Do I need a 31mm F 1.8 Limited ?

JeffJS · 05-03-2011, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by cpk

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.

Unless it is for a never before seen product, So is every other question that gets asked here. So what?

Nick Siebers · 05-03-2011, 07:51 PM - **2 Likes**

I didn't love the 31 as much as I hoped too, back when I had it; but if I hadn't tried it I always would have wondered.

Adk X · 05-03-2011, 07:59 PM

I will hold on to my Da 35 for awhile longer now. I have taken some fantastic close-ups with it .

**cpk** · 05-03-2011, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by JeffJS

Unless it is for a never before seen product, So is every other question that gets asked here. So what?

Your "So what" is rather rude and immaterial. Lots of the issues appearing on this web site do NOT show up elsewhere. The OP's initial question is one that I and, from what I have seen on this and other web sites, others have struggled with. I think my comment is quite valid as a result.

dragonfly · 05-03-2011, 10:13 PM

No, you don't need it.

selar · 05-04-2011, 12:01 AM

Originally posted by dragonfly

No, you don't need it.

But you wants it.

hoanpham · 05-04-2011, 12:16 AM

Originally posted by selar

But you wants it.

Everyone...

nah · 05-04-2011, 01:33 AM - **1 Like**

I'm in the same boat. I think eventually, I will have to get hold of a 31 to experience the "pixie dust" everyone raves about.

paperbag846 · 05-04-2011, 05:12 AM

It's better, but you don't need it. Better to spend that money on another focal length (my suggestion would be to double it, go for the 70 / 77). You would have so much money left over it would not be a stretch to buy the 16-45 for wide angles.

the swede · 05-04-2011, 07:07 AM - **1 Like**

I would say, IF and only IF, money didnt have anything to do with the choice. If 31 was the FL one wanted... Go for it! Its an exellent lens!

If money is important, then dont.... you get several very good lenses for that price!

On the used market, the DA Ltd's can be found for very good prices!

What you need and want, we cant help you with

We can only help you think outside your own preferences.

DogLover · 05-04-2011, 07:35 AM

One undeniable fact is that the 31 is the single most desired lens in the Pentax line-up, probably the most desired Pentax lens ever. Polls have borne this out. The cost puts it out of contention for some, but make no mistake, it is the "mac daddy" of Pentax lenses. If you can honestly say that you don't want to experience it for yourself, then God bless you. As long as you can afford it and still eat and pay the rent, then you're probably going to want to try it eventually. Only you can decide if that time is now.

Adk X · 05-04-2011, 07:38 AM

This has been very informative,Thank you guys !!I'm getting alot of information to work off here. I realize I do not urgently need the 31mm at this time. I really love the close-ups I'm getting with the 35 mm Macro,so it has its place...have taken some VERY good photos with it.Will be looking for another lens by the end of summer to take pictures of my nieces wedding ( not professionaly !) but that's a whole new thread !:-) May move a couple of zoom lenses to get it .

Adk X · 05-04-2011, 07:40 AM

Swede ...What does LBA mean ?

DogLover · 05-04-2011, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Adk X

Swede ...What does LBA mean ?

Roll over LBA in this post or yours.

Winder · 05-04-2011, 09:14 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Adk X

Swede ...What does LBA mean ?

"Lens Buying Addiction"

The 35mm f/2 is a very good lens. I would go with a Pentax 14mm f/2.8 if you like wide angle or step up to a 50mm Sigma. The 100mm D-FA Macro lens might even be an option.

Those lenses would give you:
14mm Pentax
35mm Pentax
50mm Sigma
85mm Sigma
100mm Pentax D-FA Macro

I tend to shoot from f/1.4 to f/4.0 so I favor glass that is sharp on the wide side. The Sigma 50mm and the Sigma 85mm are both really good from f/1.4 to f/4.0. If your style of shooting favors f/4 - f/8 then the Pentax glass is sharper and a better option. At f/4 and up the 43mm, 55mm, & 77mm are stellar.

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05-03-2011, 07:07 PM	#16
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by cpk 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. Unless it is for a never before seen product, So is every other question that gets asked here. So what?

