Do I need a 31mm F 1.8 Limited ?

Adk X · 05-03-2011, 09:50 AM

I recently purchased a new K-5 from B&H along with a new DA 35mm F 2.8 Macro limited ( as suggested on this site ) I was wondering what the difference would be between that, and a FA 31mm F 1.8 limited would be, and if it would be a marked enough of a difference to make it a worthwhile purchase ?

normhead · 05-03-2011, 10:10 AM - **1 Like**

Why not go for something that gives you a bit of space. Halve and double your focal lengths for your next two purchases. So the 15 mm ltd or 21 ltd... and the 70 or 77. Give yourself some flexibility.

JeffJS · 05-03-2011, 10:19 AM - **1 Like**

In spite of Norms good advice, I'm going to say go ahead and get the 31. Once it's on your radar, you won't be happy until you have owned one. You can always always make your own compare and resell one or the other and won't likely lose any significant money on the deal (unless you pay too much to begin with).

VaughnA · 05-03-2011, 10:29 AM

Yes..

DogLover · 05-03-2011, 11:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by JeffJS

In spite of Norms good advice, I'm going to say go ahead and get the 31. Once it's on your radar, you won't be happy until you have owned one. You can always always make your own compare and resell one or the other and won't likely lose any significant money on the deal (unless you pay too much to begin with).

Wise words. Trust me.

yusuf · 05-03-2011, 11:39 AM - **1 Like**

There was a thread comparing 30mm-ish lenses including FA31 and DA35mm. You might want to check that.

RonHendriks1966 · 05-03-2011, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by normhead

Why not go for something that gives you a bit of space. Halve and double your focal lengths for your next two purchases. So the 15 mm ltd or 21 ltd... and the 70 or 77. Give yourself some flexibility.

+1 for good advise.

RickyFromVegas · 05-03-2011, 12:04 PM

+1
I concur

Ubuntu_user · 05-03-2011, 12:32 PM - **1 Like**

Don't even question: get it. You'll never regret it.

robgo2 · 05-03-2011, 02:18 PM - **1 Like**

It depends on whether you want to sample the FA31's magic or expand the range and flexibility of your lens kit. Either path is reasonable and depends on your own personal values and needs. The DA35/2.8 is undoubtedly a great lens, but its rendering quality is different from that of the FA Limiteds. You might also consider the FA43, which I regard as the finest of the FA Limiteds and which works very well as a portrait lens. It is about half the price of the FA31 at B&H.

Someone above said something to the effect that once you get the bug for the FA31, you cannot rest until you have one. That is a classic symptom of LBA, a rather common malady around here.

Rob

hoanpham · 05-03-2011, 02:31 PM - **1 Like**

I love to have the FA31, but cannot justify for the purchase. I shoot in longer focal length or shorter like 8-16/12-24. Since you have the 35, go and get the others and find out your shooting range, and get back to the FA31 later. I also recommend manual focus if you don't mind...

Ubuntu_user · 05-03-2011, 03:27 PM

Do you need it? Yes.

Really? No.

I think you'd be better off with the D FA 100mm WR Macro for your macro shots and the FA 31 for the ~30 focal length. Now I can vouch for that setup, it's stellar.

aleonx3 · 05-03-2011, 03:51 PM - **1 Like**

I have all the three amigos... the 31mm gets used most as it is the lens I will put on my k-7 when I know I have to get it right. I haven't get any photos that I did not like with this lens (ok, may be a few, but it is mainly due user error). Next is my 43mm and the 77mm gets less used since I purchased the DA* 50-135mm. I would recommend the 31mm if you can get it.

**cpk** · 05-03-2011, 06:29 PM - **1 Like**

I've already been down this path. See the last posts for the outcome.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/132768-fa-31-vs-da-35-a.html

**cpk** · 05-03-2011, 06:33 PM

I should also add that this question is all over the web. I found two or three other sites where the same question was asked. The suggestions always pointed to the same solution.

