The one lens you just never "clicked with"

SSGGeezer · 06-05-2018, 09:13 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mattb123

DA 50/1.8 is one that hasn't gotten much use from me. It's an awkward length on crop and I just usually reach for something else. I bring it traveling sometimes but typically end up carrying it more than using it.

It does seem a little bit long for APSC but it really pops in practice portraits (of my cat at least!) As a walk around, not so much but I still like my 50-135 at 50mm. I ask my self why is that? I don't really know. I should try to use it more but since I have a lovely SMC DA 40 Limited coming this week, My DA 50 will probably almost never see the camera except in very limited lighting or for Astro-photography. The 40 is great for that also though!

**mattb123** · 06-05-2018, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

It does seem a little bit long for APSC but it really pops in practice portraits (of my cat at least!) As a walk around, not so much but I still like my 50-135 at 50mm. I ask my self why is that? I don't really know. I should try to use it more but since I have a lovely SMC DA 40 Limited coming this week, My DA 50 will probably almost never see the camera except in very limited lighting or for Astro-photography. The 40 is great for that also though!

Yeah, I don't really dislike the lens, I just don't often find myself reaching for it or being all that impressed with my photos from it when I do. No specific complaints, but I just don't have that lens "dialed" like some of my others.
The DA 40 Limited is what I typically use instead and that one is a longtime favorite!

**pres589** · 06-05-2018, 11:20 AM

I think the DA 50 1.8 is an excellent portraits lens on crop. I haven't used it for much else, and since I rarely do take portraits, it doesn't get a lot of use. When it does I've been very happy with it.

bdery · 06-05-2018, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

So even with the best reviews and all relevant information presented, sometimes there's no substitute for actually trying the lens

Amen to that

Point in case, I never warmed for the 31...

Originally posted by mattb123

DA 50/1.8 is one that hasn't gotten much use from me. It's an awkward length on crop and I just usually reach for something else. I bring it traveling sometimes but typically end up carrying it more than using it.

I found myself preferring 40 (or 43) both on APS-C and FF.

normhead · 06-05-2018, 12:23 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by ChristianRock

I think the DA 21 Limited.

I didn't get attracted to my 21 ltd for more than year. Then there were some images that I just loved, without even being able to explain why. I got mine second hand so not a big investment. That was the only reason I kept it.

You go along thinking it does nothing for you, then a shot just grabs your attention. It's a good lens not to give up on too soon.

aurele · 06-05-2018, 01:39 PM

It was the DA 35/2.4.
I couldn't focus it properly, and the rendering had ... let's say no magic to it. it was too clinical.
To compare i love the rendering of the 16-50, which is far from perfect with its field curvature (or any reason that makes corner not really sharp), the little softness wide open that disapear at f3.5.

With the K1, i'm thinking of giving it another go. I shall see

ChristianRock · 06-05-2018, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by normhead

I didn't get attracted to my 21 ltd for more than year. Then there were some images that I just loved, without even being able to explain why. I got mine second hand so not a big investment. That was the only reason I kept it.

You go along thinking it does nothing for you, then a shot just grabs your attention. It's a good lens not to give up on too soon.

I agree that I just didn't give it enough time. "It's not you, it's me" is probably an accurate description of me breaking up with that lens

In the event that I get another and gel with it, the next lens I didn't "click" with is the SMC-A 135mm f/2.8. Mine had some bad artifacts wide open, more than I would expect from the high ratings in this forum - and the price it was commanding at the time, around 200 dollars. The 4-element design probably didn't do a lot to control flare and aberrations. I tried to like it for a couple years, which was hard when the SMC-A 70-210 f4 zoom was much sharper and contrastier at 135mm - and had much better flare resistance overall - so I would always wish I had that on instead. I eventually sold it cheap on Craigslist because I thought mine probably wasn't a good sample.

**Madaboutpix** · 06-05-2018, 02:10 PM

For me that would be the DA18-55WR kit zoom, I guess. Haven't used it in years, and somehow can't be bothered to put it in my bag, despite it being the only WR lens that I own.

