Which 35mm "ish" for the K1?

edin_togger · 12-20-2016, 04:10 PM

I'm a recent K1 owner and despite some troubles initially I seem to have got the 24-70 working as I'd like however I'm looking to add a few other lenses to round out my line-up with a Tamron 70-200 on the way, and 50mm FA 1.4 picked up and hopefully a 20mm f2.8 FA for a wide lens.

I am however looking for something to cover off when I don't want to lug the 24-70 and in the past I've always preferred a 35mm prime, the obvious candidate for me would be the Sigma 35mm f1.4 as I had it on Nikon and it was a great lens however I've bought one and returned it as the AF was horrendous and now I've decided to keep the 24-70 another large, heavy lens isn't really my preference.

Now I always fancied a 31mm f1.8 Ltd when I briefly had a K20D some years ago and know from what I've read that it stands up find to use on the K1 but it is quite dear in the UK (seems to be around £800 even used) so I wondered how the 35mm f2 FA lens would perform? It seems hard to get used but its not too badly priced new (about half the price of the used 31mm!)

JohsonChou · 12-20-2016, 04:30 PM

35/2 is great, the cheaper 35/2.4 (FF compatible) is also great. I recommend getting 35/2.4 since I believe you will buy 31 limited later.
You can try to find a 31limited on the forum and ask if they would ship it to UK

Fenwoodian · 12-20-2016, 04:43 PM

I owned the Pentax 31mm Ltd. Sold it off when I got my Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon lens.

Last month, Ming Thein called this 28/2 Zeiss lens one of his "ultimate" lenses. It is no longer made and can only be purchased used. It comes in ZK (Pentax) version and a ZF (Nikon) version (that can be Leitax converted).

There are better lenses for general landscape photos where you want everything in focus. However here is no better wide lens for 3D type "subject oriented" photos when shot at around f/2. My second most used lens on my K1.

JohsonChou · 12-20-2016, 05:01 PM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

I owned the Pentax 31mm Ltd. Sold it off when I got my Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon lens.

Last month, Ming Thein called this 28/2 Zeiss lens one of his "ultimate" lenses. It is no longer made and can only be purchased used. It comes in ZK (Pentax) version and a ZF (Nikon) version (that can be Leitax converted).

There are better lenses for general landscape photos where you want everything in focus. However here is no better wide lens for 3D type "subject oriented" photos when shot at around f/2. My second most used lens on my K1.

I will give zeiss a shot if it has AF... I love AF... please don't judge me...
On the other hand, it looks like OP is looking for a cheaper alternative, not a more expensive alternative.

ColiNiloK · 12-20-2016, 05:22 PM

I'm actually thinking about the same, I like the 35mm FOV, but I'm not in a hurry. As per the lens road map, Pentax should have a new DFA 35mm lens coming next year, hopefully it's a DFA* 35mm f1.4. Maybe wait and see.

I have the Sigma in Sony A mount before and used friend's one in Canon EF mount, yes the lens is sharp and optically great, but I agree on the AF part, it tends to have lots of focusing errors. I also found the bokeh is slightly lacking in some cases, IE it leaves orion rings and busy background sometimes. Overall the lens is very technical not arty, unlike it's name, it's a excellent lens but not a special one.

The Pentax 31 is more special than the Sigma 35, I have used it many times though I don't own it but it sure have surprised me. It's slightly softer than the Sigma, has slightly more contrast and slightly more punchy colours. However I do think that price it's a bit too high for an f1.8 lens, yes it's a Limited lens and special, it's smaller too. Still if you have f2.8 zoom, f2 and f1.8 isn't gonna give you too much more light when shooting in the dark or the extra thin DOF efforts if you into that. Also CA is a bit higher than the Sigma. Personally I like the 35mm FOV better than 31mm, thats why I never bought one. (Again wait for the Pentax 35mm!)

Is AF important? If not you can take a look at Samyang's 35mm f1.4 and that's almost as good as the Sigma and alot cheaper. Or something really fancy the Kerlee 35mm f1.2, this lens is not very well known but a simple Google search you will find it's lens with lots of character.

Hope this helps.

**pres589** · 12-20-2016, 05:44 PM

Only thing I can add is that, if you want to tighten up the field of view a little, I like what I see with the Pentax 40's.

