Keep Fa31 or swap to Fa43 + Da15

jremick · 02-06-2012, 08:36 AM

+1 here to keeping the FA31. The loss you'd take on it by selling it isn't worth it IMO. I think you'd be better off keeping the money you'd lose and keep saving for the other lenses. The FA31 is also a stunning lens IMO. I have one and I love using it every chance I get.

If you shoot a lot of stuff that needs a really wide lens then I'd get the DA15 next and then work towards something on the longer end like the FA77. I don't shoot a lot of stuff that requires something like the DA15 unless I'm traveling so if it was me I'd go for something on the longer end first.

zapp · 02-06-2012, 09:08 AM

The FA31 is designed as a wide angle prime for full frame cameras. While being a very nice 31 mm lens, distortion is visible and size, weight and price point towards an oversized lens for an APS-C camera. I have one, I like it, but want to make you understand what this lens stands for. The AF is old fashioned. I would sell mine as soon as Pentax would present a large apeture wide angle prime.
15 and 40 would make a pefect travelling kit for me. I would get both for travelling and mountain tours. At the same time I will wait for a large aperture wide angle prime to go with the 55SDM. Keep the 100M and enjoy the 200/300 mm for my tele work. The 31 is not on my list for a long time keeper - even if Pentax presented a full frame camera, the AF needs an overhaul...
Just sold my FA77 in favor of the 55SDM. The 77 is too long for my kind of portrait work and the shreaky AF is so loud that everybody notices you.

Arrvon · 02-07-2012, 02:58 AM

Another vote for keeping the 31mm. If you end up with just the 15 and 43, you could miss the wider field of view for times when you are indoors. The DA15 at F4 won't be fast enough aperture wise for you to take indoor low light shots and if you switch to the 43 for the aperture speed, you may find it has too narrow of a field of view for you.

spade111 · 02-07-2012, 08:27 AM

Hey there Jerms,

If the price is a limiting factor in gathering up your 'limited' series kit, then I think this really comes down to progression. If selling the 31mm to fund the 43 and the 15 works out to parity - then the difference really will be in how you approach your photography. As you've stated, there are a few more options available with two lenses, rather than just the one (however good the 31mm really is).

An ultra wide angle is a lot of fun to play with, and can bend your mind when looking at common scenes. It will force you to excercise your core muscle groups, and make you even more overtly abnormal compared to the snarky canon / nikon crew that won't talk to you when they see you don't share their poverty of imagination.

The 43 is in my experience at least, probably the very best lens I've ever used - in all the metrics I consider important. I can't comprehend how this lens is as inexpensive as it is, and should be owned by every pentaxian imo. I don't have to sell you on the 31mm. I don't own the 15mm yet, so I'll save judgement on that until I do (caveat - I've played with it, and it is on my list in the near future).

I think you should go for it, and repurchase the 31mm at a later time (or the less expensive 77mm which is also a gem).

paperbag846 · 02-07-2012, 10:07 AM

Originally posted by Arrvon

The DA15 at F4 won't be fast enough aperture wise for you to take indoor low light shots

This I disagree with. You can get away with real low shutter speeds at 15mm. But the FOV is totally different from the 31 (which isn't that loose for indoors, either...)

abacus07 · 02-07-2012, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by paperbag846

This I disagree with. You can get away with real low shutter speeds at 15mm. But the FOV is totally different from the 31 (which isn't that loose for indoors, either...)

I also disagree with because with today's camera's your first option for faster shutter speed should be iso.

Arrvon · 02-07-2012, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by paperbag846

This I disagree with. You can get away with real low shutter speeds at 15mm. But the FOV is totally different from the 31 (which isn't that loose for indoors, either...)

Originally posted by abacus07

I also disagree with because with today's camera's your first option for faster shutter speed should be iso.

Agreed. I should have said the DA15 was less ideal for indoor photography than the FA31. Regardless, the user will be losing about 2.5 stops of light over the FA31 leaving him/her with less leway for fast shutter or lower ISO. Another point I didn't mention, is you're depth of field control with the DA15 will be much more limited compared to the FA31 as well.

twitch · 02-07-2012, 05:33 PM

+1 on keeping your FA31. I would trade my other 4 limiteds away before I let go of my FA31. In fact I'd let all my lenses go before I let go of my FA31, it's IQ is superb. Selling a good copy of a FA31 is basically nuts, especially if you know you want to buy one back in future.

paperbag846 · 02-07-2012, 07:07 PM

Yes, but the 31 and 15 are so completely different that comparing them is silly business at best. The 43 and 31 are much closer in focal length. The difference between the 15 and 21 is almost 60% FOV... Imagine how different the 31 would be!

