FA 31mm 1.8 vs DA 15mm Limited

**Hattifnatt** · 09-02-2013, 12:38 AM

Hi guys,

I have a problem.... until a few days ago, I was preparing to buy a DA 15mm limited for my K5. Finally decided to pick it after spending a long time comparing it with Sigma 8-16 and DA 12-24. But now I have another problem, I have an occasion to get a sh FA 31mm 1.8 at about the same price as the 15. The 31 is almost new and comes with a 2 year warranty. Should I take the offer and get it? My main target is landscape photography, and so far my lens lineup is: 18-55 WR, 50-200 WR, 35mm f2.4 (the plastic wonder) and 16-45 mm.

Adam · 09-02-2013, 12:41 AM

The 15mm is significantly wider than the 31mm, so I guess it all comes down to which lens you want first

If you can get the 31mm for the same price, that sounds like a really good deal.

**Hattifnatt** · 09-02-2013, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by Adam

The 15mm is significantly wider than the 31mm, so I guess it all comes down to which lens you want first

If you can get the 31mm for the same price, that sounds like a really good deal.

I think I have more need for the 15mm considering my style of shooting... still the legendary 31mm is quite tempting at the same price, I don't know when I could afford it to buy at its normal price, therefore the indecision. Will it be significantly sharper than the 15mm?

Adam · 09-02-2013, 12:49 AM

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

I think I have more need for the 15mm considering my style of shooting... still the legendary 31mm is quite tempting at the same price, I don't know when I could afford it to buy at its normal price, therefore the indecision. Will it be significantly sharper than the 15mm?

I wouldn't necessarily call it sharper, but it can resolve more detail in general thanks to its higher magnification. At times, and in my opinion, 16 MP is just not enough to be able to flexibly crop shots from the 15mm that aren't close-ups.

Adam
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Sandy Hancock · 09-02-2013, 01:05 AM

I love the DA15, but it is *very* wide, and quite soft at the edges until about f/8.0, while the FA31 is pretty good from the get-go. From f/2.8 it is sharp edge to edge; of course it's designed for 35mm film so APS-C doesn't tax its true edges at all.

I would get the FA31. You won't find a better fast normal to slowly build your premium kit around, and it seems like you're getting a bargain. The DA15 is more of a specialty lens to me.

Clavius · 09-02-2013, 01:19 AM

If I were in your situation, I would definitely get the new HD DA 15 ltd. It's not only sharp and wide, but also extremely flare resistant, has very good (micro) contrasts and colours. The new improvements of the coating and aperture blades promise even better results. And it's just plain fun. The 31 is a bit too normal to be categorized as "fun" imho.

The DA 15 has cons too of course. Shooting from F8 and ISO 80 means you're lugging around a tripod about 95% of the time. Which kinda completely negates the compactness of the lens. But as a landscape shooter, you should be used to lugging around a sturdy tripod.

**Digitalis** · 09-02-2013, 01:30 AM

I have found for landscape photography the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 ASPH is noticeably sharper in the corners at f/8 than the DA15. The sigma lens also has better control of lens aberrations, however you lose the ability to use filters with the 8-16mm and the sigma lens typically isn't anywhere near as resistant to flare as the Pentax DA15 is, there is also this:

The sigma 8-16mm is a BIG lens compared to the DA15 f/4 ASPH Limited.

The FA31mm f/1.8 is an excellent choice for general photography, it is also very good for panoramic photography due to its consistent sharpness across the frame and low distortion.

**Hattifnatt** · 09-02-2013, 01:34 AM

Of course I already have a study tripod. Thing is 31mm is not what I need right now, since I have this focal range covered quite good by the 35 2.4 and the 16-45, but... I doubt I will ever find an almost new 31mm at around 746$.

**savoche** · 09-02-2013, 01:39 AM

Two very different lenses.

