Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited

Legendary wide-angle prime with exquisite rendering

Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited
85/100
LENS SCORE
Features 15
Performance 19
Durability 19
Price 12
Usability 20
Brand Pentax
Model 20280

Key Features

OPTICS 7 groups, 9 elements including one aspherical element
APERTURE 9-blade rounded diaphragm for smooth bokeh
CONSTRUCTION High-grade aluminum barrel with premium finish
FOCUS Screw-drive autofocus system driven by camera body
COATING Pentax SMC multi-layer coating for flare reduction
COMPATIBILITY Full-frame K-mount coverage, compatible with APS-C
MIN FOCUS 0.3m (11.8 inches) minimum focusing distance
FILTER 58mm front filter thread size
HOOD Built-in retractable petal-type lens hood
MOUNT Metal K-mount bayonet
SIZE Compact prime design for street and landscape
WEATHER SEALING Not officially weather-sealed, but robust metal build
REPUTATION Renowned for unique 3D-pop and color rendition

The Most Important Rings & Switches — Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited

Ring / Switch / Control Status Note
Focus Ring ✓ Present Manual focus ring with smooth dampening
Zoom Ring ✗ Not Present
Aperture Ring ✓ Present Physical ring with A-position lock
AF/MF Switch ✗ Not Present Controlled via camera body switch
Image Stabilisation Switch ✗ Not Present
Focus Limiter Switch ✗ Not Present
Function (L-Fn) Button ✗ Not Present
Zoom Lock Switch ✗ Not Present
Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) ✗ Not Present
Weather Sealing ✗ Not Present All-metal construction, but not weather-sealed

How-to Use Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited

Welcome to the How-to section of the lens. In this Light & Composition University website, each page for a lens has a how-to section and a section for learning. The rings, switches and controls of each lens are placed differently between brands and models. The how-to section helps you operate the lens; however, if you are interested in learning photography, you also need to know what each control changes and why you would change it. Click the “Learn” or scroll down.

Learn & Master Photography with Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 Limited

For over a decade, we have been teaching photography following a university standard. No one does it better than us. We have a selection of courses, diplomas, graduate and post-graduate programs, as well as some of our best-selling university press publications, to guide you in the best possible way for your lens. Enroll in the fundamentals and then move to the genres you want to master.

Technical Specification

Lens Type Wide-angle Prime
Focal Length 31mm
Maximum Aperture f/1.8
Minimum Aperture f/22
Lens Construction 9 elements in 7 groups
Angle of View 71 degrees (full frame)
Diaphragm Blades 9
Minimum Focus 0.3m
Filter Size 58mm
Dimensions 65mm x 68.5mm
Weight 345g