Zeiss Distagon
T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
 vs
Pentax SMC
FA 31mm f/1.8

vs

differences

Reasons to consider the Zeiss T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Slightly more magnification 1:5 (0.2x) vs 1:6.2 (0.2x)
Help
 Take macro shots with subjects around 30% larger in your photo
Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef Learn more about
the Zeiss T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Reasons to consider the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8
Auto focus Yes vs No
Help
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
Shorter 69 mm vs 109 mm
Help
 Around 40% shorter
Slightly cheaper $1,296.95 vs $1,843.00
Help
 The best price we've seen is $546 cheaper (around 30% less)
Slightly lighter 345 g vs 0.6 kg
Help
 More than 40% lighter
Slightly smaller diameter 66 mm vs 87 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller lens at the end
Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Learn more about
the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8

similarities

Compared to lenses

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Prime lens Fixed focal length prime lenses Help
Typically very sharp
Focus motor No silent focus motor Help
Louder and slower
Max focal length Poor telephoto Help
T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef:21 mm
FA 31mm f/1.8:31 mm
Zoom range Poor zoom Help
1x

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef

Low light lens

$1,283
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the Distagon 28mm f/2 T* Canon-ef vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Zeiss CP.2 25mm/T2.9 Canon-ef

Zeiss CP.2 25mm/T2.9 Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$3,900
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Compare the CP.2 25mm/T2.9 Canon-ef vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the CP.2 25mm/T2.9 Canon-ef vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

Low light lens

$1,329
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Compare the EF 35mm f/1.4L USM vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

Zeiss Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon 25mm f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Low light lens

$1,699
Aperture Wider aperture
Compare the Distagon 25mm f/2 ZE Canon-ef vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II

Tilt-shift lens

$2,199
Tilt-shift Tilt-shift lens
Magnification More magnification
Aperture Narrower aperture
Diameter Slightly larger diameter
Compare the TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

Low light lens

$449
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Compare the EF 28mm f/1.8 USM vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

Wide angle lens

$739
Auto focus Auto focus
Focus motor Has a silent focus motor
Prime lens Is a zoom lens
Aperture Narrower aperture
Compare the EF 17-40mm f/4L USM vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef
Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Wide angle lens

$2,950
Lowest price More expensive
Weight Slightly heavier
Compare the Distagon T* 15mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef vs the Distagon T* 21mm f/2.8 ZE Canon-ef

Pentax SMC FA 31mm f/1.8 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Pentax SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL

Lens

$647
Length Shorter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Aperture Significantly narrower aperture
Compare the SMC DA 21mm f/3.2 AL vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8
Zeiss Distagon 35mm T* f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Zeiss Distagon 35mm T* f/2 ZE Canon-ef

Low light lens

$1,117
Auto focus Auto focus
Length Longer
Compare the Distagon 35mm T* f/2 ZE Canon-ef 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
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 FA 43mm f/1.9

Pentax SMC FA 43mm f/1.9

Low light lens

$747
Length Shorter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper
Magnification Slightly less magnification
Min focal length Slightly worse wide angle
Compare the SMC FA 43mm f/1.9 vs the SMC FA 31mm f/1.8

discussion Which do you think is better?

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