Is FA31 really 2.8 times better than DA40 ?

robgo2 · 05-14-2011, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by krendel154

Unfortunately, replies of some members (dgaies & robgo2) is not so pleasant for me as a new pentaxian and as the person who create his first thread in Pentaxforums. I can see that both of you have a lot of posts in this forum. All of these posts are making fun at people? I think you know more than I know about photography but it doesn't give you right to make fun at new Pentaxforums member.

Of course, I was having some fun, and I erroneously expected that you might have a sense of humor. The vast majority of my posts on this forum are constructive, and I avoid personal attacks, so please do not make unfounded generalizations about me.

Now, for a serious answer to your question. The general consensus is that the FA31 is one of, if not the finest lens ever made by Pentax. It and the other FA Limited lenses have gorgeous rendering qualities that impart a unique character to images they produce. Construction is superb. That is why the FA31 is so expensive.

That said, the DA40 is also an excellent lens with many devoted fans. Personally, in that focal length range, I would choose the FA43 for all the reasons stated above. As to your lens choice, much depends upon your preferred focal length and your budget. 31mm is probably a better general purpose focal length, but that really is a matter of personal taste and shooting style. I can tell you that almost no one ever regrets owning an FA Limited.

Rob

krendel154 · 05-14-2011, 09:30 PM

Now I am leaning toward FAs

krendel154 · 05-14-2011, 09:36 PM

A lot of times when shooting indoor I feel that DA40 is too tight.

krendel154 · 05-14-2011, 09:52 PM

To dgaies & robgo2 :
Actually, price of FA31 vs DA40 is 2.778

Frogfish · 05-14-2011, 10:03 PM

Originally posted by krendel154

Yes, I take a lot of pictures indoor.

Then either go for the Sigma 30/1.4 or pay the (x3) extra mullah and get the FA 31/1.8 Ltd. Just depends on how deep your pockets are or whether one lense is worth that much to you - for me the 31 wasn't** (though I paid that for the *300 - because that lense was) !

**I reserve the right to change my mind at an undetermined time in the future

civiletti · 05-14-2011, 10:18 PM

Originally posted by Frogfish

Actually it doesn't show that at all. it shows the 31 sharper in the centre only up to f4, after that, at more commonly used apertures, the 40 is sharper in the both the borders AND the centre.

I should have qualified my statement with "at optimum aperture", which is f4 for the DA31 and f5.6 for the DA40.

selar · 05-14-2011, 10:38 PM

The FA31 makes all my other lenses look flat and boring...

Attached Images

JeffJS · 05-14-2011, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by krendel154

10 times?I am trying to find at least 2.8 times difference in pictures quality

Nowbody prove it yet for now...I am in doubt that people paying $660 more, for possibility to shoot under f2.8 and 9mm of focal length. I am more than sure that it should be picture quality which I would like to see

Then buy the DA40. There are millions of photos from both lenses on the internet for you to compare. If you feel the extra speed and angle coverage isn't worth the coin, then it isn't. Case closed.

Welcome to the forum btw.

paperbag846 · 05-14-2011, 11:19 PM

While you might appreciate the FA 31, the DA 40 has got to be the limited prime "best deal". If you want bang for your buck the DA 40 is hard to beat.

peasant · 05-15-2011, 12:00 AM

I say get the 31,it's a damn good lens and you won't be sorry.

twitch · 05-15-2011, 12:42 AM

I haven't even used my DA40 since I bought the FA31. I'm more than happy to pay the premium, for me it's worth it. It's not a matter of "2.8 times better", it's a question of what is the best lens in this range. The best lens in this range is the FA31, so that's the one I want. I don't care if they give DA40's away for free, I'm still happy to pay the $1k to use a FA31.

selar · 05-15-2011, 02:21 AM

Theres only one downside to owning a FA31. Its bloody hard to get off your camera. It kind of stays stuck there. You tend to forget that you have other lenses in your bag,

Frogfish · 05-15-2011, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by selar

Theres only one downside to owning a FA31. Its bloody hard to get off your camera. It kind of stays stuck there. You tend to forget that you have other lenses in your bag,

Bloody hell ... didn't realise it was such a great lense for birding !

dgaies · 05-15-2011, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by krendel154

To dgaies & robgo2 :
Actually, price of FA31 vs DA40 is 2.778

If you are attempting to correct what I wrote earlier, please read it again:

Originally posted by dgaies:

I just looked up what I paid for my 31 and my 40 (both purchased used), and I paid 2.81x more for my 31.

So unless you have access to my lens purchases/sales spreadsheet, I'm fairly certain I'm more qualified to report how much more I paid for my 31 than my 40.

If you're merely correcting your initial value of 2.8x to a more "precise" 2.778x, then I certainly think that pushes things in favor of buying the 31 as it now only has to perform 2.778 times better than the 40 instead of a full 2.8 times better

(that was a joke, don't get all upset again).

krendel154 · 05-15-2011, 06:49 AM

Recent statements are so strong, voting for FA31. How to explain to my wife, that I am going to spend $1k for lens? It should be another thread:"How to buy lens for $1k and make her to believe that you need it really hard." Mayby I will start from watching "Tinker Bell" and paying special attention onto "pixie-dust"?

