[pres589]

Why would you select the K-1 and then want to use a 1st party AF lens but only focus it manually? How did you decide on the FA 31 for this instead of, say, a K 30?


Shooting on the street with a K-1, I'd be looking hard at the DA 40mm XS.

[87Duckfan]

Yes, well said, and thank you for that reminder. It just so happens I want to use this lens also for astro, landscapes, etc., but wanted something in the 35mm range for street.

[Digitalis]

Shooting on the street with a K-1, I'd be looking hard at the DA 40mm XS.

Wouldn't the Voigtländer 40mm f/2 ultron or the standard SMC 40mm f/2.8 be a better choice? as they both have decent lens hoods. When out in the streets mitigating the instances where flare can adversely affect image quality is crucial.

[pres589]

The CV 40 f2 seems like a great lens but I don't enjoy focusing normal or tele lenses manually on DSLR's like my K-5 II (I have not used the K-1 extensively but I doubt this would be much different) without some better focusing aids like a split-prism focusing screen. I'd rather have the AF functionality of the DA 40's. And it's not hard to get a hood onto the DA 40 XS; mine has one from JJC that is very similar to the one for the DA 40 Ltd. I don't really like focusing the M 40 f2.8, either, as the focusing ring is so narrow. Awful with gloves, not great without.

If 31 is a focal length that speaks to you, by all means, do it.

[Digitalis]

If 31 is a focal length that speaks to you

The FA31 on APS-C is basically the equivalent to the DA 40 on the K-1.

[ffking]

Street photography isn't a genre for those obsessed with pixel peeping, it is about capturing a narrative in a public environment where there is next to no control over the environment or subject that studio photographers enjoy.

Yes - love that!

[pres589]

The FA31 on APS-C is basically the equivalent to the DA 40 on the K-1.

FOV of the 31 on an APS-C body is closer to what a 50 offers on full frame. In any case, I'm not sure why you're mentioning this, as the first post in this thread calls out use of the FA 31 on a K-1.


The cool thing about "street photography" is that any focal length works, there's nothing about it in the rulebook for defining street photography. I just like the FOV provided by 40's on full frame, or going out to 28's for wider work. The 31 is a cool lens and I'm glad Pentax still offers it. It's just not for me.

[Digitalis]

FOV of the 31 on an APS-C body is closer to what a 50 offers on full frame. In any case, I'm not sure why you're mentioning this, as the first post in this thread calls out use of the FA 31 on a K-1.

Your recommendation of the DA40 and 40SX which are both APS-C lenses, using them on the K-1 isn't recommended. The FA43 or even HDFA35mm f/2* would be a better choice (and slightly cheaper than the FA31) than a lens design not really intended for the full format K-1.


* Having had NO experience with this lens I have heard the feel of manual focus on this lens quite up to par with the Limited lenses.

[pres589]

I spent a few minutes with the HD FA 35 f2 at a big store in NY this past summer, mounted to my Ricoh XR7, and it indeed seemed pretty good to focus.

Sample shots shared on this forum by other uses tells me the DA 40's would be acceptable to me for use on full frame. I actually purchased a DA 40 XS to use on a Super Program for this purpose. Have yet to get that camera into 100% working status. In any case this is not my problem and I've made my statement on what I'd recommend. Best of luck to the OP.

[robgski]

Sample shots shared on this forum by other uses tells me the DA 40's would be acceptable to me for use on full frame..

Exactly, I use my XS on my K-1 very often as a compact and relatively lightwieght combo, and I am very pleased with the results. I can easily carry and quickly operate it with one hand, so it works well for street photos. One can obtain a used XS for a low price here on PF, so it's worth a try, IMO.

[pres589]

Exactly, I use my XS on my K-1 very often as a compact and relatively lightwieght combo, and I am very pleased with the results. I can easily carry and quickly operate it with one hand, so it works well for street photos. One can obtain a used XS for a low price here on PF, so it's worth a try, IMO.

Thanks for chiming in with first-hand experience.

I wish that Pentax product management had put some weight on getting a longer pancake than the 70, as it seems like a odd compromise focal length when used on full-frame. Something like the M 85 f2, updated with AF, or the Tamron 105mm Adaptall similarly modernized are two lenses that act as good examples of what I'm thinking about. An "around 100" small prime that is adequately fast, not a macro, and would mix in well with, say, a 40 and a 28 in a full-frame kit. 77mm doesn't seem long enough for me. That said, an F 28 f2.8, DA 40 XS, and 77 Ltd doesn't sound so bad either.