA35 to be one to which I am accustomed, and I would hate to be without a real 35somewhere on the shelf. If someone offered me an even trade, of course I'd go for the FA31 and never look back, but when I acquire an FA31 someday, I will try to keep the FA35.

02-17-2011, 08:27 AM	#10
jjdgti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	Originally posted by Fabian Here's what I think is quite a good comparison between the two: Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited observations « robertsdonovan.com Fabian: Thanks for the link. In my opinion, the FA 35mm f/2 is a very nice lens. It is good enough to pass the 31mm lens if money is the main reason. I would spend the difference on getting another lenses to complete my lens lineup. However, if money is not the problem I will get the 31mm without thinking.

02-17-2011, 12:54 PM	#11
henryjing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: United States Posts: 467	I haven't used FA35/2, but I heard it is a really nice lens with underestimated optical performance. However, I would rather mount my FA 31mm silver on my camera, because it makes me look unique. I think, limited lens are symbol of Pentax, which Canon and Nikon don't have.

02-17-2011, 12:56 PM	#12
henryjing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: United States Posts: 467	Moreover, FA 31mm is sharp even at wide open and it has the best coating on the lens. Originally posted by henryjing I haven't used FA35/2, but I heard it is a really nice lens with underestimated optical performance. However, I would rather mount my FA 31mm silver on my camera, because it makes me look unique. I think, limited lens are symbol of Pentax, which Canon and Nikon don't have.

02-17-2011, 02:59 PM	#14
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	without significant amount of additional compensation, Yes I would trade the FA35 for the FA31. at the current price of the FA31, forget it. I still can't justify paying for it at $800 or more. maybe for $700, I would definitely go for. for something over my limit, I would rather buy something else.

02-17-2011, 09:09 PM	#15
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497 Original Poster	Originally posted by henryjing Moreover, FA 31mm is sharp even at wide open and it has the best coating on the lens. Well, as I heard, FA35/2 is known to be even sharper, it's a bit of bokeh that is distinguishing both. I know FA31 has sterling reputation, superb build quality and would love to own one and trying to justify So as far as FA31 IQ goes, yet to see the magic like FA77 which FA35 can't produce.