Fast normal lens question

So I'm looking for a fast normal lens to replace my SMC-FA 50mm f1.4. I really like the quick glass, so at first I was only thinking of going for the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

However, after playing with the FA50 in some low-light situations, I think I can deal with f1.8, maybe even f2.0 if I really need too. So given this, I've added a few more lenses to the hunt. Which would you guys want?

Pentax 35mm f2.0
Sigma 30mm f1.4
Sigma 28mm f1.8
Sigma 24mm f1.8
or ... save you money for a year and buy the Pentax 31mm LTD f1.8

Save your money.

Why would you want to do this? Why replace a perfectly decent lens with an unknown of similar spec and function?

None of the above - go for FA 31mm Ltd if you really, really need the 50mm FF equiv. IQ top draw and, as it has an aperature ring with a A setting, compatable with ANY K mount camera ever made

Otherwise - as others have said - save yr money.


Steve

What your not saying is what focal length is important to you? if your currently using a 50mm are you wanting to go wider, if so then how wide?

You also need to consider how important Depth of Field is in your shots, all the lenses you list will have a far greater DoF at any given aperture than the 50mm, so for instance if you like throwing the background out of focus then a wider lens is not the way to go.

If I was you, I'd go for the 35/f2 from Pentax. I have heard great things and it (and the Samsung rebadge) are reasonably priced.

If I was me, I'd definitely give my wallet a month off or *maybe* grab a manual lens in that sort of focal length to see if the focal length get used.

Mr Chasey is right. You'll never regret going for quality, and the 31mm is in the topmost drawer of all.

G

Save and buy the 31mm, I suspect the others may be disappointing after the 50mm you already have.

Another vote for the FA31.

Try and find a clean s/h FA*24 f2.0, it was my most used "normal" prime lens by far (1773 out of 44000 shots in my main catalogue) when I was going through the "prime addiction" phase. It had the fastest AF of all the primes and had no more PF than the FA 31. Out of all the primes I've sold on, it's the only one I slightly regret selling.

I've used my FA 50 macro and the FA*300 f4.5 for more shots though, as I favour macro and telephoto primes, otherwise I much prefer quality zooms.