Who designed the FA31 Limited?

robgo2 · 11-22-2011, 05:01 PM

Was it the same person who designed the FA43 and FA77 Limiteds? Over at Dpr, there is a post saying that Pentax used a different designer for the 31 Limited. I would like to learn the truth of the matter.

Rob

psychdoc · 11-22-2011, 05:51 PM

From RiceHigh's blog:

The three FA Limited was originally developed by Jun Hirakawa also. However, Jun prefered smaller lenses that should look more elegant. He originally designed a FA31/2.4, based on the optical formula of the old K30/2.8. However, the decision maker at Pentax/AOC didn't like that for some reasons but wanted to have a faster lens. Soon later, Jun was replaced by another two AOC optical designers to take up the project, namely, Mr. Ito, Takayuki (伊藤孝之) and Mr. Murata, Masayuki (村田將之). And they finally made the FA31/1.8 Limited lens;

RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Some "Lost Stories" About the Three FA Limited Lenses

**jpzk** · 11-22-2011, 05:52 PM

This may answer to your query !

RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Some "Lost Stories" About the Three FA Limited Lenses

JP

Edit: ... yu beat me to it, Psychdoc !

twitch · 11-22-2011, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by psychdoc

From RiceHigh's blog:

The three FA Limited was originally developed by Jun Hirakawa also. However, Jun prefered smaller lenses that should look more elegant. He originally designed a FA31/2.4, based on the optical formula of the old K30/2.8. However, the decision maker at Pentax/AOC didn't like that for some reasons but wanted to have a faster lens. Soon later, Jun was replaced by another two AOC optical designers to take up the project, namely, Mr. Ito, Takayuki (伊藤孝之) and Mr. Murata, Masayuki (村田將之). And they finally made the FA31/1.8 Limited lens;

RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Some "Lost Stories" About the Three FA Limited Lenses

For once "design by committee" actually gets it right

wlachan · 11-23-2011, 05:04 AM

Originally posted by twitch

For once "design by committee" actually gets it right

Not entirely. The 43 & 77 have superior build quality due to the way they were assembled. The 31 demands very tight QC which Pentax lacks.

panoguy · 11-23-2011, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by wlachan

Not entirely. The 43 & 77 have superior build quality due to the way they were assembled. The 31 demands very tight QC which Pentax lacks.

Well, that's debatable, but there's no getting around the (relatively) gigantic size & weight of the 31mm compared to the other FA Ltd's... maybe an f/2.4 would've been "pancakey?"

robgo2 · 11-23-2011, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by panoguy

Well, that's debatable, but there's no getting around the (relatively) gigantic size & weight of the 31mm compared to the other FA Ltd's... maybe an f/2.4 would've been "pancakey?"

Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO.

Rob

vrrattko · 11-23-2011, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by robgo2

Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO.

Rob

It's actually pretty normal size for a lens, nice 58mm filter thread and among the best balanced lenses on pentax bodies. Just the fact that it has built-in hood make it look bigger - I mean, pull out a filter of 'compact' FA77 and there you have a lens which is nearly as long as FA31, yet nobody calls FA77 big. :ugh:

panoguy · 11-24-2011, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by robgo2

Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO.

That's why I wrote "relatively." Have you held one up to the FA 43mm Limited? Or even scarier, any DA Limited? Okay, you're right - it's tiny compared to my 300mm/2.8...

**Digitalis** · 11-24-2011, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by robgo2

Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO.

the FA31mm f/1.8 isn't all that much bigger than the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 - which is an RF lens. RF lenses tend to be significantly smaller than SLR lenses, so I don't think the FA31 is too big - the canon 35L is bigger than the FA31 and it's only 1/2 a stop speed difference between the two lenses. If the FA31 didn't have the built in lens hood then perhaps people would find it to be bit more manageable.

mikeSF · 11-24-2011, 10:42 PM

FA31 is TINY compared to the FA* 28-70, trust me.

