Pick one: battle of the normals

Eigengrau · 08-19-2008, 10:47 AM

So, I've decided my next lens purchase should be somewhere in the 30-40mm range - I have the 50mm/1.4 but it is just too long for a general walk-around lens.

The problem is Pentax has not 1 or 2 but 4 lenses in this category. All of which are rated highly, and 2 of which have been included in a short list of the greatest lenses ever, comparing to the best of Zeiss and Leica.

So, here are the contenders:

31mm FA Limited 1.8
35mm FA 2.0
35mm DA Limited MACRO 2.8
40mm DA Limited 2.8 Pancake

If you had to have 1, what would it be? I could see a use for all of them, but I honestly think I'll only have room in my bag for 1 lens at this focal length.

**rparmar** · 08-19-2008, 10:54 AM

These are tending towards being too tele to really be considered a normal on a digital body. Certainly most sane people would choose to be given the FA31. But see my thread on alternative Vivitar 28mm lenses.

BBear · 08-19-2008, 11:27 AM

Adding cost to the table and I vote for the FA 35... but take cost OUT and the 31mm is a winner!

Faster, Limited, wider, sexier!

audiobomber · 08-19-2008, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

These are tending towards being too tele to really be considered a normal on a digital body.

I don't think so. Since "normal" is generally defined as 50 mm, the ideal normal length for 1.5 crop would be 33 mm.

Eigengrau · 08-19-2008, 11:38 AM

well, the 40mm might be a bit of a stretch as a normal, but it is commonly used as a compact walk-around, so I thought I'd include it here.

RBellavance · 08-19-2008, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by BBear

Adding cost to the table and I vote for the FA 35... but take cost OUT and the 31mm is a winner!

My thoughts exactly.

gnaztee · 08-19-2008, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

Certainly most sane people would choose to be given the FA31

That's me! If by "sane," of course, you mean to then take the overrated FA31 and sell it to buy the more versatile DA35 and another lens too!

Todd

pasipasi · 08-19-2008, 11:48 AM

FA35 is what I would buy, if I had the cash. Would be quite interesting in my film slrs too.

pingflood · 08-19-2008, 11:50 AM

I'd love to have the 35/2.8 but wouldn't give up the 40 for it. The 40 is just too sweet and small.

Bart · 08-19-2008, 12:00 PM

for the DA*30 SDM to be revealed.
If waiting is not an option: FA31. Since you picked it as a candidate, I presume the price is no objection.

k100d · 08-19-2008, 12:03 PM

close focus? -> DA35
size? -> DA40
value? -> FA35
if any of the above are not your considerations, i would choose the FA31. such a reliable lens, great for group photos, fast, build quality, bokeh, infinity focus sharpness, colour rendering...

Eigengrau · 08-19-2008, 12:05 PM

Do we have an ETA for the DA*30? And why is Pentax introducing even MORE competition into an already crowded segment?

k100d · 08-19-2008, 12:18 PM

it will be sealed, have SDM and possibly faster than f2

BBear · 08-19-2008, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by Eigengrau

Do we have an ETA for the DA*30? And why is Pentax introducing even MORE competition into an already crowded segment?

i dont see it as competition... but more like a statement: we kick ASS!

Sebbe_J · 08-19-2008, 12:42 PM

The 31 is indeed a lovely lens to use! But if you're into manual lenses, I would highly recemmend you to find a tak, K or M-lens on the used market. I've been using a smc-m 50/1.7, and I must say that the 50 is even nicer to use than my 31, well, not for the results (the 31 is superior in IQ according to me), but for the feeling and that it is indeed a joy to use

As many people have said and will say, you will probably be pleased with any of the lenses you've listed

//Seb

View Poll Results: Which prime is THE must-have?
31mm FA Limited 1.8	37	46.25%
35mm FA 2.0	16	20.00%
35mm DA Limited MACRO 2.8	17	21.25%
40mm DA Limited 2.8 Pancake	10	12.50%
Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll

