in Japan. seen a 31mm Ltd, used, for $500....do I?

313131??? · 04-01-2015, 03:53 PM

Im an amateur, relatively new to photography. I just bought a sigma 10-20, and I already own the 18-130, the 35 macro, and the 70mm.

To be honest right now i prefer the versatility of zoom lenses, and I feel like it will take me a while to master the lenses I already own...

Then I saw the 31 for what would seem to be a very good price?

Should I go for it? Or should I master the limiteds I already own first? If I do... What sort of things should i be looking for/ asking/ testing in the store , in regards to making sure it's in the right condition?

Cheers in advance!

**jatrax** · 04-01-2015, 04:43 PM - **1 Like**

I think the 31mm Limited is sort of the destination lens for all Pentax shooters. You will get one, eventually. The question is just when. If it's a good price and the condition is excellent and you can afford it, why wait. Worst case you do not like it and you sell it on. At that price I suspect you would turn a small profit reselling it.

aleonx3 · 04-01-2015, 04:52 PM

Unless there is something wrong with the lens, where can you get it for that price?..if it is reputable shop, I would take it in a heart beat... but then I already own one (in fact I have all three). It takes time and patience to learn the characteristics and advantages (sweet spots) of each lens even the zoom lenses.

MadMathMind · 04-01-2015, 05:04 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

I think the 31mm Limited is sort of the destination lens for all Pentax shooters. You will get one, eventually. The question is just when.

I told myself that I would not get the FA31 after I got the the Sigma 18-35. With FF coming out, I expect to buy an FA31 before the end of the year.

Trudger1272 · 04-01-2015, 05:59 PM

If it's in good condition, you'll probably never see it at that price again. At least not for a long while.

313131??? · 04-01-2015, 06:38 PM

Yeah, I think I'm angling towards buying it! 500 bucks seems much cheaper than anywhere else I've seen online etc... So... Any advice on things I should test in the store?

I have never bought a used lens before...

By the way... Japan is like heaven for pentax lenses and equipment!

MikePerham · 04-01-2015, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by jatrax

I think the 31mm Limited is sort of the destination lens for all Pentax shooters. You will get one, eventually. The question is just when. If it's a good price and the condition is excellent and you can afford it, why wait. Worst case you do not like it and you sell it on. At that price I suspect you would turn a small profit reselling it.

I think today, if you don't mind the larger size, the Sigma 35 Art is the way to go. Superior IQ and less expensive.

maxxxx · 04-01-2015, 06:47 PM

I have ordered two lenses on eBay from Japan so far and they were both very good.

500 seems like a very good price for an FA 31.

redcat · 04-02-2015, 08:21 AM

I did bid a FA 31mm in japan also, if you buy it via kakaku, and the seller has good reputation the lens would be in a good condition too, if you can check at store it's even better. take your camera with you, and shoot some photos to check the focus, put the cap on the lens and shoot (total black on the screen) to check if there is any dust/fungus. if you have any friend who knows about lens, ask him/her to come with you.

500$ is a steal for this lens (in good condition), you won't see this price ever again !

I was new to photography too but I instantly see the difference when I shoot with fa 31mm

life is too short, don't wait if you already see an opportunity, take it ! you'll love it

PS : check the review of this lens and see if you like it's rendering as we all do ^^

photodesignch · 04-02-2015, 12:09 PM

ACTUALLY. You will see that price again if Pentax is coming up DFA 31 Limited....

I am just saying.

Conqueror · 04-02-2015, 01:03 PM

FA 31 - If its in good condition and genuine. The hand is bitten off.

redcat · 04-03-2015, 02:42 AM

Originally posted by MadMathMind

I told myself that I would not get the FA31 after I got the the Sigma 18-35

the Sigma 18-35 is famous for its inaccurate AF : Sigma 18-35mm Autofocus: A Second Look - Hands-on Reviews | PentaxForums.com !

**ivanvernon** · 04-03-2015, 03:23 AM

I thought I was lucky to get my 31 from Japan for $640. The lens and the buying experience was totally positive,

MadMathMind · 04-03-2015, 06:39 AM

Originally posted by redcat

the Sigma 18-35 is famous for its inaccurate AF : Sigma 18-35mm Autofocus: A Second Look - Hands-on Reviews | PentaxForums.com !

I have an entire thread about this subject:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/277499-sigm...es-thread.html

Conqueror · 04-03-2015, 06:55 AM

The Sigma may have some numbers on the FA 31 - but when you experience the rendering/output of the FA 31mm you won't look back. It's also a nice lens to handle... To me the sigma produces a more clinical looking rendering. I also prefer Pentax colours... (A lot of this paragraph is subjective YMMV)

Yes this article is old now (there's still some good points in it though)... but the FA trio (31/43/77) remain top pieces of glass

https://luminous-landscape.com/sm-02-05-02/

04-01-2015, 03:53 PM	#1
313131??? New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 2	in Japan. seen a 31mm Ltd, used, for $500....do I? Im an amateur, relatively new to photography. I just bought a sigma 10-20, and I already own the 18-130, the 35 macro, and the 70mm. To be honest right now i prefer the versatility of zoom lenses, and I feel like it will take me a while to master the lenses I already own... Then I saw the 31 for what would seem to be a very good price? Should I go for it? Or should I master the limiteds I already own first? If I do... What sort of things should i be looking for/ asking/ testing in the store , in regards to making sure it's in the right condition? Cheers in advance!

