That's what I would do, although I'd want to keep something wide as well.

If you know you want the FA31 then sell enough other lenses to get it. That is the only answer.

My point was that you can get a PEN system for the price of a single Pentax lens. So it does in fact make financial sense. As for DOF control, MFT is much the same as APSC. You should really look at some photos before speaking to the point. (Besides, if that was your main priority you'd be shooting full-frame.) In any case, it's hardly applicable to street shooting which was the application under discussion.

There are several good compacts but the image quality does not compare. Whereas MFT is very close to APS-C.

He he. It's not really a "gap" for me. In fact I've never much understood that way of thinking. If gaps are the issue, one should shoot with a zoom. But most people find that with a zoom they shoot at one end or the other. So it goes!

I have no doubt he FA31 is a superlative lens but it gives up too much being not close enough to 28mm and too big (relatively speaking).

Well, it is rather cheap for a Leica. Most have an extra zero on the price! I got a good deal on one already converted for K-mount (though the conversion could be better).

For me there is no contest since I must stop down the 50 to f/2 to get an image I like. It has a very workmanlike and excellent IQ after that, but the FA43 is special. And again it's much smaller.

Would you not look at the Olympus PEN for that? With the Panasonic 20mm it is very small indeed and doesn't look much like a "real" camera. Of course the angle of view is nowhere near as wide but better for street IMO. I got the two for 400 euro which included some extras, shipping, etc.

Second cut:

FA 43 Limited
FA 77 Limited
DA 12-24
Vivitar Series 1 105mm Macro

I could happily live with those four lenses.

We are in sync on this, partially because we both shoot for fun and have an exacting eye. Not being professionals we don't have to compromise!

I have quite a few lenses but which ones are worth using? Here's the first cut.

FA43: Without a doubt the best rendering.

FA77: A better focal length for me, since it works for details and portraits.

K50/1.2: Hmmm... I don't find the extra stop that useful since I am not into fake "art" looks from massive coma. For the same reason I don't want any cheap Russian lenses. But still I keep it since it works so well on my PEN.

Vivitar 24/2: For when I want a straightforward street lens.

DA12-24: The only zoom I need, since only in the wide end is a zoom essential. If I had the DA15 I would miss the extra 3mm ans also the extension to 24mm which is one of my favourite focal lengths.

Vivitar Series 1 105/2.5 macro: One of the best ever made, though there are many other good candidates. Though I have a couple of the world's best 135mm lenses I would keep this one instead since it does 1:1 macro.

DA 55-300: Far better than it has any right to be, but really do I need a long zoom? Once in a blue moon.

Leica Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm: I have no idea why this one Leica is reasonably priced since it gives up nothing on the image front. But it renders in an old-school fashion that doesn't interest me much. Still, having a macro in this focal length kills two birds with one stone.

Prices?

Thanks for this comparison. John is correct to point out that sample variation can be a significant factor.

I have a Komine-made Vivitar 24mm f/2 that does a fine job. The only thing I can fault it on is distortion at the edges. I tend not to use it wide open to avoid a bit of softness. But I pack it in place of the DA12-24mm when space is at a premium (and when I don't think I will need a very wide shot). It's a great street lens.


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Lovely work Puma! Great period feel.