To be serious for a moment, if we can assume that all of the parts used to assemble a 31mm Ltd (and perhaps any other lens) are made in the same place, does it really matter where these parts are combined and does it materially affect the performance of the lens.

It's entirely possible that Pentax's Vietnam assembly facilities are actually superior to their Japanese factories because I think they are more modern, and all assembly staff irrespective of their geographical location, will probably have followed the exact same training procedures, albeit in a different language.

Ahhhh, thanks for the info. That will be the label that fell off when I first opened the box. I wondered what it was.

I have a made in Wigan one that was contaminated with said vegetable matter.

A cold rinse followed by a hot wash in the dishwasher, and now it's almost as good as a made in Japan sample. The 'Assembled by hand and with care in Wigan' label came off of course.

The aperture blades squeak a bit, and the aperture ring was a bit stiff and 'gritty'. A liberal soaking in WD40 soon sorted that out.

I'll be using it to shoot some of my son's wedding next week.

NOTE: If any young children are reading this, none of it, except the sentence above, is true. Please don't subject your dad's/mum's 31mm Ltd lens to this procedure as you will probably not survive.

Loving the last two. Is that the TV reflected in the subjects eye?

You will probably already have discovered how difficult this lens is to use hand held and wide open due to the very narrow DOF. A monopod or tripod will help enormously, as will a flash and diffuser.

Here's one in Canada, and another in Japan.

Owners of the FA 31mm Ltd rarely sell them and I doubt you'll get any offers from here, but if you wait long enough, you just might.

Thanks for your comments Will. Of the other people who have seen it and commented (on other forums), nobody likes the star effect much.

I was quite pleased with it at first, but have tended to like it less the more I look at it.

My original thoughts were for a greetings card or similar, not just a photographic record.

Well at least nobody hated it, or if they did, were too polite to comment.

Bernard, I haven't posted the originals of these shots, but I'll find some time tomorrow.

As for contrast, I too would have preferred more contrast, but I had to increase it a lot in Lightroom to get any at all. it was a very dull and cloudy day when I shot these. I intend going back to repeat the exercise when the sun is out.

Well, if you are up for a refurb challenge and are skilled (very skilled ) with chipboard and plastering, I'm sure the property could be had for next to nothing.

I don't actually know if buildings have a 'listed' status, listing, certainly

Frankly, this building is too far gone to be saved I think.

Re graffiti, I think the practice is perhaps more prevalent in Spain than UK. It's everywhere. Some of it is very good, but most is nothing more than unsightly.

I've been experimenting with a couple of the Topaz Labs modules, Adjust 5 and Star Effects.

The original untouched image first,




Then the resulting image.




C & C welcome.