**Digitalis** · 11-25-2011, 04:04 AM

Originally posted by mikeSF

FA31 is TINY compared to the FA* 28-70, trust me.

ohh yeah the FA31 is tiny compared to the sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG.

I don't think it is appropriate to compare the size of a prime lens to a zoom lens, zoom lenses are nearly always bigger.

robgo2 · 11-25-2011, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by panoguy

That's why I wrote "relatively." Have you held one up to the FA 43mm Limited? Or even scarier, any DA Limited? Okay, you're right - it's tiny compared to my 300mm/2.8...

I understand, but using the word "gigantic" may give the wrong impression to those who have not actually seen an FA31 in person. So, let me be clear on this point: The 31 Limited is larger than the pancake Limteds, but it is not gigantic, not heavy and not cumbersome.

Rob

robgo2 · 11-25-2011, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by vrrattko

It's actually pretty normal size for a lens, nice 58mm filter thread and among the best balanced lenses on pentax bodies. Just the fact that it has built-in hood make it look bigger - I mean, pull out a filter of 'compact' FA77 and there you have a lens which is nearly as long as FA31, yet nobody calls FA77 big. :ugh:

And that built-in hood, being virtually useless, is the one flaw in an otherwise stellar lens. The hood actually looks cool, IMO, but it is too small to provide any significant shade for the front lens elements.

Rob

**1marek** · 11-25-2011, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by robgo2

And that built-in hood, being virtually useless, is the one flaw in an otherwise stellar lens. The hood actually looks cool, IMO, but it is too small to provide any significant shade for the front lens elements.

Same goes for the other two FA Limiteds. So a lot of people (including myself) use a custom hood.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/161305-lens-ho...m-limited.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/7157-sale-sold-fs-lens-hood-fa-31mm-ltd.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/157626-problem...m-limited.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90064-third-pa...d-fa-31mm.html

There's probably one or two threads I missed, but this'll give you a good start.

11-22-2011, 05:01 PM	#1
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125	Who designed the FA31 Limited? Was it the same person who designed the FA43 and FA77 Limiteds? Over at Dpr, there is a post saying that Pentax used a different designer for the 31 Limited. I would like to learn the truth of the matter. Rob

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11-22-2011, 05:51 PM	#2
psychdoc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bham Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 949	From RiceHigh's blog: The three FA Limited was originally developed by Jun Hirakawa also. However, Jun prefered smaller lenses that should look more elegant. He originally designed a FA31/2.4, based on the optical formula of the old K30/2.8. However, the decision maker at Pentax/AOC didn't like that for some reasons but wanted to have a faster lens. Soon later, Jun was replaced by another two AOC optical designers to take up the project, namely, Mr. Ito, Takayuki (伊藤孝之) and Mr. Murata, Masayuki (村田將之). And they finally made the FA31/1.8 Limited lens; RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Some "Lost Stories" About the Three FA Limited Lenses

11-22-2011, 05:52 PM	#3
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	This may answer to your query ! RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Some "Lost Stories" About the Three FA Limited Lenses JP Edit: ... yu beat me to it, Psychdoc !

11-22-2011, 09:01 PM	#4
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by psychdoc From RiceHigh's blog: The three FA Limited was originally developed by Jun Hirakawa also. However, Jun prefered smaller lenses that should look more elegant. He originally designed a FA31/2.4, based on the optical formula of the old K30/2.8. However, the decision maker at Pentax/AOC didn't like that for some reasons but wanted to have a faster lens. Soon later, Jun was replaced by another two AOC optical designers to take up the project, namely, Mr. Ito, Takayuki (伊藤孝之) and Mr. Murata, Masayuki (村田將之). And they finally made the FA31/1.8 Limited lens; RiceHigh's Pentax Blog: Some "Lost Stories" About the Three FA Limited Lenses For once "design by committee" actually gets it right

11-23-2011, 05:04 AM	#5
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Originally posted by twitch For once "design by committee" actually gets it right Not entirely. The 43 & 77 have superior build quality due to the way they were assembled. The 31 demands very tight QC which Pentax lacks.