Now, don't get me wrong: That lens has given me the first couple of hundred digital keeper images, including some that I would even consider accomplished, but that is mainly because it just happened to be the lens on the camera, and does not mean that I'm a great fan of its lackluster rendering. Actually, the main problem with the lens is not that it's a bad lens - altogether decent for what it aims to be, I'd say - but rather that there are so many better lenses out there that you can put on your camera.

normhead · 06-05-2018, 02:37 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Madaboutpix

For me that would be the DA18-55WR kit zoom, I guess. Haven't used it in years, and somehow can't be bothered to put it in my bag, despite it being the only WR lens that I own.

Now, don't get me wrong: That lens has given me the first couple of hundred digital keeper images, including some that I would even consider accomplished, but that is mainly because it just happened to be the lens on the camera, and does not mean that I'm a great fan of its lackluster rendering. Actually, the main problem with the lens is not that it's a bad lens - altogether decent for what it aims to be, I'd say - but rather that there are so many better lenses out there that you can put on your camera.

I was the same with my 18-55s, it was all I had, I got lots of great images with it, but I never loved it. It was a marraige of convenience, that lasted until I got my 18-135. After that, I got rid of all three of them. I kept getting deals on packages that were like $50 more than the camera body.

**arv** · 06-05-2018, 04:12 PM

For me it's DA*50 - 135mm... Maybe because of its size, or slightly inconsistent AF. I use mainly FA 77 instead, and I feel it can do everything and even more than DA*50 - 135. SDM died, converted to screwdrive, but now it collects dust - I guess I am just too lazy to sell it. Optically it is a good lens, but I do not like it.

SSGGeezer · 06-05-2018, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by arv

For me it's DA*50 - 135mm... Maybe because of its size, or slightly inconsistent AF. I use mainly FA 77 instead, and I feel it can do everything and even more than DA*50 - 135. SDM died, converted to screwdrive, but now it collects dust - I guess I am just too lazy to sell it. Optically it is a good lens, but I do not like it.

You should sell it, If my SDM ever died it is going for a conversion as fast as I can pack it up and go to the post office. Someone else may love your 50-135, especially if already converted. use the Forum...

bassek · 06-06-2018, 05:38 AM - **1 Like**

All my bulky Sigmas, simply due to size. You put on the FA43 and wonder what the Sigma engineers were thinking...

Seb

ddharriman · 06-06-2018, 04:08 PM

In my case is the FA 50mm 1.4.

Bought it because “one must have a 50mm” advice from everyone… I never felt at ease with the lens, sometimes it gives me sharp photos sometimes not and sometimes both in the same session (independent of the aperture chosen…).
Note: I have not yet consider to be defeated and keep on trying to like the bloody thing… maybe if one day I will buy a full frame Pentax I will get a nice surprise using it… who knows… hope is the last thing one looses.

The other prime I have, the DA 40mm 2.8 XS is another story, even if it needs +10 correction on my cameras to focus properly, is still a very nice lens for a compact go out / stealth adventure, so I do use (not much I must say) this one.

Anyway, accepting I’m a “zoom person” should have helped me to not buy primes.

**Scorpio71GR** · 06-06-2018, 04:30 PM - **1 Like**

The 50-135 can be a tough lens to dial in. It took me quite awhile to get used to that lens. By the time I was really starting to get used to it I got the 60-250. Once you use the 60-250 there is no going back. My DA 50 came with my K3. However I already had a 16-50 so it really never got used. Then I picked up a DA*55, goodbye DA 50. I never cared for the DA 35, however on the K-1 it seems like a different lens. However I still do not use it much. The 28-105 is just better.

Neither the DA50 or the DA 35 really ever clicked with me. I imagine it was mainly because I had zooms that covered the range and where equally as good. I keep saying I need to sell them, yet there they sit.

ZombieArmy · 06-06-2018, 08:35 PM

The pentax M 200mm F4. I've owned 2 mint condition copies of this lens and I just can not get images I like out of it at all. I do intend to sell mine at one point, it's honestly one of the best condition lenses I have.

Also not a big fan of the A50 1.4. It takes nice shots, but they're not incredibly appealing compared to even my broken M 50 1.7.