**lithedreamer** · 12-20-2016, 06:33 PM

The FA 31 is really a gem. You can get a cheaper lens in that focal range, but they're (as far as I've seen) proportionally worse as they go down in price. I keep coming back to the FA Limited lenses, no matter how enamoured I become with other, sometimes more expensive lenses.

pinholecam · 12-20-2016, 06:38 PM - **4 Likes**

FA31ltd is unique.
All metal build, small for a wide at 31mm and f1.8.
Versatility is great for landscapes as well as streets/people/candids
Rendering is also very good with a good pop to the images esp when used in the f1.8-f2.8 range.

There's more on the Pentax Lenses on FF club thread.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/247282-pentax-lenses-ff-club.html

**clackers** · 12-20-2016, 11:59 PM - **1 Like**

The FA31 is superb, but if you really can't save up for it, the FA35 is very good.

I've happily used both on the K-1 and the Sony A7.

The Zeiss and Samyang are both MF.

leekil · 12-21-2016, 01:24 AM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

My second most used lens on my K1.

What's your first?

f8shutterbug · 01-08-2017, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by pinholecam

FA31ltd is unique.
All metal build, small for a wide at 31mm and f1.8.
Versatility is great for landscapes as well as streets/people/candids
Rendering is also very good with a good pop to the images esp when used in the f1.8-f2.8 range.

There's more on the Pentax Lenses on FF club thread.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/247282-pentax-lenses-ff-club.html

Very, very nice images!

**monochrome** · 01-08-2017, 06:59 PM

The FA35/2 has been referred to as the poor man's 31 Limited. I had one for years as my preferred Prime on my K10D (I now have a 31). Putting aside the 31, which is tough to rival, the 35/2 is plenty sharp in the center, not bad at the edges, has good but not outstanding bokeh - but IMHO the real strength of the FA35/2 is the color rendering. The colors are bright, deep, contrasty and vibrant without adjustment.

I sometimes regret selling it. I haven't found those colors elsewhere except the K35/3.5.

12-20-2016, 04:10 PM	#1
edin_togger Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 76	Which 35mm "ish" for the K1? I'm a recent K1 owner and despite some troubles initially I seem to have got the 24-70 working as I'd like however I'm looking to add a few other lenses to round out my line-up with a Tamron 70-200 on the way, and 50mm FA 1.4 picked up and hopefully a 20mm f2.8 FA for a wide lens. I am however looking for something to cover off when I don't want to lug the 24-70 and in the past I've always preferred a 35mm prime, the obvious candidate for me would be the Sigma 35mm f1.4 as I had it on Nikon and it was a great lens however I've bought one and returned it as the AF was horrendous and now I've decided to keep the 24-70 another large, heavy lens isn't really my preference. Now I always fancied a 31mm f1.8 Ltd when I briefly had a K20D some years ago and know from what I've read that it stands up find to use on the K1 but it is quite dear in the UK (seems to be around £800 even used) so I wondered how the 35mm f2 FA lens would perform? It seems hard to get used but its not too badly priced new (about half the price of the used 31mm!)

12-20-2016, 04:43 PM	#3
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	I owned the Pentax 31mm Ltd. Sold it off when I got my Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon lens. Last month, Ming Thein called this 28/2 Zeiss lens one of his "ultimate" lenses. It is no longer made and can only be purchased used. It comes in ZK (Pentax) version and a ZF (Nikon) version (that can be Leitax converted). There are better lenses for general landscape photos where you want everything in focus. However here is no better wide lens for 3D type "subject oriented" photos when shot at around f/2. My second most used lens on my K1. Last edited by Fenwoodian; 12-20-2016 at 04:52 PM.

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12-20-2016, 04:30 PM	#2
JohsonChou Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Luis Obispo Photos: Albums Posts: 146	35/2 is great, the cheaper 35/2.4 (FF compatible) is also great. I recommend getting 35/2.4 since I believe you will buy 31 limited later. You can try to find a 31limited on the forum and ask if they would ship it to UK

12-20-2016, 05:01 PM	#4
JohsonChou Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Luis Obispo Photos: Albums Posts: 146	Originally posted by Fenwoodian I owned the Pentax 31mm Ltd. Sold it off when I got my Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon lens. Last month, Ming Thein called this 28/2 Zeiss lens one of his "ultimate" lenses. It is no longer made and can only be purchased used. It comes in ZK (Pentax) version and a ZF (Nikon) version (that can be Leitax converted). There are better lenses for general landscape photos where you want everything in focus. However here is no better wide lens for 3D type "subject oriented" photos when shot at around f/2. My second most used lens on my K1. I will give zeiss a shot if it has AF... I love AF... please don't judge me... On the other hand, it looks like OP is looking for a cheaper alternative, not a more expensive alternative.

