43mm... sell my 50mm and 35mm for a 31mm?

peasant · 05-23-2011, 06:48 AM

Originally posted by krypticide

Should I sell them both and get the FA 31mm?

Practically probably no,but if you have this itch you need to scratch then do it.I have it but I'd probably sell it before the 77. It surprises me how often when scrolling through thumbnails(mostly to cull,room on the h/drive)how often I get pulled up by a photo,check the metadata an it's the 77.As a lot say here though check to see what fl you use mostly,having said that sometimes a new fl will take you places you did not think of going.

Ubuntu_user · 05-23-2011, 07:28 AM

I ~~second~~ (make that third) Rondec, a combination of the DA* 55 and FA 31mm.

That's where I'm headed: DA 15mm, FA 31mm, and DA* 55mm.

Artifarty · 05-23-2011, 07:41 AM

I am on a different route and I am planning to own a 43mm. I myself have a sigma 30 1.4 and I think it's very good with low light situations and the FL is perfect for indoor. I will use the 43mm as a portrait instead of the usual 50-55mm and 15mm should complete my basic trif-lense collection

krypticide · 05-23-2011, 11:49 AM

Great thoughts! I want something wider than 35mm but also reasonably fast. I defaulted to the 31mm since that's just one of the Exalted Three. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is intriguing, but is larger and may or may not have the Limited "pixiedust".

Do owners of the 55mm F1.4 think it has "pixiedust"?

paperbag846 · 05-23-2011, 11:55 AM - **1 Like**

Depends on what you want to do.

The 31 is going to give you a normal, and the 43 a long normal. Pretty close together. They do render quite differently, but if you are looking at shooting portraits, maybe consider something longer (70/77), or something even wider (e.g., the 21).

I would imagine something like the 21 / 43 / 77 or 70 would be more useful in practice, even if the 21 does not really compare to the 31.

nulla · 05-23-2011, 12:28 PM - **1 Like**

My opinion only

I have the 3 amigos and my most used and favourite of the three is the FA43.

cheers

Neil

Blue · 05-23-2011, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

Depends on what you want to do.

The 31 is going to give you a normal, and the 43 a long normal. Pretty close together. They do render quite differently, but if you are looking at shooting portraits, maybe consider something longer (70/77), or something even wider (e.g., the 21).

I would imagine something like the 21 / 43 / 77 or 70 would be more useful in practice, even if the 21 does not really compare to the 31.

I think if people took the time to learn the DA 21mm ltd, they would appreciate it. Don't be afraid to get close with it.

RioRico · 05-23-2011, 02:59 PM

As I said in a similar thread, I would keep the FA50/1.4, or consider something of similar speed. Speed DOES matter. Very fast lenses can just do things that others can't. In fading light; when a shot MUST be captured; when the thin DOF is critical; then, nothing else will do. My FA50/1.4 is most often in my carry-bag, awaiting the right moment.

Blue · 05-23-2011, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by RioRico

As I said in a similar thread, I would keep the FA50/1.4, or consider something of similar speed. Speed DOES matter. Very fast lenses can just do things that others can't. In fading light; when a shot MUST be captured; when the thin DOF is critical; then, nothing else will do. My FA50/1.4 is most often in my carry-bag, awaiting the right moment.

I have it or the A 50/1.2 but most often the FA. If I get rid of the FA, I'd have to get either an F 50/1.4 or the DA* 55/1.4.

krypticide · 05-23-2011, 03:20 PM

Interesting. That's why I'm kind of sad the DAs all have relatively small apertures. I realize the lenses were designed with size in mind. Maybe I should look outside the Pentax brand.

I guess the only way I can see if I like the 31mm focal length is to set my 16-50mm roughly there and pretend I see a shallow DOF. ;-)

Sent from my EVO 4G with MIUI

paperbag846 · 05-23-2011, 04:16 PM

Originally posted by krypticide

Interesting. That's why I'm kind of sad the DAs all have relatively small apertures.

Yes, it's a sad fact (although with the 70 is nearly close enough, and with the 15 it's really a non issue).

The FA lenses (non-limited) have lot of really good options, if you are comfortable with buying used.

I really hope the DA lenses get a little faster... even if they are larger.

**Rondec** · 05-23-2011, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by krypticide

Great thoughts! I want something wider than 35mm but also reasonably fast. I defaulted to the 31mm since that's just one of the Exalted Three. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is intriguing, but is larger and may or may not have the Limited "pixiedust".

