FA 31/1.8 just arrived...and it's STUNNING

Finn · 04-20-2007, 07:11 PM

What more is left to say that hasn't been already? This lens is amazing...but strange (more on that in a second). If the other FA limiteds have even close to the same mechanics and ergonomics, I have a feeling they may find themselves on my LBA Life List. The first thing you notice is the size and heft of the thing -- it's a big sucker! It weighs close to what my M 200/4 does, which is quite a feat for a wide angle lens. Here it is on my Super Program, which is actually kind of humorous considering the lens is worth about 30 times what the camera is...

Last edited by Finn; 10-05-2007 at 05:39 AM.

Finn · 04-20-2007, 07:21 PM

I forgot to mention what is strange about it.

The permanently attached lens hood, for one thing, which as far as I can tell is there purely for aesthetic reasons. It may keep glare off the lens at noon in the tropics, but that's about it. What's the point, other than to differentiate it from the 77, which it otherwise closely resembles. The lens cap, while beautiful, strikes me as totally impractical, except perhaps for studio work. The focusing is incredibly precise for a AF lens, NEARLY as good as an M or Takumar. But what's with the measly 90 degrees of travel? I realize it's so the AF works faster, but it can make manual focusing tricky at wide apertures. I routinely turn off AF in low light, because I've missed more than one shot waiting for the AF to lock.

But I must stress that these aren't faults, necessarily...just little idiosynchrasies

I'm totally smitten! Here are a couple of pics I took with it today:

1/2000 @ f/2.8, ISO 400

1/30 @ f/1.8, ISO 800

borno · 04-20-2007, 07:37 PM

you lucky dog! ....and the lens is nice too

roscot · 04-21-2007, 04:51 AM

Congratulations. You are now the owner of one of the 3 best AF lenses ever made, and one of the best lenses of any type ever.

Enjoy it.

roentarre · 04-21-2007, 12:59 PM

Congrads on this purchase. One of my favorite lenses

roy · 04-21-2007, 02:50 PM

WOW ! i like it already.

ISH · 04-24-2007, 07:24 AM

Thanks Finn! I've already added the 43 and 77 to my LBA wish list, now I'll be adding the 31.

Finn · 04-24-2007, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by Finn

But what's with the measly 90 degrees of travel? I realize it's so the AF works faster, but it can make manual focusing tricky at wide apertures.

I've changed my mind about the short throw of the focus ring. I actually really like it, because you can easily focus manually with just your forefinger. It feels much more like focusing with a rangefinder.

04-20-2007, 07:11 PM	#1
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056	FA 31/1.8 just arrived...and it's STUNNING What more is left to say that hasn't been already? This lens is amazing...but strange (more on that in a second). If the other FA limiteds have even close to the same mechanics and ergonomics, I have a feeling they may find themselves on my LBA Life List. The first thing you notice is the size and heft of the thing -- it's a big sucker! It weighs close to what my M 200/4 does, which is quite a feat for a wide angle lens. Here it is on my Super Program, which is actually kind of humorous considering the lens is worth about 30 times what the camera is... Last edited by Finn; 10-05-2007 at 05:39 AM.

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04-20-2007, 07:21 PM	#2
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056 Original Poster	I forgot to mention what is strange about it. The permanently attached lens hood, for one thing, which as far as I can tell is there purely for aesthetic reasons. It may keep glare off the lens at noon in the tropics, but that's about it. What's the point, other than to differentiate it from the 77, which it otherwise closely resembles. The lens cap, while beautiful, strikes me as totally impractical, except perhaps for studio work. The focusing is incredibly precise for a AF lens, NEARLY as good as an M or Takumar. But what's with the measly 90 degrees of travel? I realize it's so the AF works faster, but it can make manual focusing tricky at wide apertures. I routinely turn off AF in low light, because I've missed more than one shot waiting for the AF to lock. But I must stress that these aren't faults, necessarily...just little idiosynchrasies I'm totally smitten! Here are a couple of pics I took with it today: 1/2000 @ f/2.8, ISO 400 1/30 @ f/1.8, ISO 800

04-20-2007, 07:37 PM	#3
borno Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: md-usa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,580	you lucky dog! ....and the lens is nice too

04-21-2007, 04:51 AM	#4
roscot Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Virginia Beach VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,363	Congratulations. You are now the owner of one of the 3 best AF lenses ever made, and one of the best lenses of any type ever. Enjoy it.

04-21-2007, 12:59 PM	#5
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Congrads on this purchase. One of my favorite lenses

04-21-2007, 02:50 PM	#6
roy Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: D/FW area, Tx. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,710	WOW ! i like it already.

04-24-2007, 07:24 AM	#7
ISH Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 42	Thanks Finn! I've already added the 43 and 77 to my LBA wish list, now I'll be adding the 31.

04-24-2007, 08:19 AM	#8
Finn Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,056 Original Poster	Originally posted by Finn But what's with the measly 90 degrees of travel? I realize it's so the AF works faster, but it can make manual focusing tricky at wide apertures. I've changed my mind about the short throw of the focus ring. I actually really like it, because you can easily focus manually with just your forefinger. It feels much more like focusing with a rangefinder.