Any other options for a short, fast prime than an FA 31mm?

Codazzle · 08-14-2012, 10:37 PM

Hey all,

I've had my DA*55mm f1.4 for about 6 months and have been very happy with it. Awesome pictures

However, I've found it to be a little too long for much of the indoor lowlight shooting I've been doing lately. I was wondering if there was any recommendations for a shorter focal length and relatively fast lenses that you guys had. I have no problem saving for an FA 31mm if it's indeed worth it, but options are always nice. I was even looking at the DA 35mm 2.4mm as it is dirt cheap and is shorter and faster than my DA 40mm f2.8 (though I do love that pancake!), however, I understand I am comparing apples to oranges with the FA31 and the DA35

Any thoughts?

Thanks guys!

msatlas · 08-14-2012, 11:09 PM

Middle ground between the FA 31 & DA 35/2.4 is the FA 35/2. Used ones go in the $350-400 range. I seriously considered getting one but picked up the DA 35/2.4 for cheap. It's plenty sharp wide open, so it's pretty usable for indoor/low light. Apparently the optical formula is pretty similar to the FA 35/2, which is also supposed to be pretty sharp wide open.

Zav · 08-14-2012, 11:16 PM

FA 43 f1.9?
If you don't mind the idiosyncratic character of the Sigma 20 f1.8/24 f1.8/28 f1.8 /30 f1.4mm you can have one of those as well.
But the FA31 remains the king

ogl · 08-14-2012, 11:31 PM

I don't like FA31 at APS-C at all. It seems to me DA35/2.4 L is good choice for you. VERY SHARP and good contrast.

twitch · 08-14-2012, 11:36 PM

What about the FA*24/2? It's no FA31 but it's wider and fairly fast.

calsan · 08-14-2012, 11:50 PM

DA21 and tell everyone to keep still?

pinholecam · 08-15-2012, 12:00 AM

FA35/2 or DA35/2.4 are the best choices and nearest to the 31ltd.
SMC, small, pentax rendition of colors, sharp throughout.

The Sigma 30 is mainly center sharp (not that its no good, but depends on usage and preference)
The Sigma 24 and 28/1.8 are big and to me the bokeh are not as nice as any of the Pentax.

DSims · 08-15-2012, 12:13 AM

It's hard to get any lens as fast and sharp as the DA*55. I had the FA35/2 (2 copies, actually). It was very good except when wider than f/2.4. So the DA35/2.4 should be ideal.

The FA31 is all about smooth transition to OOF and bokeh. It's decidedly different from the DA*55. I'd try the DA35/2.4 first - if it's not what you want, then you can try the FA31.

hoanpham · 08-15-2012, 12:39 AM

Distagon 28/2 or 28/2.8? akk akk Both are pricy.
FA35/2 might be the best option which is cheaper than the FA31

pinholecam · 08-15-2012, 01:00 AM

Here are some from the FA35/2 from a recent trip overseas.

more here...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29329237@N07/sets/72157629987651803/

DreTAX · 08-15-2012, 01:01 AM

The F28 2.8 might be worth a look.

Docrwm · 08-15-2012, 04:32 AM

I have a 50/1.4 (actually several but only one AF) and the 35/2.4. I too find the 50s are too tight inside under most circumstances. I'd love to do as Twitch suggested and find the FA*24/2 but until then the 35/2.4 is working for me. The 35/2.4 is ideal in situations like this for a couple reasons. It's fast and has good IQ even wide open. It's cheap both new and used IMHO but used it's even a better bargain, and if you don't like it selling it on is usually no problem.

**TER-OR** · 08-15-2012, 05:50 AM

I rented a Sigma 28mm Macro f1.8 a while ago and found it very useful indoors. I didn't think I would use it all the way open, but found myself taking shots without flash more often than with. I want to buy that lens once I get the cash. The only thing which would be better is to have a version with Sigma's HSM motors. The screw-drive seemed to provide pretty accurate focus, though. I can't complain.

DSims · 08-15-2012, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by Docrwm

I'd love to do as Twitch suggested and find the FA*24/2 but until then the 35/2.4 is working for me.

It's true that 24mm is a nice focal length on APS-C. In fact, this is why many cameras with a single, fixed FL lens (such as the Fuji X100) use a 23/24mm lens, or whatever else is a 35mm FF equivalent on their sensor size.

I've never had the FA*24/2, but the A24/2.8 is about the only lens that I miss. Even though I have the FA31, FA28, and FA20, I still miss 24mm. I understand the FA*24 is bigger, and doesn't have the smoothest bokeh, but it could still be a very strong lens. If I were considering only APS-C, I think I'd be happy with just my DA15, the FA*24, and my FA31 or a DA35/2.4.

Codazzle · 08-15-2012, 08:02 PM

Thanks for the responses guys

I have been looking at the Sigma's today, but they all seem to have mixed reviews.

Particularly the 28/1.8. I like using my lenses wide open when possible, but none of them seem to have positive reviews in that regards.

