tips on the FA31mm??

I have managed to keep my collection of lenses to just what I need, namingly the 18-250mm, 10-17mm fisheye and 31mm f1.8.
While I'm pretty happy using the first two, the 31mm is definitely one that I have never managed to get the hang of using, to a point that I even considered selling it because I would like to fund a fuji x10 (leave that alone here).
But after lots of thinking I've decided that I probably haven't used it enough to say it doesn't suit me, and to be fair it's focal length does fit my bill, just not so with it's size! So I've decided to give it a try and it'll live on the camera permanently for the next few outings that I'll call upon it. So I'm wondering, would anyone have some handy tips on how to handle this lens and work its wonders? I do tend to spend most of my shooting time in the outdoors, doing landscapes though it sometimes does involve taking pictures of fellow hikers/climbers.

Or would anyone simply suggest that the 31mm isn't the lens I should be using and should opt for something that'll suit my size requirements like the 15mm or even the 35mm f2.8 macro or 35mm f2.4?!

Adrian

I don't own the 31mm, but I wish I did. However, what I can share in relation to what is well known about this lens is that CAs are very well controlled, it's sharp at f/1.8 and razor sharp at medium apertures and produces good bokeh. Well thats what I have read.

Like any prime you have to think and move more, but I guess this improves pre visualisation in terms of photography and the lenses effective uses.

In terms of Landscape work, the 15mm can be just as challenging as the 31mm, you just have to keep using lenses like these so that you know their strengths and weaknesses in order to get the best from them.

If you ever wan't to swop the 31mm for a 15mm let me know.

The 31mm is close to what would have been the "standard" lens on film - the 50mm in those days.

As such, its field of view approximates the effect of normal human eyesight, although obviously the actual field of view is not as wide as our eyes. The perspective should look natural. Of course some equate this to unexceptional and boring and hence use wider or longer lenses that give a different view on the world.

So the 31mm should be usable for pretty much any subject. If you don't like its look then the 35mm is unlikely to appeal to you any better.

As regards its bulk, well it is what it is, but at least has the convenience of an integral lens hood.

I think you're doing the right thing. Use it for a while and see where it goes. It might appeal, it might not. It seems so far you've not found much reason or need for it, but after a while it might grow on you.

We'd love to see some results when you're ready.

Well put John

Pete

Chaude, why don't you stick it on your camera and take shots with just this lens for a week. You will automatically start changing your position to get the right frame.
I also am lucky enough to own this brilliant lens and the difference between this and other lenses is tremendous. I have compared the IQ with the DA* 16-50 and the difference is crystal clear.

Check out these,it may give you an idea of it's capabilities!

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/pentax/smc_pfa_31_18_al&t=1321832215

Forget about size and weight; it's lighter and smaller than the 18-250

I have called the FA31Ltd at several occasions a bitch; maybe it was my expectations, maybe I was pixel peeping, maybe I shoot the wrong subjects with it? I don't know, but I was often not too impressed. It was however not the focal length that was worrying me.

So when I bought the K5 last year, I decided to mount the FA31Ltd permanently on it for a while and only use that combo to see. And it worked out well.

It lives now about 95% of the time on my camera; I use it for about everything from indoors to landscape to flowers to full body portraits to ... I use a DFA100WR if I want to pull things a bit closer and about once or twice a year I use the kit lens if I need the flexibility.

I will quite often take just one body + the FA31.

Have to say John's words does put everything into very understandable context but everyone's opinions have been very useful! Think the 31Ltd will live on the camera for a while now so I will get a chance to really use it! I have done that with the 10-17mm fisheye and the 18-250 zoom (voluntarily or involuntarily) so guess it's the 31Ltd's turn!
Thanks again guys, hopefully I'll come back with some results this weekend if I head for a walk around the shropshire way!

I don't know - Try to make some portraits of your fellow hillwalkers when you arrive to pub after walk - make them sit next to window for having a rembrandtian light - and the fa31 will excel. It's not much a landscape lens, it likes to take details and show it's bokeh .... look for some nature details and play with them. It is also very good with colours rendition, but stopped down and focused at infinity i don't find it any better than any other lens I had.

If you can't get on with a £1,000 odd lens then I doubt whether you'll learn to like it a £1,000 worth. Cash in.