I love my 15 and wouldn't be without it, but a 31 for the same price? Not having the 31, I would be very tempted to swap if I got the offer. Then buy another 15 as soon as I got an opportunity to do so.

So I suppose my answer is to get both

Seriously though, it sounds like you need the 15 more. It's just that I find it very hard to recommend turning down such a good offer on an FA31. Even if it will do more or less the same as your DA35 does today - better.

**Hattifnatt** · 09-02-2013, 01:42 AM

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, take advantage of the offer and get the 31 today, and delay the 15 a bit later. During this time I will also see how the new HD 15 performs, right?

Sandy Hancock · 09-02-2013, 01:51 AM

Sell your 35 and one of your 16/18-45/55 zooms (or both....) and buy both the DA15 and FA31

**savoche** · 09-02-2013, 03:01 AM

Originally posted by Hattifnatt

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, take advantage of the offer and get the 31 today, and delay the 15 a bit later. During this time I will also see how the new HD 15 performs, right?

Yes, that too is a point. Even though I doubt the HD can be significantly better. That's not possible

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

Sell your 35 and one of your 16/18-45/55 zooms (or both....) and buy both the DA15 and FA31

That is actually good advice. If selling (some) of what you have can help you get both, I'd say go for it. The only drawback I can see with 31 ltd vs 35/2.4 is size.

percy · 09-02-2013, 03:32 AM

The 15 is a great lens, but quite different to the 31. I like them both. If you can get the 31 for the same price as a 15, I would go for that. It sounds like a good deal. Then I would start saving for the 15 again!

**Hattifnatt** · 09-02-2013, 03:36 AM

Thank you... I think I will do just that (getting the 31 and start saving again for the 15). I'm not selling my 35mm 2.4 though, this small lens is a wonder at this price

Primes4ever · 09-02-2013, 04:04 AM

Good choice as the 31 is a relative bargain and earns its legendary reputation. Once you have it, you will not be using your 35, the 31 is that good.

The 15 is also a great lens and worthy of saving for it.

09-02-2013, 12:38 AM	#1
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625	FA 31mm 1.8 vs DA 15mm Limited Hi guys, I have a problem.... until a few days ago, I was preparing to buy a DA 15mm limited for my K5. Finally decided to pick it after spending a long time comparing it with Sigma 8-16 and DA 12-24. But now I have another problem, I have an occasion to get a sh FA 31mm 1.8 at about the same price as the 15. The 31 is almost new and comes with a 2 year warranty. Should I take the offer and get it? My main target is landscape photography, and so far my lens lineup is: 18-55 WR, 50-200 WR, 35mm f2.4 (the plastic wonder) and 16-45 mm.

09-02-2013, 12:41 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	The 15mm is significantly wider than the 31mm, so I guess it all comes down to which lens you want first If you can get the 31mm for the same price, that sounds like a really good deal. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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09-02-2013, 12:44 AM	#3
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam The 15mm is significantly wider than the 31mm, so I guess it all comes down to which lens you want first If you can get the 31mm for the same price, that sounds like a really good deal. I think I have more need for the 15mm considering my style of shooting... still the legendary 31mm is quite tempting at the same price, I don't know when I could afford it to buy at its normal price, therefore the indecision. Will it be significantly sharper than the 15mm?

09-02-2013, 12:49 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Originally posted by Hattifnatt I think I have more need for the 15mm considering my style of shooting... still the legendary 31mm is quite tempting at the same price, I don't know when I could afford it to buy at its normal price, therefore the indecision. Will it be significantly sharper than the 15mm? I wouldn't necessarily call it sharper, but it can resolve more detail in general thanks to its higher magnification. At times, and in my opinion, 16 MP is just not enough to be able to flexibly crop shots from the 15mm that aren't close-ups. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

09-02-2013, 01:05 AM	#5
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I love the DA15, but it is very wide, and quite soft at the edges until about f/8.0, while the FA31 is pretty good from the get-go. From f/2.8 it is sharp edge to edge; of course it's designed for 35mm film so APS-C doesn't tax its true edges at all. I would get the FA31. You won't find a better fast normal to slowly build your premium kit around, and it seems like you're getting a bargain. The DA15 is more of a specialty lens to me.

