31mm or...

gabro822 · 09-05-2012, 07:46 AM

Hi all!
I need your help.
In those days I have sold part of my equipment and now with that money I can think to buy a lens.
My first idea was to buy the 31mm. I have to say that I've also the DA55, so I don't know if it will be a nonsense purchase or it could be ok.
I also need a wide lens that I can buy with those money, but I really don't know what to do.
Any suggestion?

Thank you very much
Gabriele

Ari · 09-05-2012, 07:58 AM

The 31mm is a great portrait, street and all-around use lens. It's fast, produces beautiful bokeh and is built like a tank. If you can afford it, get it. The focal length difference between the FA31 and DA55 are large enough where, if you're committed to primes, makes sense to have both. I decided that the 55 was the only prime I would keep and let go of my 31. It was probably a mistake

gabro822 · 09-05-2012, 08:05 AM

Thank you very much for the answer.
So you think is ok as both portrait lens and walk around? Isn't better to integrate the 55 with the 16-50 for example? I really don't know what to do, also because I can't try these lenses.

lytrytyr · 09-05-2012, 08:14 AM

Originally posted by gabro822

I also need a wide lens that I can buy with those money, but I really don't know what to do.
Any suggestion?

If you don't mind MF, and if you can find one,
the Zeiss ZK 25/2.8 would be a very good option.

Ari · 09-05-2012, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by gabro822

Thank you very much for the answer.
So you think is ok as both portrait lens and walk around? Isn't better to integrate the 55 with the 16-50 for example? I really don't know what to do, also because I can't try these lenses.

That's what I ended up doing. I have the 16-50 and the 55. I needed the flexibility of a fast zoom for work, though. I kept the 55 for my own personal enjoyment. It's nice walking around with just a prime. And 31mm is such a more flexible focal length.

gabro822 · 09-05-2012, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

If you don't mind MF, and if you can find one,
the Zeiss ZK 25/2.8 would be a very good option.

Nope, unfortunately I don't like MF lenses because I prefer use them with a split screen, that I haven't. I thought to have found the perfect lens with the 31, but now, close to buy it, I really don't know what's the best.

gabro822 · 09-05-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally posted by Ari

That's what I ended up doing. I have the 16-50 and the 55. I needed the flexibility of a fast zoom for work, though. I kept the 55 for my own personal enjoyment. It's nice walking around with just a prime. And 31mm is such a more flexible focal length.

Yes, it's true, but I found myself ok with the 18-55 so I don't know why I should change in that field. For this reason I opted for the 31.

May I ask to whom have the 31 to post a "street" shot and a portrait uncropped? just to know how "long" is it.
Thank you.

Ari · 09-05-2012, 08:31 AM

Take a look at the FA ltd club's postings here in the forum to get some ideas: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/59538-fa-limited-club.html

gabro822 · 09-05-2012, 09:05 AM

Yes, is THAT club that increases my LBA

eheheh
But I don't know if those are crops or the whole images

Winder · 09-05-2012, 09:17 AM

I just bought the 31mm LTD last month and it is indeed and excellent lens. I also have a Sigma 50mm F/1.4 (no 55mm). The difference is significant enough that owning both works out very well. 31mm is not very wide on APS-C but it does make for an excellent walk around lens. If you go with the 31mm you wont be disappointed in the IQ or the quality of the construction of the lens. You can always sell it and get most of your money back out of it. It is definitely not a bad investment.

From a size stand point the 31mm is about perfect for the K-5 without a grip. It is big enough that you can still cradle the lens.

Anvh · 09-05-2012, 09:53 AM

28-30mm is actually perfect/true standard lens for APS-C, 55mm is already short tele.

zosxavius · 09-05-2012, 02:02 PM

28! My M28 3.5 is a really amazing lens both on ff and aps-c. I've been eyeing up the 31, but I think the 28 is too close and also gives a more useful FOV. My next prime is probably going to be a 35mm so I can get close to the classic 50mm. I think overall 40mm eq is a very usable FL and it is my swiss army knife. I switch a lot between a 28mm and a 50mm and I think maybe a 35 inbetween would be perfect. I like the 31, but its just such a weird focal length. So...I guess the question is will it fill a gap? If that's a yes, then snag one. They are really amazing lenses from the samples I've seen.

zosxavius · 09-05-2012, 02:07 PM

Also pentax made a really nice 20mm if you are trying to go wider. It gives a fl of 30 on aps-c. 18mm is more useful imo, but a 12-24 and primes the rest of the way up starting at 20-24...28...35...50 is the way to go if you ask me. Try your 18-55 on a cheap film body. Its good from 24mm on. Set it at 18 and extrapolate the circle in your mind and get a taste for real wide angle....

If only pentax made a FF camera.......lol

RonHendriks1966 · 09-05-2012, 02:19 PM

I have FA31mm, DA*55mm and FA*85mm and all three are very great lenses that have very different use. They don't fight eachother, but have all something to offer that the others don't.

gabro822 · 09-05-2012, 02:35 PM

Thank you very much for advices and suggestions!! About the zeiss I can't find it!!

