Thanks to Ann and Larry for the comments. To my > >In other news, the Sigma EX 28mm f1.8 makes an *awesome* lens for > >aurora on the K-5. Larry added >Congrats! I wonder how that lens compares with the FA 31/1.8
Never having had one, I can't comment directly but by all accounts the FA 31 Limited is a wonderful lens and sharp, even wide open. For that feature alone, it would probably be a big improvement over the Sigma (which I stopped down to 2.8 for my images) and worth the 2-1/2-times-the-price-of-the-Sigma to many people. Shorter exposure times = more frames if one is doing intervalometer work to turn something into a video from the stills. I probably should have tried some wide open for comparison, but was pretty happy with what i was getting with my 15 sec. at f2.8 exposure times. The Sigma registers on my K-5 as a f1.7 wide open (but is officially called an f1.8 lens). I'm sure the 31mm limited is smaller & lighter, too. On the other hand, wider is better for aurora photography and the 42mm (equiv.) view for the Sigma vs the 46mm (equiv.) view for the 31 Limited, on a crop camera is a plus. Bottom line is that I'd have to sell a bunch of stuff (that I'd rather keep) to be able to afford a FA 31 Limited right now and I'm very happy with my bang-for-the-buck with the Sigma EX (which was the first *new* lens that I've ever purchased. It would be fun to see someone do a head-to-head comparison. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.