Originally posted by NitroDC As for the question of "is it worth it?" That's up to the user to decide. I'd have a hard time justifying the current price for an FA31 (the most pixie-dust-inducing lens on this forum) but I'm sure someone who isn't a university student could beg to differ, i.e. a professional photographer. Price is always relative to the consumer. To me, my 15mm Ltd was worth it as it basically opened up a new world of wide-angle shooting for me. (much wider than the 18mm kit lens, insane sharpness and incredible flare resistance) To someone who rarely shoots wide angle or just doesn't like the distorted perspective, obviously it's not going to be worth it.
I just thought I'd throw my cents in since I've been through my own journey in this too. I started hobbying in early 2008 when a friend started showing me the stuff he was doing with his Canon Rebel. I did my online research and picked up a K100D then right before I went on a trip to China, Javier (well known member here) loaned me a Tammy 70-300 for the trip. I barely knew enough but had the time of my life shooting on that 2 week trip. Got back from that buzzing then a couple months later got an FA50/1.4 for $200. During the summer of 2008 my wife's business died when the recession hit full tilt and from then on my income alone we went through seriously tight financial times that are still really tight to this day for the most part except for some spurts of extra income that came last year and this year. After the Fa50 in 2008, I hadn't spent more than $20 on a lens and I was happy to just enjoy what I had. I suddenly came into enough money last year to get a k-5, a DA15 and a DA35/2.4 all at the same time! Hog heaven baby!
This year I got an unexpected $3,600 bonus at work and I was torn because of the practical demands I should have spent the money on, but I got permission from the wife to be ridiculous and spend $1000 of it on whatever I wanted. I debated for some time and ultimately decided on an FA31 that I spent $950 on and received in early April. It was a tough decision but here was some of my rationale for the purchase:
I do photography for fun as a hobby.
I knew from my experience shooting that around 28mm is my favorite APS-C focal length for general all around shooting, especially family oriented stuff. This factor helped me justify the expense because I wagered that no matter how well I do photography or not, my family will appreciate the images down the line. At close to the 28mm length, I knew the 31 length would be fun and therefore help me to want to keep shooting. There aren't too many AF options in this general focal length. I of course debated hard about just getting the Siggy 30 and then being able to get at least one additional lens.... The 31 eventually won when I just decided if money weren't a factor which lens would I want. I debated about the FA35 too but I already knew I wanted something wider than 35 and faster because I have the DA35/2.4 (which I really like, and my 14yo daughter uses it a lot on my K100D)
I knew from my experience looking at tons of shots online that the FA31 gave really pleasing results to my eye in all regards.
I wagered that even if I decided that it was a relative mistake, I could most likely recoup a significant portion of my investment and then try a different route.
I knew that by spending that much money on one lens, it would make me try really hard to get my money out of it.
I do photography for fun as a hobby, and I only live once. I knew that this lens wouldn't make me a better photographer but I really enjoy the process of doing photography and knew that I would enjoy the heck out of this lens.
I do hope that Pentax eventually goes full frame (and that I'll get another spurt of income to acquire), but even if it doesn't, I have an ME Super I am intending to learn how to use and the FA31 will be fun there too no doubt.
There are probably more factors I would add if I had more time but I am being summoned by family.
I've been really enjoying the heck out of the 31 and have no regrets. I've noticed them selling for as "low" as $850 here on the forum since I got mine, but I had to get mine when I did because that money would surely have been sucked into bills had I tried to wait...
(I really want the FA77 too. I wow over just about every image I see posted from that lens and hopefully one day I will be able to own a copy. )