09-05-2012, 07:46 AM	#1
gabro822 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Milan Photos: Gallery Posts: 339	31mm or... Hi all! I need your help. In those days I have sold part of my equipment and now with that money I can think to buy a lens. My first idea was to buy the 31mm. I have to say that I've also the DA55, so I don't know if it will be a nonsense purchase or it could be ok. I also need a wide lens that I can buy with those money, but I really don't know what to do. Any suggestion? Thank you very much Gabriele

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09-05-2012, 07:58 AM	#2
Ari Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 856	The 31mm is a great portrait, street and all-around use lens. It's fast, produces beautiful bokeh and is built like a tank. If you can afford it, get it. The focal length difference between the FA31 and DA55 are large enough where, if you're committed to primes, makes sense to have both. I decided that the 55 was the only prime I would keep and let go of my 31. It was probably a mistake

09-05-2012, 08:05 AM	#3
gabro822 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Milan Photos: Gallery Posts: 339 Original Poster	Thank you very much for the answer. So you think is ok as both portrait lens and walk around? Isn't better to integrate the 55 with the 16-50 for example? I really don't know what to do, also because I can't try these lenses.

09-05-2012, 08:14 AM	#4
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by gabro822 I also need a wide lens that I can buy with those money, but I really don't know what to do. Any suggestion? If you don't mind MF, and if you can find one, the Zeiss ZK 25/2.8 would be a very good option.

09-05-2012, 08:17 AM	#5
Ari Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 856	Originally posted by gabro822 Thank you very much for the answer. So you think is ok as both portrait lens and walk around? Isn't better to integrate the 55 with the 16-50 for example? I really don't know what to do, also because I can't try these lenses. That's what I ended up doing. I have the 16-50 and the 55. I needed the flexibility of a fast zoom for work, though. I kept the 55 for my own personal enjoyment. It's nice walking around with just a prime. And 31mm is such a more flexible focal length.

09-05-2012, 08:25 AM	#6
gabro822 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Milan Photos: Gallery Posts: 339 Original Poster	Originally posted by lytrytyr If you don't mind MF, and if you can find one, the Zeiss ZK 25/2.8 would be a very good option. Nope, unfortunately I don't like MF lenses because I prefer use them with a split screen, that I haven't. I thought to have found the perfect lens with the 31, but now, close to buy it, I really don't know what's the best.

09-05-2012, 08:28 AM	#7
gabro822 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Milan Photos: Gallery Posts: 339 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ari That's what I ended up doing. I have the 16-50 and the 55. I needed the flexibility of a fast zoom for work, though. I kept the 55 for my own personal enjoyment. It's nice walking around with just a prime. And 31mm is such a more flexible focal length. Yes, it's true, but I found myself ok with the 18-55 so I don't know why I should change in that field. For this reason I opted for the 31. May I ask to whom have the 31 to post a "street" shot and a portrait uncropped? just to know how "long" is it. Thank you.

09-05-2012, 08:31 AM	#8
Ari Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Freehold, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 856	Take a look at the FA ltd club's postings here in the forum to get some ideas: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/59538-fa-limited-club.html

09-05-2012, 09:05 AM	#9
gabro822 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Milan Photos: Gallery Posts: 339 Original Poster	Yes, is THAT club that increases my LBA eheheh But I don't know if those are crops or the whole images

09-05-2012, 09:17 AM	#10
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	I just bought the 31mm LTD last month and it is indeed and excellent lens. I also have a Sigma 50mm F/1.4 (no 55mm). The difference is significant enough that owning both works out very well. 31mm is not very wide on APS-C but it does make for an excellent walk around lens. If you go with the 31mm you wont be disappointed in the IQ or the quality of the construction of the lens. You can always sell it and get most of your money back out of it. It is definitely not a bad investment. From a size stand point the 31mm is about perfect for the K-5 without a grip. It is big enough that you can still cradle the lens.

09-05-2012, 09:53 AM	#11
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	28-30mm is actually perfect/true standard lens for APS-C, 55mm is already short tele.

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09-05-2012, 02:02 PM	#12
zosxavius Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Somewhere, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	28! My M28 3.5 is a really amazing lens both on ff and aps-c. I've been eyeing up the 31, but I think the 28 is too close and also gives a more useful FOV. My next prime is probably going to be a 35mm so I can get close to the classic 50mm. I think overall 40mm eq is a very usable FL and it is my swiss army knife. I switch a lot between a 28mm and a 50mm and I think maybe a 35 inbetween would be perfect. I like the 31, but its just such a weird focal length. So...I guess the question is will it fill a gap? If that's a yes, then snag one. They are really amazing lenses from the samples I've seen.

09-05-2012, 02:07 PM	#13
zosxavius Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Somewhere, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 458	Also pentax made a really nice 20mm if you are trying to go wider. It gives a fl of 30 on aps-c. 18mm is more useful imo, but a 12-24 and primes the rest of the way up starting at 20-24...28...35...50 is the way to go if you ask me. Try your 18-55 on a cheap film body. Its good from 24mm on. Set it at 18 and extrapolate the circle in your mind and get a taste for real wide angle.... If only pentax made a FF camera.......lol

09-05-2012, 02:19 PM	#14
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	I have FA31mm, DA55mm and FA85mm and all three are very great lenses that have very different use. They don't fight eachother, but have all something to offer that the others don't.

09-05-2012, 02:35 PM	#15
gabro822 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Milan Photos: Gallery Posts: 339 Original Poster	Thank you very much for advices and suggestions!! About the zeiss I can't find it!!