Pentax smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black)

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The smc Pentax 31mm f/1.8 FA Limited wide angle lens is a high-performance fast optic for discriminating Pentax shooters. Fit and finish are on par with the world's best, and the nine-bladed aperture diaphragm renders unfocused highlights in a smooth, creamy palette of blurred color. This lens incorporates a glass-molded aspherical lens elements to minimize spherical aberrations. The FA Limited series features full-frame image coverage with full automatic and manual aperture control, and offers incredible sharpness and image quality made specifically for Pentax DSLR cameras.

This lens incorporates a glass-molded aspherical lens elements to minimize spherical aberrations.
Sharp, crisp image reproduction, even at the maximum aperture of f/1.8
Non-rotating front lens element
Built-in lens hood
The thin, lightweight design makes it an ideal carry anywhere lens
The versatile angle of view produces natural images with a moderate perspective or an expanded depth of field, making it ideal for many different types of subjects and occasions, from snapshots to landscapes to architecture
The limited lens series quality offers distinctive visual appeal and a premium appearance with its polished metal design
Developed for Pentax film SLR cameras, however full-frame optics are also compatible with Pentax digital SLR cameras
Performance
Focal Length 31 mm
Comparable APS-C Focal Length: 46.5 mm
Aperture Maximum: f/1.8
Minimum: f/22
Camera Mount Type Pentax K
Format Compatibility 35mm Film / Full-Frame Digital Sensor
Pentax Digital (APS-C)
Angle of View 70°
Minimum Focus Distance 1.00' (30.48 cm)
Magnification 0.16x
Maximum Reproduction Ratio 1:6.25
Groups/Elements 7/9
Diaphragm Blades 9
Features
Image Stabilization No
Autofocus Yes
Tripod Collar No
Physical
Filter Thread 58 mm
Dimensions (DxL) Approx. 2.6 x 2.7" (6.60 x 6.86 cm)
Weight 12.2 oz (346 g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black)
 
4.9

(based on 63 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (58)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (5)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

98%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Fast / accurate auto-focus (50)
  • Strong construction (45)
  • Durable (40)
  • Consistent output (33)
  • Nice bokeh (33)

Cons

  • Heavy (14)
  • Slow focus (4)

Best Uses

  • Night photography (35)
  • Low light (33)
  • Landscape/scenery (25)
  • Weddings (22)
  • General purpose (14)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Photo enthusiast (21), Enthusiast (13), Semi-pro photographer (9), Casual photographer (8)
    • Was this a gift?:
    • No (35)

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 63 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-20

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5.0

A luxorious wonder

By Tord

from Gothenburg, Sweden

About Me Photography Student

See all my reviews

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Durable
  • Nice Bokeh
  • Rugged
  • Strong Construction
  • Superbly sharp

Cons

  • Hard to focus at times
  • Heavy

Best Uses

  • Landscape/Scenery
  • Night Photography
  • Video

Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

I'll start with the cons:

Not too good in back-light conditions.

Pros: Superbly sharp at any aperature, feels very much as a pro lens (which it naturally is, considering its price, what it is)!

A delight to use, bar in backlight conditions, when it, among other things, can be difficult to focus correctly. been using it on my K-5 and on my Sony NEX-5N (with a suitable adapter)!

  • Was this a gift?:
  • No

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4.0

A delightly new experience

By Tord

from Gothenburg, Sweden

About Me Photo Enthusiast

See all my reviews

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Durable
  • Easily Interchangeable
  • Nice Bokeh
  • Rugged
  • Sharp at all focal length
  • Strong Construction

Cons

  • Backlighting problems

Best Uses

  • Indoors/Low Light
  • Landscape/Scenery

Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

This is a really sharp lens, that oozes quality!

Having a few Pentax FA lenses already this filled a gap in the range. Impressively sharp lens, but not the best if you plan to shoot against the sun, as it then gets a bit soft. Recent shooting, with this lens, and an FA77, they proved equals when having the sun behind your back, but not as good when having the sun shining in your face.

Could maybe be a back-focusing issue - will investigate!

  • Was this a gift?:
  • No

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5.0

Arrival was early beyond anticipation.

By hyasige

from TOKYO JAPAN

About Me Photo Enthusiast

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Consistent Output
  • Durable
  • Easily Interchangeable
  • Nice Bokeh
  • Strong Construction

Cons

  • Heavy

Best Uses

  • Indoors/Low Light
  • Landscape/Scenery
  • Night Photography

Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

It arrives early very much practically equal with the mail order in Japan, and is thankful to your staff.
The article is functioning satisfactorily.
This is a wonderful lens and it becomes pleasant to push a shutter.