11-23-2011, 07:23 AM	#6
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by wlachan Not entirely. The 43 & 77 have superior build quality due to the way they were assembled. The 31 demands very tight QC which Pentax lacks. Well, that's debatable, but there's no getting around the (relatively) gigantic size & weight of the 31mm compared to the other FA Ltd's... maybe an f/2.4 would've been "pancakey?"

11-23-2011, 09:57 AM	#7
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125 Original Poster	Originally posted by panoguy Well, that's debatable, but there's no getting around the (relatively) gigantic size & weight of the 31mm compared to the other FA Ltd's... maybe an f/2.4 would've been "pancakey?" Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO. Rob

11-23-2011, 01:56 PM	#8
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Originally posted by robgo2 Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO. Rob It's actually pretty normal size for a lens, nice 58mm filter thread and among the best balanced lenses on pentax bodies. Just the fact that it has built-in hood make it look bigger - I mean, pull out a filter of 'compact' FA77 and there you have a lens which is nearly as long as FA31, yet nobody calls FA77 big. :ugh:

11-24-2011, 08:37 AM	#9
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by robgo2 Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO. That's why I wrote "relatively." Have you held one up to the FA 43mm Limited? Or even scarier, any DA Limited? Okay, you're right - it's tiny compared to my 300mm/2.8...

11-24-2011, 06:46 PM	#10
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by robgo2 Calling the FA31 "gigantic" in comparison to anything is a bit of an exaggeration, IMO. the FA31mm f/1.8 isn't all that much bigger than the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.2 - which is an RF lens. RF lenses tend to be significantly smaller than SLR lenses, so I don't think the FA31 is too big - the canon 35L is bigger than the FA31 and it's only 1/2 a stop speed difference between the two lenses. If the FA31 didn't have the built in lens hood then perhaps people would find it to be bit more manageable.

11-24-2011, 10:42 PM	#11
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	FA31 is TINY compared to the FA* 28-70, trust me.

11-25-2011, 04:04 AM	#12
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by mikeSF FA31 is TINY compared to the FA* 28-70, trust me. ohh yeah the FA31 is tiny compared to the sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG. I don't think it is appropriate to compare the size of a prime lens to a zoom lens, zoom lenses are nearly always bigger.

11-25-2011, 05:54 PM	#13
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125 Original Poster	Originally posted by panoguy That's why I wrote "relatively." Have you held one up to the FA 43mm Limited? Or even scarier, any DA Limited? Okay, you're right - it's tiny compared to my 300mm/2.8... I understand, but using the word "gigantic" may give the wrong impression to those who have not actually seen an FA31 in person. So, let me be clear on this point: The 31 Limited is larger than the pancake Limteds, but it is not gigantic, not heavy and not cumbersome. Rob

11-25-2011, 05:57 PM	#14
robgo2 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 1,125 Original Poster	Originally posted by vrrattko It's actually pretty normal size for a lens, nice 58mm filter thread and among the best balanced lenses on pentax bodies. Just the fact that it has built-in hood make it look bigger - I mean, pull out a filter of 'compact' FA77 and there you have a lens which is nearly as long as FA31, yet nobody calls FA77 big. :ugh: And that built-in hood, being virtually useless, is the one flaw in an otherwise stellar lens. The hood actually looks cool, IMO, but it is too small to provide any significant shade for the front lens elements. Rob

11-25-2011, 06:46 PM	#15
1marek Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Medjimurje, Croatia Photos: Albums Posts: 40	Originally posted by robgo2 And that built-in hood, being virtually useless, is the one flaw in an otherwise stellar lens. The hood actually looks cool, IMO, but it is too small to provide any significant shade for the front lens elements. Same goes for the other two FA Limiteds. So a lot of people (including myself) use a custom hood. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/161305-lens-ho...m-limited.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/sold-items/7157-sale-sold-fs-lens-hood-fa-31mm-ltd.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/157626-problem...m-limited.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/90064-third-pa...d-fa-31mm.html There's probably one or two threads I missed, but this'll give you a good start.