Matcha · 02-07-2012, 11:27 PM

If I were you I will keep the FA 31 for high quality images and consider a zoom lens for normal shoot.
I have a FA 43 and the focal is a little bit longer for me, my A 28/2.8 fit my habit well. If not for the high price I am sure I will get a FA 31.
Any way it is just my experience, and FA 43 is really a perfect lens.

vrrattko · 02-08-2012, 12:30 PM

Difficult to answer....is there anything about FA31 that makes you unhappy? I recently exchanged my FA31 for my friend's FA43 + some sugar on top

31mm was a better allround focal lenght, but i was not that happy about FA31 infinity focus performance - not that it was weak, but I find my FA43 better. On close focus and medium focus distances, both lenses are excellent. Both renders tones rich and photos have some depth - aka 3d rendering.
On the other hand FA31 is superior in bokeh, again my subjective feeling.
If you're unhappy about FA31, sell it and get Fa43.....if not, keep it and save for da15. In my opinion it doesn't make much sense to have both FA31 and FA43, as they're quite close to each other in many characteristics and even focal lenght is not that different. Next step up from 31 would better be 50mm or even 70mm lens.

altovintner · 02-08-2012, 01:05 PM

+1 for keeping the 31mm. I have that lens and will never sell it. I plan to get the 15mm soon.

normhead · 02-08-2012, 01:18 PM

I've heard from various people who love Canikon stuff that the lens is not good. I'll buy it from you if you want to sell it.

davidvcd · 02-08-2012, 07:45 PM

I have all 4. The 31mm is the one lens to rule them all. When mine got stolen it was my first purchase, delaying getting the K5.
I think that the 31mm and 43mm are different enough to be worthwhile owning both - but I'd get the 15mm first.
As much as I love the 77mm, It can be a little long at times. Same for the 70mm which I sold off.
I'm looking at a 15mm / 31mm / 55mm / 77mm for traveling if I had the funds and I haven't decided on a 16-50mm replacement.

Nick Siebers · 02-08-2012, 08:25 PM

Having had both, I decided to stick with the 43 as I preferred that focal length. Of course, I have since been through several 28mm lenses considering a replacement for 31 without spending all that money again. So, if I was you, I would probably hold on to what you have and like. Add more when you can afford it. Then, if later you find yourself with unused and unloved lenses, that is the time to sell.

02-07-2012, 08:27 AM	#19
spade111 Forum Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: BC Posts: 93	It comes down to progression Hey there Jerms, If the price is a limiting factor in gathering up your 'limited' series kit, then I think this really comes down to progression. If selling the 31mm to fund the 43 and the 15 works out to parity - then the difference really will be in how you approach your photography. As you've stated, there are a few more options available with two lenses, rather than just the one (however good the 31mm really is). An ultra wide angle is a lot of fun to play with, and can bend your mind when looking at common scenes. It will force you to excercise your core muscle groups, and make you even more overtly abnormal compared to the snarky canon / nikon crew that won't talk to you when they see you don't share their poverty of imagination. The 43 is in my experience at least, probably the very best lens I've ever used - in all the metrics I consider important. I can't comprehend how this lens is as inexpensive as it is, and should be owned by every pentaxian imo. I don't have to sell you on the 31mm. I don't own the 15mm yet, so I'll save judgement on that until I do (caveat - I've played with it, and it is on my list in the near future). I think you should go for it, and repurchase the 31mm at a later time (or the less expensive 77mm which is also a gem).

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02-06-2012, 08:36 AM	#16
jremick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 141	+1 here to keeping the FA31. The loss you'd take on it by selling it isn't worth it IMO. I think you'd be better off keeping the money you'd lose and keep saving for the other lenses. The FA31 is also a stunning lens IMO. I have one and I love using it every chance I get. If you shoot a lot of stuff that needs a really wide lens then I'd get the DA15 next and then work towards something on the longer end like the FA77. I don't shoot a lot of stuff that requires something like the DA15 unless I'm traveling so if it was me I'd go for something on the longer end first.

02-06-2012, 09:08 AM	#17
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,388	The FA31 is designed as a wide angle prime for full frame cameras. While being a very nice 31 mm lens, distortion is visible and size, weight and price point towards an oversized lens for an APS-C camera. I have one, I like it, but want to make you understand what this lens stands for. The AF is old fashioned. I would sell mine as soon as Pentax would present a large apeture wide angle prime. 15 and 40 would make a pefect travelling kit for me. I would get both for travelling and mountain tours. At the same time I will wait for a large aperture wide angle prime to go with the 55SDM. Keep the 100M and enjoy the 200/300 mm for my tele work. The 31 is not on my list for a long time keeper - even if Pentax presented a full frame camera, the AF needs an overhaul... Just sold my FA77 in favor of the 55SDM. The 77 is too long for my kind of portrait work and the shreaky AF is so loud that everybody notices you.