  • Was this a gift?:
  • No

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(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

 
5.0

It's Pentax

By Dave.J

from Republic of Georgia

About Me Photo Enthusiast

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Consistent Output
  • Durable
  • Magic rendering
  • Nice Bokeh
  • Strong Construction

Cons

  • Slow Focus

Best Uses

  • Indoors/Low Light
  • Landscape/Scenery
  • Night Photography

Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

Great lens with very natural and realistic look output, DOF is very narrow wide open with very smooth transition from in-focus to out of focus area and bokeh is very close to what you see with your eyes in real. The most importaint with this lens is preciese focusing. One more good thing is it's sharp across the frame. The only weak point for me is more than visible QA from wide open till 2.8 but however you can get very nice shots wide open especially at night

  • Was this a gift?:
  • No

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4.0

Once Bitten but not shy

By Wayne

from Tucson

About Me Photo Enthusiast

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Durable
  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
  • Nice Bokeh
  • Strong Construction

Cons

  • Heavy

Best Uses

  • Indoors/Low Light
  • Landscape/Scenery
  • Night Photography
  • Weddings/Events

Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

got my version and love the feel immediately. solid constructions. love the Depth of view. easy to get the dreamy effect.

bad thing was when use in manual focus.. theres this Grinding Sound being produced. check with other users and determine that it wasn't normal.

now awaiting a replacement from B&H.

  • Was this a gift?:
  • No

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5.0

excellent lens

By nari

from Japan

About Me Casual Photographer

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
  • Strong Construction

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Indoors/Low Light
    • Landscape/Scenery
    • Night Photography
    • Weddings/Events

    Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

    it would be the lens which you must have

    • Was this a gift?:
    • No

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    I would buy this product again

    By pb326

    from BEIJING,CHINA

    About Me Casual Photographer

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Consistent Output
    • Fast / accurate auto-focus
    • Lightweight
    • Nice Bokeh

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Indoors/Low Light
      • Landscape/Scenery
      • Sports/Action
      • Weddings/Events

      Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

      Pictures of oil painting

      • Was this a gift?:
      • Yes

      Share this review

       
      5.0

      the one

      By le bon chat

      from quebec

      About Me Photo Enthusiast

      Verified Buyer

      Pros

      • Consistent Output
      • Durable
      • Fast / accurate auto-focus
      • Nice Bokeh
      • Rugged
      • Strong Construction

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Indoors/Low Light
        • Landscape/Scenery
        • Night Photography

        Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

        A must if you have the $ for pentax body or else ... :)

        • Was this a gift?:
        • No

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        5.0

        a must to have

        By jegi

        from Marseille, France

        About Me Photo Enthusiast

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Consistent Output
        • Durable
        • Fast / accurate auto-focus
        • Nice Bokeh
        • Strong Construction

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Indoors/Low Light
          • Landscape/Scenery
          • Night Photography
          • Weddings/Events

          Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

          the sharpest of the limited series and of the da*
          the bokeh is better with long focal limited and da*)
          but you have also a great quality of images : colour, 3D effect
          a must to have
          and to buy tom bhphotovideo : the best internet seller Ive had to date (Im leaving in France)

          • Was this a gift?:
          • No

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          5.0

          Awesome

          By kam

          from Quebec

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Fast / accurate auto-focus
          • Strong Construction

          Cons

          • Heavy

          Best Uses

            Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

            Great all around lens.

            Even with the hood, it's easy to attach a filter on.

            It might be a little heavy, but the results are worth it.

            Can't wait to use it during my next trip.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

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            (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

             
            5.0

            Lives up to the hype

            By BeanShot

            from Boston, MA

            About Me Photo Enthusiast

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Consistent Output
            • Durable
            • Easily Interchangeable
            • Fast / accurate auto-focus
            • Nice Bokeh
            • Rugged
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

            • Heavy

            Best Uses

            • Indoors/Low Light
            • Night Photography
            • Weddings/Events

            Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

            This is a perfect walking around all-purpose lens. It is incredibly sharp corner-to-corner at all apertures, and color and contrast are absolutely mind boggling from f/2.5 and beyond. I have some other great Pentax lenses, like the 21mm/3.2, 15mm f/4, and the 40mm/2.8, and as far as image quality is concerned, this one outclasses all of them in every way.

            The only downsides so far:
            * It is a bit large and heavy (but just a bit).
            * It is an older style FA lens, so there's no quick shift like you get on the more modern Pentax lenses.
            * Expensive, but I don't think you can find anything like this lens for any DSLR camera system at any price.

            • Was this a gift?:
            • No

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            5.0

            best lens for APSc sensor

            By benzoman

            from bryn mawr, PA

            About Me Semi-pro Photographer

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Nice Bokeh
            • Rugged
            • Strong Construction

            Cons

              Best Uses

                Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                very sharp and great bokeh at the same time

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

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                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                A classic .. but what classic !

                By chris

                from france

                About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                • Lightweight
                • Nice Bokeh
                • Strong Construction

                Cons

                • Af noisy

                Best Uses

                • Indoors/Low Light
                • Night Photography
                • Sports/Action
                • Weddings/Events
                • Wildlife Photos

                Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                If you love street portrait, if you love nice bokeh, this lens is for you :)
                The construction is amazing , and the sharpness of the picture are awesome...
                Quite expensive, but if you want one of the best lens ever, you need to have this one.
                Just perfect.