05-03-2011, 07:51 PM - 2 Likes	#17
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I didn't love the 31 as much as I hoped too, back when I had it; but if I hadn't tried it I always would have wondered.

05-03-2011, 07:59 PM	#18
Adk X Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Adirondack Mts. Posts: 44 Original Poster	I will hold on to my Da 35 for awhile longer now. I have taken some fantastic close-ups with it .

05-03-2011, 09:52 PM	#19
cpk Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 638	Originally posted by JeffJS Unless it is for a never before seen product, So is every other question that gets asked here. So what? Your "So what" is rather rude and immaterial. Lots of the issues appearing on this web site do NOT show up elsewhere. The OP's initial question is one that I and, from what I have seen on this and other web sites, others have struggled with. I think my comment is quite valid as a result.

05-03-2011, 10:13 PM	#20
dragonfly Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: on the wall Photos: Gallery Posts: 715	No, you don't need it.

05-04-2011, 12:01 AM	#21
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	Originally posted by dragonfly No, you don't need it. But you wants it.

05-04-2011, 12:16 AM	#22
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	Originally posted by selar But you wants it. Everyone...

05-04-2011, 01:33 AM - 1 Like	#23
nah Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Westminster, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 282	I'm in the same boat. I think eventually, I will have to get hold of a 31 to experience the "pixie dust" everyone raves about.

05-04-2011, 05:12 AM	#24
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	It's better, but you don't need it. Better to spend that money on another focal length (my suggestion would be to double it, go for the 70 / 77). You would have so much money left over it would not be a stretch to buy the 16-45 for wide angles.

05-04-2011, 07:07 AM - 1 Like	#25
the swede Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,310	I would say, IF and only IF, money didnt have anything to do with the choice. If 31 was the FL one wanted... Go for it! Its an exellent lens! If money is important, then dont.... you get several very good lenses for that price! On the used market, the DA Ltd's can be found for very good prices! What you need and want, we cant help you with We can only help you think outside your own preferences.

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05-04-2011, 07:35 AM	#26
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	One undeniable fact is that the 31 is the single most desired lens in the Pentax line-up, probably the most desired Pentax lens ever. Polls have borne this out. The cost puts it out of contention for some, but make no mistake, it is the "mac daddy" of Pentax lenses. If you can honestly say that you don't want to experience it for yourself, then God bless you. As long as you can afford it and still eat and pay the rent, then you're probably going to want to try it eventually. Only you can decide if that time is now.

05-04-2011, 07:38 AM	#27
Adk X Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Adirondack Mts. Posts: 44 Original Poster	This has been very informative,Thank you guys !!I'm getting alot of information to work off here. I realize I do not urgently need the 31mm at this time. I really love the close-ups I'm getting with the 35 mm Macro,so it has its place...have taken some VERY good photos with it.Will be looking for another lens by the end of summer to take pictures of my nieces wedding ( not professionaly !) but that's a whole new thread !:-) May move a couple of zoom lenses to get it .

05-04-2011, 07:40 AM	#28
Adk X Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Adirondack Mts. Posts: 44 Original Poster	Swede ...What does LBA mean ?

05-04-2011, 07:46 AM	#29
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by Adk X Swede ...What does LBA mean ? Roll over LBA in this post or yours.

05-04-2011, 09:14 AM - 1 Like	#30
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Adk X Swede ...What does LBA mean ? "Lens Buying Addiction" The 35mm f/2 is a very good lens. I would go with a Pentax 14mm f/2.8 if you like wide angle or step up to a 50mm Sigma. The 100mm D-FA Macro lens might even be an option. Those lenses would give you: 14mm Pentax 35mm Pentax 50mm Sigma 85mm Sigma 100mm Pentax D-FA Macro I tend to shoot from f/1.4 to f/4.0 so I favor glass that is sharp on the wide side. The Sigma 50mm and the Sigma 85mm are both really good from f/1.4 to f/4.0. If your style of shooting favors f/4 - f/8 then the Pentax glass is sharper and a better option. At f/4 and up the 43mm, 55mm, & 77mm are stellar.