The one lens you just never "clicked with"

ChristianRock · 06-04-2018, 07:41 AM

Have you had a lens that you had good expectations for, that you just didn't click with?
To me, other than some old film lenses that are known pretty awful but I still had some good expectations for, I think the DA 21 Limited. I know I only had it for two weeks and that is not enough time to learn a lens, but I didn't think the colors were that great (some colors somewhat exaggerated, other colors a bit muted like light brown), the sharpness wasn't that much better than my DA 16-45, and I also think the DA 16-45 in what little distortion it has, still makes the pictures look more natural or closer to reality, while the DA 21 distortion felt a bit weird to me, and I think I'm talking more about wide angle distortion than barrel distortion. I'm probably doing a bad job describing it, but the truth is, I just didn't click with the lens. Now well over a year later, I think I could try it again to see if I just haven't given it enough time to grow on me, especially considering others have created masterful works of art with it.

What's yours?

victormeldrew · 06-04-2018, 08:03 AM

The 10-17 fisheye. I was expecting to have a lot of fun, but ended up with a whole lot of meh. But I sold it on, then used the funds towards a Lensbaby Velvet 56 and I've enjoyed that more than any other.

normhead · 06-04-2018, 08:12 AM

I have exactly one photo on my library of over 2000 images taken with my DA 35 2.4. And I'm surprise there's one.

**pres589** · 06-04-2018, 08:29 AM

DA 35 f2.4. OoF rendering is kind of busy, it's not as fast as I would like for easier background separation, field of view on my crop body camera isn't comfortable (for lack of a better word) to me. And now that I own what appears to be a good copy of the K series 35mm f2.0, I can sell the DA 35 2.4 at some point and not feel like I am missing anything save for fast AF.

reh321 · 06-04-2018, 08:33 AM

Not a big surprise - my K-30 was kitted with the standard DA 18-55; I had just jumped back from Canon and greatly prefer in-lens AF motors, so I purchased a DA 18-135 and never looked back.

kaipa · 06-04-2018, 08:36 AM - **1 Like**

FA 31 on APS-C. Believe me or not. Still keep it just in case I decide switching to FF one day, but do not use at all. Prefer FA* 24 or FA 43 instead.

stevebrot · 06-04-2018, 08:55 AM

That is a tough one since I am generally able to get on with most lenses/cameras. Generalizing to both APS-C and 24x36mm FF, I did manage to find one that seldom leaves its shelf. Despite historic high regard for both build quality and optical excellence, I simply have a hard time bonding with my Tamron SP 70-210/3.5 (19AH) regardless of the body it is attached to. I have agonized over this and finally have come to the conclusion that its density and balance (or lack thereof) do not work in its favor with Pentax-A 70-210/4 occupying the space next to it on the shelf.

Steve

(...dishonorable mention goes to my Tamron 24/28 (01BB) whose main fault is that the focal length does not work for me...)

veato · 06-04-2018, 08:58 AM - **1 Like**

Any 50mm prime on APS-C. For me the 'crop factor' just makes it too long for what it was traditionally used for in 35mm days. I bought the Sigma 30mm f1.4 Art and I much prefer that on APS-C. I've heard the same said for 135mm on APS-C but I don't have one of those to comment!

I still use my 50mm but mainly when messing around with extension tubes and reversing rings for macro.

**BigMackCam** · 06-04-2018, 09:39 AM - **4 Likes**

The HD DA20-40...

Firstly, for a zoom lens it's slightly limited in focal length range - never quite wide or long enough. So far as IQ is concerned, it's decent enough (good at the wide end, actually), but I've never agreed with those folks who consider it a "stack of primes" that can replace the DA21 f/3.2, DA35 f/2.8 and DA40 f/2.8 Limiteds. And the thing I have most trouble with is the border and corner performance at the long end. Our own PF review suggests that's due to coma, but I get the impression that the lens suffers from significant field curvature too.

It's beautifully built, feels great in use, and I know some people get great results from it. I really want to like it, but I've never clicked with it. That said, I've never disliked it enough to sell it either, and I keep telling myself that some time soon I'll spend a whole week shooting with it, until we've bonded

timb64 · 06-04-2018, 09:45 AM - **1 Like**

500mm mirror lens(forget which make),infinitesimal depth of field,mushy softness overall,sold on very rapidly for a small loss,lesson learned!

