[m8o]

Hey guys!

I'm trying to decide between the Pentax-DA 35mm and the Pentax-FA 31mm, and I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions or advice. I really like working with primes, and I love my FA 50mm ƒ1.4, but I'd like to get something a little sharper, and that lets me get a little closer to my subject.

The "thoughts on 35mm f/2.8 macro greatest lens ever" (I paraphrase) thread has convinced me I'd want the 31mm instead.

[jacksonpritt]

The "thoughts on 35mm f/2.8 macro greatest lens ever" (I paraphrase) thread has convinced me I'd want the 31mm instead.

The biggest thing that's driving me towards the 31mm instead of the 35mm is the examples of bokeh I've seem from the 35mm. A lot of the time the focal fall-off (or whatever it's called) seems fairly unpleasant, and the bokeh can frequently look "busy" instead of smooth.

I think I also really want that full f-stop difference between the two. A big part of what I want this lens for is taking on a trip to Japan, and it seems like that would come in handy when shooting pictures indoors.

I used to use rangefinder cameras (mostly Argus C3s) back when I shot with film, so I find that using primes feels more natural to me. But who knows. There are so many excellent lenses out there to choose from!

I just wish the FA 31mm wasn't so overpriced.
If it was $600-$700 I'd already own one, but it's difficult to justify that $850+ price tag...

[k100d]

if you need the speed FA35 and the value . although some people are not as pleased with its bokeh.
FA35 is $300 at BH

[stevebrot]

if you need the speed FA35 and the value . although some people are not as pleased with its bokeh.
FA35 is $300 at BH

I second the motion for the FA35/2. The bokeh is a little squirrelly at some apertures, but that is not uncommon for focal lengths 35mm and shorter. It is easily the best-performing lens in my bag.

Steve

[Spongefingers]

A serious consideration is whether you want to use the lens on a film body as well. If you do, you should check this out if you haven't already:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/318669-post38.html
The DA 35 shows bad vignetting on FF.
If you just intend to use it on APS-C and like doing macro shots, then go for the DA35. Never mind about the "bokeh issues".

[Piotr]

At least I got it. As all Limited's it is full of metal and glass, top quality and not very practical. I mean cap and build-in hood.

Here is my first day shots.
Pentax K20D ,Pentax smc P-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited
1/25s f/1.8 at 31.0mm iso200


Pentax K20D ,Pentax smc P-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited
1/60s f/1.8 at 31.0mm iso400


and first weekend shots- early morning sunrise.

Pentax K20D ,Pentax smc P-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited
1/40s f/11.0 at 31.0mm iso100


Pentax K20D ,Pentax smc P-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited
1/100s f/8.0 at 31.0mm iso100


Pentax K20D ,Pentax smc P-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited
1/125s f/8.0 at 31.0mm iso100

[xGene]

Piotr, these are absolutely stunning pictures!!!! first day shots? Are you kidding??? It would probably take me months of work to achieve less than this!

Anyway... about the lens: these are perfect examples of the potential of this lens. Can you post more pictures?

Gene

[k100d]

hey piotr, fantastic photos! great to see you're enjoying the lens. how do you like it so far?

as for the hood problem, consider getting a 58mm non-flaring hood or using some empty filter rings and then using a 58mm cap. it works a lot better for me. the built-in hood is pretty useless, especially in portrait.

btw, great to see you posting in this forum, i really liked the photos you took with the 180 in Paris

[roentarre]

Wow, the last three shots really really are stunning. The colour and the mood are simply impeccable. Really excellent photography. Surely it is not entirely the merit of the lens. You have a very good eye for spotting beauty.

[lbam]

Fantastic shot that last one... is it cropped or a panoramic join of more than one shot? Who cares! it's great!

Thanks for fueling my LBA... do I get this lens or wait for the new 30mm? I wonder if it will be of such exotic construction in terms of glass elements, somehow I doubt it.

[Jonson PL]

These are better than the ones you posted at DPr.
Sweet work, someday I want that lens too . I can just hope that my pictures will look as fine.

[pop4]

Wow, I really like the last three shots. Stunning.

[Piotr]

Fantastic shot that last one... is it cropped or a panoramic join of more than one shot?

it is crop. Top and bottom part of this photo are not very interesting

[lbam]

Thanks.
Actually, that last pic is more about you bothering to get up so early, and having an eye for composition and lighting, than the lens..

[RBellavance]

Congrats on the new lens, and I agree with the others about the last three shots, they are absolutely stunning. My favorite is the spider web.