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Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited Review

Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited

Main Features

  • 31mm Focal Range
  • F1.8 Max Aperture
  • Filter Thread: 58mm
  • Max Format: 35mm FF
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • Weight: 345g.
  • Diameter: 65mm
  • Length: 69mm
  • Min Focus Distance: 0.3m
  • Max Magnification: 0.16x
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Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L Overview


Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF) Wideangle Prime lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with KAF Mount cameras.

What type of photography is the Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L lens good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use the Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type Suitability
Bird/WildlifePoor
SportsPoor
PortraitAverage
TravelAverage
StreetExcellent
WeddingAverage
Walk AroundAverage
VloggingGood
LandscapeVery Good
MacroPoor

Lenses in Pentax KAF Mount with Same Focal and Aperture Range
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited
Compare
35mm FF 341gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Reasons to Buy Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited Lens

Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited lens in a list form to help you determine whether it offers the features you need.

PROs
Autofocus
Aperture Ring
DoF(Depth of Field) Scale
Hood supplied
Fast Aperture
Covers Full-Frame Sensor
9 Diaphragm Blades
Report a correction

Buy Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L from Amazon or B&H PHOTO


CONs
Pricey


Lens Mount

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L is compatible with cameras that have a Pentax KAF lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Pentax KAF lenses are Pentax K-3 III Monochrome, Pentax KF and Pentax K-3 III.

Size, Weight and Filter Thread

Size and weight is a very important decision factor when searching for your next lens. Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L has a maximum diameter of 65mm and total length of 69mm. It weighs 345g / 12.2 oz.

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L has a filter thread of 58mm. Below are links to the filters that we recommend you to consider for your Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L:

  • 58mm Variable ND Lens Filters
  • 58mm Circular Polarizer Lens Filters
  • 58mm Clear Protection Lens Filters



Focal Range

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L has a fixed focal length of 31mm. When it is mounted on an APS-C sensor camera with 1.5x crop, it provides an 35mm (FF) equivalent of 46.5mm.

Optical Image Stabilization

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).

Maximum Magnification Ratio

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.16x and has a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m. 0.16x means that the max magnification ratio is very low and not suitable even for modest close-up shots.

Below are the 3 Wideangle Prime type Pentax KAF mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:

  • Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/25: 0.43x - (Compare)
  • Carl Zeiss Distagon T2/28: 0.21x - (Compare)
  • Carl Zeiss Distagon T2,8/21: 0.2x - (Compare)

Aperture

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L has a max aperture of F1.8 and a minimum aperture of F22.0.

Optical Formula

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L's optical formula consists of 9 elements in 7 groups .

Lens Hood

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L comes with a built-in petal shaped lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.

Body Colour

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L is available in Black and Silver color.

Popular Comparisons of Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L

Here are the eight most popular comparisons of the Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L amongst Camera Decision readers.

Top Alternatives of Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L Lens
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited
Compare
35mm FF 341gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
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APS-C / DX 430gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL Lens HD Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL
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APS-C / DX 193gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Lens HD Pentax DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
Compare
APS-C / DX 214gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Lens Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 665gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 35mm F2.4 AL Lens Pentax smc DA 35mm F2.4 AL
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APS-C / DX 124gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 28mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro Lens Sigma 28mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro
Compare
35mm FF 500gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC
Compare
35mm FF 660gr MF Amazon B&H Photo

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**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited Alternatives in Pentax KAF Mount
Model Coverage Weight Focusing Street Price
HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited Lens HD Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 Limited
Compare
35mm FF 341gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Lens HD Pentax DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
Compare
APS-C / DX 214gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 35mm F2.4 AL Lens Pentax smc DA 35mm F2.4 AL
Compare
APS-C / DX 124gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Pentax smc DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited Lens Pentax smc DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited
Compare
APS-C / DX 215gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
HD Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL Lens HD Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL
Compare
APS-C / DX 193gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samsung D-Xenon 35mm F2 AL Lens Samsung D-Xenon 35mm F2 AL
Compare
35mm FF 195gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC Lens Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC
Compare
35mm FF 660gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Schneider PC-Super-Angulon 28mm f2.8 Lens Schneider PC-Super-Angulon 28mm f2.8
Compare
35mm FF 565gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Lensbaby Burnside 35 Lens Lensbaby Burnside 35
Compare
35mm FF 374gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 2,825 Lens Carl Zeiss Distagon T 2,825
Compare
35mm FF 480gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228 Lens Carl Zeiss Distagon T 228
Compare
35mm FF 520gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Carl Zeiss Distagon T 235 Lens Carl Zeiss Distagon T 235
Compare
35mm FF 570gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 28mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro Lens Sigma 28mm F1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro
Compare
35mm FF 500gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Rokinon 35mm f1.4 Lens Rokinon 35mm f1.4
Compare
35mm FF 660gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
Compare
APS-C / DX 430gr AF Amazon B&H Photo
Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens Venus Laowa 25mm F2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro
Compare
35mm FF 400gr MF Amazon B&H Photo
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Lens Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM
Compare
35mm FF 665gr AF Amazon B&H Photo

Pentax FA 31mm F1.8 L Detailed Specifications


General
Brand Pentax
Lens Type Prime
Lens Type Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount Pentax KAF
Max Format 35mm FF
Focal Range 31mm
Image Stabilization No
Colour Black or silver
Zoom Method No Zoom
Power Zoom No Zoom
Zoom Lock No Zoom
Zoom Ratio 1.0X
APERTURE
Max Aperture F1.8
Min Aperture F22.0
Aperture Ring Yes
Diaphragm Blades 9
Optics
Optical Elements 9
Optical Groups 7

FOCUSING
Min Focus Distance 0.3m
Max Magnification 0.16X
Autofocus Yes
AF Motor Type Screw drive from camera
Focus Method Extending front
DoF Scale Yes
PHYSICAL SPECS
Weight 345g
Diameter 65mm
Length 69mm
Weather Sealing Unknown
Filter Thread 58mm
Filter Notes -
Hood Supplied Yes
Tripod Collar No
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Frequently Asked Questions about Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
is the Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited a Weather-sealed lens?
What is the Minimum Focusing Distance of Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
is the Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited an Autofocus (AF) lens?
What is the Filter Thread Size of Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited
Does Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited have Image Stabilization?
Does Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited have Aperture Ring?
What is the Maximum Magnification Ratio of Pentax smc FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited


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