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

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

I recently purchased a Pentax K-5 body. I wanted to choose a specific lens to fulfill my photography needs. I shoot mostly landscapes, so I wanted a fairly wide angle lens. This lens is perfect for what I do. This lens is extremely smooth and fast. I am really in love with the 1.8 f/stop capability! Pictures are very crisp and have amazing colors. Very true to life. The design of the lens is very appealing. I really like that the lens hood and lens are one piece. Very good build quality. Other reviewers say that this lens is heavy, but in my opinion, I love the weight of this lens. It has a nice feel to it when I shoot. I am very pleased with my purchase.

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

I bought the Pentax K5 and this lens at the very end of 2010. This is the only lens I have for the K5.The FA31 is the most impressive lens I've used in 45 years, and that includes Nikon F lenses and Zeiss lenses for the Contax SLRs.My favorite attribute of this lens is its bokeh (i.e. how it renders out-of-focus images, especially highlights). I really wanted the Pentax FA43 lens, due to its size/weight and focal length perspective. I prefer a moderate telephoto to a normal. However, when I tried out the FA31 and the FA43 head-to-head on the K5, the bokeh convinced me. It was that apparent, even though the FA43 has very good bokeh. Background highlights were rendered considerably better with the FA31.One thing I will say, on my K5 I've had to use the AutoFocus Adjustment at +4 to correct for backfocus on the FA31. But that's OK - I'm glad the K5 offers that. That being said, it is still very important to nail the focus with this lens.When your subject is between 2-5 feet away, this lens (like the FA43) gives an almost 3-dimensional rendering. Not always, but often enough. Hard to describe. (A picture is definitely worth 1000 words here!) On this attribute, the FA43 is slightly better, IMHO.Even though the FA31 is not weather-resistant, I've had no problems in moderate rain, though I am careful. And I put a wide (1/2") rubber band around the base of the lens where it joins the body to keep moisture out, as that is the weakest link. The rubber band covers both the camera lens mount and the rear of the lens. The lens itself is extremely well-sealed due to its high quality construction in general.All the other positive attributes you see in other reviews are also true for my FA31 (micro-contrast, color rendition, tonal transitions, etc.), but others have said them already!

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)!

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!

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.

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

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.

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

it would be the lens which you must have

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

Pictures of oil painting

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

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

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)

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.

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.

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

very sharp and great bokeh at the same time

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.

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! [...]

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!

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

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.

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.