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02-06-2014, 05:53 PM   #1
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Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 Limited - but a similar with WR?

I'm a rookie in this lens business and looking for a lens with a similar good quality to the Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 Limited - but with Weather Resistance (WR) "ability". Does not have to be Pentax, but must be as good or better in picture quality.

Review of the Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 Limited can be seen here.

Thank you kindly.


Last edited by Ztrejfer; 02-06-2014 at 06:57 PM.
02-06-2014, 05:57 PM   #2
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I may be wrong and I might get torn to shreds over this but if you want WR and LTD quality I would have to say the DA LTD 20-40. It will not be as good as the 31 but it will be a VERY solid performer.
02-06-2014, 06:10 PM   #3
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Well, the DA LTD 20-40 gets not so nice reviews. However, I've seen some VERY nice reviews on the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM - and I must say - those pictures...WAUW!
02-06-2014, 06:14 PM - 1 Like   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ztrejfer Quote
Well, the DA LTD 20-40 gets not so nice reviews. However, I've seen some VERY nice reviews on the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM - and I must say - those pictures...WAUW!
The 55 is one nice lens indeed.

02-06-2014, 06:16 PM   #5
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Sigma 35mm Art.

It isn't labeled as WR, but it has IF and very good build quality. I believe it could take some unfriendly weather with no problem
02-06-2014, 06:42 PM   #6
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Maybe the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM is not so perfect for me after all, as I mainly take landscapes, architecture and (moving) wildlife?

Hmmmm....I'm still a rather large questionmark ;-)
02-06-2014, 07:03 PM   #7
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There's probably only the DA* 16-50 that offers wide angle, is Weather Sealed and possibly come close to the IQ of the 31mm ltd.

02-06-2014, 07:49 PM   #8
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You also play risk of SDM failure with the DA* lenses.
02-06-2014, 08:31 PM   #9
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A camera condom is cheap for when you really need WR.

Op/Tech 9001132 18in SLR Rainsleeve for Cameras 9001132
02-06-2014, 08:50 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ztrejfer Quote
Well, the DA LTD 20-40 gets not so nice reviews.
To put that in perspective, here's what Lenstip says about the FA 31:

"Comparing the results of the tested lens to those achieved by such lenses as the Nikkor 1.8/35 or the Sony 1.8/35 and taking into account the difference in price, it would be difficult to describe the performance of the Pentax in positive terms."

"What can be said…reminding ourselves how such lenses as the Nikkor 1.8/35 and the Sony DT 1.8/35 performed on similar detectors, lenses which are several times cheaper to boot, the Pentax didn’t impressed us to say the least of it."

The edge resolution of the FA 31 was measured there as 43 lp/mm at f/8,
while the same testing procedure (Optyczne with the K-5) showed 40 lp/mm
at all focal lengths at f/8 with the DA 20-40.
02-06-2014, 09:53 PM - 1 Like   #11
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Throwing the WR built into the lens makes it a tricky recommendation. The only Limited Lens that has WR is the 20-40. Its main knock is focus speed and CA, Which should be the same knocks for the DA* lenses, Every DA* lens I have ever used is by far on the slower side of focusing. CA is going to be present in more lenses than not. At this point I think its going to be hard to make a recommendation, it may be best to put the money aside and wait for more WR LTD lenses to be released. It is going to be a hard task to find a lens that isnt knocked for the same things that the 20-40 is that is WR. Keeping up with the 31 LTD is a hard feat to follow.
02-07-2014, 06:29 AM - 1 Like   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ztrejfer Quote
the DA LTD 20-40 gets not so nice reviews
It's a fine lens, just not "as" good as the 31.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ztrejfer Quote
I've seen some VERY nice reviews on the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM
QuoteOriginally posted by Ztrejfer Quote
Maybe the SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM is not so perfect for me after all, as I mainly take landscapes, architecture and (moving) wildlife?
The 55 is great, slow to AF but optically stellar. But for what you describe it will be tight indeed. for now, the 20-40 or 16-50 would be your best bet of a high-quality lens around the 31mm focal length, with WR. Many rumors suggest that the FA limiteds will be updated in the near future, maybe they will have WR (that would be fantastic indeed).

QuoteOriginally posted by lytrytyr Quote
To put that in perspective, here's what Lenstip says about the FA 31:
When Ken Rockwell says a non-Nikon lens is the best ever made (he was refering to the Pentax 31) then I consider the case closed. Whatever lenstip says.
02-07-2014, 06:57 AM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
When Ken Rockwell says a non-Nikon lens is the best ever made (he was refering to the Pentax 31) then I consider the case closed.
Ken Rockwell???????????????????
02-07-2014, 07:56 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by lytrytyr Quote
Ken Rockwell???????????????????
He's got his own website. He must be legit.
02-07-2014, 08:06 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Driline Quote
He's got his own website. He must be legit.
Having a website costs less than an evening in the bar.
It doesn't mean anything
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