[stormtech]

Now I've done it......

Through my short journey with Pentax gear, I started with the basics with a DA 16-45 and DA 55-300. I've throughly enjoyed these lenses.

One of my goals this past summer was to shoot my wife's many flowers - bought a DFA 100 2.8 for that and love it. But...I started judging all my photos with the other lenses against the sharpness of the DFA 100. Since using that lens for a few months now, I've been very critical of all my photos for sharpness - is this some kind of disease?

Now it gets much worse. A couple days ago I received a Tamron SP300 2.8. This lens gives my the type of sharpness that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up - ohhhh how I love it.

So now, I wonder if there is any going back. I've killed my budget for lenses (actually a bit overkill), but now all I can think about is how to replace that 16-45 and 55-300 with killer sharp lenses.

Heck, I almost sold one of my cars this week so I could go after some more killer glass.

Am I screwed now?

[wizofoz]

Welcome to the land of LBA my friend. The road to LBA land is the road to perdition and there is no turning back. You do have a spare kidney, don't you?

[chalion]

Hey, if you're vested in your 401k, you can borrow against that for your LBA fix................

[8540tomg]

Yep. You're officially screwed.

Tom G

[TOUGEFC]

Well f/2.8 isnt really fast.
I think what you mean to say is "I'm ruined now by sharp glass"
And yes your screwed, there is no going back!

[RioRico]

You are on the pathway to doom. Pack a lunch.

[blackcloudbrew]

Yep, until PF sets up the home for recovering LBA addicts and the 12 step lens sales program to return you to just your kit lenses, you have to realize that you have opened the door and you are officially screwed...like the rest of us. Hey, I'm getting a Pentax M 120mm lens, it's really cool...er...crud I'm done it again.

[adpo]

welcome to the club! get a good notebook and trusty pen, it helps with listing all the stuff you plan on buying. writing lists helps with prioritizing what comes next (for me, its a FA77 and FA*24 at the top of my list atm)

[stormtech]

Well f/2.8 isnt really fast.
I think what you mean to say is "I'm ruined now by sharp glass"
And yes your screwed, there is no going back!

You are correct sir - tried to edit the title but can't.

I was (still am) in a bit of a frenzy with this LBA stuff and can hardly think straight......

[Primes4ever]

I agree with all the posted responses. LBA is a disease that keeps you on an exhaustive search for great glass. My own thirst for sharpness and superior IQ can only be quenched by great prime lenses, but only for a short time until I get the next one. But what a wonderful disease.

[Jonathan Mac]

I´d make two points:

1. Sharpness is not everything in a lens. This tends to be forgotten nowadays because it´s easily measurable, while many other qualities are not.
2. I doubt you´ll be able to replace the zooms with other zooms that are as sharp as the 100mm macro, no matter the model or make you try.

[RioRico]

Heck, I almost sold one of my cars this week so I could go after some more killer glass.

Am I screwed now?

We all need our priorities and goals.

You've got to have a dream!
If you don't have a dream,
How you gonna have a dream come true?
--OH2

I´d make two points:

1. Sharpness is not everything in a lens. This tends to be forgotten nowadays because it´s easily measurable, while many other qualities are not.
2. I doubt you´ll be able to replace the zooms with other zooms that are as sharp as the 100mm macro, no matter the model or make you try.

Excellent points. I don't use a Jupiter-9 85/2 or a K50/1.2 wide-open for their sharpness, but because they're magickal. And nothing is as sharp as a macro or enlarging lens. Slight FL and rendering difference aside, my M42 Vivitar-Komine 90/2.8 macro (cost me US$3, current price around US$100) and the M42 Macrobel plus Novoflex Noflexar 105/3.5 (cost me US$45, now probably well under US$100) are similarly edge-to-edge flatfield sharp and brilliant at all distances, macro and beyond. For bargain shooting, you can't beat enlarger lenses.

[ICTUS TACTUS]

I started with the 16-45 and find myself not wanting to use it now that I have a nice FA 50. I find it hard to get good results with the former, mostly because I can't compensate for my inconsistent technique without faster glass.

[Ash]

Sharpness of a lens does dazzle a photographer, but each one has its use - the 16-45 is still a very sharp landscape lens, clearly not very useful for speed or DoF control. The 55-300 is very good indeed, but certainly ain't no speed demon either. So enjoy the fast ride chasing after fast lenses.

[axl]

Well f/2.8 isnt really fast.
I think what you mean to say is "I'm ruined now by sharp glass"
And yes your screwed, there is no going back!

Well, for 100mm and over the f2.8 is actually considered fast, and for 300 definitely!

Anyway, easiest way on fueling...ehm, fixing...this lust is to start with fast-ish primes, such as F/FA50/1.7, F/FA28/2.8, maybe DA70...and then you'll lust after 55/1.4 or 50/1.2, maybe 77ltd or 85/1.4...

It never ends, now that you are hooked on, all you can do is to get some ocasional "fix" through some purchase...good luck