[RonHendriks1966]

Sell it on a flee market for $ 1 and you will cry for some time if you secretly loved it.

[noelpolar]

Great pics with the FA 43, just as I would expect. Do you find that the FA 31 is as sharp as the 43? Can you tell a difference?

Over the next week or two Im going back to some places to take shots with the 43 that I shot with the 31....I'm hoping that will help me with the questions you enquiring about. Definately notice a more gradual transition with regard to depth of field with the 31. Sharpeness of my 31 is in the ballpark of my 43......and not really a consideration for me in regard to lens use.

[Driline]

Sharpeness of my 31 is in the ballpark of my 43......and not really a consideration for me in regard to lens use.

Well that's good to know. I'll stay tuned as I'm very interested to see how your real world experience between the two lenses pans out.

[yorik]

I would add only one suggestion to the helpful ones already posted - use it with your K-01 (not the K5), and see how you like that combination. I am not a huge fan of my K-01, but the K-01/FA 43 combination is very nice for `snapshots' (and you shouldn't encounter the focus issues with CDAF).

[Driline]

Over the next week or two Im going back to some places to take shots with the 43 that I shot with the 31....I'm hoping that will help me with the questions you enquiring about. Definately notice a more gradual transition with regard to depth of field with the 31. Sharpeness of my 31 is in the ballpark of my 43......and not really a consideration for me in regard to lens use.

Any progress comparing shots between the two yet? My FA 31 is due to arrive tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to my own comparisons between the 43 and 31.

[Clavius]

Why are you trying to love the 43ltd if you are so spoiled by the 35ltd already? The 35 is a bit sharper, renders nicer, is more modern, has better coatings, is designed for digital, is specifically designed for APS-C, is more flare restistant, obviously has closer focussing, more versatile, less distortion, wider, prettier, smaller... For a third of the price of the 43.

The only thing the 43 has over the 35 is a bit more speed. Some might say the 43 also focusses faster, but that is wrong. The 35 has a much larger focal range to go through which takes longer. It could do with a focal limiter though.

No personal taste involved. Just the accumulation of all those small technological advances added together that you're noticing.

[noelpolar]

Any progress comparing shots between the two yet? My FA 31 is due to arrive tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to my own comparisons between the 43 and 31.

No I haven't to date….I have been a bit crook for the last week so haven't done much. I certainly like my 43 though and am not seeing much need to keep my DA40….I love the 43 at F2-2.4 for shots like this:


_IGP5187_DxO-Edit.jpg by Noelpolar, on Flickr


I do like the DA40 hood on the FA43 though.

[Driline]

I have been a bit crook for the last week so haven't done much

You're a crook? At least you're honest. But I'd probably keep that under wraps in public.

[todd]

I do like the DA40 hood on the FA43 though.

Could you spare a photo and/or any info what that's like? I am not fond of the 43 hood/cap and am interested in alternatives... (For me, the 43 cap comes off too easily and the hood seems to come unscrewed too easily...

[SpecialK]

May not help your situation, but I bought an FA 50 f1.4 because everyone says you just have to have one. Turns out I didn't. I sold it and never looked back.

[calculator01]

May not help your situation, but I bought an FA 50 f1.4 because everyone says you just have to have one. Turns out I didn't. I sold it and never looked back.

Great advice right here ^^^. I bought the Three Amigos because everyone said everyone should. The only one I am sold on is the FA43. I think I would like the DA 70 more than the 77 and I don't think I would replace the 31 if I sold it. (unless a DA 28 2.0 Ltd 49mm filters came about).

[todd]

the fa50 was my first prime and I can't imagine parting with it at this point despite having the amigos. love that lens and look forward to it on ff digi. I started after the amigos after drooling over them for years and could never have spent that dough on them just because people said I should. Really is a to each his own deal.

[johnha]

For me the 43 only really makes sense on a film camera, on APS-C it's an awkward focal length. It's my preferred lens on my LX, but I've only put it on my K-5 once (to check the AF performance). I bought an FA28 to get a similar field of view on APS-C (which also works well as a wide-angle on film).

I'd suggest buying a manual focus film SLR and giving it a try before making a decision to sell it.

John.

[Driline]

For me the 43 only really makes sense on a film camera, on APS-C it's an awkward focal length. It's my preferred lens on my LX, but I've only put it on my K-5 once (to check the AF performance). I bought an FA28 to get a similar field of view on APS-C (which also works well as a wide-angle on film).

I'd suggest buying a manual focus film SLR and giving it a try before making a decision to sell it.

John.

Well, I like the 43 on the K5 for indoor quick portrait shoots. It's nice because you're not in someone's face trying to get a close up. Need a wider shot just back up. Or pop your FA 31 on

[Kayaker-J]

@noelpolar & Driline... Add me to the FA31mm--FA43mm Ltd. comparisons Curiosity List: I have only just acquired my own LN copy of the 31mm. I'm excited about that; but I am concerned it may still be a bit long for my tastes in a price-y, main go-to lens. The DA40mm Limited will do me fine as a "long normal".