FA 35 or wait for FA 31

Crayfish · 12-27-2013, 05:38 AM

Driline,
Some of our brothers can be tight with their money, so I recommend you get that DA31,
and if you are not satisfied with it, then I would then give it to me, I mean him.

Driline · 12-27-2013, 06:34 AM

Originally posted by Crayfish

Driline,
Some of our brothers can be tight with their money, so I recommend you get that DA31,
and if you are not satisfied with it, then I would then give it to me, I mean him.

You mean FA 31

Driline · 12-27-2013, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by calculator01

If I didn't get a steal on my 31, I would never have bought it. It was way down on the list of must haves, close to the don't needs.

I can't give a full review yet, as I have not had the 31 long enough yet. But my list of recommendations, based on my opinion, is the DA 35, FA 31, DA 35 Ltd, FA 35. In that order.

Wow you have quite the collection of fantastic lenses including the three amigos. Your experience tells you the DA 35 is superior in your opinion?

NickLarsson · 12-27-2013, 06:39 AM

You are talking about landscapes, so for the price of the FA 31 you can get the FA 35 (or DA 35) and the DA 15...

tclausen · 12-27-2013, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by NickLarsson

You are talking about landscapes, so for the price of the FA 31 you can get the FA 35 (or DA 35) and the DA 15...

And yet, as nice as the DA15 is, you*still* will not have the FA31 if taking this path, and the lust will return ...

Driline · 12-27-2013, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by tclausen

And yet, as nice as the DA15 is, you*still* will not have the FA31 if taking this path, and the lust will return ...

Which is why I will wait. I've pored over the images on the pentax forums here between all of the 35mm lenses and the 31mm.The FA 31 just has that special pop to it that I don't see in the other photographs.

tclausen · 12-27-2013, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by Driline

Which is why I will wait. I've pored over the images on the pentax forums here between all of the 35mm lenses and the 31mm.The FA 31 just has that special pop to it that I don't see in the other photographs.

You won't regret this decision, I promise you. I take as many shots with my 31mm as I do with all the other lenses, combined.

calculator01 · 12-28-2013, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by Driline

Wow you have quite the collection of fantastic lenses including the three amigos. Your experience tells you the DA 35 is superior in your opinion?

For the money, I would take the DA 35 2.4... At this point anyway. I haven't ran enough images through the 31 to be fair to it, but it and the 77 are on the list of lenses that I could easily part with for the right price.

For the plastic fantastic, it produces images that are very pleasing in terms of color and quality. Even though it is plastic, I still prefer its build to the F/FA series (other than Ltds)

This is all IMO

yorik · 12-29-2013, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by calculator01

For the money, I would take the DA 35 2.4... At this point anyway. I haven't ran enough images through the 31 to be fair to it, but it and the 77 are on the list of lenses that I could easily part with for the right price.

For the plastic fantastic, it produces images that are very pleasing in terms of color and quality. Even though it is plastic, I still prefer its build to the F/FA series (other than Ltds)

This is all IMO

I am not willing to part with the 31 yet, though I could see this happening in the future... But I will never part with the 77.

Are you (Driline) sure you want that focal length?

Driline · 12-29-2013, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by yorik

Are you (Driline) sure you want that focal length?

I'll know soon enough. My brother recommended an F 35-70 just to test out the 35mm focal length, and so far this lens has blown me away. The colors and contrast and especially the sharpness obtained from a $39 lens have been no less than amazing. I hope after using it for a few months that I still want/need the FA 31

Big Dave · 12-29-2013, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by monochrome

I wasn't aware the FA35/2 had a macro function - I don't think mine does, anyway. It has been described as the Poor Man's FA31. Can't say what you should do, but I moved the 31 way down my personal roadmap.

He may be talking about the FA35/2.8 macro lens. I think that the F or FA28 is the poor mans FA31. I have a F28/2.8 and it is great as a normal lens. On the K5 II 2.8 it is ok for indoors because of the low noise at higher ISO's.

Driline · 12-29-2013, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by Big Dave

He may be talking about the FA35/2.8 macro lens. I think that the F or FA28 is the poor mans FA31. I have a F28/2.8 and it is great as a normal lens. On the K5 II 2.8 it is ok for indoors because of the low noise at higher ISO's.

Yea I thought about purchasing the FA 28 2.8. But the DA 21 eventually won out. I am talking about the el cheapo zoom F 35-70 macro. I am presently surprised at the IQ and just how sharp that little guy is.

**monochrome** · 12-29-2013, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by Big Dave

I think that the F or FA28 is the poor mans FA31.

I've often considered trying to find one of those. I always decide I have enough AF overlaps with my MF lenses and the prices (especially for a clean FA28) seem prohibitive. Two, or at most three, will be equivalent to an FA31.

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12-27-2013, 05:38 AM	#31
Crayfish New Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5	Driline, Some of our brothers can be tight with their money, so I recommend you get that DA31, and if you are not satisfied with it, then I would then give it to me, I mean him.