06-06-2018, 04:08 PM	#43
ddharriman Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 345	In my case is the FA 50mm 1.4. Bought it because “one must have a 50mm” advice from everyone… I never felt at ease with the lens, sometimes it gives me sharp photos sometimes not and sometimes both in the same session (independent of the aperture chosen…). Note: I have not yet consider to be defeated and keep on trying to like the bloody thing… maybe if one day I will buy a full frame Pentax I will get a nice surprise using it… who knows… hope is the last thing one looses. The other prime I have, the DA 40mm 2.8 XS is another story, even if it needs +10 correction on my cameras to focus properly, is still a very nice lens for a compact go out / stealth adventure, so I do use (not much I must say) this one. Anyway, accepting I’m a “zoom person” should have helped me to not buy primes. Last edited by ddharriman; 06-07-2018 at 04:14 PM.

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06-05-2018, 09:13 AM - 1 Like	#31
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by mattb123 DA 50/1.8 is one that hasn't gotten much use from me. It's an awkward length on crop and I just usually reach for something else. I bring it traveling sometimes but typically end up carrying it more than using it. It does seem a little bit long for APSC but it really pops in practice portraits (of my cat at least!) As a walk around, not so much but I still like my 50-135 at 50mm. I ask my self why is that? I don't really know. I should try to use it more but since I have a lovely SMC DA 40 Limited coming this week, My DA 50 will probably almost never see the camera except in very limited lighting or for Astro-photography. The 40 is great for that also though!

06-05-2018, 09:36 AM	#32
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,873	Originally posted by SSGGeezer It does seem a little bit long for APSC but it really pops in practice portraits (of my cat at least!) As a walk around, not so much but I still like my 50-135 at 50mm. I ask my self why is that? I don't really know. I should try to use it more but since I have a lovely SMC DA 40 Limited coming this week, My DA 50 will probably almost never see the camera except in very limited lighting or for Astro-photography. The 40 is great for that also though! Yeah, I don't really dislike the lens, I just don't often find myself reaching for it or being all that impressed with my photos from it when I do. No specific complaints, but I just don't have that lens "dialed" like some of my others. The DA 40 Limited is what I typically use instead and that one is a longtime favorite!

06-05-2018, 11:20 AM	#33
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,533	I think the DA 50 1.8 is an excellent portraits lens on crop. I haven't used it for much else, and since I rarely do take portraits, it doesn't get a lot of use. When it does I've been very happy with it.

06-05-2018, 12:09 PM	#34
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by BigMackCam So even with the best reviews and all relevant information presented, sometimes there's no substitute for actually trying the lens Amen to that Point in case, I never warmed for the 31... Originally posted by mattb123 DA 50/1.8 is one that hasn't gotten much use from me. It's an awkward length on crop and I just usually reach for something else. I bring it traveling sometimes but typically end up carrying it more than using it. I found myself preferring 40 (or 43) both on APS-C and FF.

06-05-2018, 12:23 PM - 3 Likes	#35
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by ChristianRock I think the DA 21 Limited. I didn't get attracted to my 21 ltd for more than year. Then there were some images that I just loved, without even being able to explain why. I got mine second hand so not a big investment. That was the only reason I kept it. You go along thinking it does nothing for you, then a shot just grabs your attention. It's a good lens not to give up on too soon.

06-05-2018, 01:39 PM	#36
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	It was the DA 35/2.4. I couldn't focus it properly, and the rendering had ... let's say no magic to it. it was too clinical. To compare i love the rendering of the 16-50, which is far from perfect with its field curvature (or any reason that makes corner not really sharp), the little softness wide open that disapear at f3.5. With the K1, i'm thinking of giving it another go. I shall see

06-05-2018, 01:53 PM	#37
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead I didn't get attracted to my 21 ltd for more than year. Then there were some images that I just loved, without even being able to explain why. I got mine second hand so not a big investment. That was the only reason I kept it. You go along thinking it does nothing for you, then a shot just grabs your attention. It's a good lens not to give up on too soon. I agree that I just didn't give it enough time. "It's not you, it's me" is probably an accurate description of me breaking up with that lens In the event that I get another and gel with it, the next lens I didn't "click" with is the SMC-A 135mm f/2.8. Mine had some bad artifacts wide open, more than I would expect from the high ratings in this forum - and the price it was commanding at the time, around 200 dollars. The 4-element design probably didn't do a lot to control flare and aberrations. I tried to like it for a couple years, which was hard when the SMC-A 70-210 f4 zoom was much sharper and contrastier at 135mm - and had much better flare resistance overall - so I would always wish I had that on instead. I eventually sold it cheap on Craigslist because I thought mine probably wasn't a good sample.

