FA 31mm F1.8 limited

peterjcb · 02-17-2014, 10:01 AM

I was very bad and spent a LOT of money and I'm not sorry...

First impressions of this lens is that it is all it's cracked up to be.
It is super sharp requires almost no post-production. Jpeg images just look good right out of the K-5!
I would have to compare this to the very best lens that Leica produces.

Here's just a few quick snapshots with virtually no PP and I'm by no means a professional who I'm sure can get a lot more out of this lens.

mikemike · 02-17-2014, 10:03 AM

Congratulations. This lens is at the top of my wish list. I just got the FA 77 and am having a similar experience.

peterjcb · 02-17-2014, 10:06 AM

thanks Mike, I actually purchased this used from Adorama in like new condition for $899. It is flawless!

Ztrejfer · 02-17-2014, 10:18 AM

Awesome! Congrats!

So many good examples everywhere on the supremacy of the FA 31mm, looking forward to get my own ;-)

**Ash** · 02-17-2014, 10:50 AM

All of the FA and DA Limited series never fail to impress.
But beware, once you sink your teeth into one, you may develop a craving for the rest of the series...

Ztrejfer · 02-17-2014, 11:03 AM

Originally posted by Ash

All of the FA and DA Limited series never fail to impress.
But beware, once you sink your teeth into one, you may develop a craving for the rest of the series...

Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot.

So thank you, guys, for all your good advices! :-)

mikemike · 02-17-2014, 11:12 AM

Originally posted by Ash

All of the FA and DA Limited series never fail to impress.
But beware, once you sink your teeth into one, you may develop a craving for the rest of the series...

I have had the DA 21 ltd for about two years and have been able to resist the urge to buy more DA ltds (although I also just bought the DA 40 xs). The FA's though have made me swoon and after less than a week I am pretty certain I will be buying the 31 as soon as I have the extra cash and can find one in silver.

calculator01 · 02-17-2014, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by Ztrejfer

Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot.

So thank you, guys, for all your good advices! :-)

This is good theory, except it leaves out the 43, my favourite of the Ltds.

Ztrejfer · 02-17-2014, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by calculator01

This is good theory, except it leaves out the 43, my favourite of the Ltds.

I almost don't dare

- but here we go:

Why is exactly the FA 43mm your favorite (at the expense of the others)?

starjedi · 02-17-2014, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by Ztrejfer

Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot.

So thank you, guys, for all your good advices! :-)

Smart decision...

**savoche** · 02-17-2014, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by Ztrejfer

Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot.

Ok, good luck with that

I'll take no chances and will stay away from all the FA Limiteds for now! I think the DAs will server me well enough, and the fast fifties will take care of my need for speed - if any.

Anyway, congratulations on your shiny 31

lytrytyr · 02-17-2014, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by Ztrejfer

Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it.

You'll need to be careful not to get the wide-angle bug!

**skunktail** · 02-17-2014, 02:05 PM

I know the feeling.
First time out with my 31, I didn't use anything else... it just seemed so right

And yes, you will want all the limiteds sooner or later.

Eyewanders · 02-17-2014, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by skunktail

I know the feeling.
First time out with my 31, I didn't use anything else... it just seemed so right

And yes, you will want all the limiteds sooner or later.

Yup. Highly likely.

calculator01 · 02-17-2014, 03:59 PM

Originally posted by Ztrejfer

I almost don't dare

- but here we go:

Why is exactly the FA 43mm your favorite (at the expense of the others)?

It was my first

It has the size and handling advantages. To me, the colours and rendition are mind blowing. It's hard to take a bad photo with this lens. Whereas I am very capable of taking bad photos with the 31 and 77. The 43 requires no postphoto, where my 77 is often needing fringe control (easy enough fix).

My 31is still too new to really judge it, but I could part with the 77 and not miss it. I have a feeling like the 31 will be a true keeper once winter leaves.

