FA 31mm or the new Sigma 35mm

nirVaan · 02-15-2013, 11:32 PM

hi

looking for a new prime lense. which one would you guys recommend out of the two. the new Sigma 35mm f1.4 or the FA 31mm Ltd

thankz

Phii Mii · 02-16-2013, 01:36 AM

I don't own any of these two lenses but I have tried both of them and I'd recommend Sigma 35mm f1.4. The FA 31mm Ltd is a very good lens but it's overpriced and not worth the cost.

DSims · 02-16-2013, 02:40 AM - **1 Like**

The FA31 is worth the cost. It may be your most challenging lens to get photos you like out of it.

I still can't decide how much I like mine, but I recognize that no other lens will give you such smooth transitions from in-focus to out-of-focus (typically background) areas - so smooth that you really can't tell where it goes out of focus. This is both a blessing and a curse, because in-focus objects typically do not stand out the same way they do with most other fast lenses.

In fact, my then 12-year old daughter once complained that a shot of a bride I took overlooking the Golden Gate bridge looked "phony, like I cut the bride out in Photoshop and placed her over the background." Of course the background was a great distance away, which must have made a difference (no in-between objects), but the irony was that this was the natural effect from one of the best lenses ever made (and we're simply not accustomed to seeing images from such lenses).

Hardly any other lenses in the world do these smooth transitions as well as the FA31. But that doesn't mean you'll like the lens - it just means it's worth a try. In the end you may even like the Sigma better and should own it instead - but it isn't very special, while the FA31 is.

Also, the FA31 is more likely than other lenses to produce images that look boring on the back of the camera but are nice when you get them home on the computer - so don't give up and take the lens off too quickly when you're shooting with it!

Zav · 02-16-2013, 04:45 AM

Phii Mii, would you be able to give us more details? I have a FA31 and I am really curious to know if the new Sigma is a 31 killer.

p44f · 02-16-2013, 04:56 AM

Originally posted by Zav

Phii Mii, would you be able to give us more details? I have a FA31 and I am really curious to know if the new Sigma is a 31 killer.

If Sigma sits on Pentax

Bestzoom · 02-16-2013, 05:03 AM

I have many lenses and zooms for my K5 (don't have Sigma 35).
If i can only keep one lens, it has to be FA31mm.

Phii Mii · 02-16-2013, 05:38 AM

Originally posted by Zav

Phii Mii, would you be able to give us more details? I have a FA31 and I am really curious to know if the new Sigma is a 31 killer.

Well, I don't think I said that Sigma is a 31 killer

but I claim that it's not worth the price. Where I live the 31 cost USD 2055 and Sigma USD 1265. But it may not be the same in other places? But if I didn't have to care about the cost at all I'd go for the 31. Or why not both

As I said I don't own any of them and I don't have any plans of bying them. I have my DA*55 which I'll keep as 55mm fits me better than both 31 and 35mm.

Last edited by Phii Mii; 02-16-2013 at 05:43 AM.

Allison · 02-16-2013, 06:07 AM

There is nothing like the 31. These are the most LBA inducing pieces of glass ever. I have never tried the sigma and I am sure it is a nice lens, but the 31 is worth the cost.

Primes4ever · 02-16-2013, 06:26 AM

I have had the FA 31 for five months and my only regret was waiting so long. The IQ is amazing and it has become my most used walkabout lens. It is costly but so is the new Sigma. I have a lot of great primes including four DA Limiteds and I consider the FA31 the best of the best.

David&karen · 02-16-2013, 07:55 AM

From what I have read about the Sigma 35mm F1.4 it is over 300g heaver and an inch longer than the Pentax 31mm f1.8. If the Pentax FF camera is released the Pentax lens is also significantly wider than the Sigma, all considerations, and I consider the two lenses to be quite different

David

mikeSF · 02-16-2013, 11:00 AM - **4 Likes**

I only thought the FA was expensive until I bought one. I swear that lens is worth every penny and I'd pay more for it if I ever needed to replace mine.

Phii Mii · 02-16-2013, 12:52 PM - **1 Like**

mikeSF looking at your photos could turn anyone to think that it's worth the cost.

nirVaan · 02-16-2013, 05:30 PM

well over here the FA cost only 2000 yen more. thats like only US$20. But the Sigma is in fact 2 times heavier than the FA 31 and i get the feeling the 31 can do almost everything the sigma can do. the main reason me sticking with pentax is the compact size and the vintage quality prime lenses so i guess ill go for the 31mm

EarlVonTapia · 02-16-2013, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

I only thought the FA was expensive until I bought one. I swear that lens is worth every penny and I'd pay more for it if I ever needed to replace mine.

Another amazing photo. Love that starburst. I've already used one of your photos as a computer wallpaper for photographic inspiration.

**Digitalis** · 02-16-2013, 07:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Allison

There is nothing like the 31

succinctly put.

