| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: August, 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Posts: 1,411 | | Review Date: November 21, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $800.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | If you need the picture this is the lens to use. | | Cons: | I have not personally found any downsides to this lens. | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: PZ1p, MZ-S, K5iiS and *ist DS
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Is this the greatest lens ever? I really couldn't say and I am not sure I care. I enjoy my photography far too much to worry about those things. But if I need a lens on my film or digital Pentax cameras that always provides top notch performance and brings home excellent results then this is one of the few lenses I reach for. There are other lenses in this focal range that I think are just as good, maybe even better, but not for Pentax. The Zeiss Biogon 35mm f2 is an example that quickly springs to mind, but it isn't the only one. But that is pretty good company in my book.
Bear in mind, I rarely pixel peep nor do I usually try to shoot any of my lenses out on the bleeding edge. Unless I have to I am not a "wide open" photographer. I love my photographs to have eye-catching tones and colors. So I like to use them where they perform the best. This Limited lens does quite well at wide open apertures, and I have had to use it there before, but it can be truly stunning at f4 and f5.6. So that is where I use it most of the time. This is a Made in Japan copy that I have owned for a very long time. I bought it for my MZ-S and I have never regretted it. This truly is a classic and belongs in any Pentaxian's bag whether they shoot a crop sensor or a full-frame digital or film camera.
In my opinion this lens compliments the colors that the little 6 and 10 megapixel sensors provide.
 | | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2010 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 6,175 | | Review Date: April 15, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Superb ambience, color, and rendering of detail | | Cons: | No longer technically on par with the very "best" lenses | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-1
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Although the FA limited lenses were designed without numerical scores in mind, this doesn't mean they weren't technically superb lenses when they were first released over twenty years ago. They have been surpassed since on when it comes to such things as CA control and wide open sharpness by some of these high-end (and rather large and cumbersome) super primes. But in terms of aesthetics, of the image as it seen in a large print by the naked eye, nothing quite matches the FA 31 outside of high-end German glass. At its very best, the FA 31 produces images that had a beauty of tone, of tonal graduation, of rendering of detail that you'll find only in a handful of Japanese lenses. And while technically it may fall short of the very "best" lenses, it still holds up remarkably well even in terms of numerical specs. Yes, there is a bit of CA (which invariably cleans up in LR) and it's not as sharp wide-open as the latest and greatest. But those latest and greatest don't render detail like the FA 31; they lack the subtlety of coloration, the rich at times almost glossy ambiance, and the sheer subtle beauty of how this lens can project a scene. Those who are uptight about the FA 31's minor technical flaws would do well to avoid this lens. Get one of the DFA f1.4 primes instead. But for the aesthetically inclined photographer, this lens is self-recommending.
Some images, all shot with the K-1:
At f1.8:
At f5.6:
At f7.1:
At f11:
 | | | | | Forum Member Registered: March, 2013 Posts: 70 | | Review Date: March 6, 2023 | Not Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 6 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 8
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 4
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K1ii, MZ-S
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I think a lot of the super positive reputation of this lens comes from either the film era, or use on the APS-C cameras that crop the sharpest center of the image or due to the Pentaxian echo chamber.
If you use this on a film camera like I did on my MZ-S, well, its hard to beat. Is there a film era 35mm f/1.8 from Canikon that performs as well AND is as elegantly sleek and good looking? I think not. If you shoot 35mm film and you want a 35mm-ish lens, I think this is a pretty awesome option. I now shoot 120 film, but if I ever went back to 35mm, the Pentax 31mm f/1.8 would be my top choice.
However, if you plan to use it on a digital full frame camera like I did on the K1II... well... it turns out pixies don't exist and there is no magical dust. Put a modern 35mm f/1.8 on a mirrorless camera (I have a Sony) and it will be better at basically everything, it will be smaller and to rub salt in that wound, it will also be cheaper.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: December, 2020 Location: Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago Posts: 40 | | Review Date: December 9, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, size, weight, appearance, Bokeh, color, contrast, etc | | Cons: | Really the only issue with this lens is the CA. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 6
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-1
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I coveted this lens for many many years before Pentax released a digital FF camera. I finally purchased the K-1 brand new after having gone through several flagship APC-C models once they were affordable used. This lens has been, and will continue to be my go to for general photography that I really want the best out of. This is my go to for most of my paid work, and never disappoints!
Check out my album for this lens on Flickr. I really need to categorize more of my photos from this lens, but cars are sort of boring, and that's mostly what I shoot with this lens.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/lordawesome/albums/72157716106511843 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: June, 2015 Posts: 9 | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2018 Location: Tokyo Posts: 10 | | Review Date: June 13, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $510.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | f1.8, color rendering | | Cons: | heavy for a APSC, purple fringin, AF | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: KP
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If you only care about image quality then this is the go to lens. But for the price I think I expect more. The AF and purple fringing shows its age.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2017 Location: Medellín Posts: 1,322 | | Review Date: January 10, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $550.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Wide and nine-bladed aperture, rendering. | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-5, Film bodies
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Got it through the forum as a normal for my K-5 and stays on most of the time. Really amazing optic. Size comes with the large aperture. It just makes me want to get the other two!
