Well, the 31 is in, and...

feilb · 04-05-2011, 08:40 PM

Well, if you read the To 31 or not to 31, that is my question. thread, you may be interested in some closure.

After a lot of advice and searching, I made the decision to grab a 31/1.8 Limited to the exclusion of a couple of DA lenses. I'm here to follow up and post some initial observations.

So:

Initial results are positive.

Initial analysis.

It's pretty darn sharp wide open.
I don't seem to have front focus issues with it (it's my first lens on the K5)
Bokeh is quite nice.
There's some magic in there somewhere
It does display PF in high contrast situation

I'll spend the next week or two determining whether this is the lens for me.

As for pictures: unfortunately, today was a pretty gloomy, overcast day. In spite of it, I managed to snag a few pics this evening.

Let me know what you think! I'll try to keep them coming.

1

f/1.8 - 1/60th - ISO800

2

f/1.8 - 1/50th - ISO3200

3

f/1.8 - 1/125th - ISO800

4

f/4.0 - 1/60th - ISO1600

f/4.0 - 1/40th - ISO1600

Last edited by feilb; 04-06-2011 at 05:56 PM.

paperbag846 · 04-05-2011, 08:47 PM

Looks great! Don't worry about the technical aspects of the lens. If it makes you happy, then it's doing its job

.

DogLover · 04-05-2011, 09:00 PM

Wow, I agree with paperbag on something, it does look great. And you grill the same way I do, with a chimney starter and no gas!

builttospill · 04-05-2011, 09:08 PM

The pictures look great, especially no. 1. Thanks for sharing your first impressions of the lens, especially the one about magic in there somewhere. If this was your first time handling a Limited lens, what do you think of the build quality of the lens? Were you surprised or was it what you expected?

hcc · 04-05-2011, 09:15 PM

I like 2 & 4. Well done.

I have also the 31mm and I love it. Although pricy, this lens is superb and it is comparatively easy to get great shorts with it.

feilb · 04-05-2011, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by builttospill

If this was your first time handling a Limited lens, what do you think of the build quality of the lens? Were you surprised or was it what you expected?

It was my first time handling a limited lens.

I'd say it is the nicest feeling AF lens I've used. I have pretty extensive experience with Canon (including the L series), some with a variety of others, but the 31 just feels nice. Quite honestly, the style and purported build quality and size of Pentax primes is probably the reason I chose Pentax. So far, I'm not disappointed

.

One thing i was worried about was size. Compared to the other limiteds, it's huge. Compared to the canon and nikon lenses from my past, the thing is tiny. I can't wait to get my hands on some of the others.

Quicksand · 04-05-2011, 09:18 PM

Never mind the lens, can I have some of #5 please?

**mike.hiran** · 04-05-2011, 10:53 PM

yup, nice pictures from a lens I would love to own. looks like it's in good hands! looks like you had a nice meal too

deadwolfbones · 04-05-2011, 11:19 PM

Make me a salad?

TOUGEFC · 04-05-2011, 11:22 PM

Congrats on the 31! You have some fine images right there, well done

axl · 04-06-2011, 12:22 AM

Congrats! I don't think one can ever regret buying 31ltd.
Enjoy it...

DogLover · 04-06-2011, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by hcc

Although pricy, this lens is superb and it is comparatively easy to get great shorts with it.

To all of those who thought the 31 just couldn't get any better, apparently it now provides clothing! When will its magnificence end? (Just teasin' hcc.

)

Wheatfield · 04-06-2011, 12:45 PM

You overcook your meat.

deadwolfbones · 04-06-2011, 12:50 PM

Dunno man, looks perfect to me.

feilb · 04-06-2011, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

You overcook your meat.

Most of the brown is balsamic vinegar.

04-05-2011, 08:40 PM	#1
feilb Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 83	Well, the 31 is in, and... Well, if you read the To 31 or not to 31, that is my question. thread, you may be interested in some closure. After a lot of advice and searching, I made the decision to grab a 31/1.8 Limited to the exclusion of a couple of DA lenses. I'm here to follow up and post some initial observations. So: Initial results are positive. Initial analysis. It's pretty darn sharp wide open. I don't seem to have front focus issues with it (it's my first lens on the K5) Bokeh is quite nice. There's some magic in there somewhere It does display PF in high contrast situation I'll spend the next week or two determining whether this is the lens for me. As for pictures: unfortunately, today was a pretty gloomy, overcast day. In spite of it, I managed to snag a few pics this evening. Let me know what you think! I'll try to keep them coming. 1 f/1.8 - 1/60th - ISO800 2 f/1.8 - 1/50th - ISO3200 3 f/1.8 - 1/125th - ISO800 4 f/4.0 - 1/60th - ISO1600 f/4.0 - 1/40th - ISO1600 Last edited by feilb; 04-06-2011 at 05:56 PM.

04-05-2011, 08:47 PM	#2
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Looks great! Don't worry about the technical aspects of the lens. If it makes you happy, then it's doing its job .

04-05-2011, 09:00 PM	#3
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Wow, I agree with paperbag on something, it does look great. And you grill the same way I do, with a chimney starter and no gas!

04-05-2011, 09:08 PM	#4
builttospill Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah, Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,398	The pictures look great, especially no. 1. Thanks for sharing your first impressions of the lens, especially the one about magic in there somewhere. If this was your first time handling a Limited lens, what do you think of the build quality of the lens? Were you surprised or was it what you expected?

04-05-2011, 09:15 PM	#5
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	I like 2 & 4. Well done. I have also the 31mm and I love it. Although pricy, this lens is superb and it is comparatively easy to get great shorts with it.

04-05-2011, 09:15 PM	#6
feilb Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by builttospill If this was your first time handling a Limited lens, what do you think of the build quality of the lens? Were you surprised or was it what you expected? It was my first time handling a limited lens. I'd say it is the nicest feeling AF lens I've used. I have pretty extensive experience with Canon (including the L series), some with a variety of others, but the 31 just feels nice. Quite honestly, the style and purported build quality and size of Pentax primes is probably the reason I chose Pentax. So far, I'm not disappointed . One thing i was worried about was size. Compared to the other limiteds, it's huge. Compared to the canon and nikon lenses from my past, the thing is tiny. I can't wait to get my hands on some of the others.

04-05-2011, 09:18 PM	#7
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Never mind the lens, can I have some of #5 please?

04-05-2011, 10:53 PM	#8
mike.hiran Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: portland Photos: Albums Posts: 1,491	yup, nice pictures from a lens I would love to own. looks like it's in good hands! looks like you had a nice meal too

04-05-2011, 11:19 PM	#9
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 7,451	Make me a salad?

04-05-2011, 11:22 PM	#10
TOUGEFC Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,561	Congrats on the 31! You have some fine images right there, well done

04-06-2011, 12:22 AM	#11
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Congrats! I don't think one can ever regret buying 31ltd. Enjoy it...

04-06-2011, 07:57 AM	#12
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by hcc Although pricy, this lens is superb and it is comparatively easy to get great shorts with it. To all of those who thought the 31 just couldn't get any better, apparently it now provides clothing! When will its magnificence end? (Just teasin' hcc. )

04-06-2011, 12:45 PM	#13
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	You overcook your meat.

04-06-2011, 12:50 PM	#14
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 7,451	Dunno man, looks perfect to me.

04-06-2011, 01:37 PM	#15
feilb Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 83 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield You overcook your meat. Most of the brown is balsamic vinegar.