Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

heatherslightbox · 04-01-2008, 07:37 PM

I've been doing some thinking about where I want my lens roadmap to go (it seems as if I've been doing a lot of wandering around lately) and while there's a part of me that would eventually love to have the 31, another part of me can't quite stomach spending $850 for a new one. Whichever one I would get would need to have a aperture ring so I can use it with my K1000. Some ideas I have come up with include the following:

FA28/2.8
FA*24/2
FA20/2.8

Besides IQ, weight is important to me--I don't want it to be too heavy, otherwise I'd put the Sigmas on the list. While not an absolute requirement, I'd prefer that it have AF capability, as well.

I think my next major lens purchase is going to be the 77, so there's no rush, but I'd just like to get an idea of where I'm going. Eventually, I want to have a bag full of quality keepers, so I can put my money towards other things like new bodies and cool accessories.

Thanks!
Heather

aegisphan · 04-01-2008, 07:40 PM

The FA 24 and 20 would put you too close to the price of a FA 31 anyway. I guess FA 28 would be your best choice.

messthetics · 04-01-2008, 08:03 PM

How about the Sigma 30mm f1.4? It's a very nice piece of glass and you get an extra stop advantage.

metalfab · 04-01-2008, 08:29 PM

How about the A 28mm f/2.8, I paid $119 Canadian for mine. 1 image so far as I just got it yesterday.

k100d · 04-01-2008, 08:55 PM

why haven't you included the FA35 on the list?
aperture ring, probably one of the sharpest wide lenses ever made by Pentax, fast, relatively affordable

aegisphan · 04-01-2008, 09:05 PM

She probably feels that the 35 would be too close to the 43. But I don't want to put words in other's mouth. Either way, I have to agree that the FA35 would be an excellent contender. Any of the those 3 FAs would be much harder to find than the 35 one.

PentaxPoke · 04-01-2008, 10:19 PM

My vote is for the FA 35f/2 as well.

Abbazz · 04-01-2008, 11:26 PM

Sigma 24/1.8 EX. Good lens, sharp, fast, useful close focus feature. And cheaper than the 31 Limited!

Cheers!

Abbazz

davide78 · 04-02-2008, 04:19 AM

My vote is for the FA 28/2.8. An excellent normal on Digital, and a wonderful wideangle on Film.

RBellavance · 04-02-2008, 04:26 AM

I'd go for the Sigma 28mm f/1.8 or the FA35mm f/2.0.

egordon99 · 04-02-2008, 05:18 AM

FA 35mm f/2.0!

heatherslightbox · 04-02-2008, 09:33 AM

Thanks for the good suggestions! Weight-wise, the FA28 wins hands-down at 6.5oz., but I would need to see some more pics taken with it before deciding on it. I checked pbase.com's database and there aren't that many pics and they vary greatly in IQ--some are very good while others look so fuzzy that they look like they were taken with a cheap film P&S.
Pentax smc P-FA 28mm f/2.8 AL Lens Sample Photos and Specifications

While it's a good bit heavier, the Sigma 30/1.4 looks interesting, as well and the IQ from the pics I've seen is pretty decent. The only other downfall to this one besides the weight is that it's for APS-C sensor cameras only. Of course, I could hang on to my M28/2.8 for the K1000.

The Sigma 28 is also a contender, but again, there's the weight issue. Price-wise, it's not too much more expensive brand new than a FA28, which is a plus and I can use it on the K1000, too.

To answer the question why the FA35 isn't in contention--it's too close to the 43.

This is one of those cases where I wish there was a B&H in Florida that I could go to and actually touch and play with the lenses.

Like I said, this is a ways off, so I'm still open to other suggestions.

Heather

benplaut · 04-02-2008, 04:30 PM

I've got a Sigma 28/1.8, and loving it. The weight and size are an issue, but it's well balanced and still smaller than most zooms... just a bit bigger than you'd expect for a prime. Super sharp, 1:2.3 macro, and great IQ except for a bit of flare (a better hood would do the trick).

Samples, the last one showing bokeh:

figure-five · 04-04-2008, 12:02 PM

I picked this lens up recently from another forum member. I'm very pleased with it so far, have found the FA 35 FOV a little too constricting, the 28mm is more relaxed & versatile. I made a few hundred exposures with this lens on a recent trip, I'll post a link to them when I get around to PP'ing.

If you already have the 43mm then you have one fast super-bokeh lens. I can't imagine needing more than one of these!

Shashinki · 04-04-2008, 03:08 PM

i vote sigma 30mm 1.4! their 28mm is a tad too big and bulky for my tastes.

