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03-03-2014, 06:33 PM   #1
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Need FA 31 reassurance

Hi........have been lusting after a FA 31 for a while now........a month or so ago I got a FA 77. The FA 31 is about $1,100 Australian new over here or about $800 secondhand when you occasionally see them. I know they are to be updated at some stage this year however it's unlikely this will matter to me given the likely changes and my intended use (I have a HD DA 21 & 40 anyway). I figure that the retail price (if pentax look to clear the old ones out) won't go down below about $950 US, and the new ones will be at some "sought of premium" as per the HD's when they were introduced. The Aust $ is only at 90c US at the moment so buying from the US isn't worth it.

Am I missing anything or should I just go for it? I have put a listing in the wanted section for a used one.

Basically I'm a fellow pentaxian with LBA needing re-assurance!

03-03-2014, 06:34 PM   #2
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Just go for it.....
03-03-2014, 06:38 PM   #3
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Honestly, I have never read a bad comment on it. It seems to be the ONE lens everyone would love to have, the 77 is also amazing which I'm sure you know keep us posted...

JJ
03-03-2014, 06:50 PM   #4
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I own the Japanese version. It is great lens, but I have used it very little over the past year. Performance wise, it's great, but I have been using 43mm a lot more.

I will take it out this weekend. If I doesn't feel right, off to market it goes.

03-03-2014, 06:51 PM   #5
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If the FA31 is the lens you want you should definitely go for one at those AUS prices.

Each FA Ltd is very distinctly different in its character (not just the focal lengths). The FA31 has the most unique outstanding characteristics, but it's also the hardest to get the results I want out of it. But it is like the FA77 in that they both have excellent IQ at f/1.8.

You'll have to try it to decide whether you like it. You may not, but it's a very good lens.
03-03-2014, 07:05 PM - 2 Likes   #6
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I think if you want a lens in this focal length, the two lenses to think about would be the FA 31 limited or the Sigma 35mm f1.4. Both are quite sharp (Sigma maybe a little more so), I think the out of focus rendering is a little better on the FA limited and obviously the FA 31 is smaller.

Anyway, I am sure if you don't like it, you won't lose much on the resale. These lenses really have kept their value well over the last several years.


03-03-2014, 07:16 PM   #7
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I doubt the new ones will be as great. They will likely round the aperture blades on them just like they did with the 15mm. Right now the 31mm has fantastic starburst effects bcs of the non rounded blades. Go for it!!

03-03-2014, 07:32 PM   #8
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The first image I made with my FA31 reassured me just how awesome this lens can be. Find a used one if you can or splash out for new, you won't regret it.
03-03-2014, 07:53 PM   #9
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From how people write about them, people go on pilgrimages to pray at the Shrine of the Morning Sun and revere the three holy relics of the Mount of K. But then you look at the photos and start to think that maybe they're on to something.
03-03-2014, 08:02 PM   #10
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The FA31mm is at US$946:
3-Day Pentax Lens Sale - Pentax Deals - PentaxForums.com

Go for it. The FA31mm is an absolute cracker. A great, great lens and a good price right now.

My 5 cents....
03-03-2014, 08:08 PM   #11
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I have both the 77 and 31 and love them both!!!
03-03-2014, 09:11 PM   #12
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I had been looking for one and just recently picked up a used one from Adorama for $899 in absolutely mint condition. They had two at the time and the other is gone but if you are patient you can find a deal on a used one...as mentioned above it is a sought after lens and will hold it's value as long as you take care of it.
03-03-2014, 09:23 PM   #13
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It's a dog - as in man's best friend.
03-03-2014, 09:55 PM   #14
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Its the best lens I own, capable of great pictures even at the f/2.8 I usually shoot it at. And the bokeh is oh so beautiful. It is already very flare resistant, so I can't imagine the HD coatings will do much.
03-03-2014, 10:35 PM   #15
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I'll jump in and pretty much agree with everyone else! It truly is a great lens and I also needed a bit of reassurance upon first acquisition but there is no way I could now part with it or the other two FA Limiteds. Definitely one of the main reasons why I will be sticking with Pentax. I say go for it!
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