What lens would you buy just to throw it against a wall?

Jerry Thirsty · 04-16-2008, 06:13 PM

FA 28-80/3.5-5.6

Actually, I would not pay any money for this lens. In fact, if you wanted me to take it off your hands you would have to pay me (but then I would gladly throw it against a wall).

SpecialK · 04-16-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

However, I think the worst lens ever award might have to go to the cheap 500mm f/8 mirror reflex lenses that you can buy on ebay for $80 or less. That's a lens I can "almost" consider throwing into a brick wall.

I guess I have something to look forward to in a week or so. But it won't surprise me if true. It's just a LBA test, after all.

JJJPhoto · 04-16-2008, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by SpecialK

I guess I have something to look forward to in a week or so. But it won't surprise me if true. It's just a LBA test, after all.

It's not a completely worthless lens, but you have to put in some work to get consistently decent results out of those cheap 500mm mirror lenses. I've personally found I can get better results by cropping a cheap 70-200mm zoom lens image than what I get from the 500mm mirror lens.

Still, it's possible to get nice images out of that lens.

**pentagor** · 04-16-2008, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by Jerry Thirsty

FA 28-80/3.5-5.6

Actually, I would not pay any money for this lens. In fact, if you wanted me to take it off your hands you would have to pay me (but then I would gladly throw it against a wall).

Is it really so bad? I bought it on e-bay a while ago, because I was missing the 55 - 70 mm range in my bag. I took some pictures with it, and I'm not sure that it is so bad.
This is taken with this lens:

I agree: it is nothing special, but it isn't to throw it in the wall either...

JMS · 04-17-2008, 05:29 AM

If anyone wants to send me their F 35-80mm f4-5.6 to destroy, I would do it with pleasure- this is humanitarian. That lens is absolute CRAP!!!!

Jerry Thirsty · 04-17-2008, 06:00 AM

Originally posted by pentagor

Is it really so bad? I bought it on e-bay a while ago, because I was missing the 55 - 70 mm range in my bag. I took some pictures with it, and I'm not sure that it is so bad.

I agree: it is nothing special, but it isn't to throw it in the wall either...

At the place I worked a couple of jobs ago, we had that lens to use on a film camera for documenting some work (in addition to a real macro lens; we weren't completely stupid). The amount of barrel distortion at 28mm was so bad as to make it unusable, and it wasn't very sharp at any focal length that I recall. Maybe we had a bad copy, but I'm not going to bother tracking down more of them to do a scientific comparison.

reeftool · 04-17-2008, 08:00 AM

I have a couple of IX Nikkors that are totally useless for any other camera than a Pronea. I already took a ball peen to the camera......it felt good at the time. I see a potential for some entertaining youtube videos here.

little laker · 04-17-2008, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by reeftool

I have a couple of IX Nikkors that are totally useless for any other camera than a Pronea. I already took a ball peen to the camera......it felt good at the time. I see a potential for some entertaining youtube videos here.

Let me know what you have there reeftool, Theres a small chance that I can get you something for them.
I know of someone whom was planning on modifying those things to fit a Sigma body. It might not work though

axl · 04-17-2008, 08:41 AM

Canon EOS 350D kit lens

cardinal43 · 04-17-2008, 09:42 AM

Seems to me that not too long ago, someone on here (think it was Goosen??) took a hammer to a lens. I think he wanted to see what it would take to destroy it.

Not Registered · 04-17-2008, 11:03 AM

So far we have
Zeiss Vario Sonnar 80-200 f4 (frustration)
Pentax DA*16-50 (frustration)
Pentax FA28-80 (crappiness-humanitarian)
Pentax FA35-80 (crappiness-humanitarian)
IX nikkor lenses (potentially useless)
Tamron adaptall SP28-135 (to check built quality)
Cheap mirror 500 f8 (crappiness-humanitarian)
Canon 350D Kit lens. I think that it should be the 18-55 mkI (crappiness-humanitarian)

It seems that there is not consensus yet regarding which lens is more "throwable". Keep them coming

nathancombs · 04-17-2008, 11:20 AM

Pentax FA 28-80 power zoom just do not fell like one of Pentax's better ideas is it me or are most of them you see are missing the little button on the side or it is taprd on lol

Not Registered · 04-17-2008, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by nathancombs

Pentax FA 28-80 power zoom just do not fell like one of Pentax's better ideas is it me or are most of them you see are missing the little button on the side or it is taprd on lol

I think that the power zoom button rates high in a top 5 list of crappiest lens parts ever.

nathancombs · 04-17-2008, 12:12 PM

try this combo a Soligor 500 mirror lens W/ a JC Penney 2x converter lol

i did a bit of a comparson with my Vivtar sears 1 100-500 just for fun i know that these lenes are not for this but it is what i had in my frunt yeard. both shot @ 1600 K10D F 11 or so nor an i all that good at shotting small stuff

Soligor 500 mirror lens W/ a JC Penney 2x converter

Vivtar sears 1 100-500

i recntly got a Pentax - F 35-80 it not the best but not bad in my opinion i took this the other day with it

jgredline · 04-17-2008, 12:22 PM

Love the question and great topic....
For me, I have two lenses that need to meet the wall...
My phoenix 100-400mm lens (I actually do not have it any longer) and my Sigma 28-300 Super Zoom....Both are worthy of the wall....

04-16-2008, 06:13 PM	#16
Jerry Thirsty Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bronson, Missouri Posts: 72	This one here: FA 28-80/3.5-5.6 Actually, I would not pay any money for this lens. In fact, if you wanted me to take it off your hands you would have to pay me (but then I would gladly throw it against a wall).