I remember when I had 18-55 DA L and was going to buy DA40 it was really hard to explain that "40" is better.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FA31 Ltd.	DogLover	Ask B&H Photo!	6	04-07-2011 10:20 AM
To Da40..or not to Da40...tiss the question!	Shutter-bug	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	10-26-2010 08:46 AM
FA31 and K-7	Danny Delcambre	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	7	07-16-2010 09:27 PM
FA31 problem maybe.. what do you think?	joele	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	9	11-22-2009 04:27 PM

05-14-2011, 09:13 PM	#31
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Originally posted by krendel154 Unfortunately, replies of some members (dgaies & robgo2) is not so pleasant for me as a new pentaxian and as the person who create his first thread in Pentaxforums. I can see that both of you have a lot of posts in this forum. All of these posts are making fun at people? I think you know more than I know about photography but it doesn't give you right to make fun at new Pentaxforums member. Of course, I was having some fun, and I erroneously expected that you might have a sense of humor. The vast majority of my posts on this forum are constructive, and I avoid personal attacks, so please do not make unfounded generalizations about me. Now, for a serious answer to your question. The general consensus is that the FA31 is one of, if not the finest lens ever made by Pentax. It and the other FA Limited lenses have gorgeous rendering qualities that impart a unique character to images they produce. Construction is superb. That is why the FA31 is so expensive. That said, the DA40 is also an excellent lens with many devoted fans. Personally, in that focal length range, I would choose the FA43 for all the reasons stated above. As to your lens choice, much depends upon your preferred focal length and your budget. 31mm is probably a better general purpose focal length, but that really is a matter of personal taste and shooting style. I can tell you that almost no one ever regrets owning an FA Limited. Rob

05-14-2011, 09:30 PM	#32
krendel154 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 29 Original Poster	Now I am leaning toward FAs

05-14-2011, 09:36 PM	#33
krendel154 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 29 Original Poster	A lot of times when shooting indoor I feel that DA40 is too tight.

05-14-2011, 09:52 PM	#34
krendel154 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 29 Original Poster	To dgaies & robgo2 : Actually, price of FA31 vs DA40 is 2.778

05-14-2011, 10:03 PM	#35
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by krendel154 Yes, I take a lot of pictures indoor. Then either go for the Sigma 30/1.4 or pay the (x3) extra mullah and get the FA 31/1.8 Ltd. Just depends on how deep your pockets are or whether one lense is worth that much to you - for me the 31 wasn't** (though I paid that for the 300 - because that lense was) ! *I reserve the right to change my mind at an undetermined time in the future

05-14-2011, 10:18 PM	#36
civiletti Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 1,435	Originally posted by Frogfish Actually it doesn't show that at all. it shows the 31 sharper in the centre only up to f4, after that, at more commonly used apertures, the 40 is sharper in the both the borders AND the centre. I should have qualified my statement with "at optimum aperture", which is f4 for the DA31 and f5.6 for the DA40.

05-14-2011, 10:38 PM	#37
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	The FA31 makes all my other lenses look flat and boring... Attached Images

05-14-2011, 10:42 PM	#38
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by krendel154 10 times?I am trying to find at least 2.8 times difference in pictures quality Nowbody prove it yet for now...I am in doubt that people paying $660 more, for possibility to shoot under f2.8 and 9mm of focal length. I am more than sure that it should be picture quality which I would like to see Then buy the DA40. There are millions of photos from both lenses on the internet for you to compare. If you feel the extra speed and angle coverage isn't worth the coin, then it isn't. Case closed. Welcome to the forum btw.

05-14-2011, 11:19 PM	#39
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	While you might appreciate the FA 31, the DA 40 has got to be the limited prime "best deal". If you want bang for your buck the DA 40 is hard to beat.

05-15-2011, 12:00 AM	#40
peasant Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: adelaide Photos: Albums Posts: 89	I say get the 31,it's a damn good lens and you won't be sorry.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

05-15-2011, 12:42 AM	#41
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I haven't even used my DA40 since I bought the FA31. I'm more than happy to pay the premium, for me it's worth it. It's not a matter of "2.8 times better", it's a question of what is the best lens in this range. The best lens in this range is the FA31, so that's the one I want. I don't care if they give DA40's away for free, I'm still happy to pay the $1k to use a FA31.

05-15-2011, 02:21 AM	#42
selar Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,042	Theres only one downside to owning a FA31. Its bloody hard to get off your camera. It kind of stays stuck there. You tend to forget that you have other lenses in your bag,

05-15-2011, 02:55 AM	#43
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by selar Theres only one downside to owning a FA31. Its bloody hard to get off your camera. It kind of stays stuck there. You tend to forget that you have other lenses in your bag, Bloody hell ... didn't realise it was such a great lense for birding !

05-15-2011, 05:57 AM	#44
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by krendel154 To dgaies & robgo2 : Actually, price of FA31 vs DA40 is 2.778 If you are attempting to correct what I wrote earlier, please read it again: Originally posted by dgaies: I just looked up what I paid for my 31 and my 40 (both purchased used), and I paid 2.81x more for my 31. So unless you have access to my lens purchases/sales spreadsheet, I'm fairly certain I'm more qualified to report how much more I paid for my 31 than my 40. If you're merely correcting your initial value of 2.8x to a more "precise" 2.778x, then I certainly think that pushes things in favor of buying the 31 as it now only has to perform 2.778 times better than the 40 instead of a full 2.8 times better (that was a joke, don't get all upset again).

05-15-2011, 06:49 AM	#45
krendel154 Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 29 Original Poster	Recent statements are so strong, voting for FA31. How to explain to my wife, that I am going to spend $1k for lens? It should be another thread:"How to buy lens for $1k and make her to believe that you need it really hard." Mayby I will start from watching "Tinker Bell" and paying special attention onto "pixie-dust"? I remember when I had 18-55 DA L and was going to buy DA40 it was really hard to explain that "40" is better.