Why I will use the 31 Ltd for my next shoot

benjikan · 06-18-2009, 02:13 PM

I have been asked to do a photo shoot in studio in July and will use the Pentax 31 Ltd exclusively...Why, because, it is a challenge to work with only one lens and do a whole series with it. Should be an interesting shoot to say the least. I'll post the images as soon as the post prod is done. I suggest this exercise for those with a massive arsenal. A very humbling experience...

Ben

nulla · 06-18-2009, 02:33 PM

Looking forward to the results Ben.. a whole shoot with this lens ... fantastic

got my FA31 a couple of weeks ago and I am sure the resulting photos will inspire me... its a great lens

Cheers

Neil

GerryL · 06-18-2009, 03:09 PM

Well, that was how it was mostly done before in film when cunsumers were actually kinda stuck with the regular "kit" 50mm lens.
It was very rare for regular folks to have any other lens other than what was attached to the camera when it was bought.

Wheatfield · 06-18-2009, 03:21 PM

I have a massive arsenal of lenses so that I can fit the lens to the job, not the job to the lens.
YMMV.

mithrandir · 06-18-2009, 03:46 PM

The old two-legged zoom lens trick.

**Digitalis** · 06-18-2009, 06:16 PM

I have done some of my best work with the 31 limited....it has the leica glow. but be warned, it's a bit too sharp for it's own good for portraiture.

these are two of my favourite images from my last shoot...

roentarre · 06-18-2009, 10:40 PM

Wow, Ben. You are truely dedicated to pentax glass and decide to go for this wonderful lens!

This would be a huge publicity for pentax brand itself. Pentax owes you a lot! You could produce stunning images regardless what lens you use!

**Ash** · 06-18-2009, 11:10 PM

Cool Ben.
And a great plug for this special lens...
Look forward to seeing the results.

**David** · 06-18-2009, 11:38 PM

And poor old Henri Cartier-Bresson was stuck with a Leica and 50mm lens. It's a wonder he got to were he did

Good luck Ben, next 43 then 77

David

benjikan · 06-19-2009, 01:55 AM

Originally posted by David

And poor old Henri Cartier-Bresson was stuck with a Leica and 50mm lens. It's a wonder he got to were he did

Good luck Ben, next 43 then 77

David

I have the 43 but not the 77. I want to go really sparse. One body, one lens and my Minolta flash meter. Of course the studio will provide everything else. Come to think of it, I better bring a back-up body...

Here is a list of the lenses I own:

Pentax all AF: 21, 31, 40, 43, 50, 70, 100 macro, 12-24, 16-45, 16-50, 50-135.
Tamron: 70-300, 500 Mirror.
Holga: 60.

Urkeldaedalus · 06-19-2009, 08:25 AM

If the results are anything like this time when you used the FA31, I imagine your client will be very pleased with the results

Just out of curiosity, do you take into consideration any of the characteristics of a particular lens when you first plan out a shoot or do you set the shoot and then try to pick the lens that will fit it the best?

benjikan · 06-19-2009, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by Urkeldaedalus

If the results are anything like this time when you used the FA31, I imagine your client will be very pleased with the results

Just out of curiosity, do you take into consideration any of the characteristics of a particular lens when you first plan out a shoot or do you set the shoot and then try to pick the lens that will fit it the best?

I always plan the shoot first and worry about the tools later.

PrimeObjectif · 06-19-2009, 01:51 PM

Originally posted by benjikan

I have the 43 but not the 77. I want to go really sparse. One body, one lens and my Minolta flash meter. Of course the studio will provide everything else. Come to think of it, I better bring a back-up body...

Here is a list of the lenses I own:

Pentax all AF: 21, 31, 40, 43, 50, 70, 100 macro, 12-24, 16-45, 16-50, 50-135.
Tamron: 70-300, 500 Mirror.
Holga: 60.

Ben,
Is there any reason why you keep the 16-45 and the 16-50? I just had both and sold the 16-45.

Cheers,
Jason

benjikan · 06-19-2009, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by PrimeObjectif

Ben,
Is there any reason why you keep the 16-45 and the 16-50? I just had both and sold the 16-45.

Cheers,
Jason

I like the 16-45. I think it is sharper wide open at 16mm than the 16-50...

dugrant153 · 06-19-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

I always plan the shoot first and worry about the tools later.

Benjikan, that's an awesome quote and a good idea. I've come to realize that a lot of the time I focus on the tools themselves instead of thinking and focusing on what DOES matter: the actual shoot itself. Thanks for the reminder.

Awesome that you're limiting itself! I find that it can be very frustrating at times when you have an image in your head and you think to yourself "if only I carried DA* lens A or whatever". But it definitely pushes me beyond the box I once called "my creative limits". It has sometimes led me to crouch, jump, lean on railings, lie flat on the ground, twist, etc. haha.

Quote:

I suggest this exercise for those with a massive arsenal. A very humbling experience...

Indeed. I admit to giving in to LBA sometimes and forgetting that it's about the pictures and not about the lenses I have... although it's always nice to stare at a nice collection

For me, sometimes having too many lenses can be the problem as it gives me TOO many options.

