PhotographyBanzai.com

A friend wanted to try out his new Sony NEX-5N camera, so we went out today to take some photos. I decided to go light and use the K-5 with FA 31mm f1.8 lens. That lens is one of the best lenses for most situations because the focal length equates to around 46mm on APS-C. EDIT: I'm keeping this article live for the sake of history, but know that walking around train tracks is a very bad and dangerous idea. Especially if you are preoccupied with something like photography.  Graffiti covered structure Don't do what we did, it's dumb and dangerous. A bad idea to take a photo like this.

Already another question and answer post! Keep them coming. 🙂 Sharing information is a great way for everyone to learn. Edit: I have to say, I like the way he thinks. Why waste money on an inferior lens if you will eventually replace it? Opting to start with that 50-135mm f2.8 lens was a good idea. I’d say, If you have the cash, it is often a good idea to truly consider the high quality equipment for your given system of choice. On the other hand, the most expensive lens isn’t always the best. In my response, I go over some issues I see with the 31mm lens, but it is still one of the best lenses out there. The initial contact: I bumped into you on Youtube, have been following your channel for a while now. Great stuff! I’m in dire need for some advice, and I have a hunch I came to the right place. I recently got into photography and bought a k-5 and a DA 50-135mm. That’s my only lens (I spent my last buck on it:P, and I’m loving it) so now I am look...

The Pentax FA 31mm f1.8 Limited was first offered in 2001 and is still in production as of this writing in 2011. It’s one of three FA Limited prime lenses. FA is the designator for full-frame lenses that are not specifically designed for digital cameras.  FA Limited lenses come with film-era features like an aperture ring and all metal casings with an emphasis on a hand-assembled feel of quality. There aren’t many lenses offered these days that have such properties. Look for the Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 AL Limited Lens through my links: B&H , Amazon , Used on KEH , and eBay .  As an affiliate of these shops, I earn from qualifying purchases!  Technical specifications for the lens: Lens Mount: PENTAX K AF Lens Construction: 7 groups 9 elements Angle of View: 70 degrees Aperture: F1.8 Number of Diaphragm Blades: 9 Minimum Aperture: 22 Minimum Focusing Distance: 12 inches Filter Diameter: 58mm Maximum Magnification: 0.16X Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.7″ Weight: 12.2 oz. Case: N/A Obj...

he question was brought up on Pentax Forums recently “Is the 31mm Limited really 2.8 times better than the 40mm Limited?” As you can guess, the debate has been raging on for many pages. FA 31mm f1.8 Limited to DA 40mm f2.8 Limited together: The 31mm and 30mm with a Canadian coin. To start things off, that photo describes why I advocate buying both. While their usage can overlap, the sheer size difference puts them in different categories. FA 31mm differences: Almost the perfect general purpose lens with a very normal focal length in APS-C. No quick-shift focus system is a pain sometimes. Average sized and gives your left hand something to hold. Wide aperture for background blur and low-light photography. Big front element with the build in hood isn’t ideal for current Pentax DSLRs. Has an aperture ring. Front element and filter threads are a little different. Took me three tries to find a filter that I could safely use (Hoya HMC and S-HMC are good, I opted for a S-HMC with this lens)....

I finally got around to editing a 5 minute clip of the last convention I went to (the 2011 c2e2 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo). My intent here was to make something high-energy, so I found a fun high BPM song on ccmixter.org called Feeling Dark (Behind The Mask) by 7OOP3D. The final video ended up being only around 1 minute 30 seconds because I sped up the footage quite a bit. The software I used was a NLE called Kdenlive. I removed all of my music videos from the photo/video channel and created a complication. Some of the videos are not the same due to music changes.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH8CkEjKDTA The blur was somewhat intentional, or at least I expected to get a result like that. I was using the 31mm f1.8 at a large aperture and I guessed as to the focus.  Eventually, I’d like to make my own music to go along with the videos I take, but that is way off in the future most likely. I tried making a “beat” today with some Linux software (Rosegarden) and a ...

I attended C2E2 on Saturday the 19th. Of course, I spent most of the 8 hours there photographing cosplayers and walking around. As this was my first Sci-Fi convention, I wasn’t sure how things would work. It’s pretty similar to an Anime convention, but the guests who attend are even more diverse than most anime conventions. I was really impressed by the costumes, as you could tell, a lot of them required some top-notch skills. The convention had an overall different feel than an Anime convention, but with many positive aspects. My setup consisted of the Pentax K-5, battery grip, and FA 31mm f1.8 Limited. I initially was shooting in what I like to call the built-in “bokeh mode” that keeps the camera set at max aperture, but I eventually moved to aperture priority and set to a fixed f2.0 for most of the convention. You can see EXIF data on my photo site if you are interested.   I had my first outing with the Kata 3N1-22 backpack/sling bag and it worked quite well. It was ...

All items are in and ready for the trip! I think I’ve got all of my bases covered in focal length and maximum aperture. I’m looking forward to giving my two new recruits (31mm and 50-200mm) a full run-through. I’ve decided to take: DA 14mm f2.8 – Rectilinear wide angle should be great for taking images on the ship, and of course landscape vistas. FA 31mm f1.8 Limited – All rounder, which I now dub the renaissance man of lenses. DA 50-200mm WR – Give some range to the kit without much weight. – Weather resistance to go along with the K-7 on rainy days if any occur. Call me crazy, but I usually use filters with my lenses. While it’s possible that there is some very slight quality loss I prefer having something in front of the main lens element for ease of cleaning and protection. I found to today that the new 31mm has a strange filter layout. The filter threads go all the way down to the front element, so when I put a filter on the two pieces of glass were touching in the middle. Lu...

I’m going on a cruise in a week courtesy of my aunt and uncle. I’ve never been on a cruise (“vacations” are a foreign concept to me for the most part), but I just know there will be a multitude of photo opportunities over the trip. This brings me to the reason I’m writing this article today.   I took this opportunity to acquire a Pentax FA 31mm f1.8 Limited lens. It’s been on my wanted list since I’ve owned a DSLR, but I’ve always found a justification to not buy one (usually “It’s too expensive” was the reason). This trip was the deciding factor as I wanted a single lens to rule them all. While I plan on taking one or two other lenses with me, the 31mm will be my primary tool. Pentax Fa31mm If you’ve been interested in SLR and DSLR cameras for a few years, you will probably know the term LBA (Lens Buyers Anonymous/Lens Buying Addiction). It’s an affliction that “serious hobbyist” photographers get that leads them to serial buying of camera lenses. They find any justifi...