02-07-2012, 02:58 AM	#18
Arrvon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 242	Another vote for keeping the 31mm. If you end up with just the 15 and 43, you could miss the wider field of view for times when you are indoors. The DA15 at F4 won't be fast enough aperture wise for you to take indoor low light shots and if you switch to the 43 for the aperture speed, you may find it has too narrow of a field of view for you.

02-07-2012, 10:07 AM	#20
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Originally posted by Arrvon The DA15 at F4 won't be fast enough aperture wise for you to take indoor low light shots This I disagree with. You can get away with real low shutter speeds at 15mm. But the FOV is totally different from the 31 (which isn't that loose for indoors, either...)

02-07-2012, 10:21 AM	#21
abacus07 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Taiwan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,075	Originally posted by paperbag846 This I disagree with. You can get away with real low shutter speeds at 15mm. But the FOV is totally different from the 31 (which isn't that loose for indoors, either...) I also disagree with because with today's camera's your first option for faster shutter speed should be iso.

02-07-2012, 04:40 PM	#22
Arrvon Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 242	Originally posted by paperbag846 This I disagree with. You can get away with real low shutter speeds at 15mm. But the FOV is totally different from the 31 (which isn't that loose for indoors, either...) Originally posted by abacus07 I also disagree with because with today's camera's your first option for faster shutter speed should be iso. Agreed. I should have said the DA15 was less ideal for indoor photography than the FA31. Regardless, the user will be losing about 2.5 stops of light over the FA31 leaving him/her with less leway for fast shutter or lower ISO. Another point I didn't mention, is you're depth of field control with the DA15 will be much more limited compared to the FA31 as well.

02-07-2012, 05:33 PM	#23
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	+1 on keeping your FA31. I would trade my other 4 limiteds away before I let go of my FA31. In fact I'd let all my lenses go before I let go of my FA31, it's IQ is superb. Selling a good copy of a FA31 is basically nuts, especially if you know you want to buy one back in future.

02-07-2012, 07:07 PM	#24
paperbag846 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,395	Yes, but the 31 and 15 are so completely different that comparing them is silly business at best. The 43 and 31 are much closer in focal length. The difference between the 15 and 21 is almost 60% FOV... Imagine how different the 31 would be!

02-07-2012, 11:27 PM	#25
Matcha Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mississippi, United States Posts: 40	If I were you I will keep the FA 31 for high quality images and consider a zoom lens for normal shoot. I have a FA 43 and the focal is a little bit longer for me, my A 28/2.8 fit my habit well. If not for the high price I am sure I will get a FA 31. Any way it is just my experience, and FA 43 is really a perfect lens.

02-08-2012, 12:30 PM	#26
vrrattko Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 753	Difficult to answer....is there anything about FA31 that makes you unhappy? I recently exchanged my FA31 for my friend's FA43 + some sugar on top 31mm was a better allround focal lenght, but i was not that happy about FA31 infinity focus performance - not that it was weak, but I find my FA43 better. On close focus and medium focus distances, both lenses are excellent. Both renders tones rich and photos have some depth - aka 3d rendering. On the other hand FA31 is superior in bokeh, again my subjective feeling. If you're unhappy about FA31, sell it and get Fa43.....if not, keep it and save for da15. In my opinion it doesn't make much sense to have both FA31 and FA43, as they're quite close to each other in many characteristics and even focal lenght is not that different. Next step up from 31 would better be 50mm or even 70mm lens.

02-08-2012, 01:05 PM	#27
altovintner Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: New Mexico Photos: Albums Posts: 74	+1 for keeping the 31mm. I have that lens and will never sell it. I plan to get the 15mm soon.

02-08-2012, 01:18 PM	#28
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I've heard from various people who love Canikon stuff that the lens is not good. I'll buy it from you if you want to sell it.

02-08-2012, 07:45 PM	#29
davidvcd Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NorthernVA , USA / Grenoble, FRANCE Posts: 148	I have all 4. The 31mm is the one lens to rule them all. When mine got stolen it was my first purchase, delaying getting the K5. I think that the 31mm and 43mm are different enough to be worthwhile owning both - but I'd get the 15mm first. As much as I love the 77mm, It can be a little long at times. Same for the 70mm which I sold off. I'm looking at a 15mm / 31mm / 55mm / 77mm for traveling if I had the funds and I haven't decided on a 16-50mm replacement.

02-08-2012, 08:25 PM	#30
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	Having had both, I decided to stick with the 43 as I preferred that focal length. Of course, I have since been through several 28mm lenses considering a replacement for 31 without spending all that money again. So, if I was you, I would probably hold on to what you have and like. Add more when you can afford it. Then, if later you find yourself with unused and unloved lenses, that is the time to sell.