Do owners of the 55mm F1.4 think it has "pixiedust"?

I don't really know. All I know is that it is sharp from f1.4, has good color and Bokeh is good from f2 on (not bad at f1.4, but not that good either). I just think the focal length would be more useful in conjunction with the FA 31 than the FA 43.

I think that there have been some bad copies of the lens out there that have resulted in some negative opinions on it, but in my opinion, a good copy is definitely at FA limited level of sharpness. The only real negative to it is that the focus is on the slow side due to a really long focus throw.

paperbag846 · 05-23-2011, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by krypticide

Do owners of the 55mm F1.4 think it has "pixiedust"?

I own the FA 77 and I can tell you it's just a very good lens, no pixiedust to be found.

The 55 1.4 is also a very good lens. The only reason it's not a limited is because it's weather resistant, SDM, and therefore, larger.

If you were going to grab the 55, I might wonder if you should do a 15 - 31 - 55 - 77 or something of the like.

Ubuntu_user · 05-23-2011, 07:13 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

If you were going to grab the 55, I might wonder if you should do a 15 - 31 - 55 - 77 or something of the like.

Yeah, that's a killer setup IMHO.

DogLover · 05-23-2011, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by krypticide

Lots of focal lengths in the title...but it says it all.

My latest lens acquisition was the 43mm, which I absolutely love. When I want a prime on my camera, I always think of the 43mm. So the FA 50mm and FA 35mm aren't feeling any love. Should I sell them both and get the FA 31mm?

Despite the FL's being relatively close, the 31 and 43 are sufficiently different lenses that owning both is by no means superfluous. I would indeed get the 31 since you have two lenses to sell and offset the cost somewhat. If you turn out to have a clear favorite between the 31 and 43 you can sell the other and move on to the 77 or the 55. All are wonderful.

Each of the three amigos has fans that consider it the best of the bunch, no matter what papersack says. The 55 was designed by Pentax's most accomplished lens designer, so there should be no surprise that it too is a top-notch lens, though it does have a bit different personality than the FA Ltds.

There's a good used market for all of these lenses so you're really not risking much by trying them out. Enjoy the journey!

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05-23-2011, 06:48 AM	#16
peasant Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: adelaide Photos: Albums Posts: 89	Originally posted by krypticide Should I sell them both and get the FA 31mm? Practically probably no,but if you have this itch you need to scratch then do it.I have it but I'd probably sell it before the 77. It surprises me how often when scrolling through thumbnails(mostly to cull,room on the h/drive)how often I get pulled up by a photo,check the metadata an it's the 77.As a lot say here though check to see what fl you use mostly,having said that sometimes a new fl will take you places you did not think of going.

05-23-2011, 07:28 AM	#17
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	I ~~second~~ (make that third) Rondec, a combination of the DA* 55 and FA 31mm. That's where I'm headed: DA 15mm, FA 31mm, and DA* 55mm.

05-23-2011, 07:41 AM	#18
Artifarty New Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 22	I am on a different route and I am planning to own a 43mm. I myself have a sigma 30 1.4 and I think it's very good with low light situations and the FL is perfect for indoor. I will use the 43mm as a portrait instead of the usual 50-55mm and 15mm should complete my basic trif-lense collection

05-23-2011, 11:49 AM	#19
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079 Original Poster	Great thoughts! I want something wider than 35mm but also reasonably fast. I defaulted to the 31mm since that's just one of the Exalted Three. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is intriguing, but is larger and may or may not have the Limited "pixiedust". Do owners of the 55mm F1.4 think it has "pixiedust"?

05-23-2011, 11:55 AM - 1 Like	#20
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Depends on what you want to do. The 31 is going to give you a normal, and the 43 a long normal. Pretty close together. They do render quite differently, but if you are looking at shooting portraits, maybe consider something longer (70/77), or something even wider (e.g., the 21). I would imagine something like the 21 / 43 / 77 or 70 would be more useful in practice, even if the 21 does not really compare to the 31.

05-23-2011, 12:28 PM - 1 Like	#21
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	My opinion only I have the 3 amigos and my most used and favourite of the three is the FA43. cheers Neil

05-23-2011, 02:48 PM	#22
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by paperbag846 Depends on what you want to do. The 31 is going to give you a normal, and the 43 a long normal. Pretty close together. They do render quite differently, but if you are looking at shooting portraits, maybe consider something longer (70/77), or something even wider (e.g., the 21). I would imagine something like the 21 / 43 / 77 or 70 would be more useful in practice, even if the 21 does not really compare to the 31. I think if people took the time to learn the DA 21mm ltd, they would appreciate it. Don't be afraid to get close with it.