12-27-2013, 06:34 AM	#32
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by Crayfish Driline, Some of our brothers can be tight with their money, so I recommend you get that DA31, and if you are not satisfied with it, then I would then give it to me, I mean him. You mean FA 31

12-27-2013, 06:37 AM	#33
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by calculator01 If I didn't get a steal on my 31, I would never have bought it. It was way down on the list of must haves, close to the don't needs. I can't give a full review yet, as I have not had the 31 long enough yet. But my list of recommendations, based on my opinion, is the DA 35, FA 31, DA 35 Ltd, FA 35. In that order. Wow you have quite the collection of fantastic lenses including the three amigos. Your experience tells you the DA 35 is superior in your opinion?

12-27-2013, 06:39 AM	#34
NickLarsson Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,390	You are talking about landscapes, so for the price of the FA 31 you can get the FA 35 (or DA 35) and the DA 15...

12-27-2013, 06:47 AM	#35
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by NickLarsson You are talking about landscapes, so for the price of the FA 31 you can get the FA 35 (or DA 35) and the DA 15... And yet, as nice as the DA15 is, youstill will not have the FA31 if taking this path, and the lust will return ...

12-27-2013, 06:33 PM	#36
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by tclausen And yet, as nice as the DA15 is, youstill will not have the FA31 if taking this path, and the lust will return ... Which is why I will wait. I've pored over the images on the pentax forums here between all of the 35mm lenses and the 31mm.The FA 31 just has that special pop to it that I don't see in the other photographs.

12-27-2013, 06:34 PM	#37
tclausen Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 1,397	Originally posted by Driline Which is why I will wait. I've pored over the images on the pentax forums here between all of the 35mm lenses and the 31mm.The FA 31 just has that special pop to it that I don't see in the other photographs. You won't regret this decision, I promise you. I take as many shots with my 31mm as I do with all the other lenses, combined.

12-28-2013, 10:07 PM	#38
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	Originally posted by Driline Wow you have quite the collection of fantastic lenses including the three amigos. Your experience tells you the DA 35 is superior in your opinion? For the money, I would take the DA 35 2.4... At this point anyway. I haven't ran enough images through the 31 to be fair to it, but it and the 77 are on the list of lenses that I could easily part with for the right price. For the plastic fantastic, it produces images that are very pleasing in terms of color and quality. Even though it is plastic, I still prefer its build to the F/FA series (other than Ltds) This is all IMO

12-29-2013, 09:03 AM	#39
yorik Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Scotts Valley, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 991	Originally posted by calculator01 For the money, I would take the DA 35 2.4... At this point anyway. I haven't ran enough images through the 31 to be fair to it, but it and the 77 are on the list of lenses that I could easily part with for the right price. For the plastic fantastic, it produces images that are very pleasing in terms of color and quality. Even though it is plastic, I still prefer its build to the F/FA series (other than Ltds) This is all IMO I am not willing to part with the 31 yet, though I could see this happening in the future... But I will never part with the 77. Are you (Driline) sure you want that focal length?

12-29-2013, 11:20 AM	#40
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by yorik Are you (Driline) sure you want that focal length? I'll know soon enough. My brother recommended an F 35-70 just to test out the 35mm focal length, and so far this lens has blown me away. The colors and contrast and especially the sharpness obtained from a $39 lens have been no less than amazing. I hope after using it for a few months that I still want/need the FA 31

12-29-2013, 01:40 PM	#41
Big Dave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 547	Originally posted by monochrome I wasn't aware the FA35/2 had a macro function - I don't think mine does, anyway. It has been described as the Poor Man's FA31. Can't say what you should do, but I moved the 31 way down my personal roadmap. He may be talking about the FA35/2.8 macro lens. I think that the F or FA28 is the poor mans FA31. I have a F28/2.8 and it is great as a normal lens. On the K5 II 2.8 it is ok for indoors because of the low noise at higher ISO's.

12-29-2013, 02:09 PM	#42
Driline Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: IOWA Where the Tall Corn Grows Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,697 Original Poster	Originally posted by Big Dave He may be talking about the FA35/2.8 macro lens. I think that the F or FA28 is the poor mans FA31. I have a F28/2.8 and it is great as a normal lens. On the K5 II 2.8 it is ok for indoors because of the low noise at higher ISO's. Yea I thought about purchasing the FA 28 2.8. But the DA 21 eventually won out. I am talking about the el cheapo zoom F 35-70 macro. I am presently surprised at the IQ and just how sharp that little guy is.

12-29-2013, 02:24 PM	#43
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	Originally posted by Big Dave I think that the F or FA28 is the poor mans FA31. I've often considered trying to find one of those. I always decide I have enough AF overlaps with my MF lenses and the prices (especially for a clean FA28) seem prohibitive. Two, or at most three, will be equivalent to an FA31.