FA 31/1.8 AL ED Limited

This is the third Pentax “Limited” lens, made to the very best optical and mechanical quality possible.
As the first Limited wide-angle lens, it is larger and heavier than the other two. It produces excellent images and may well be the best lens in the highly acclaimed trio.
Mark Roberts: It’s quite simply the finest lens I have ever used. Another voice: The 31 Ltd is one of the best lenses ever made by any manufacturer.

Post Pet girls Rui and Sacchin flanking the superb FA 31/1.8 short prime lens.

Impressions

Unlike the other limiteds, the 31mm is quite large and heavy, although not unwieldy. The finish and feeling is impeccable, however, as are the images produced by this marvel. The fixed lens hood is not its best feature, though, being inadequate for the DSLR with APS-sized sensor.

Examples

Pinky Pucchi among some pineplants (1/60 f/6.7 ISO 400).

Autumn photo of grain silos (1/250 f/6.7 +0.5EV ISO 200).

Christmas window display with gold wreath and pillows (1/30 f/2.4 ISO 200).

Benneton window mannequins (1/45 f/2.4 ISO 200).

More examples can be found on the K10D/K20D page.

Greenhouse thermometer (1/125 f/6.7 ISO 400).

Unretouched JPEG detail from the original image (3008 x 2000 pixels).

Specifications

Lens construction: 9 elements in 7 groups
Angle of view: 70 degrees
Number of diaphragm blades: 9
Minimum aperture: f/22
Minimum focusing distance: 0.3m
Filter size: 58mm
Dimensions (diameter x length): 65mm x 69mm
Weight: 345g

Links

PentaxForums 2017 review of SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited.
ePHOTOzine SMC Pentax-FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited Lens Review
Lovely flower shots demonstrating excellent PA31mm bokeh
Popular Photography March 2002 review Pentax 31mm f1.8 AL Limited AF
Sunday Morning Column by Mike Johnston The Best (Autofocus) Lenses Money Can Buy
Mark Roberts is a Pentax user Pentax 31mm f/1.8 Limited
PBase Lens Sample Photos
Bojidar Dimitrov’s Pentax K-Mount Page

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