How Rumours Are Born: New 30mm Prime Lens Coming Soon

ixian · 06-05-2010, 03:50 AM

Originally posted by RMabo

About price - the FA 31 has always been an expensive lens, but price haven't changed that much. Only a slight increase. It is regarded by Luminous Landscape as one of the three best AF lenses ever made, regardless of maker. The FA 31 Limited is Pentax answer to Leica and Zeiss lenses. Now considering the prices of Leica and Zeiss, the Pentax is actually a cheap lens.

Well, Zeiss ZK 35/2 costs £760, FA 31 Ltd £1000 (and they call it SALE PRICE), both brand new from UK distributor... Ok, Pentax is AF, which will be worth the price difference for some photogs.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's not worth the price, but it's not cheaper than Zeiss...

Last edited by ixian; 06-05-2010 at 04:06 AM.

Pentaxor · 06-05-2010, 03:52 AM

the FA31 is a great lens. given it's insane pricing, Im just wondering if it's selling that well. probably Pentax sells more of the FA43, DA35, FA35 and DA40 more compared to the FA31. I'm not sure about the FA50/1.4 since I believe it is more like being passed around rather than buying an individual purchase. there are used FA50/1.4 being sold in the marketplace very often and surely the lenses came from previous owners rather than NIB.

Cambo · 06-05-2010, 08:51 AM

another 30ish lens.

Cheers,
Cameron

Originally posted by Miserere

The 31mm Ltd is out of stock at B&H and Adorama, and doesn't even show up in Amazon.com searches. Amazon.co.uk says it has 2 left. Amazon.de has no black ones and 1 silver one. Amazon.fr only has them through a 3rd party vendor. Henry's in Canada don't have any at all.

Just about all these stores have the 77 Ltd, so it's not like they're avoiding the FA Ltd line.

I've never seen the 31mm Ltd lens in such low/no stock at major retailers and am thinking this could mean Pentax will finally retire this classic piece of glass and roll out that mythical DA* 30mm that was on the roadmap so long ago.

It's not such a crazy idea, right?

...

Blue · 06-05-2010, 10:19 AM

Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers

Things are out of stock sometimes. This doesn't mean jack to be honest. Perhaps the factory that makes these lenses has just rolled out a batch of FA43s, and is now producing FA31s again. Or perhaps they are making DFA versions, or maybe they're busy producing a new FA limited. Or, or...

Actually, it does mean something. It could mean that they ran out of stock and production hasn't caught up, they are out of a certain element or whatever. However, in this particular case with this lens there is a more than unusual lag.

This was an interesting thread that I saw yesterday.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/ask-b-h-photo/102957-fa-31mm.html

mattdm · 06-05-2010, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by Cambo

another 30ish lens.

Missing 1) a cheap one and 2) a weather-sealed one.

Blue · 06-05-2010, 10:26 AM

Maybe they will roll out a DA* 35mm f2 lens maybe even f1.4 a la the M 35mm f1.4 prototype.

Nubi · 06-05-2010, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

Missing 1) a cheap one and 2) a weather-sealed one.

There are some whispers about FA 31 going WR in Japan. I notice here that FA 31 is scant in inventory, but not 77 or 43.

mattdm · 06-05-2010, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by Nubi

There are some whispers about FA 31 going WR in Japan. I notice here that FA 31 is scant in inventory, but not 77 or 43.

I would be sorely tempted to spend more than I can afford on a WR FA 31.

Nubi · 06-05-2010, 03:21 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

I would be sorely tempted to spend more than I can afford on a WR FA 31.

I would sell my 31 to finance that as well. When I got D FA 100 macro WR, I did the same. I got rid of my old D FA 100 and bought that, and there is no regret.

fearview · 06-05-2010, 10:04 PM

Originally posted by Adam

Maybe the lens is finally becoming limited- as it should be :P

Cannot be more agree. the way it should be, Adam?

..

axl · 06-05-2010, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by Nubi

There are some whispers about FA 31 going WR in Japan. I notice here that FA 31 is scant in inventory, but not 77 or 43.

Now that would be great but I'd get angry as I'd feel kind of cheated....

Chwisch87 · 06-06-2010, 12:38 AM

I will be truly shocked if Pentax ever stops production completely on their most famous piece of glass.

the more likely explanation is that the lens is sold is such low quantities that they make them in batches. Again, Pentax could always pull a Canikon and sell a slightly upgraded version ever few years but the question is ... how do you upgrade perfection?

WR maybe??

Kunzite · 06-06-2010, 01:40 AM

WR and QSF. Then it would be perfect

dopeytree · 06-06-2010, 06:09 AM

I do hope we see that da* 24mm

Nubi · 06-06-2010, 06:18 AM

I actually saw a 31 ltd today in Tokyo (Shibuya of all places). There was an used camera show at one of the department stores there. About $1,300 us. It was not even new.