04-01-2008, 07:37 PM	#1
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599	Less expensive quality alternatives to 31? I've been doing some thinking about where I want my lens roadmap to go (it seems as if I've been doing a lot of wandering around lately) and while there's a part of me that would eventually love to have the 31, another part of me can't quite stomach spending $850 for a new one. Whichever one I would get would need to have a aperture ring so I can use it with my K1000. Some ideas I have come up with include the following: FA28/2.8 FA*24/2 FA20/2.8 Besides IQ, weight is important to me--I don't want it to be too heavy, otherwise I'd put the Sigmas on the list. While not an absolute requirement, I'd prefer that it have AF capability, as well. I think my next major lens purchase is going to be the 77, so there's no rush, but I'd just like to get an idea of where I'm going. Eventually, I want to have a bag full of quality keepers, so I can put my money towards other things like new bodies and cool accessories. Thanks! Heather

04-02-2008, 09:33 AM	#12
heatherslightbox Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gainesville, FL Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,599 Original Poster	What I'm thinking... Thanks for the good suggestions! Weight-wise, the FA28 wins hands-down at 6.5oz., but I would need to see some more pics taken with it before deciding on it. I checked pbase.com's database and there aren't that many pics and they vary greatly in IQ--some are very good while others look so fuzzy that they look like they were taken with a cheap film P&S. Pentax smc P-FA 28mm f/2.8 AL Lens Sample Photos and Specifications While it's a good bit heavier, the Sigma 30/1.4 looks interesting, as well and the IQ from the pics I've seen is pretty decent. The only other downfall to this one besides the weight is that it's for APS-C sensor cameras only. Of course, I could hang on to my M28/2.8 for the K1000. The Sigma 28 is also a contender, but again, there's the weight issue. Price-wise, it's not too much more expensive brand new than a FA28, which is a plus and I can use it on the K1000, too. To answer the question why the FA35 isn't in contention--it's too close to the 43. This is one of those cases where I wish there was a B&H in Florida that I could go to and actually touch and play with the lenses. Like I said, this is a ways off, so I'm still open to other suggestions. Heather

04-04-2008, 12:02 PM	#14
figure-five Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 86	FA 28mm I picked this lens up recently from another forum member. I'm very pleased with it so far, have found the FA 35 FOV a little too constricting, the 28mm is more relaxed & versatile. I made a few hundred exposures with this lens on a recent trip, I'll post a link to them when I get around to PP'ing. If you already have the 43mm then you have one fast super-bokeh lens. I can't imagine needing more than one of these!

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04-01-2008, 07:40 PM	#2
aegisphan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 815	The FA 24 and 20 would put you too close to the price of a FA 31 anyway. I guess FA 28 would be your best choice.

04-01-2008, 08:03 PM	#3
messthetics Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 137	How about the Sigma 30mm f1.4? It's a very nice piece of glass and you get an extra stop advantage.

04-01-2008, 08:29 PM	#4
metalfab Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 302	How about the A 28mm f/2.8, I paid $119 Canadian for mine. 1 image so far as I just got it yesterday.

04-01-2008, 08:55 PM	#5
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	why haven't you included the FA35 on the list? aperture ring, probably one of the sharpest wide lenses ever made by Pentax, fast, relatively affordable

04-01-2008, 09:05 PM	#6
aegisphan Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 815	She probably feels that the 35 would be too close to the 43. But I don't want to put words in other's mouth. Either way, I have to agree that the FA35 would be an excellent contender. Any of the those 3 FAs would be much harder to find than the 35 one.

04-01-2008, 10:19 PM	#7
PentaxPoke Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,411	My vote is for the FA 35f/2 as well.

04-01-2008, 11:26 PM	#8
Abbazz Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Jakarta Posts: 667	Sigma 24/1.8 EX. Good lens, sharp, fast, useful close focus feature. And cheaper than the 31 Limited! Cheers! Abbazz

04-02-2008, 04:19 AM	#9
davide78 New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Verona, Italy Posts: 15	My vote is for the FA 28/2.8. An excellent normal on Digital, and a wonderful wideangle on Film.

04-02-2008, 04:26 AM	#10
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	I'd go for the Sigma 28mm f/1.8 or the FA35mm f/2.0.

04-02-2008, 05:18 AM	#11
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	FA 35mm f/2.0!

04-02-2008, 04:30 PM	#13
benplaut Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central NY Posts: 268	I've got a Sigma 28/1.8, and loving it. The weight and size are an issue, but it's well balanced and still smaller than most zooms... just a bit bigger than you'd expect for a prime. Super sharp, 1:2.3 macro, and great IQ except for a bit of flare (a better hood would do the trick). Samples, the last one showing bokeh:

04-04-2008, 03:08 PM	#15
Shashinki Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 355	i vote sigma 30mm 1.4! their 28mm is a tad too big and bulky for my tastes.

Less expensive quality alternatives to 31?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!