02-17-2014, 10:01 AM	#1
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	FA 31mm F1.8 limited I was very bad and spent a LOT of money and I'm not sorry... First impressions of this lens is that it is all it's cracked up to be. It is super sharp requires almost no post-production. Jpeg images just look good right out of the K-5! I would have to compare this to the very best lens that Leica produces. Here's just a few quick snapshots with virtually no PP and I'm by no means a professional who I'm sure can get a lot more out of this lens.

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02-17-2014, 10:03 AM	#2
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	Congratulations. This lens is at the top of my wish list. I just got the FA 77 and am having a similar experience.

02-17-2014, 10:06 AM	#3
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468 Original Poster	thanks Mike, I actually purchased this used from Adorama in like new condition for $899. It is flawless!

02-17-2014, 10:18 AM	#4
Ztrejfer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 116	Awesome! Congrats! So many good examples everywhere on the supremacy of the FA 31mm, looking forward to get my own ;-)

02-17-2014, 10:50 AM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	All of the FA and DA Limited series never fail to impress. But beware, once you sink your teeth into one, you may develop a craving for the rest of the series...

02-17-2014, 11:03 AM	#6
Ztrejfer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 116	Originally posted by Ash All of the FA and DA Limited series never fail to impress. But beware, once you sink your teeth into one, you may develop a craving for the rest of the series... Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot. So thank you, guys, for all your good advices! :-)

02-17-2014, 11:12 AM	#7
mikemike Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New Orleans Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,053	Originally posted by Ash All of the FA and DA Limited series never fail to impress. But beware, once you sink your teeth into one, you may develop a craving for the rest of the series... I have had the DA 21 ltd for about two years and have been able to resist the urge to buy more DA ltds (although I also just bought the DA 40 xs). The FA's though have made me swoon and after less than a week I am pretty certain I will be buying the 31 as soon as I have the extra cash and can find one in silver.

02-17-2014, 11:55 AM	#8
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	Originally posted by Ztrejfer Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot. So thank you, guys, for all your good advices! :-) This is good theory, except it leaves out the 43, my favourite of the Ltds.

02-17-2014, 12:49 PM	#9
Ztrejfer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 116	Originally posted by calculator01 This is good theory, except it leaves out the 43, my favourite of the Ltds. I almost don't dare - but here we go: Why is exactly the FA 43mm your favorite (at the expense of the others)?

02-17-2014, 01:05 PM	#10
starjedi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 932	Originally posted by Ztrejfer Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot. So thank you, guys, for all your good advices! :-) Smart decision...

02-17-2014, 01:58 PM	#11
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by Ztrejfer Nope. Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. I have learned by reading this forum, that it's better to have a few lenses and really know how to use them and their specific advantages, than to buy a lot. Ok, good luck with that I'll take no chances and will stay away from all the FA Limiteds for now! I think the DAs will server me well enough, and the fast fifties will take care of my need for speed - if any. Anyway, congratulations on your shiny 31

02-17-2014, 02:05 PM	#12
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Originally posted by Ztrejfer Will in April get the FA 31mm, DA* 55mm and the DA* 60-250mm - and that's it. You'll need to be careful not to get the wide-angle bug!

02-17-2014, 02:05 PM	#13
skunktail Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Sydney, NSW Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 287	I know the feeling. First time out with my 31, I didn't use anything else... it just seemed so right And yes, you will want all the limiteds sooner or later.

02-17-2014, 02:15 PM	#14
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Originally posted by skunktail I know the feeling. First time out with my 31, I didn't use anything else... it just seemed so right And yes, you will want all the limiteds sooner or later. Yup. Highly likely.

02-17-2014, 03:59 PM	#15
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	Originally posted by Ztrejfer I almost don't dare - but here we go: Why is exactly the FA 43mm your favorite (at the expense of the others)? It was my first It has the size and handling advantages. To me, the colours and rendition are mind blowing. It's hard to take a bad photo with this lens. Whereas I am very capable of taking bad photos with the 31 and 77. The 43 requires no postphoto, where my 77 is often needing fringe control (easy enough fix). My 31is still too new to really judge it, but I could part with the 77 and not miss it. I have a feeling like the 31 will be a true keeper once winter leaves.