                • Was this a gift?:
                • No

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                (2 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                4.0

                Prefer 35mm 2.8 Macro

                By GuyB

                from Arcata, CA

                About Me Photo Enthusiast

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Nice Bokeh

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Indoors/Low Light

                  Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                  Tried 6/2011 on K-5. CAs very noticeable in high contrast scenes, and not fixed by K-5 lens correction settings. Fine bokeh at 1.8, but not nearly as good for most close flower pix as 35mm 2.8 Macro (even within the 31mm's focus range). Sharp for some landscape pix (though not noticeably more so than 2.8, using FHD monitor at 100%), but less impressive than 2.8 in a 4-photo landscape panorama in terms of color and contrast, and not noticeably sharper, even when shot at optimal f 4.0 (vs. optimal f 8.0 for 2.8). Lens cap too heavy and tight fitting to use comfortably with CapKeeper, unlike 2.8 cap (better with Bower 58mm snap-on cap attached with loop of Elastoma). Overall, for my use, worth less than the 2.8, not more, yet almost twice the price! [...]

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

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                  (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  The hype is true!

                  By Mikael

                  from Sweden

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Easily Interchangeable
                  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                  • Lightweight
                  • Nice Bokeh
                  • Strong Construction

                  Cons

                  • CA

                  Best Uses

                  • Indoors/Low Light
                  • Landscape/Scenery
                  • Weddings/Events

                  Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                  I always considered this lens to be to expensive and could never justify its price. As i slowly tried lenses after lenses trying to find what i like, i finaly ended up here, with 31 and the other two.

                  I was happily surprised with everything about this lens! Its size, build and focal length (APS-C). All the aspects of this lens is great, and its sharp sharp sharp, and the bokeh is great for a wide lens.

                  The only things one can think of as downsides compared to other brands is: Its an old lens, built in AF and WR would be great. But all those modern things would significantly take away the "Limited feel" of this lens.

                  It is what it is, and its great!

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

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                  5.0

                  FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited...perfect for me

                  By benzoman

                  from Philly

                  About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Consistent Output
                  • Durable
                  • Easily Interchangeable
                  • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                  • Lightweight
                  • Nice Bokeh
                  • Rugged
                  • Strong Construction

                  Cons

                  • Pricey but worth it

                  Best Uses

                  • Fashion
                  • Indoors/Low Light

                  Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                  Angle of view on crop chip is same as 90mm on my 6 x 7. Basically a 45mm fast normal lens with great bokeh, creamy 3D look, sharp, metal, fast focus

                  • Was this a gift?:
                  • No

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                  5.0

                  Quality Drips from this lens

                  By canomike

                  from NY

                  About Me Photo Enthusiast

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Durable
                  • Nice Bokeh
                  • Rugged
                  • Sharp

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Indoors/Low Light
                    • Landscape/Scenery
                    • Night Photography
                    • Weddings/Events

                    Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                    Super construction.
                    FAST normal length lens for ASP-C.
                    Today most maufacturers think 2.8 is extra.
                    Thanks Pentax for doing 1.8.

                    It is the flagship of the Limited family.
                    Get one while they are still available.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

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                    5.0

                    Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8

                    By Alan

                    from Cape Town, South Africa

                    About Me Pro Photographer

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Excellent IQ
                    • Lightweight
                    • Rugged
                    • Very Sharp

                    Cons

                    • Hood limits filters

                    Best Uses

                    • Indoors/Low Light
                    • Landscape/Scenery
                    • Night Photography
                    • Travel

                    Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                    As part of the Limited line-up, this prime offers a wider view well suited for travel, landscapes & street scenes. Very sharp on the K-5, even from f1.8! Lovelly colours and contrast. Nice manual focus feel & throw. Hood does not screw off, which is a pity as this gets in the way with ND grad square filters.

                    • Was this a gift?:
                    • No

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                    5.0

                    See what you have been missing

                    By Guido

                    from Sarasota, Florida

                    About Me Pro Photographer

                    Pros

                    • Fast / accurate auto-focus
                    • Nice Bokeh
                    • Nice in your hands
                    • Strong Construction

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                        Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                        This is THE standard lens, perfect angle of view. I was fortunate to start anew with Pentax digital, I have been using Pentax 67 for thirty years. I purchased from B&H the new K5 and the FA31mm. The images are superb with medium format like tonal graduation. It is a professional quality lens! A little heavy but remember this was designed for much larger camera.

                        • Was this a gift?:
                        • No

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                        5.0

                        The Hype is True!

                        By Cheez-It

                        from Tennessee

                        About Me Semi-pro Photographer

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                              Comments about smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black):

                              What's left to be said about this, the most desirable Pentax lens available? It is worth the considerable premium that it costs, and then some. Output is just superb but may have a bit of a learning curve for some. The only real negative is of course, the hood. But there are work-arounds if it really is a problem for you.

                              Bottom line is that this is the lens that pretty much all Pentaxians either own or aspire to own. How long can you resist?

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                              What's in the Box

                              Pentax smc Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited (Black)
                              • Front & Rear Lenscaps
                              • Case
                              • Permanently Attached Lenshood
                              • 1-Year Warranty
                               
                               
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