05-23-2011, 02:59 PM	#23
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	As I said in a similar thread, I would keep the FA50/1.4, or consider something of similar speed. Speed DOES matter. Very fast lenses can just do things that others can't. In fading light; when a shot MUST be captured; when the thin DOF is critical; then, nothing else will do. My FA50/1.4 is most often in my carry-bag, awaiting the right moment.

05-23-2011, 03:03 PM	#24
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by RioRico As I said in a similar thread, I would keep the FA50/1.4, or consider something of similar speed. Speed DOES matter. Very fast lenses can just do things that others can't. In fading light; when a shot MUST be captured; when the thin DOF is critical; then, nothing else will do. My FA50/1.4 is most often in my carry-bag, awaiting the right moment. I have it or the A 50/1.2 but most often the FA. If I get rid of the FA, I'd have to get either an F 50/1.4 or the DA* 55/1.4.

05-23-2011, 03:20 PM	#25
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079 Original Poster	Interesting. That's why I'm kind of sad the DAs all have relatively small apertures. I realize the lenses were designed with size in mind. Maybe I should look outside the Pentax brand. I guess the only way I can see if I like the 31mm focal length is to set my 16-50mm roughly there and pretend I see a shallow DOF. ;-) Sent from my EVO 4G with MIUI

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05-23-2011, 04:16 PM	#26
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by krypticide Interesting. That's why I'm kind of sad the DAs all have relatively small apertures. Yes, it's a sad fact (although with the 70 is nearly close enough, and with the 15 it's really a non issue). The FA lenses (non-limited) have lot of really good options, if you are comfortable with buying used. I really hope the DA lenses get a little faster... even if they are larger.

05-23-2011, 05:06 PM	#27
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,652	Originally posted by krypticide Great thoughts! I want something wider than 35mm but also reasonably fast. I defaulted to the 31mm since that's just one of the Exalted Three. The Sigma 30mm F1.4 is intriguing, but is larger and may or may not have the Limited "pixiedust". Do owners of the 55mm F1.4 think it has "pixiedust"? I don't really know. All I know is that it is sharp from f1.4, has good color and Bokeh is good from f2 on (not bad at f1.4, but not that good either). I just think the focal length would be more useful in conjunction with the FA 31 than the FA 43. I think that there have been some bad copies of the lens out there that have resulted in some negative opinions on it, but in my opinion, a good copy is definitely at FA limited level of sharpness. The only real negative to it is that the focus is on the slow side due to a really long focus throw.

05-23-2011, 06:33 PM	#28
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by krypticide Do owners of the 55mm F1.4 think it has "pixiedust"? I own the FA 77 and I can tell you it's just a very good lens, no pixiedust to be found. The 55 1.4 is also a very good lens. The only reason it's not a limited is because it's weather resistant, SDM, and therefore, larger. If you were going to grab the 55, I might wonder if you should do a 15 - 31 - 55 - 77 or something of the like.

05-23-2011, 07:13 PM	#29
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	Originally posted by paperbag846 If you were going to grab the 55, I might wonder if you should do a 15 - 31 - 55 - 77 or something of the like. Yeah, that's a killer setup IMHO.

05-23-2011, 08:11 PM	#30
DogLover Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,054	Originally posted by krypticide Lots of focal lengths in the title...but it says it all. My latest lens acquisition was the 43mm, which I absolutely love. When I want a prime on my camera, I always think of the 43mm. So the FA 50mm and FA 35mm aren't feeling any love. Should I sell them both and get the FA 31mm? Despite the FL's being relatively close, the 31 and 43 are sufficiently different lenses that owning both is by no means superfluous. I would indeed get the 31 since you have two lenses to sell and offset the cost somewhat. If you turn out to have a clear favorite between the 31 and 43 you can sell the other and move on to the 77 or the 55. All are wonderful. Each of the three amigos has fans that consider it the best of the bunch, no matter what papersack says. The 55 was designed by Pentax's most accomplished lens designer, so there should be no surprise that it too is a top-notch lens, though it does have a bit different personality than the FA Ltds. There's a good used market for all of these lenses so you're really not risking much by trying them out. Enjoy the journey!