PLAD: Prime Lens Arsenal Dilema

dano1089 · 04-14-2013, 03:13 PM

I know this is very subjective, but I'd like some opinions....

I currently have: DA 18-135 WR , DA 70mm f/2.4, FA 35mm f/2.0. I just purchased a DA 55mm 1.4 for a really great price.

I am contemplating returning both the 70 and 35 in exchange for the fabled FA 31mm f/1.8?

My thoughts are that I'm covered nicely for portraits with the 55, can sacrifice the 70 and won't miss the 35 to purchase the 31.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

jkomp316 · 04-14-2013, 04:00 PM

two lenses > one lens

the optical quality of your lenses is very good - the improvement of the 31 would be marginal

BigMike · 04-14-2013, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by dano1089

I know this is very subjective, but I'd like some opinions....

I currently have: DA 18-135 WR , DA 70mm f/2.4, FA 35mm f/2.0. I just purchased a DA 55mm 1.4 for a really great price.

I am contemplating returning both the 70 and 35 in exchange for the fabled FA 31mm f/1.8?

My thoughts are that I'm covered nicely for portraits with the 55, can sacrifice the 70 and won't miss the 35 to purchase the 31.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!

I would do it, it's better to have one lens you'll love than two lenses that are just great. Furthermore, your focal lengths are still covered, so nothing to lose.

dano1089 · 04-14-2013, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by BigMike

I would do it, it's better to have one lens you'll love than two lenses that are just great. Furthermore, your focal lengths are still covered, so nothing to lose.

That's sorta the direction that I was leaning. While I admit to not having spent too much time with either the 35 or the 70, I'm just not too thrilled with either for some reason. I really wanted the 55 for it's weather sealing as I spend a lot of time at the beach. Since the 55 will work nicely for portrait and short telephoto shots, I may not use the 70 too much. I'd rather have the least number of lenses possible.

carrrlangas · 04-14-2013, 04:54 PM

I think your reasoning is good. Won´t miss the 70 and you can find out whether the 31 myth holds true!

Primes4ever · 04-14-2013, 05:15 PM

The 31 is worth the effort to get it. Your next acquisition should be the DA15 since you lack quality at wide angle. The 31 spends a lot of time on my camera, more than the other 7 primes or various zooms.

dano1089 · 04-14-2013, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Primes4ever

The 31 is worth the effort to get it. Your next acquisition should be the DA15 since you lack quality at wide angle. The 31 spends a lot of time on my camera, more than the other 7 primes or various zooms.

Yep. The 15 would really have me covered pretty well, but that shorter focal length are my least coveted. Either I just haven't mastered how to properly use a wide angle lens, or just don't take many pictures that need one. I'm hoping to be able to get by with my 18-135 on the wide end of things. Back in my film days, I only had a 50 for years until adding a cheap sears 135. I was given a 28 or 35 as a gift, but hardly ever used it.

hcc · 04-14-2013, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Primes4ever

The 31 is worth the effort to get it.

+1. Get the FA31mm now. Consider the Da15mm next.... I did the same and I love it.

lytrytyr · 04-14-2013, 06:41 PM

Originally posted by dano1089

can sacrifice the 70
Please let me know your thoughts.

If you do, you'll forfeit one of the fastest-focusing lenses in Pentaxland.

disya2 · 04-14-2013, 07:37 PM

Another vote for 31mm.

Right after getting one, I was slightly dissapointed because my copy was softer wide open than 77mm I had. However, stopped down to 2.2-2.8 it becomes amazingly sharp and at 4.0-5.6 it begs for more resolving sensor.

It took me some time to realise that it is the most used and versatile lens I have/had. The only thing it misses to aquire "the best lens ever" in my personal ranking is lack of WR.

jimr-pdx · 04-14-2013, 07:43 PM

I'd sure miss my 70, but you clearly aren't me or I'd remember posting this! er...

dano1089 · 04-14-2013, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by lytrytyr

If you do, you'll forfeit one of the fastest-focusing lenses in Pentaxland.

i'm sure it's so, but for what I do, If they don't slow down, they missed out on the opportunity for me to take their photo!

dano1089 · 04-14-2013, 08:36 PM

Originally posted by disya2

Another vote for 31mm.

Right after getting one, I was slightly dissapointed because my copy was softer wide open than 77mm I had. However, stopped down to 2.2-2.8 it becomes amazingly sharp and at 4.0-5.6 it begs for more resolving sensor.

It took me some time to realise that it is the most used and versatile lens I have/had. The only thing it misses to aquire "the best lens ever" in my personal ranking is lack of WR.

True, and I hope to have the WR covered with my 55mm.

dano1089 · 04-14-2013, 08:37 PM

Originally posted by jimr-pdx

I'd sure miss my 70, but you clearly aren't me or I'd remember posting this! er...

I'm sure I'm not you as I'm sure you're a much better photographer.

**Kerrowdown** · 04-15-2013, 01:27 AM

Originally posted by dano1089

contemplating returning

How does this work exactly?

Does this not go against the whole concept of LBA, you realise you could ostracised for this kind of heresy.