05-03-2011, 09:50 AM	#1
Adk X Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Adirondack Mts. Posts: 44	Do I need a 31mm F 1.8 Limited ? I recently purchased a new K-5 from B&H along with a new DA 35mm F 2.8 Macro limited ( as suggested on this site ) I was wondering what the difference would be between that, and a FA 31mm F 1.8 limited would be, and if it would be a marked enough of a difference to make it a worthwhile purchase ?

05-03-2011, 10:10 AM - 1 Like	#2
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Why not go for something that gives you a bit of space. Halve and double your focal lengths for your next two purchases. So the 15 mm ltd or 21 ltd... and the 70 or 77. Give yourself some flexibility. Last edited by normhead; 05-03-2011 at 10:31 AM.

05-03-2011, 02:18 PM - 1 Like	#10
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	It depends on whether you want to sample the FA31's magic or expand the range and flexibility of your lens kit. Either path is reasonable and depends on your own personal values and needs. The DA35/2.8 is undoubtedly a great lens, but its rendering quality is different from that of the FA Limiteds. You might also consider the FA43, which I regard as the finest of the FA Limiteds and which works very well as a portrait lens. It is about half the price of the FA31 at B&H. Someone above said something to the effect that once you get the bug for the FA31, you cannot rest until you have one. That is a classic symptom of LBA, a rather common malady around here. Rob Last edited by robgo2; 05-03-2011 at 02:27 PM.

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05-03-2011, 10:19 AM - 1 Like	#3
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	In spite of Norms good advice, I'm going to say go ahead and get the 31. Once it's on your radar, you won't be happy until you have owned one. You can always always make your own compare and resell one or the other and won't likely lose any significant money on the deal (unless you pay too much to begin with).

05-03-2011, 10:29 AM	#4
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363	Yes..

05-03-2011, 11:31 AM - 1 Like	#5
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by JeffJS In spite of Norms good advice, I'm going to say go ahead and get the 31. Once it's on your radar, you won't be happy until you have owned one. You can always always make your own compare and resell one or the other and won't likely lose any significant money on the deal (unless you pay too much to begin with). Wise words. Trust me.

05-03-2011, 11:39 AM - 1 Like	#6
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	There was a thread comparing 30mm-ish lenses including FA31 and DA35mm. You might want to check that.

05-03-2011, 12:00 PM	#7
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by normhead Why not go for something that gives you a bit of space. Halve and double your focal lengths for your next two purchases. So the 15 mm ltd or 21 ltd... and the 70 or 77. Give yourself some flexibility. +1 for good advise.

05-03-2011, 12:04 PM	#8
RickyFromVegas Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Las Vegas Photos: Gallery Posts: 366	+1 I concur

05-03-2011, 12:32 PM - 1 Like	#9
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Don't even question: get it. You'll never regret it.

05-03-2011, 02:31 PM - 1 Like	#11
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	I love to have the FA31, but cannot justify for the purchase. I shoot in longer focal length or shorter like 8-16/12-24. Since you have the 35, go and get the others and find out your shooting range, and get back to the FA31 later. I also recommend manual focus if you don't mind...

05-03-2011, 03:27 PM	#12
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Do you need it? Yes. Really? No. I think you'd be better off with the D FA 100mm WR Macro for your macro shots and the FA 31 for the ~30 focal length. Now I can vouch for that setup, it's stellar.

05-03-2011, 03:51 PM - 1 Like	#13
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I have all the three amigos... the 31mm gets used most as it is the lens I will put on my k-7 when I know I have to get it right. I haven't get any photos that I did not like with this lens (ok, may be a few, but it is mainly due user error). Next is my 43mm and the 77mm gets less used since I purchased the DA* 50-135mm. I would recommend the 31mm if you can get it.

05-03-2011, 06:29 PM - 1 Like	#14
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 638	I've already been down this path. See the last posts for the outcome. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/132768-fa-31-vs-da-35-a.html

05-03-2011, 06:33 PM	#15
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 638	I should also add that this question is all over the web. I found two or three other sites where the same question was asked. The suggestions always pointed to the same solution.