08-14-2012, 10:37 PM	#1
Codazzle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary Photos: Albums Posts: 122	Any other options for a short, fast prime than an FA 31mm? Hey all, I've had my DA*55mm f1.4 for about 6 months and have been very happy with it. Awesome pictures However, I've found it to be a little too long for much of the indoor lowlight shooting I've been doing lately. I was wondering if there was any recommendations for a shorter focal length and relatively fast lenses that you guys had. I have no problem saving for an FA 31mm if it's indeed worth it, but options are always nice. I was even looking at the DA 35mm 2.4mm as it is dirt cheap and is shorter and faster than my DA 40mm f2.8 (though I do love that pancake!), however, I understand I am comparing apples to oranges with the FA31 and the DA35 Any thoughts? Thanks guys!

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08-14-2012, 11:09 PM	#2
msatlas Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 309	Middle ground between the FA 31 & DA 35/2.4 is the FA 35/2. Used ones go in the $350-400 range. I seriously considered getting one but picked up the DA 35/2.4 for cheap. It's plenty sharp wide open, so it's pretty usable for indoor/low light. Apparently the optical formula is pretty similar to the FA 35/2, which is also supposed to be pretty sharp wide open.

08-14-2012, 11:16 PM	#3
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	FA 43 f1.9? If you don't mind the idiosyncratic character of the Sigma 20 f1.8/24 f1.8/28 f1.8 /30 f1.4mm you can have one of those as well. But the FA31 remains the king

08-14-2012, 11:31 PM	#4
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	I don't like FA31 at APS-C at all. It seems to me DA35/2.4 L is good choice for you. VERY SHARP and good contrast.

08-14-2012, 11:36 PM	#5
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	What about the FA*24/2? It's no FA31 but it's wider and fairly fast.

08-14-2012, 11:50 PM	#6
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	DA21 and tell everyone to keep still?

08-15-2012, 12:00 AM	#7
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	FA35/2 or DA35/2.4 are the best choices and nearest to the 31ltd. SMC, small, pentax rendition of colors, sharp throughout. The Sigma 30 is mainly center sharp (not that its no good, but depends on usage and preference) The Sigma 24 and 28/1.8 are big and to me the bokeh are not as nice as any of the Pentax.

08-15-2012, 12:13 AM	#8
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	It's hard to get any lens as fast and sharp as the DA55. I had the FA35/2 (2 copies, actually). It was very good except when wider than f/2.4. So the DA35/2.4 should be ideal. The FA31 is all about smooth transition to OOF and bokeh. It's decidedly different from the DA55. I'd try the DA35/2.4 first - if it's not what you want, then you can try the FA31.

08-15-2012, 12:39 AM	#9
hoanpham Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Strand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,366	Distagon 28/2 or 28/2.8? akk akk Both are pricy. FA35/2 might be the best option which is cheaper than the FA31

08-15-2012, 01:00 AM	#10
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	Here are some from the FA35/2 from a recent trip overseas. more here... http://www.flickr.com/photos/29329237@N07/sets/72157629987651803/

08-15-2012, 01:01 AM	#11
DreTAX Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria. Photos: Gallery Posts: 118	The F28 2.8 might be worth a look.

08-15-2012, 04:32 AM	#12
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	I have a 50/1.4 (actually several but only one AF) and the 35/2.4. I too find the 50s are too tight inside under most circumstances. I'd love to do as Twitch suggested and find the FA*24/2 but until then the 35/2.4 is working for me. The 35/2.4 is ideal in situations like this for a couple reasons. It's fast and has good IQ even wide open. It's cheap both new and used IMHO but used it's even a better bargain, and if you don't like it selling it on is usually no problem.

08-15-2012, 05:50 AM	#13
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I rented a Sigma 28mm Macro f1.8 a while ago and found it very useful indoors. I didn't think I would use it all the way open, but found myself taking shots without flash more often than with. I want to buy that lens once I get the cash. The only thing which would be better is to have a version with Sigma's HSM motors. The screw-drive seemed to provide pretty accurate focus, though. I can't complain.

08-15-2012, 04:52 PM	#14
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	Originally posted by Docrwm I'd love to do as Twitch suggested and find the FA24/2 but until then the 35/2.4 is working for me. It's true that 24mm is a nice focal length on APS-C. In fact, this is why many cameras with a single, fixed FL lens (such as the Fuji X100) use a 23/24mm lens, or whatever else is a 35mm FF equivalent on their sensor size. I've never had the FA24/2, but the A24/2.8 is about the only lens that I miss. Even though I have the FA31, FA28, and FA20, I still miss 24mm. I understand the FA24 is bigger, and doesn't have the smoothest bokeh, but it could still be a very strong lens. If I were considering only APS-C, I think I'd be happy with just my DA15, the FA24, and my FA31 or a DA35/2.4.

08-15-2012, 08:02 PM	#15
Codazzle Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary Photos: Albums Posts: 122 Original Poster	Thanks for the responses guys I have been looking at the Sigma's today, but they all seem to have mixed reviews. Particularly the 28/1.8. I like using my lenses wide open when possible, but none of them seem to have positive reviews in that regards.