MrB1 · 06-04-2018, 09:51 AM

The Sigma 30 Art was a disappointment for me. I like focal lengths in the standard range so got it a few years ago for the K-5IIs. Despite many hours trying to set it up, its autofocus was just too unreliable - hit and miss with more of the latter. It is also bulky and heavy, so I exchanged it and gradually collected some of the HD DA Limiteds, e.g. the HD 35 Ltd is excellent and with no adjustment needed it is totally reliable for me. (I wish there was a 28!)

woodworm · 06-04-2018, 09:56 AM

Pentax 12-24. I like it, but it doesn't get nearly as much use as my 10-17 fisheye.

bdery · 06-04-2018, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

I think the DA 21 Limited. I know I only had it for two weeks and that is not enough time to learn a lens

If it's the SMC version, then that lens makes sense mostly as a night shooter. It creates the most beautiful starbursts I've ever seen.

I'm currently testing the FA 20-35 to replace it on full frame, and even though the FA is nice, the starbusts aren't nearly as good.

To answer the question, the lens I've never warmed up to is the FA 31. I even wrote about it on the home page:

Comparing the 3 Pentax FA Limited Primes - Hands-On Tests | PentaxForums.com

08amczb · 06-04-2018, 10:31 AM

I've used all of my lenses in 2018 except the DA35. Maybe I should sell it...
I have the FA31 and that is so much better. I don't like the OOF renderation of the DA35, but I kept it for the 49mm filter thread when I bought the FA31.

tvdtvdtvd · 06-04-2018, 11:12 AM

Sigma 70mm 2.8 EX DG Macro

Yes, it's very sharp. But I hate its bloated bulkiness. I hate the feel of its textured rubberized barrel. I hate the mushy feel of its manual
focus. AF, as with just about any macro, is slow, sluggish and never what I want, (in fact, it's a little puzzling why any macro should be AF).
I really should sell the lens; I have four other macros I use more frequently, (DA35/2.8, SMCA 50/2.8, Vivitar 90/2.5 & SMCA 100/4).

06-04-2018, 07:41 AM	#1
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	The one lens you just never "clicked with" Have you had a lens that you had good expectations for, that you just didn't click with? To me, other than some old film lenses that are known pretty awful but I still had some good expectations for, I think the DA 21 Limited. I know I only had it for two weeks and that is not enough time to learn a lens, but I didn't think the colors were that great (some colors somewhat exaggerated, other colors a bit muted like light brown), the sharpness wasn't that much better than my DA 16-45, and I also think the DA 16-45 in what little distortion it has, still makes the pictures look more natural or closer to reality, while the DA 21 distortion felt a bit weird to me, and I think I'm talking more about wide angle distortion than barrel distortion. I'm probably doing a bad job describing it, but the truth is, I just didn't click with the lens. Now well over a year later, I think I could try it again to see if I just haven't given it enough time to grow on me, especially considering others have created masterful works of art with it. What's yours?

06-04-2018, 08:12 AM	#3
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,448	I have exactly one photo on my library of over 2000 images taken with my DA 35 2.4. And I'm surprise there's one. Last edited by normhead; 06-05-2018 at 06:29 AM.

06-04-2018, 09:39 AM - 4 Likes	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,642	The HD DA20-40... Firstly, for a zoom lens it's slightly limited in focal length range - never quite wide or long enough. So far as IQ is concerned, it's decent enough (good at the wide end, actually), but I've never agreed with those folks who consider it a "stack of primes" that can replace the DA21 f/3.2, DA35 f/2.8 and DA40 f/2.8 Limiteds. And the thing I have most trouble with is the border and corner performance at the long end. Our own PF review suggests that's due to coma, but I get the impression that the lens suffers from significant field curvature too. It's beautifully built, feels great in use, and I know some people get great results from it. I really want to like it, but I've never clicked with it. That said, I've never disliked it enough to sell it either, and I keep telling myself that some time soon I'll spend a whole week shooting with it, until we've bonded Last edited by BigMackCam; 06-04-2018 at 09:54 AM.

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06-04-2018, 08:03 AM	#2
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	The 10-17 fisheye. I was expecting to have a lot of fun, but ended up with a whole lot of meh. But I sold it on, then used the funds towards a Lensbaby Velvet 56 and I've enjoyed that more than any other.

