New 31mm

Parallax · 02-27-2009, 03:18 PM

Last year I bought a Zeiss 35mm f 2.0 Distagon but I found that manual focusing is just too much of a chore anymore, even with the Katz Eye. I can focus it fine, it just takes too long and too much concentration. (unlike my Voigtlander 58mm Nokton, which I can't focus to save my a__.)
I broke down and ordered the Pentax 31 Ltd and it arrived today. Now I know what all the fuss is about! I wish I had bought it initially instead of the Zeiss. My initial impression of the IQ is that it is incredible. After some quick function tests I did some focus tests. At about 8 feet I can't really decide whether 0 correction or -1 is better, but the brick wall test clearly shows -1 to have the edge. If I could make half step adjustments -.5 would probably nail it. -1 is better than 0 but there is less difference there than between -1 and -2. It's close enough to perfect that if there wasn't any adjustment available to play with I wouldn't have known that it wasn't perfect.
This does leave me with a dilemma though. The Zeiss is, in it's own right a fantastic lens, but it will probably never get mounted on my camera again, but I hate the thought of parting with it.

Bart · 02-28-2009, 06:11 AM

Now might not be the best of times to sell. So, hold on to it for now.

Parallax · 02-28-2009, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by Bart

Now might not be the best of times to sell. So, hold on to it for now.

That's what I was thinking. I can use the economic situation as an excuse to keep it.

02-27-2009, 03:18 PM	#1
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332	New 31mm Last year I bought a Zeiss 35mm f 2.0 Distagon but I found that manual focusing is just too much of a chore anymore, even with the Katz Eye. I can focus it fine, it just takes too long and too much concentration. (unlike my Voigtlander 58mm Nokton, which I can't focus to save my a__.) I broke down and ordered the Pentax 31 Ltd and it arrived today. Now I know what all the fuss is about! I wish I had bought it initially instead of the Zeiss. My initial impression of the IQ is that it is incredible. After some quick function tests I did some focus tests. At about 8 feet I can't really decide whether 0 correction or -1 is better, but the brick wall test clearly shows -1 to have the edge. If I could make half step adjustments -.5 would probably nail it. -1 is better than 0 but there is less difference there than between -1 and -2. It's close enough to perfect that if there wasn't any adjustment available to play with I wouldn't have known that it wasn't perfect. This does leave me with a dilemma though. The Zeiss is, in it's own right a fantastic lens, but it will probably never get mounted on my camera again, but I hate the thought of parting with it.

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02-28-2009, 06:11 AM	#2
Bart Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: WW community of Pentax users Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,646	Now might not be the best of times to sell. So, hold on to it for now.

02-28-2009, 07:34 AM	#3
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,332 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bart Now might not be the best of times to sell. So, hold on to it for now. That's what I was thinking. I can use the economic situation as an excuse to keep it.