12-20-2016, 05:22 PM	#5
ColiNiloK Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 102	I'm actually thinking about the same, I like the 35mm FOV, but I'm not in a hurry. As per the lens road map, Pentax should have a new DFA 35mm lens coming next year, hopefully it's a DFA* 35mm f1.4. Maybe wait and see. I have the Sigma in Sony A mount before and used friend's one in Canon EF mount, yes the lens is sharp and optically great, but I agree on the AF part, it tends to have lots of focusing errors. I also found the bokeh is slightly lacking in some cases, IE it leaves orion rings and busy background sometimes. Overall the lens is very technical not arty, unlike it's name, it's a excellent lens but not a special one. The Pentax 31 is more special than the Sigma 35, I have used it many times though I don't own it but it sure have surprised me. It's slightly softer than the Sigma, has slightly more contrast and slightly more punchy colours. However I do think that price it's a bit too high for an f1.8 lens, yes it's a Limited lens and special, it's smaller too. Still if you have f2.8 zoom, f2 and f1.8 isn't gonna give you too much more light when shooting in the dark or the extra thin DOF efforts if you into that. Also CA is a bit higher than the Sigma. Personally I like the 35mm FOV better than 31mm, thats why I never bought one. (Again wait for the Pentax 35mm!) Is AF important? If not you can take a look at Samyang's 35mm f1.4 and that's almost as good as the Sigma and alot cheaper. Or something really fancy the Kerlee 35mm f1.2, this lens is not very well known but a simple Google search you will find it's lens with lots of character. Hope this helps.

12-20-2016, 05:44 PM	#6
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	Only thing I can add is that, if you want to tighten up the field of view a little, I like what I see with the Pentax 40's.

12-20-2016, 06:33 PM	#7
lithedreamer Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,799	The FA 31 is really a gem. You can get a cheaper lens in that focal range, but they're (as far as I've seen) proportionally worse as they go down in price. I keep coming back to the FA Limited lenses, no matter how enamoured I become with other, sometimes more expensive lenses.

12-20-2016, 06:38 PM - 4 Likes	#8
pinholecam Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,706	FA31ltd is unique. All metal build, small for a wide at 31mm and f1.8. Versatility is great for landscapes as well as streets/people/candids Rendering is also very good with a good pop to the images esp when used in the f1.8-f2.8 range. There's more on the Pentax Lenses on FF club thread. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/247282-pentax-lenses-ff-club.html

12-20-2016, 11:59 PM - 1 Like	#9
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	The FA31 is superb, but if you really can't save up for it, the FA35 is very good. I've happily used both on the K-1 and the Sony A7. The Zeiss and Samyang are both MF.

12-21-2016, 01:24 AM	#10
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Originally posted by Fenwoodian My second most used lens on my K1. What's your first?

01-08-2017, 04:36 PM	#11
f8shutterbug New Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Ottawa Posts: 19	Originally posted by pinholecam FA31ltd is unique. All metal build, small for a wide at 31mm and f1.8. Versatility is great for landscapes as well as streets/people/candids Rendering is also very good with a good pop to the images esp when used in the f1.8-f2.8 range. There's more on the Pentax Lenses on FF club thread. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/247282-pentax-lenses-ff-club.html Very, very nice images!

01-08-2017, 06:59 PM	#12
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	The FA35/2 has been referred to as the poor man's 31 Limited. I had one for years as my preferred Prime on my K10D (I now have a 31). Putting aside the 31, which is tough to rival, the 35/2 is plenty sharp in the center, not bad at the edges, has good but not outstanding bokeh - but IMHO the real strength of the FA35/2 is the color rendering. The colors are bright, deep, contrasty and vibrant without adjustment. I sometimes regret selling it. I haven't found those colors elsewhere except the K35/3.5.