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09-26-2010, 03:49 PM   #31
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QuoteOriginally posted by Frogfish Quote
I'm swimming against the tide.

Improve the performance of ALL your lenses (much improved AF and high ISO) or add one more (superb) lens ?

For me a no-brainer. Camera first and then save for the 31.
+1 to this suggestion.
Besides there are many other fine Pentax and third-party lenses available to use instead of the FA 31mm. More important to get a good camera and go out and shoot rather than have a fine lens that's constrained by a camera that's already discontinued and outclassed.

09-26-2010, 10:15 PM   #32
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...but that's suggesting switch brands altogether now
09-26-2010, 10:44 PM   #33
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How about you buy the K-r and the FA31? At current prices the K-r is $800 cheaper than the K-5 with some of the same great features of a current DSLR, and the price difference between the two cameras is almost enough for you to buy a FA31 used (I've seen used FA31 copies on the market for $900-$1,000). If you sell your K200D it would make up this difference, while if you keep it you'll still have a weather sealed body if you need it.
12-25-2010, 01:36 PM   #34
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lens, lens, lens first... so I advice you to get the 31mm Limited ;-) .. as many others before.

Of course, in my opinion the K5 & 31mm Ltd. is my dream combo (I shoot about ~70-80% procent of my photos with 40-55mm focal lengt -35mm equiv.), still. get the lens first :-)

Good luck.

12-25-2010, 04:05 PM   #35
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I too would suggest glass. I have the 31 Ltd and it is wonderful. I also have a K20, would like to upgrade to the K5, but have a lot of life left in the 20 and still a lot of skill to develop. Sometime next year the K5 will be much more affordable. The 31 even makes my K100 perform better - so glass, and glass....

12-27-2010, 06:03 AM   #36
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Buy glass, bodies come and go, glass is forever, well with Pentax it seems that way.
12-27-2010, 06:46 AM   #37
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i have k200 and recently bought k5 and to be honest: no regret. it`s wonderful camera, especially compared to k200. but if you can wait for price drop, then wait and buy a 31ltd and k5 later.

12-27-2010, 07:15 AM   #38
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QuoteOriginally posted by creampuff Quote
+1 to this suggestion.
Besides there are many other fine Pentax and third-party lenses available to use instead of the FA 31mm. More important to get a good camera and go out and shoot rather than have a fine lens that's constrained by a camera that's already discontinued and outclassed.
+2!

The vastly improved body will radically transform your photography much more so than that over priced prime. I could have bought the FA31 but opted for the Sigma 30 1.4 because for the life of me - I can't see the value of the FA 31. Go here...

Full-size sample photos from lenses

…then take a long hard look at images taken by both lenses. Be honest with yourself and ignore the Pentax cheerleaders.
12-27-2010, 07:16 AM   #39
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QuoteOriginally posted by kerrowdown Quote
Buy glass, bodies come and go, glass is forever, well with Pentax it seems that way.
Not so with SDM!
12-27-2010, 07:36 AM   #40
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Go the FA 31mm LTD

QuoteOriginally posted by mtroute Quote
As for the FL, I am a huge user of the "Normal" range. Most of my shots fall right into the 30mm range give or take. I also do a lot of photography indoors and the F50 1.7 gets a lot of use but tends to be a bit long.
Based on the above I'd say go for the FA 31mm LTD.

There's not many better 'into the 30mm range give or take'.

Just a step or two forwards, a step or two backwards - and you got it covered.

The K-5 will get cheaper soon. The 31mm should at least hold it's value.

At least you have a fun decision to make .

Cheers,

Rod.
12-27-2010, 08:01 AM   #41
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QuoteOriginally posted by mtroute Quote
So oddly this is a real dilemma for me. I really would like to have all the features of the K5 (I have a k200) but have been putting money away for the 31mm. Not that I am looking for you all to make my decisions but I would like some of your thought on the subject.
What kind of pictures do you take?
What lenses do you currently have in the 30mm range?
What is currently lacking in you picture taking that either the 31 or the K-5 will help fix?

Making a recommendation before knowing this info is a bit speculative, IMHO.
12-29-2010, 01:10 AM   #42
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QuoteOriginally posted by Edvinas Quote
Lens (especially Pentax FA Limited lens) is almost an investment (If I would sell my FA limiteds I would get more than I paid for them two years ago), DSLR body is spendings. Go for the lens.
Same here. As a user of the FA31mm, its exquisite. Just do it.
Akhil
12-29-2010, 11:30 AM   #43
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Well after much consideration, I have decided to opt for the K5 (once the price drops) as for the glass, I picked up th Sigma 30mm 1.4 and am very happy with it. Granted it does not have the mystique of the FA 31mm but for my purposes, I am happy with the IQ and quality.

Thanks for all your thoughts it was certainly helpful.
12-30-2010, 02:13 AM   #44
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I'm thinking about getting the K-5 as well, but probably going to get a portrait or wide lens first while Pentax fix the problems with the K-5.

I don't think anyone should buy a lens thinking it as an investment. You should just get what ever that has the quality you want/need. And it's not certain that prices of the FA lenses will go up if Pentax releases a full frame camera (Pentax might create a new line of FA lenses, improve them, or tweak them with new coating which could lower the prices of the current lenses).
12-30-2010, 11:47 AM   #45
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i can't believe this advice. i would 100% prefer a K-5 with a 35/2.4 over a k200 with 31.

31 is so overpriced.

i would even rather have the k5/kit lens than the k200/31.

I think you chose wisely as a photographer, poorly as a lens collector (i would have done the same)
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