06-05-2010, 08:51 AM	#18
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Just what they need.... another 30ish lens. Cheers, Cameron Originally posted by Miserere The 31mm Ltd is out of stock at B&H and Adorama, and doesn't even show up in Amazon.com searches. Amazon.co.uk says it has 2 left. Amazon.de has no black ones and 1 silver one. Amazon.fr only has them through a 3rd party vendor. Henry's in Canada don't have any at all. Just about all these stores have the 77 Ltd, so it's not like they're avoiding the FA Ltd line. I've never seen the 31mm Ltd lens in such low/no stock at major retailers and am thinking this could mean Pentax will finally retire this classic piece of glass and roll out that mythical DA* 30mm that was on the roadmap so long ago. It's not such a crazy idea, right? ...

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06-05-2010, 03:50 AM	#16
ixian Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Warwickshire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 193	Originally posted by RMabo About price - the FA 31 has always been an expensive lens, but price haven't changed that much. Only a slight increase. It is regarded by Luminous Landscape as one of the three best AF lenses ever made, regardless of maker. The FA 31 Limited is Pentax answer to Leica and Zeiss lenses. Now considering the prices of Leica and Zeiss, the Pentax is actually a cheap lens. Well, Zeiss ZK 35/2 costs £760, FA 31 Ltd £1000 (and they call it SALE PRICE), both brand new from UK distributor... Ok, Pentax is AF, which will be worth the price difference for some photogs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's not worth the price, but it's not cheaper than Zeiss... Last edited by ixian; 06-05-2010 at 04:06 AM.

06-05-2010, 03:52 AM	#17
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	the FA31 is a great lens. given it's insane pricing, Im just wondering if it's selling that well. probably Pentax sells more of the FA43, DA35, FA35 and DA40 more compared to the FA31. I'm not sure about the FA50/1.4 since I believe it is more like being passed around rather than buying an individual purchase. there are used FA50/1.4 being sold in the marketplace very often and surely the lenses came from previous owners rather than NIB.

06-05-2010, 10:19 AM	#19
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by kevinschoenmakers Things are out of stock sometimes. This doesn't mean jack to be honest. Perhaps the factory that makes these lenses has just rolled out a batch of FA43s, and is now producing FA31s again. Or perhaps they are making DFA versions, or maybe they're busy producing a new FA limited. Or, or... Actually, it does mean something. It could mean that they ran out of stock and production hasn't caught up, they are out of a certain element or whatever. However, in this particular case with this lens there is a more than unusual lag. This was an interesting thread that I saw yesterday. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/ask-b-h-photo/102957-fa-31mm.html

06-05-2010, 10:20 AM	#20
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by Cambo another 30ish lens. Missing 1) a cheap one and 2) a weather-sealed one.

06-05-2010, 10:26 AM	#21
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Maybe they will roll out a DA* 35mm f2 lens maybe even f1.4 a la the M 35mm f1.4 prototype.

06-05-2010, 02:07 PM	#22
Nubi Guest	Originally posted by mattdm Missing 1) a cheap one and 2) a weather-sealed one. There are some whispers about FA 31 going WR in Japan. I notice here that FA 31 is scant in inventory, but not 77 or 43.

06-05-2010, 02:47 PM	#23
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by Nubi There are some whispers about FA 31 going WR in Japan. I notice here that FA 31 is scant in inventory, but not 77 or 43. I would be sorely tempted to spend more than I can afford on a WR FA 31.

06-05-2010, 03:21 PM	#24
Nubi Guest	Originally posted by mattdm I would be sorely tempted to spend more than I can afford on a WR FA 31. I would sell my 31 to finance that as well. When I got D FA 100 macro WR, I did the same. I got rid of my old D FA 100 and bought that, and there is no regret.

06-05-2010, 10:04 PM	#25
fearview Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,067	Originally posted by Adam Maybe the lens is finally becoming limited- as it should be :P Cannot be more agree. the way it should be, Adam? ..

06-05-2010, 11:19 PM	#26
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Nubi There are some whispers about FA 31 going WR in Japan. I notice here that FA 31 is scant in inventory, but not 77 or 43. Now that would be great but I'd get angry as I'd feel kind of cheated....

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06-06-2010, 12:38 AM	#27
Chwisch87 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Photos: Gallery Posts: 317	I will be truly shocked if Pentax ever stops production completely on their most famous piece of glass. the more likely explanation is that the lens is sold is such low quantities that they make them in batches. Again, Pentax could always pull a Canikon and sell a slightly upgraded version ever few years but the question is ... how do you upgrade perfection? WR maybe??

06-06-2010, 01:40 AM	#28
Kunzite Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Romania Posts: 15,132	WR and QSF. Then it would be perfect

06-06-2010, 06:09 AM	#29
dopeytree Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Somerset, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 619	I do hope we see that da* 24mm

06-06-2010, 06:18 AM	#30
Nubi Guest	I actually saw a 31 ltd today in Tokyo (Shibuya of all places). There was an used camera show at one of the department stores there. About $1,300 us. It was not even new.