[clickclick]

For the 77 and 43, it's apt to be wide open, but that's because the subjects are more likely to be bokeh oriented. I'm more apt to be in a landscape mindset with my 31, so stopping it down midway, whatever that is. Of course, thinking about this makes me say I should go do something different with all the lenses and shoot some bokeh shots with the 31 and stitch a landscape with the 77

I read many that uses the FA43 wide open. I find that @f/1.9 it has a soft finish with sparkling highlights making the leaves on a wet tree kind of glow. @f/2.0 this dissapears.
Is it the same with your copies?

[kiwi_jono]

Firstly I often use all 3 wide open (and sometimes at f8), but looking at my photos the most common apertures are:
1. FA31: f2.4
2. FA43: f2.8
3. FA77: f2

[Sandy Hancock]

The apparent highest resolution apertures....@98 lpmm
@f/8-f/11 it resolves 87 lpmm
My copy is soft

Resolution schmesolution. I thought we were discussing Pixie Dust

[Sandy Hancock]

Wide open if the subject is suitable for such a shallow depth of field.

I should qualify this. I enjoy these lenses at all apertures. Most of the time though, I use all three at wide apertures - maybe stopped down as far as f/2.8.

@monochrome : I'm sorry your FA31 is not up to scratch - it's such a great lens to just have with you.

Dukes Bar, London.



Stopped down in Cornwall.



The FA43 is a little more touchy with respect to subject to background distance and its ability to reliably produce pleasing bokeh.



Stopped down in Rome. On crop.



FA77 in Menaggio, Lake Como. Crop again.



....and at home.

[wstruth]

I like wide open but really i go with what i think is best for the image.

Nice shots Sandy

[gatorguy]

I should qualify this. I enjoy these lenses at all apertures. Most of the time though, I use all three at wide apertures - maybe stopped down as far as f/2.8.

@monochrome : I'm sorry your FA31 is not up to scratch - it's such a great lens to just have with you.

Dukes Bar, London.



Stopped down in Cornwall.



The FA43 is a little more touchy with respect to subject to background distance and its ability to reliably produce pleasing bokeh.



Stopped down in Rome. On crop.



FA77 in Menaggio, Lake Como. Crop again.



....and at home.

Wide open or close to it here as well. Based on what I'm seeing others say I think we're all in general agreement.

[DWS1]

The OP is asking about Pixie Dust. Please, someone tell me what that is. I see that phrase thrown around here all the time and have no idea what people are talking about.

[Ash]

The OP is asking about Pixie Dust. Please, someone tell me what that is. I see that phrase thrown around here all the time and have no idea what people are talking about.

The mythical term given to the unique effect these lenses produce.
It's the combination of 3D effect, bokeh and colour contrast that makes the images 'pop'.
All quite subjective, but most people agree that there is something special about the 3 amigos' results.
Almost magical.
Pixie dust.

[wanderer2]

I use my three Amigos almost entirely for landscapes, usually on a tripod. Bokeh is not a consideration, DOF often is. I'm not sure of the "sweet spot" of each lens, not having felt the need to test them, but generally I shoot at 5.6 to 11 in this situation.

[y0chang]

My FA 31mm sharpens up just a tad at f2.0-2.8 so I shoot it a lot portraits with that aperture.

[Kerrowdown]

Wide open on all three, if I wanted pure sharp digital rendering, I wouldn't pick the amigos

I like your style... I'm much the same with some of my Harem Ladies.

[barondla]

Thanks everyone for the answers & examples. I looked through the 31,43, and 77 Limited lens club images. Lots of stellar work. Decided to complete my 3 amigos setup by adding the 43. He arrived yesterday. Need to shoot and get to know this lens.
Thanks,
barondla

[Mikesul]

Congratulations, Barondla, on your new 43. It is a nice one. I wanted it but you just beat me to it

[TerryL]

The 31 and 77 have especially pleasing bokeh when used at or near wide open. But like many other posters, the aperture needs to suit the subject. Here are two pictures from a recent K1 + 31mm day out. One at 1.8 and one at 6.7. Can you tell which is which ?

Peter,
That B&W picture is a real wall hanger.

---------- Post added 10-20-19 at 04:09 PM ----------

I tend to shoot with the 43 longer than most and at a much smaller aperture than most. The apparent highest resolution apertures for the 43 are f/8 - f/11 @98 lpmm and contrary to oral truth, it resolves to the edges at 98. Thus I use a smaller aperture and more working distance with the 43 than most other replies here. @10ft the total DoF is 11ft so unless the subject is 20+ feet in front of the backdrop I get little background blur. For me the 43 is not a bokeh lens. I use it most a general lens for documentary and color cityscape work.

The 77 is a different story. @f/8-f/11 it resolves 87 lpmm, but at a 10ft working distance total DoF is about 3.5 ft. Far focus is 12 ft, so background blur is achieved easier. I much prefer the 77 for centered subjects and 1/3 body shots.

I have no opinion on the 31. My copy is soft and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it.

Hi Dave,
My 43 and 77 were soft when I bought them, but after a +10 autofocus adjustment, they are perfect.