[Docrwm]

Whats the highest rated lens according to the Pentax Forum database ratings that you own? Does it live up to its rating in your opinion? Is it worth what you paid for it?

I was sorting through lenses looking to see what needs to be put up for adoption and making a spreadsheet of all the full frame lenses I have, their specs, cost, etc. and I added a column on PF Rating Score for each and was rather amazed.

The highest rated lens that I own is my F50/2.8 Macro lens at 9.70. Funny but most of the lenses that are rated higher are brand new, and ratings tend to be highest when a lens is first introduced, but the F50 has been around since 1988. Does it live up to its rating? Hmmm...I think so. It's sharp, has nearly no distortion, deals with light well with its recessed front element, and for what it is intended to do does it very well.

Is it worth what I paid for it? That's unfair on this lens because it came as a surprise in an auction. I was bidding on a K100D (wanted to see the CCD images myself) that I knew had a nice telephoto with it and another unnamed largish lens. Got the K100D and telephoto for what I consider a steal ($50) and this lens was the one attached to the camera when I opened the box! Completely unexpected and essentially zero cost to me.

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-F-50mm-F2.8-Macro-Lens.html#ixzz5jEd5asdi

Sharpness 10.0

Aberrations 9.8

Bokeh 9.7

Autofocus 9.7

Handling 9.8

Value 10.0

[yucatanPentax]

The highest rated lens I own is the F* 300mm, F4.5 lens which has an overall rating of 9.89 (39 reviews). Yes, I do think it measures up.
The FA 31mm Limited (9.51)(83 reviews) and FA 77mm Limited (9.73)(94 reviews) also hold up to their ratings. I really think the 77mm should be rated higher than the 300mm, but that's just opinion.

All of these came to me used, but in great shape, so, yes, I was happy with the purchase price.

[hcc]

Voigtlander 125mm f2.5: Rating = 10

Expensive but a true beauty for macro. It took me a couple of years to learn how to use it best. But it is outstanding and worth the investment IMHO.

[BugsDogsAndSunsets]

Mine is the D-FA 100 WR:

Overall 9.4

Sharpness 9.8
Aberrations 9.3
Bokeh 9.6
Autofocus 7.7
Handling 9.5
Value 9.2

IMHO I'd say the rating is accurate, it's amazing at what it does. The autofocus is kind of slow and hunts a bit when you're really close, but who uses AF for the extreme range of macro? It's super fun to just go exploring with, no special setup but great results. Bonus points for bringing an off body flash if it's dim out.

I paid retail for it (forget exactly what), and I'd definitely say it's worth it. Disclaimer: I don't have much other macro experience.

[PJ1]

The F* 300mm, F4.5 It probably measures up to its 9.89 rating. It is certainly better than I am.

[aslyfox]

my top 3:

HD Pentax-D FA* 70-200mm F2.8 ED DC AW 9.67

SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited 9.58

HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW 9.58

but consider the possible bias in these ratings

who submits them


why are they submitted

how qualified are those who rate them to judge


I know that I am not qualified to rate lenss

I have been lucky enough to buy good " experienced " lenses or found lenses + camera bodies on sale

have had no problems at all ( except the HD Pentax-D FA *70-200mm ) except for the expected Operator Error factor of course,

so I have no regrets on what I paid for any of my equipment

complete listing if any one cares is in my " profile " info

[macman24054]

Tamron 70-200
9.28
Measures up and worth the price.
IMHO has lower IQ than my 50-135. The auto focus is why the 50-135 is not higher.

[ZombieArmy]

Tak 50 1.4 8 element edition at a rating of 9.57

[Cabessius]

Jupiter 11A 4/135 135mm F4
Average user rating: 9.78

Sharpness
9.7
Aberrations
9.5
Bokeh
9.8
Handling
9.4
Value
10.0

Jupiter 11A 4/135 135mm F4 Lens Reviews - Russian and Zenitar Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

Bought for 40€

[Sandy Hancock]

The DA*11-18 has only had one review so far, and it's a 10

Beyond that, it would be the DFA*50/1.4 at 9.93 - one reviewer gave it a 9 because it's heavy FFS.

After that, the FA*85 and FA77 are probably next. Plenty of others in the high nines.

[ramseybuckeye]

Interesting thread doc, I had to look them up, my top rated is the Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) at 9.68. Most of my lenses seemed to be between 9.0-9.3, I would probably agree to the top rated and lowest rated, The thing that is hard to rate is usefulness, and that is different for everyone., dependant upon what they shoot, environment, etc. You are right about newly introduced lenses having the highest ratings, And more expensive lenses should be better. One must justify the purchase to one's self,

Here's all of them in ranked order:
Pentax SMCP-DA* 300mm f/4 ED (IF) 9.68
HD Pentax DA 1:4 15mm ED AL Limited Silver 9.29
Tamron SP AF Di 90mm f2.8 macro 1:1 lens 9.27
Pentax-F 1:1.7 50mm Lens 9.18
Pentax DA 35mm F2.4 AL Lens 9.16
Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC 9.15
Sigma Macro 50mm 2.8 9.07
Pentax HD DA 55-300mm f/4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE 8.88
Pentax-F 35-70 F3.5-4.5 8.76
DA 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR Lens 8.53
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 DI II 8.22

[BigMackCam]

The two highest-rated Pentax lenses I own (I think) are the HD DA21 f/3.2 Limited and DA*60-250 f/4.

I'm kind of surprised that the DA21 ranks so highly, as I seem to read mixed views on it from time-to-time. But I absolutely love it, and wouldn't swap it. It's one of my favourites.

The DA*60-250's rating doesn't surprise me one little bit, and I agree with the findings. Again, it's a favourite of mine.

That said... I take the ratings in user reviews with a great big pinch of salt. In many cases there are large elements of "confirmation bias" and "new buyer enthusiasm" involved. Plus, one has to consider what other lenses the reviewers are comparing with. As such, all that really matters to me is whether I like a lens or not. It's interesting to reader other folks' reviews of them, and it can be a handy factor in considering lens purchases. But only I can decide if a lens is right for me... and if others don't like what I like, I don't let that affect my personal judgement...

[jcdoss]

I've got an A* 200f4 Macro that rates 10 out of 11 reviews. I'd give it a 9.75 tho due to those massive tripod foot knobs that mess with the handling sometimes.

You know, I don't know that I've ever written a single lens review. I'll have to change that, I suppose.

[dbs]

Hi Robert

The DA 300 for me going by the PF reviews
But a lens is realy just a part of the story,you still need a camera to put it on and a photographer ( hopefully) to use them all together.
A review is how I use the said lens only

Dave

[pakinjapan]

I used to have a FA50 macro. It is using the same optic design as your F50 macro and it is rated at 9.7 which is higher than the other 2 modern lenses i have DA*55 - 9.19 and DFA100wr - 9.64

I wish I were as lucky as you get the F50maco for free! Don't let it go. Try it at night and see its starburst. Not sure how well the F can do but my FA macro made incredible star burst. It is a shame, it only has 6 blades.

I sold my copy and buy a DA*55 because it is a WR lens and light. Well... I only wish it handled flare better than this or at least as good as the FA50 macro. Other than that, I have no complain. ... Wait... Starburst too. FA50 macro did way way better in this department.