06-04-2018, 08:29 AM	#4
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,528	DA 35 f2.4. OoF rendering is kind of busy, it's not as fast as I would like for easier background separation, field of view on my crop body camera isn't comfortable (for lack of a better word) to me. And now that I own what appears to be a good copy of the K series 35mm f2.0, I can sell the DA 35 2.4 at some point and not feel like I am missing anything save for fast AF.

06-04-2018, 08:33 AM	#5
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,175	Not a big surprise - my K-30 was kitted with the standard DA 18-55; I had just jumped back from Canon and greatly prefer in-lens AF motors, so I purchased a DA 18-135 and never looked back.

06-04-2018, 08:36 AM - 1 Like	#6
kaipa Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Zhukovsky,Russia / SF Bay Area Posts: 249	FA 31 on APS-C. Believe me or not. Still keep it just in case I decide switching to FF one day, but do not use at all. Prefer FA* 24 or FA 43 instead.

06-04-2018, 08:55 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	That is a tough one since I am generally able to get on with most lenses/cameras. Generalizing to both APS-C and 24x36mm FF, I did manage to find one that seldom leaves its shelf. Despite historic high regard for both build quality and optical excellence, I simply have a hard time bonding with my Tamron SP 70-210/3.5 (19AH) regardless of the body it is attached to. I have agonized over this and finally have come to the conclusion that its density and balance (or lack thereof) do not work in its favor with Pentax-A 70-210/4 occupying the space next to it on the shelf. Steve (...dishonorable mention goes to my Tamron 24/28 (01BB) whose main fault is that the focal length does not work for me...)

06-04-2018, 08:58 AM - 1 Like	#8
veato Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nottingham Posts: 543	Any 50mm prime on APS-C. For me the 'crop factor' just makes it too long for what it was traditionally used for in 35mm days. I bought the Sigma 30mm f1.4 Art and I much prefer that on APS-C. I've heard the same said for 135mm on APS-C but I don't have one of those to comment! I still use my 50mm but mainly when messing around with extension tubes and reversing rings for macro.

06-04-2018, 09:45 AM - 1 Like	#10
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,510	500mm mirror lens(forget which make),infinitesimal depth of field,mushy softness overall,sold on very rapidly for a small loss,lesson learned!

06-04-2018, 09:51 AM	#11
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	The Sigma 30 Art was a disappointment for me. I like focal lengths in the standard range so got it a few years ago for the K-5IIs. Despite many hours trying to set it up, its autofocus was just too unreliable - hit and miss with more of the latter. It is also bulky and heavy, so I exchanged it and gradually collected some of the HD DA Limiteds, e.g. the HD 35 Ltd is excellent and with no adjustment needed it is totally reliable for me. (I wish there was a 28!)

06-04-2018, 09:56 AM	#12
woodworm Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Wales Posts: 266	Pentax 12-24. I like it, but it doesn't get nearly as much use as my 10-17 fisheye.

06-04-2018, 10:10 AM	#13
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,356	Originally posted by ChristianRock I think the DA 21 Limited. I know I only had it for two weeks and that is not enough time to learn a lens If it's the SMC version, then that lens makes sense mostly as a night shooter. It creates the most beautiful starbursts I've ever seen. I'm currently testing the FA 20-35 to replace it on full frame, and even though the FA is nice, the starbusts aren't nearly as good. To answer the question, the lens I've never warmed up to is the FA 31. I even wrote about it on the home page: Comparing the 3 Pentax FA Limited Primes - Hands-On Tests \| PentaxForums.com

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06-04-2018, 10:31 AM	#14
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	I've used all of my lenses in 2018 except the DA35. Maybe I should sell it... I have the FA31 and that is so much better. I don't like the OOF renderation of the DA35, but I kept it for the 49mm filter thread when I bought the FA31.

06-04-2018, 11:12 AM	#15
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	Sigma 70mm 2.8 EX DG Macro Yes, it's very sharp. But I hate its bloated bulkiness. I hate the feel of its textured rubberized barrel. I hate the mushy feel of its manual focus. AF, as with just about any macro, is slow, sluggish and never what I want, (in fact, it's a little puzzling why any macro should be AF). I really should sell the lens; I have four other macros I use more frequently, (DA35/2.8, SMCA 50/2.8, Vivitar 90/2.5 & SMCA 100/4).