04-02-2015, 08:21 AM	#9
redcat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,939	I did bid a FA 31mm in japan also, if you buy it via kakaku, and the seller has good reputation the lens would be in a good condition too, if you can check at store it's even better. take your camera with you, and shoot some photos to check the focus, put the cap on the lens and shoot (total black on the screen) to check if there is any dust/fungus. if you have any friend who knows about lens, ask him/her to come with you. 500$ is a steal for this lens (in good condition), you won't see this price ever again ! I was new to photography too but I instantly see the difference when I shoot with fa 31mm life is too short, don't wait if you already see an opportunity, take it ! you'll love it PS : check the review of this lens and see if you like it's rendering as we all do ^^ Last edited by redcat; 04-02-2015 at 08:33 AM.

04-03-2015, 03:23 AM	#13
ivanvernon Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Medina, OH Photos: Albums Posts: 7,224	Go for it! I thought I was lucky to get my 31 from Japan for $640. The lens and the buying experience was totally positive,

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04-01-2015, 04:43 PM - 1 Like	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I think the 31mm Limited is sort of the destination lens for all Pentax shooters. You will get one, eventually. The question is just when. If it's a good price and the condition is excellent and you can afford it, why wait. Worst case you do not like it and you sell it on. At that price I suspect you would turn a small profit reselling it.

04-01-2015, 04:52 PM	#3
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Unless there is something wrong with the lens, where can you get it for that price?..if it is reputable shop, I would take it in a heart beat... but then I already own one (in fact I have all three). It takes time and patience to learn the characteristics and advantages (sweet spots) of each lens even the zoom lenses.

04-01-2015, 05:04 PM	#4
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by jatrax I think the 31mm Limited is sort of the destination lens for all Pentax shooters. You will get one, eventually. The question is just when. I told myself that I would not get the FA31 after I got the the Sigma 18-35. With FF coming out, I expect to buy an FA31 before the end of the year.

04-01-2015, 05:59 PM	#5
Trudger1272 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Albums Posts: 288	If it's in good condition, you'll probably never see it at that price again. At least not for a long while.

04-01-2015, 06:38 PM	#6
313131??? New Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Yeah, I think I'm angling towards buying it! 500 bucks seems much cheaper than anywhere else I've seen online etc... So... Any advice on things I should test in the store? I have never bought a used lens before... By the way... Japan is like heaven for pentax lenses and equipment!

04-01-2015, 06:39 PM	#7
MikePerham Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Prince George, BC Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 642	Originally posted by jatrax I think the 31mm Limited is sort of the destination lens for all Pentax shooters. You will get one, eventually. The question is just when. If it's a good price and the condition is excellent and you can afford it, why wait. Worst case you do not like it and you sell it on. At that price I suspect you would turn a small profit reselling it. I think today, if you don't mind the larger size, the Sigma 35 Art is the way to go. Superior IQ and less expensive.

04-01-2015, 06:47 PM	#8
maxxxx Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 385	I have ordered two lenses on eBay from Japan so far and they were both very good. 500 seems like a very good price for an FA 31.

04-02-2015, 12:09 PM	#10
photodesignch Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 133	ACTUALLY. You will see that price again if Pentax is coming up DFA 31 Limited.... I am just saying.

04-02-2015, 01:03 PM	#11
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	FA 31 - If its in good condition and genuine. The hand is bitten off.

04-03-2015, 02:42 AM	#12
redcat Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Paris Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,939	Originally posted by MadMathMind I told myself that I would not get the FA31 after I got the the Sigma 18-35 the Sigma 18-35 is famous for its inaccurate AF : Sigma 18-35mm Autofocus: A Second Look - Hands-on Reviews \| PentaxForums.com !

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04-03-2015, 06:39 AM	#14
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Originally posted by redcat the Sigma 18-35 is famous for its inaccurate AF : Sigma 18-35mm Autofocus: A Second Look - Hands-on Reviews \| PentaxForums.com ! I have an entire thread about this subject: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/277499-sigm...es-thread.html

04-03-2015, 06:55 AM	#15
Conqueror Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: UK Posts: 440	The Sigma may have some numbers on the FA 31 - but when you experience the rendering/output of the FA 31mm you won't look back. It's also a nice lens to handle... To me the sigma produces a more clinical looking rendering. I also prefer Pentax colours... (A lot of this paragraph is subjective YMMV) Yes this article is old now (there's still some good points in it though)... but the FA trio (31/43/77) remain top pieces of glass https://luminous-landscape.com/sm-02-05-02/