04-14-2013, 03:13 PM	#1
dano1089 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 9	PLAD: Prime Lens Arsenal Dilema I know this is very subjective, but I'd like some opinions.... I currently have: DA 18-135 WR , DA 70mm f/2.4, FA 35mm f/2.0. I just purchased a DA 55mm 1.4 for a really great price. I am contemplating returning both the 70 and 35 in exchange for the fabled FA 31mm f/1.8? My thoughts are that I'm covered nicely for portraits with the 55, can sacrifice the 70 and won't miss the 35 to purchase the 31. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

04-15-2013, 01:27 AM	#15
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,860	Originally posted by dano1089 contemplating returning How does this work exactly? Does this not go against the whole concept of LBA, you realise you could ostracised for this kind of heresy. Last edited by Kerrowdown; 04-15-2013 at 01:55 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A fisheye lens dilema... buy or not to buy..	kooks	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	15	05-14-2011 10:32 AM
I'm in a dilema re portrait lens for K20	bessa66	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	124	05-10-2011 04:44 PM
Maui Vacation-Best 3-lens Arsenal?	shutterbob	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	38	03-20-2009 01:43 AM
Lens buying dilema	BeerCan	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	03-08-2008 08:29 PM
go digital? or expand lens arsenal?	Blood_Junkie	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	15	01-23-2008 10:43 PM

04-14-2013, 04:00 PM	#2
jkomp316 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 227	two lenses > one lens the optical quality of your lenses is very good - the improvement of the 31 would be marginal

04-14-2013, 04:35 PM	#3
BigMike Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 104	Originally posted by dano1089 I know this is very subjective, but I'd like some opinions.... I currently have: DA 18-135 WR , DA 70mm f/2.4, FA 35mm f/2.0. I just purchased a DA 55mm 1.4 for a really great price. I am contemplating returning both the 70 and 35 in exchange for the fabled FA 31mm f/1.8? My thoughts are that I'm covered nicely for portraits with the 55, can sacrifice the 70 and won't miss the 35 to purchase the 31. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks! I would do it, it's better to have one lens you'll love than two lenses that are just great. Furthermore, your focal lengths are still covered, so nothing to lose.

04-14-2013, 04:48 PM	#4
dano1089 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMike I would do it, it's better to have one lens you'll love than two lenses that are just great. Furthermore, your focal lengths are still covered, so nothing to lose. That's sorta the direction that I was leaning. While I admit to not having spent too much time with either the 35 or the 70, I'm just not too thrilled with either for some reason. I really wanted the 55 for it's weather sealing as I spend a lot of time at the beach. Since the 55 will work nicely for portrait and short telephoto shots, I may not use the 70 too much. I'd rather have the least number of lenses possible.

04-14-2013, 04:54 PM	#5
carrrlangas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Joensuu (Finland) Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,761	I think your reasoning is good. Won´t miss the 70 and you can find out whether the 31 myth holds true!

04-14-2013, 05:15 PM	#6
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	The 31 is worth the effort to get it. Your next acquisition should be the DA15 since you lack quality at wide angle. The 31 spends a lot of time on my camera, more than the other 7 primes or various zooms.

04-14-2013, 05:30 PM	#7
dano1089 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by Primes4ever The 31 is worth the effort to get it. Your next acquisition should be the DA15 since you lack quality at wide angle. The 31 spends a lot of time on my camera, more than the other 7 primes or various zooms. Yep. The 15 would really have me covered pretty well, but that shorter focal length are my least coveted. Either I just haven't mastered how to properly use a wide angle lens, or just don't take many pictures that need one. I'm hoping to be able to get by with my 18-135 on the wide end of things. Back in my film days, I only had a 50 for years until adding a cheap sears 135. I was given a 28 or 35 as a gift, but hardly ever used it.

04-14-2013, 05:59 PM	#8
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,004	Originally posted by Primes4ever The 31 is worth the effort to get it. +1. Get the FA31mm now. Consider the Da15mm next.... I did the same and I love it.

04-14-2013, 06:41 PM	#9
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by dano1089 can sacrifice the 70 Please let me know your thoughts. If you do, you'll forfeit one of the fastest-focusing lenses in Pentaxland.

04-14-2013, 07:37 PM	#10
disya2 Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 91	Another vote for 31mm. Right after getting one, I was slightly dissapointed because my copy was softer wide open than 77mm I had. However, stopped down to 2.2-2.8 it becomes amazingly sharp and at 4.0-5.6 it begs for more resolving sensor. It took me some time to realise that it is the most used and versatile lens I have/had. The only thing it misses to aquire "the best lens ever" in my personal ranking is lack of WR.

04-14-2013, 07:43 PM	#11
jimr-pdx Pentaxian Join Date: May 2010 Location: now 1 hour north of PDX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,897	I'd sure miss my 70, but you clearly aren't me or I'd remember posting this! er...

04-14-2013, 08:35 PM	#12
dano1089 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by lytrytyr If you do, you'll forfeit one of the fastest-focusing lenses in Pentaxland. i'm sure it's so, but for what I do, If they don't slow down, they missed out on the opportunity for me to take their photo!

04-14-2013, 08:36 PM	#13
dano1089 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by disya2 Another vote for 31mm. Right after getting one, I was slightly dissapointed because my copy was softer wide open than 77mm I had. However, stopped down to 2.2-2.8 it becomes amazingly sharp and at 4.0-5.6 it begs for more resolving sensor. It took me some time to realise that it is the most used and versatile lens I have/had. The only thing it misses to aquire "the best lens ever" in my personal ranking is lack of WR. True, and I hope to have the WR covered with my 55mm.

04-14-2013, 08:37 PM	#14
dano1089 New Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by jimr-pdx I'd sure miss my 70, but you clearly aren't me or I'd remember posting this! er... I'm sure I'm not you as I'm sure you're a much better photographer.