08-19-2008, 10:47 AM	#1
Eigengrau Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 250	Pick one: battle of the normals So, I've decided my next lens purchase should be somewhere in the 30-40mm range - I have the 50mm/1.4 but it is just too long for a general walk-around lens. The problem is Pentax has not 1 or 2 but 4 lenses in this category. All of which are rated highly, and 2 of which have been included in a short list of the greatest lenses ever, comparing to the best of Zeiss and Leica. So, here are the contenders: 31mm FA Limited 1.8 35mm FA 2.0 35mm DA Limited MACRO 2.8 40mm DA Limited 2.8 Pancake If you had to have 1, what would it be? I could see a use for all of them, but I honestly think I'll only have room in my bag for 1 lens at this focal length.

08-19-2008, 11:38 AM	#5
Eigengrau Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 250 Original Poster	well, the 40mm might be a bit of a stretch as a normal, but it is commonly used as a compact walk-around, so I thought I'd include it here. Last edited by Eigengrau; 08-19-2008 at 11:57 AM.

08-19-2008, 11:42 AM	#7
gnaztee Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FL Posts: 772	Sanity Originally posted by rparmar Certainly most sane people would choose to be given the FA31 That's me! If by "sane," of course, you mean to then take the overrated FA31 and sell it to buy the more versatile DA35 and another lens too! Todd

08-19-2008, 12:00 PM	#10
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	I'd wait for the DA*30 SDM to be revealed. If waiting is not an option: FA31. Since you picked it as a candidate, I presume the price is no objection.

08-19-2008, 10:54 AM	#2
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,823	These are tending towards being too tele to really be considered a normal on a digital body. Certainly most sane people would choose to be given the FA31. But see my thread on alternative Vivitar 28mm lenses.

08-19-2008, 11:27 AM	#3
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Adding cost to the table and I vote for the FA 35... but take cost OUT and the 31mm is a winner! Faster, Limited, wider, sexier!

08-19-2008, 11:33 AM	#4
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by rparmar These are tending towards being too tele to really be considered a normal on a digital body. I don't think so. Since "normal" is generally defined as 50 mm, the ideal normal length for 1.5 crop would be 33 mm.

08-19-2008, 11:39 AM	#6
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Originally posted by BBear Adding cost to the table and I vote for the FA 35... but take cost OUT and the 31mm is a winner! My thoughts exactly.

08-19-2008, 11:48 AM	#8
pasipasi Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oulu Photos: Gallery Posts: 532	FA35 is what I would buy, if I had the cash. Would be quite interesting in my film slrs too.

08-19-2008, 11:50 AM	#9
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	I'd love to have the 35/2.8 but wouldn't give up the 40 for it. The 40 is just too sweet and small.

08-19-2008, 12:03 PM	#11
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	close focus? -> DA35 size? -> DA40 value? -> FA35 if any of the above are not your considerations, i would choose the FA31. such a reliable lens, great for group photos, fast, build quality, bokeh, infinity focus sharpness, colour rendering...

08-19-2008, 12:05 PM	#12
Eigengrau Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Colorado Photos: Albums Posts: 250 Original Poster	Do we have an ETA for the DA*30? And why is Pentax introducing even MORE competition into an already crowded segment?

08-19-2008, 12:18 PM	#13
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	it will be sealed, have SDM and possibly faster than f2

08-19-2008, 12:39 PM	#14
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	Originally posted by Eigengrau Do we have an ETA for the DA30? And why is Pentax introducing even MORE competition into an already crowded segment? i dont see it as competition... but more like a statement: we kick ASS!*

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08-19-2008, 12:42 PM	#15
Sebbe_J Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Växjö Photos: Gallery Posts: 127	The 31 is indeed a lovely lens to use! But if you're into manual lenses, I would highly recemmend you to find a tak, K or M-lens on the used market. I've been using a smc-m 50/1.7, and I must say that the 50 is even nicer to use than my 31, well, not for the results (the 31 is superior in IQ according to me), but for the feeling and that it is indeed a joy to use As many people have said and will say, you will probably be pleased with any of the lenses you've listed //Seb