06-05-2018, 02:10 PM	#38
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,443	For me that would be the DA18-55WR kit zoom, I guess. Haven't used it in years, and somehow can't be bothered to put it in my bag, despite it being the only WR lens that I own. Now, don't get me wrong: That lens has given me the first couple of hundred digital keeper images, including some that I would even consider accomplished, but that is mainly because it just happened to be the lens on the camera, and does not mean that I'm a great fan of its lackluster rendering. Actually, the main problem with the lens is not that it's a bad lens - altogether decent for what it aims to be, I'd say - but rather that there are so many better lenses out there that you can put on your camera.

06-05-2018, 02:37 PM - 2 Likes	#39
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Originally posted by Madaboutpix For me that would be the DA18-55WR kit zoom, I guess. Haven't used it in years, and somehow can't be bothered to put it in my bag, despite it being the only WR lens that I own. Now, don't get me wrong: That lens has given me the first couple of hundred digital keeper images, including some that I would even consider accomplished, but that is mainly because it just happened to be the lens on the camera, and does not mean that I'm a great fan of its lackluster rendering. Actually, the main problem with the lens is not that it's a bad lens - altogether decent for what it aims to be, I'd say - but rather that there are so many better lenses out there that you can put on your camera. I was the same with my 18-55s, it was all I had, I got lots of great images with it, but I never loved it. It was a marraige of convenience, that lasted until I got my 18-135. After that, I got rid of all three of them. I kept getting deals on packages that were like $50 more than the camera body.

06-05-2018, 04:12 PM	#40
arv Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 413	For me it's DA50 - 135mm... Maybe because of its size, or slightly inconsistent AF. I use mainly FA 77 instead, and I feel it can do everything and even more than DA50 - 135. SDM died, converted to screwdrive, but now it collects dust - I guess I am just too lazy to sell it. Optically it is a good lens, but I do not like it.

06-05-2018, 04:47 PM	#41
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by arv For me it's DA50 - 135mm... Maybe because of its size, or slightly inconsistent AF. I use mainly FA 77 instead, and I feel it can do everything and even more than DA50 - 135. SDM died, converted to screwdrive, but now it collects dust - I guess I am just too lazy to sell it. Optically it is a good lens, but I do not like it. You should sell it, If my SDM ever died it is going for a conversion as fast as I can pack it up and go to the post office. Someone else may love your 50-135, especially if already converted. use the Forum...

06-06-2018, 05:38 AM - 1 Like	#42
bassek Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 706	All my bulky Sigmas, simply due to size. You put on the FA43 and wonder what the Sigma engineers were thinking... Seb

06-06-2018, 04:30 PM - 1 Like	#44
Scorpio71GR Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,014	The 50-135 can be a tough lens to dial in. It took me quite awhile to get used to that lens. By the time I was really starting to get used to it I got the 60-250. Once you use the 60-250 there is no going back. My DA 50 came with my K3. However I already had a 16-50 so it really never got used. Then I picked up a DA*55, goodbye DA 50. I never cared for the DA 35, however on the K-1 it seems like a different lens. However I still do not use it much. The 28-105 is just better. Neither the DA50 or the DA 35 really ever clicked with me. I imagine it was mainly because I had zooms that covered the range and where equally as good. I keep saying I need to sell them, yet there they sit.

06-06-2018, 08:35 PM	#45
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	The pentax M 200mm F4. I've owned 2 mint condition copies of this lens and I just can not get images I like out of it at all. I do intend to sell mine at one point, it's honestly one of the best condition lenses I have. Also not a big fan of the A50 1.4. It takes nice shots, but they're not incredibly appealing compared to even my broken M 50 1.7.