09-02-2013, 01:19 AM	#6
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	If I were in your situation, I would definitely get the new HD DA 15 ltd. It's not only sharp and wide, but also extremely flare resistant, has very good (micro) contrasts and colours. The new improvements of the coating and aperture blades promise even better results. And it's just plain fun. The 31 is a bit too normal to be categorized as "fun" imho. The DA 15 has cons too of course. Shooting from F8 and ISO 80 means you're lugging around a tripod about 95% of the time. Which kinda completely negates the compactness of the lens. But as a landscape shooter, you should be used to lugging around a sturdy tripod.

09-02-2013, 01:30 AM	#7
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I have found for landscape photography the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 ASPH is noticeably sharper in the corners at f/8 than the DA15. The sigma lens also has better control of lens aberrations, however you lose the ability to use filters with the 8-16mm and the sigma lens typically isn't anywhere near as resistant to flare as the Pentax DA15 is, there is also this: The sigma 8-16mm is a BIG lens compared to the DA15 f/4 ASPH Limited. The FA31mm f/1.8 is an excellent choice for general photography, it is also very good for panoramic photography due to its consistent sharpness across the frame and low distortion.

09-02-2013, 01:34 AM	#8
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625 Original Poster	Of course I already have a study tripod. Thing is 31mm is not what I need right now, since I have this focal range covered quite good by the 35 2.4 and the 16-45, but... I doubt I will ever find an almost new 31mm at around 746$.

09-02-2013, 01:39 AM	#9
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Two very different lenses. I love my 15 and wouldn't be without it, but a 31 for the same price? Not having the 31, I would be very tempted to swap if I got the offer. Then buy another 15 as soon as I got an opportunity to do so. So I suppose my answer is to get both Seriously though, it sounds like you need the 15 more. It's just that I find it very hard to recommend turning down such a good offer on an FA31. Even if it will do more or less the same as your DA35 does today - better.

09-02-2013, 01:42 AM	#10
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625 Original Poster	Yeah, that's what I was thinking, take advantage of the offer and get the 31 today, and delay the 15 a bit later. During this time I will also see how the new HD 15 performs, right?

09-02-2013, 01:51 AM	#11
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	Sell your 35 and one of your 16/18-45/55 zooms (or both....) and buy both the DA15 and FA31

09-02-2013, 03:01 AM	#12
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Hattifnatt Yeah, that's what I was thinking, take advantage of the offer and get the 31 today, and delay the 15 a bit later. During this time I will also see how the new HD 15 performs, right? Yes, that too is a point. Even though I doubt the HD can be significantly better. That's not possible Originally posted by Sandy Hancock Sell your 35 and one of your 16/18-45/55 zooms (or both....) and buy both the DA15 and FA31 That is actually good advice. If selling (some) of what you have can help you get both, I'd say go for it. The only drawback I can see with 31 ltd vs 35/2.4 is size.

09-02-2013, 03:32 AM	#13
percy Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Herefordshire, UK Posts: 197	The 15 is a great lens, but quite different to the 31. I like them both. If you can get the 31 for the same price as a 15, I would go for that. It sounds like a good deal. Then I would start saving for the 15 again!

09-02-2013, 03:36 AM	#14
Hattifnatt Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bucharest Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,625 Original Poster	Thank you... I think I will do just that (getting the 31 and start saving again for the 15). I'm not selling my 35mm 2.4 though, this small lens is a wonder at this price

09-02-2013, 04:04 AM	#15
Primes4ever Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179	Good choice as the 31 is a relative bargain and earns its legendary reputation. Once you have it, you will not be using your 35, the 31 is that good. The 15 is also a great lens and worthy of saving for it.