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2013 Location: Makati City Posts: 44 | | Review Date: May 1, 2017 | Recommended | Price: $680.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharpness, build | | Cons: | price | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 8
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: Pentax K-S2
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Mine is a used Pentax FA 31 1.8: black edition, assembled in Vietnam. This copy may have been manufactured around 2012 or so, since Ricoh does not yet appear on the box although the paperwork already mentions the acquisition by Ricoh (which I understand happened in late 2011).
Autofocus is accurate with the K-S2, even when shooting at max aperture.
I’m pleased with the images taken with the Pentax K-S2. Properly focused (with the exception discussed below), images are acceptably sharp from corner to corner even at f/1.8. Compared to my A 28 2.0, K50 1.2, and DA 50 1.8, the FA 31 has noticeably better sharpness/contrast at large apertures. I would rate the FA 31 in the same league as the Zeiss 2/35 in sharpness.
Now the exception. With the focus at infinity, closer in-focus subjects are significantly sharper than subjects farther away below f/8. Focused at infinity, closer subjects, such as objects across the street, are acceptably sharp from corner to corner even at f/1.8, while subjects farther away — even those near the center of the frame — are blurry. More distant subjects sharpen up at f/8.
Example below shows what I mean.
The test scene shows objects across the street (electric posts), and farther away a construction site.
These are 100% crops, unsharpened, no adjustments.
So it’s f/8 for landscapes, any other aperture for closer subjects. My Zeiss 2/35 behaves like the FA 31 for distant subjects, so that does not seem like a peculiar behavior.
Below is a handheld shot using the FA 31 at f/8, no sharpening.
This is a 100% crop of the rocks.
| | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2013 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: December 8, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $773.42
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Wow - amazing | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-7
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I am a novice, so I cannot add much more value than the other experts in this forum. Yay, for Black Friday sales!
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2014 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: October 1, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, colour rendition, bouild quality | | Cons: | some CA | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 6
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K10D
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Stunning lens, fantastic 3d rendition, great bokeh, razor sharp. Build quality is fantastic.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: November, 2010 Location: New Berlin, WI Posts: 528 | | Review Date: August 8, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Amazing IQ (sharpeness, colors, contrast, bokeh), Metal construction | | Cons: | Some noticeable CA, Price | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-3, K-5
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Just an exceptional lens. Amazing image quality, including razor sharpness and very smooth bokeh (very smooth). A bit of CA on digital sensor, but this lens was designed for film so... That's the only point that doesn't make it perfect. Built quality is superb.
For photographers who only want the best.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2011 Posts: 4,873 | | Review Date: August 4, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Bokeh, Rendering | | Cons: | No quick shift, no WR | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 8
New or Used: New
Camera Used: Pentax K-5
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It's tough to reasonably imagine a much better lens.
Bokeh is the best I've ever seen for a wide-angle. Pretty sharp.
Aberrations are only OK, but controllable.
| | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2013 Posts: 3 | | Review Date: January 25, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $954.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | My copy is very sharp even wide open. | | Cons: | A bit expensive... | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 7
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K-3
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I've always wanted an FA Limited but am unable to afford one until now. I find the most useful for me to be the 31mm focal length. It's really amazing, i've never had a lens like that even if mine is a used copy... i would only go for a Made In Japan copy over an Assembled In Vietnam copy... I found one that is almost perfect.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: October, 2011 Location: Cambridge, Ontario Posts: 179 | | Review Date: December 15, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $600.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, amazing IQ | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: Used
Camera Used: K5
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I have wanted this lens for a long time. Two months ago I found a used one at the Henry's show (lucky for me it was hidden under some Nikon boxes) and saw the price and picked it up immediately.
It is a fixture on my K5 along with my DA Limiteds. The IQ is stunning and the lens lives up to its reputation. My only regret is I waited this long.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2009 Location: USA - Delaware Posts: 435 | | Review Date: October 21, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Soft at 1.8 (perfect portraits), Sharp past 2.8, Bokeh rendition, color, contrast | | Cons: | Soft at 1.8 (for handheld at night), price | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Autofocus: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
New or Used: New
Camera Used: K-7
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Amazing. Absolutely amazing. It renders like no other. Contrast and color are fantastic right out of the raw file.
Portraits: great wide open. Even thought it is a little soft, it creates glowing portraits with wonderful 3D bokeh. The pixie dust is there!
Landscape: Sharp past F2.8. Great for night photography also as it creates beautiful starbursts after F10.
I was skeptical about its value. It is EXPENSIVE! When I got it I expected it to be super sharp! It is not... Wide open it is soft(ish) but slightly stopped it is amazingly sharp. Like I said, the softness I find an advantage for portraits. I do think the price is entirely justified. Just buy it! You will not regret it!
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