06-18-2009, 02:13 PM	#1
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	Why I will use the 31 Ltd for my next shoot I have been asked to do a photo shoot in studio in July and will use the Pentax 31 Ltd exclusively...Why, because, it is a challenge to work with only one lens and do a whole series with it. Should be an interesting shoot to say the least. I'll post the images as soon as the post prod is done. I suggest this exercise for those with a massive arsenal. A very humbling experience... Ben

06-18-2009, 06:16 PM	#6
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	I have done some of my best work with the 31 limited....it has the leica glow. but be warned, it's a bit too sharp for it's own good for portraiture. these are two of my favourite images from my last shoot... Last edited by Digitalis; 06-18-2009 at 11:42 PM.

06-19-2009, 01:55 AM	#10
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by David And poor old Henri Cartier-Bresson was stuck with a Leica and 50mm lens. It's a wonder he got to were he did Good luck Ben, next 43 then 77 David I have the 43 but not the 77. I want to go really sparse. One body, one lens and my Minolta flash meter. Of course the studio will provide everything else. Come to think of it, I better bring a back-up body... Here is a list of the lenses I own: Pentax all AF: 21, 31, 40, 43, 50, 70, 100 macro, 12-24, 16-45, 16-50, 50-135. Tamron: 70-300, 500 Mirror. Holga: 60. Last edited by benjikan; 06-19-2009 at 02:03 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do you shoot and crop in camera or shoot loose and crop in photoshop?	hockmasm	Pentax DSLR Discussion	23	05-02-2010 06:10 PM
From The Same Shoot	George A. Williams	Post Your Photos!	3	07-10-2009 03:10 PM
First Model Shoot/Last Shoot w/ K10D	quickpix	Photo Critique	2	01-13-2009 07:41 AM
What do you shoot again and again?	betsypdx	Post Your Photos!	45	03-04-2008 05:37 PM
Next Shoot	benjikan	Pentax DSLR Discussion	21	02-21-2007 07:54 AM

06-18-2009, 02:33 PM	#2
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Looking forward to the results Ben.. a whole shoot with this lens ... fantastic got my FA31 a couple of weeks ago and I am sure the resulting photos will inspire me... its a great lens Cheers Neil

06-18-2009, 03:09 PM	#3
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Well, that was how it was mostly done before in film when cunsumers were actually kinda stuck with the regular "kit" 50mm lens. It was very rare for regular folks to have any other lens other than what was attached to the camera when it was bought.

06-18-2009, 03:21 PM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I have a massive arsenal of lenses so that I can fit the lens to the job, not the job to the lens. YMMV.

06-18-2009, 03:46 PM	#5
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	The old two-legged zoom lens trick.

06-18-2009, 10:40 PM	#7
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Wow, Ben. You are truely dedicated to pentax glass and decide to go for this wonderful lens! This would be a huge publicity for pentax brand itself. Pentax owes you a lot! You could produce stunning images regardless what lens you use!

06-18-2009, 11:10 PM	#8
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Cool Ben. And a great plug for this special lens... Look forward to seeing the results.

06-18-2009, 11:38 PM	#9
David Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 347	And poor old Henri Cartier-Bresson was stuck with a Leica and 50mm lens. It's a wonder he got to were he did Good luck Ben, next 43 then 77 David

06-19-2009, 08:25 AM	#11
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	If the results are anything like this time when you used the FA31, I imagine your client will be very pleased with the results Just out of curiosity, do you take into consideration any of the characteristics of a particular lens when you first plan out a shoot or do you set the shoot and then try to pick the lens that will fit it the best?

06-19-2009, 01:47 PM	#12
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by Urkeldaedalus If the results are anything like this time when you used the FA31, I imagine your client will be very pleased with the results Just out of curiosity, do you take into consideration any of the characteristics of a particular lens when you first plan out a shoot or do you set the shoot and then try to pick the lens that will fit it the best? I always plan the shoot first and worry about the tools later.

06-19-2009, 01:51 PM	#13
PrimeObjectif Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 599	Originally posted by benjikan I have the 43 but not the 77. I want to go really sparse. One body, one lens and my Minolta flash meter. Of course the studio will provide everything else. Come to think of it, I better bring a back-up body... Here is a list of the lenses I own: Pentax all AF: 21, 31, 40, 43, 50, 70, 100 macro, 12-24, 16-45, 16-50, 50-135. Tamron: 70-300, 500 Mirror. Holga: 60. Ben, Is there any reason why you keep the 16-45 and the 16-50? I just had both and sold the 16-45. Cheers, Jason

06-19-2009, 05:29 PM	#14
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by PrimeObjectif Ben, Is there any reason why you keep the 16-45 and the 16-50? I just had both and sold the 16-45. Cheers, Jason I like the 16-45. I think it is sharper wide open at 16mm than the 16-50...

06-19-2009, 11:48 PM	#15
dugrant153 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,059	Quote: I always plan the shoot first and worry about the tools later. Benjikan, that's an awesome quote and a good idea. I've come to realize that a lot of the time I focus on the tools themselves instead of thinking and focusing on what DOES matter: the actual shoot itself. Thanks for the reminder. Awesome that you're limiting itself! I find that it can be very frustrating at times when you have an image in your head and you think to yourself "if only I carried DA* lens A or whatever". But it definitely pushes me beyond the box I once called "my creative limits". It has sometimes led me to crouch, jump, lean on railings, lie flat on the ground, twist, etc. haha. Quote: I suggest this exercise for those with a massive arsenal. A very humbling experience... Indeed. I admit to giving in to LBA sometimes and forgetting that it's about the pictures and not about the lenses I have... although it's always nice to stare at a nice collection For me, sometimes having too many lenses can be the problem as it gives me TOO many options.