Pentax SMC
FA 31mm f/1.8
 vs
Pentax SMC
DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8
Wider aperture f/1.8 vs f/2.8
Help
 At its widest, the FA 31mm f/1.8 captures much more light, 1.3 f-stops
Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Learn more about
the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8

Reasons to consider the Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Much more magnification 1:1 (1x) vs 1:6.2 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 6.5x larger in your photo
Slightly cheaper $696.95 vs $1,296.95
Help
 The best price we've seen is $600 cheaper (around 50% less)
Slightly shorter 47 mm vs 69 mm
Help
 More than 30% shorter
Slightly lighter 215 g vs 345 g
Help
 Around 40% lighter
Pentax SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Learn more about
the Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Length Short Help
FA 31mm f/1.8:69 mm
DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro:47 mm
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
FA 31mm f/1.8:31 mm
DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro:35 mm
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax SMC 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL

Pentax SMC 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL

Low light lens

$217
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the SMC 35mm DA L f/2.4 AL vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k

Low light lens

$439
Wide maximum Has a lower max f/stop
Compare the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Pentax-k vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Lens

$647
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Pentax SMC FA 50mm f/1.4

Low light lens

$447
Compare the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the SMC FA 50mm f/1.4 vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Low light lens

$747
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Pentax SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL

Pentax SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL

Wide angle lens

$647
Aperture Has a narrower aperture
Compare the SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Compare the SMC -DA 15mm f/4 ED AL vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro

Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k

Low light lens

$899
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Aperture Wider aperture
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM A1 Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Pentax SMC 35mm f/2 FA AL

Pentax SMC 35mm f/2 FA AL

Low light lens

$600
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Length Slightly shorter
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC 35mm f/2 FA AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k

Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k

Low light lens

$1,228
Magnification Slightly more magnification
Auto focus Auto focus
Aperture Slightly narrower aperture
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* ZK Pentax-k vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Sony 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar

Sony 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar

Low light lens

$1,098
Magnification More magnification
Compare the 24mm f/1.8 E-Mount Carl Zeiss Sonnar vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Pentax SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

Pentax SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro

Macro lens

$847
Wide maximum Significantly narrower aperture
Max focal length Better telephoto
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the SMC DA FA 100mm f/2.8 WR Macro vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

Low light lens

$98 - $125
Aperture Wider aperture
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Magnification Much less magnification
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the EF 50mm f/1.8 II vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6

Olympus M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6

Wildlife lens

$300
Zoom range More zoom
Max focal length Better telephoto
Magnification Much less magnification
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Compare the M.Zuiko 40-150mm f/4-5.6 vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4

Pentax SMC DA 70mm f/2.4

Low light lens

$697
Aperture Wider aperture
Max focal length Slightly better telephoto
Magnification Much less magnification
Min focal length Worse wide angle
Compare the SMC DA 70mm f/2.4 vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8

Pentax SMC DA 40mm f/2.8

Lens

$497
Length Shorter
Magnification Much less magnification
Compare the SMC DA 40mm f/2.8 vs the SMC DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro

discussion Which do you think is better?

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