02-15-2013, 11:32 PM	#1
nirVaan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tokyo Posts: 115	FA 31mm or the new Sigma 35mm hi looking for a new prime lense. which one would you guys recommend out of the two. the new Sigma 35mm f1.4 or the FA 31mm Ltd thankz

02-16-2013, 02:40 AM - 1 Like	#3
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	The FA31 is worth the cost. It may be your most challenging lens to get photos you like out of it. I still can't decide how much I like mine, but I recognize that no other lens will give you such smooth transitions from in-focus to out-of-focus (typically background) areas - so smooth that you really can't tell where it goes out of focus. This is both a blessing and a curse, because in-focus objects typically do not stand out the same way they do with most other fast lenses. In fact, my then 12-year old daughter once complained that a shot of a bride I took overlooking the Golden Gate bridge looked "phony, like I cut the bride out in Photoshop and placed her over the background." Of course the background was a great distance away, which must have made a difference (no in-between objects), but the irony was that this was the natural effect from one of the best lenses ever made (and we're simply not accustomed to seeing images from such lenses). Hardly any other lenses in the world do these smooth transitions as well as the FA31. But that doesn't mean you'll like the lens - it just means it's worth a try. In the end you may even like the Sigma better and should own it instead - but it isn't very special, while the FA31 is. Also, the FA31 is more likely than other lenses to produce images that look boring on the back of the camera but are nice when you get them home on the computer - so don't give up and take the lens off too quickly when you're shooting with it! Last edited by DSims; 02-16-2013 at 03:18 AM.

02-16-2013, 11:00 AM - 4 Likes	#11
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	I only thought the FA was expensive until I bought one. I swear that lens is worth every penny and I'd pay more for it if I ever needed to replace mine. Last edited by mikeSF; 02-16-2013 at 11:13 AM.

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02-16-2013, 01:36 AM	#2
Phii Mii Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 27	I don't own any of these two lenses but I have tried both of them and I'd recommend Sigma 35mm f1.4. The FA 31mm Ltd is a very good lens but it's overpriced and not worth the cost.

02-16-2013, 04:45 AM	#4
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Phii Mii, would you be able to give us more details? I have a FA31 and I am really curious to know if the new Sigma is a 31 killer.

02-16-2013, 04:56 AM	#5
p44f Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ljubljana Posts: 26	Originally posted by Zav Phii Mii, would you be able to give us more details? I have a FA31 and I am really curious to know if the new Sigma is a 31 killer. If Sigma sits on Pentax

02-16-2013, 05:03 AM	#6
Bestzoom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 232	I have many lenses and zooms for my K5 (don't have Sigma 35). If i can only keep one lens, it has to be FA31mm.

02-16-2013, 05:38 AM	#7
Phii Mii Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 27	Originally posted by Zav Phii Mii, would you be able to give us more details? I have a FA31 and I am really curious to know if the new Sigma is a 31 killer. Well, I don't think I said that Sigma is a 31 killer but I claim that it's not worth the price. Where I live the 31 cost USD 2055 and Sigma USD 1265. But it may not be the same in other places? But if I didn't have to care about the cost at all I'd go for the 31. Or why not both As I said I don't own any of them and I don't have any plans of bying them. I have my DA55 which I'll keep as 55mm fits me better than both 31 and 35mm. Last edited by Phii Mii; 02-16-2013 at 05:43 AM.*

02-16-2013, 06:07 AM	#8
Allison Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 667	There is nothing like the 31. These are the most LBA inducing pieces of glass ever. I have never tried the sigma and I am sure it is a nice lens, but the 31 is worth the cost.

02-16-2013, 06:26 AM	#9
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	I have had the FA 31 for five months and my only regret was waiting so long. The IQ is amazing and it has become my most used walkabout lens. It is costly but so is the new Sigma. I have a lot of great primes including four DA Limiteds and I consider the FA31 the best of the best.

02-16-2013, 07:55 AM	#10
David&karen Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 327	From what I have read about the Sigma 35mm F1.4 it is over 300g heaver and an inch longer than the Pentax 31mm f1.8. If the Pentax FF camera is released the Pentax lens is also significantly wider than the Sigma, all considerations, and I consider the two lenses to be quite different David

02-16-2013, 12:52 PM - 1 Like	#12
Phii Mii Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 27	mikeSF looking at your photos could turn anyone to think that it's worth the cost.

02-16-2013, 05:30 PM	#13
nirVaan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tokyo Posts: 115 Original Poster	well over here the FA cost only 2000 yen more. thats like only US$20. But the Sigma is in fact 2 times heavier than the FA 31 and i get the feeling the 31 can do almost everything the sigma can do. the main reason me sticking with pentax is the compact size and the vintage quality prime lenses so i guess ill go for the 31mm

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02-16-2013, 06:13 PM	#14
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by mikeSF I only thought the FA was expensive until I bought one. I swear that lens is worth every penny and I'd pay more for it if I ever needed to replace mine. Another amazing photo. Love that starburst. I've already used one of your photos as a computer wallpaper for photographic inspiration.

02-16-2013, 07:10 PM - 1 Like	#15
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Allison There is nothing like the 31 succinctly put.