[junlin79]

Hello everyone, I am new here. I have K7 and K5 with a few zoom lenses: 18-250, 50/1.4, and DA*16-50 and 50-135/2.8. I am quite happy with these lenses but itching about the FA limited lenses. I know the limited lenses are faster and smaller. My question is how the IQ of limited lenses compared to DA*16-50 and 50-135 for regular use and some portrait? Thank you.

[btnapa]

Hello everyone, I am new here. I have K7 and K5 with a few zoom lenses: 18-250, 50/1.4, and DA*16-50 and 50-135/2.8. I am quite happy with these lenses but itching about the FA limited lenses. I know the limited lenses are faster and smaller. My question is how the IQ of limited lenses compared to DA*16-50 and 50-135 for regular use and some portrait? Thank you.

I do not have the lenses you have. However, I do have the FA limited trio. For action work and changing situations that require flexibility, I use my zoom lenses. When I have time to focus on my shots and max quality I use the FA limiteds. 16-50 and the 50-135 are excellent pro class lenses. Unless you have the funds to get the FA limiteds, I would stick to what you have. I have the Tamron 70-200 that I use with my K1 and it is as good as my FA 77 in image quality. I use the 77 when I want a compact lens. Otherwise, the 70-200 gives my all the quality I need in a bigger and heavier lens. I have tried the 50-135 and I liked how small it was.

Save your money and get something that is going to add to your capabilities such as lighting, a good tripod and such. Just my 0.02.

[jatrax]

The FA Limited lenses have a bit of a cult following. And there is no question they are very good, very small, and very fast. But IMHO, you will not see any significant real world difference in image quality between them and the DA* lenses you already have.

If you want something smaller and faster, then sure. But do not buy them expecting a change in the image quality.

[Saltwater Images]

The FA Limited lenses have a bit of a cult following. And there is no question they are very good, very small, and very fast. But IMHO, you will not see any significant real world difference in image quality between them and the DA* lenses you already have.

If you want something smaller and faster, then sure. But do not buy them expecting a change in the image quality.

Jtrax summed it up nicely. The DA* are exceptional. The FA 50 f/1.4 isn't a slouch either and is a short portrait length tele on your crop sensor K-7 and K-5. If you really feel the need to buy a new lens - get something that expands your current set up for other types of shooting. The DA* 200 f/2.8 will cost you less than a FA 31 Limited and close to the same as a FA 77 Limited!

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Last edited by Saltwater Images; 01-18-2018 at 06:55 PM. Reason: Added

[DeadJohn]

The FA Limiteds are good but won't make a major difference for you. Your 16-50 and 50-135 are good lenses. When they don't quite meet your needs:

When the 16-50 is too large of a lens, you have a fairly small 50/1.4.

When the 16-50 is too slow (aperture-wise), you have a fast 50/1.4 for low light and thin depth of field.

[Saltwater Images]

The FA Limiteds are good but won't make a major difference for you. Your 16-50 and 50-135 are good lenses. When they don't quite meet your needs:

When the 16-50 is too large of a lens, you have a fairly small 50/1.4.

When the 16-50 is too slow (aperture-wise), you have a fast 50/1.4 for low light and thin depth of field.

Lets not forget that SDM AF on the DA* 16-50 and DA* 50-135 can seem lethargic at times. The humble screw drive on the FA 50 can be faster as there isn't any latency. The FA 50 is faster in aperture and possibly AF!

[BWG]

I have the DA quintuplets, the FA 31 and the FA 43 (the FA 77 is my next big purchase). On a crop sensor I would get the DAs. They have focus shift which I really miss on the FAs. They’re cheaper than the FAs, faster focusing (except the 35 macro) and are smaller. If I want a small kit I’ll take the 15, 40 and 70. Even on the K-1, I’ll sometimes take that kit (although I usually sub the 43 for the 40 - it’s a tough decision). All eight limited lenses are magic (I’ll have to take others’ words for the 77). You wont go wrong with any of them.

[UncleVanya]

I own the da 15, 40, 70 the fa 31, 77, the da* 16-50, 50-135, 60-250, and 200 and yet they all find a place on the camera at one time or another. Is the FA 77 better than the 50-135? I don't honestly know. I just enjoy them both.

[clickclick]

I have the 31, 43, 16-50 and 50-135. The limiteds are faster, and they are pretty sharp from wide open, so is low light important? As you probably know, the 16-50 sharpens up as you stop it down the first notch or so. Otherwise, I don't think you're going to experience that much of a difference in terms of the quality of images. The two DA* you have are great lenses. Subjectively though, the limiteds do have personalities to them. I really love the 43. It's one of my favorites on both crop and FF. I'd perhaps approach it from what you want to do as to whether the FA limiteds made sense. And if you share LBA, you won't regret having them in your collection.

[mikesbike]

You have an excellent kit with your two DA* lenses. However, a true need indicates which tools are best for the job. Here are some examples:

(1) If your need at times is for lighter trekking- or biking, an alternative kit would be indicated. I also have a WA-to-short tele f/2.8 lens, a Sigma 24-60mm EX DG (not as wide as your DA* but longer), and the DA* 50-135mm. But at times, I really need a smaller, lighter, high-quality kit.

(2) If your need at times is for an even faster lens for low light use, perhaps simultaneously with the above need, this calls for an alternate kit.

(3) If your need at times is for the ability to reduce DOF even more than f/2.8 can provide, such as in the most effective portrait FL range of 40-85mm, you'll need alternative options for your kit.

(4) If at times you need less obtrusive, smaller and less intimidating lenses for candid shots, street photography, etc.- your current kit would not do very well, so there are the Limiteds available which are perfect for such use.

As to IQ, in addition to better low-light performance, and better DOF control, the FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited can deliver better resolution at the edges, when using wider apertures, than the DA* 16-50mm is capable of.

And welcome to Pentax Forums!

[08amczb]

I have the DA* 16-50 and DA* 50-135, the FA43, FA77 and the FA31 is comming somewhere at the post office. I bought the FA limiteds after the DA* lenses.

I shoot portraits mainly on APS-C, so fast lenses are essential for shallow DoF. At F2 in general the background looks nice, but at F2.8 a little distracting fr my eyes. The DA* 50-135 is pretty good even wide open, but the DA* 16-50 needs some stopping down. So at F2.8 the IQ is much better with the FA limiteds.

I suggest to get a used FA43 (It's my favorite and the less expensive) and try it. You can always sell it if you don't like it, and you will see how light is the prime lens and how the IQ compares.

[totsmuyco]

If you can live without them (FAs), don't get them. What you have are pretty good star lenses.

[aslyfox]

Hello everyone, I am new here. I have K7 and K5 with a few zoom lenses: 18-250, 50/1.4, and DA*16-50 and 50-135/2.8. I am quite happy with these lenses but itching about the FA limited lenses. I know the limited lenses are faster and smaller. My question is how the IQ of limited lenses compared to DA*16-50 and 50-135 for regular use and some portrait? Thank you.

welcome to the forums

you will find a lot of knowledgeable members willing to help

________________________________________

first a couple of threads you might want to look at

Lens advice: 31mm limited vs. hd 35mm f2.8 macro limited - PentaxForums.com

the limiteds do they live up to the reputation and why - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com

second

what are your photographic interests

IMHO that should drive what you should get

YMMV

for example, if you like macro get one type of lens

if you like wildlife, get another

etc, etc, etc and so forth and so on


why are you interested in Pentax's " limited " lenses

[junlin79]

Thanks for all comments. All are very informative! I will wait until finding a good used limited lens to try or when get a full frame camera.