04-17-2008, 12:12 PM	#29
nathancombs Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waysboro va Photos: Gallery Posts: 517	try this combo a Soligor 500 mirror lens W/ a JC Penney 2x converter lol i did a bit of a comparson with my Vivtar sears 1 100-500 just for fun i know that these lenes are not for this but it is what i had in my frunt yeard. both shot @ 1600 K10D F 11 or so nor an i all that good at shotting small stuff Soligor 500 mirror lens W/ a JC Penney 2x converter Vivtar sears 1 100-500 i recntly got a Pentax - F 35-80 it not the best but not bad in my opinion i took this the other day with it Last edited by nathancombs; 04-17-2008 at 12:18 PM.

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04-16-2008, 06:28 PM	#17
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Quote: However, I think the worst lens ever award might have to go to the cheap 500mm f/8 mirror reflex lenses that you can buy on ebay for $80 or less. That's a lens I can "almost" consider throwing into a brick wall. I guess I have something to look forward to in a week or so. But it won't surprise me if true. It's just a LBA test, after all.

04-16-2008, 08:41 PM	#18
JJJPhoto Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 419	Originally posted by SpecialK I guess I have something to look forward to in a week or so. But it won't surprise me if true. It's just a LBA test, after all. It's not a completely worthless lens, but you have to put in some work to get consistently decent results out of those cheap 500mm mirror lenses. I've personally found I can get better results by cropping a cheap 70-200mm zoom lens image than what I get from the 500mm mirror lens. Still, it's possible to get nice images out of that lens.

04-16-2008, 10:45 PM	#19
pentagor Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia Posts: 495	Originally posted by Jerry Thirsty FA 28-80/3.5-5.6 Actually, I would not pay any money for this lens. In fact, if you wanted me to take it off your hands you would have to pay me (but then I would gladly throw it against a wall). Is it really so bad? I bought it on e-bay a while ago, because I was missing the 55 - 70 mm range in my bag. I took some pictures with it, and I'm not sure that it is so bad. This is taken with this lens: I agree: it is nothing special, but it isn't to throw it in the wall either...

04-17-2008, 05:29 AM	#20
JMS Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 273	If anyone wants to send me their F 35-80mm f4-5.6 to destroy, I would do it with pleasure- this is humanitarian. That lens is absolute CRAP!!!!

04-17-2008, 06:00 AM	#21
Jerry Thirsty Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bronson, Missouri Posts: 72	Originally posted by pentagor Is it really so bad? I bought it on e-bay a while ago, because I was missing the 55 - 70 mm range in my bag. I took some pictures with it, and I'm not sure that it is so bad. I agree: it is nothing special, but it isn't to throw it in the wall either... At the place I worked a couple of jobs ago, we had that lens to use on a film camera for documenting some work (in addition to a real macro lens; we weren't completely stupid). The amount of barrel distortion at 28mm was so bad as to make it unusable, and it wasn't very sharp at any focal length that I recall. Maybe we had a bad copy, but I'm not going to bother tracking down more of them to do a scientific comparison.

04-17-2008, 08:00 AM	#22
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I have a couple of IX Nikkors that are totally useless for any other camera than a Pronea. I already took a ball peen to the camera......it felt good at the time. I see a potential for some entertaining youtube videos here.

04-17-2008, 08:34 AM	#23
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	Originally posted by reeftool I have a couple of IX Nikkors that are totally useless for any other camera than a Pronea. I already took a ball peen to the camera......it felt good at the time. I see a potential for some entertaining youtube videos here. Let me know what you have there reeftool, Theres a small chance that I can get you something for them. I know of someone whom was planning on modifying those things to fit a Sigma body. It might not work though

04-17-2008, 08:41 AM	#24
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Canon EOS 350D kit lens

04-17-2008, 09:42 AM	#25
cardinal43 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,412	Seems to me that not too long ago, someone on here (think it was Goosen??) took a hammer to a lens. I think he wanted to see what it would take to destroy it.

04-17-2008, 11:03 AM	#26
Not Registered Guest	So far we have Zeiss Vario Sonnar 80-200 f4 (frustration) Pentax DA*16-50 (frustration) Pentax FA28-80 (crappiness-humanitarian) Pentax FA35-80 (crappiness-humanitarian) IX nikkor lenses (potentially useless) Tamron adaptall SP28-135 (to check built quality) Cheap mirror 500 f8 (crappiness-humanitarian) Canon 350D Kit lens. I think that it should be the 18-55 mkI (crappiness-humanitarian) It seems that there is not consensus yet regarding which lens is more "throwable". Keep them coming

04-17-2008, 11:20 AM	#27
nathancombs Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Waysboro va Photos: Gallery Posts: 517	Pentax FA 28-80 power zoom just do not fell like one of Pentax's better ideas is it me or are most of them you see are missing the little button on the side or it is taprd on lol

04-17-2008, 11:43 AM	#28
Not Registered Guest	Originally posted by nathancombs Pentax FA 28-80 power zoom just do not fell like one of Pentax's better ideas is it me or are most of them you see are missing the little button on the side or it is taprd on lol I think that the power zoom button rates high in a top 5 list of crappiest lens parts ever.

04-17-2008, 12:22 PM	#30
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Love the question and great topic.... For me, I have two lenses that need to meet the wall... My phoenix 100-400mm lens (I actually do not have it any longer) and my Sigma 28-300 Super Zoom....Both are worthy of the wall....