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10-22-2019, 05:01 AM   #1
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Lens you have and Love when few others do

I spend a good bit of time reading the lens review section of the forum as I think its a great way to pick up first hand details on various lenses, learn a little about particular lenses I am interested or just research something before buying something. I have found that these reviews are pretty accurate too as an indicator of whether a Potential lens is a good or bad lens.


Sometime though lens reviewers have very different takes on how good a particular lens is...which is understandable given the rating system is based on multiple factors and theres often copy to copy variability, and the reviewers experience level. It got me thinking though about those lenses we all probably have that don't necessarily get the respect they deserve or review well but that as their users love. So I thought I would ask you what lenses you have that you really like that others may not have as high regard for.

-Al

10-22-2019, 05:51 AM   #2
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I really like my Pentax A 28mm f:2.8. There seems to be a wide range of reviews on this one from not so great to super.
10-22-2019, 05:56 AM - 1 Like   #3
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For me it’s the DA 14 2.8. Many prefer the other options (DA 15, DA 12-24). I have all of these but still love the DA14 for it’s close focusing and rendering.
10-22-2019, 06:19 AM   #4
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I do love my 70/2.4 and 31/1.8 as well. Well, reviews are interesting but this tow lenses make so beautiful pictures.

10-22-2019, 06:24 AM   #5
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Two zooms:

Pentax M 40-80mm: this was regularly criticized as to short a range and not very sharp, but I had some really excellent results with mine, admittedly with great metering (Pentax LX) and really high quality film, usually Fujichrome 50. Add the convenience of a 49mm thread.

Tokina SZX MF 28-70mm. I use it with my K-70 as a walkaround lens on desert walking trips. It is sharp at small apertures and really easy MF. Way better than the kit lens that came with my K-m, a Sigma 18-50mm DC that deserves to be rated in the basement.
10-22-2019, 06:33 AM   #6
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One prime (DA14) and one zoom (F35-105).
Sadly the latter is broken and replaced with the heavier and faster F35-135. About as good.


Maybe my copes were good, both aquired new.

Seb
10-22-2019, 06:44 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pentax Syntax Quote
For me it’s the DA 14 2.8. Many prefer the other options (DA 15, DA 12-24). I have all of these but still love the DA14 for it’s close focusing and rendering.
Likewise! It's not a widely appreciated lens, but I always have my da14mm with me.

10-22-2019, 06:48 AM   #8
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It's a good question! My kit is made up of quality glass, but the lens I've tested that the most underappreciated is probably the F50 F1.7. It's well liked, but it's better than its reputation. The 50mm focal length never worked for me, otherwise I'd still own it.
10-22-2019, 07:07 AM   #9
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The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is my workhorse. It's super sharp and works in almost every situation I put it in, and it almost never leaves the camera unless I'm in a situation where I'd rather use a prime. It's a very underrated lens.
10-22-2019, 07:14 AM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by WillWeaverRVA Quote
The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 is my workhorse. It's super sharp and works in almost every situation I put it in, and it almost never leaves the camera unless I'm in a situation where I'd rather use a prime. It's a very underrated lens.
I agree on this one ..I too really like this lens. It does seem there are good and bad copies, though. I have 2 .. one is sharp as a tack, the other only sharp when stopped down.

al

---------- Post added 10-22-19 at 07:16 AM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Gary H Perth Quote
Two zooms:

Pentax M 40-80mm: this was regularly criticized as to short a range and not very sharp, but I had some really excellent results with mine, admittedly with great metering (Pentax LX) and really high quality film, usually Fujichrome 50. Add the convenience of a 49mm thread.

Gary, I have a softspot for the 40-80 too..Even on my K3 its can produce some nice images!

al
10-22-2019, 07:53 AM   #11
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Hello.

The FA 20-35 has been coming to the camera again and again for years.

Often I could not stand it and could no longer see the pictures, wanted more sharpness in the distance, more clarity and no "candy colors".
Zeiss, Leica and almost all other wideangle primes bought for Pentax - they come and go.

But if I / looking through our landscape pictures, the favorites are almost always from the FA 20-35.

And it's still there, and right now in the fall, it's really fun lens again.
When I read this, looks... we married (-:

Best regards ,
Birk
10-22-2019, 08:02 AM   #12
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SMC DA 50-200MM ED WR I LOVE IT! I did the single in with it a couple of months ago and it was sharper than my 18-135. Once calibrated this lightweight, plastic, wr lens is waaaaaaay better than the reviews would suggest and it is probably my favourite zoom
10-22-2019, 08:07 AM - 1 Like   #13
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FA 28 2.8 - bought for use on film but was used extensively on my ist DS as a normal lens.

PB
10-22-2019, 08:26 AM - 1 Like   #14
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The DA 16-45 used to have a reputation back 10 years ago of being a great lens, but nowadays you almost can't give it away. I like mine so much, I haven't been really tempted by the Sigma/Tamron 17-50 (no Pentax colors!) or the DA 18-135/16-85 which everybody thinks are better lenses.

The M 28 3.5 is usually quickly replaced as soon as people find the K 28 3.5 but I haven't been tempted to replace that lens either, I think the M does just fine and in the pictures I see the main difference seems to be that the K has a bit more contrast, but the sharpness and colors of both lenses are about the same - just perfect.
10-22-2019, 08:30 AM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by brewmaster15 Quote
So I thought I would ask you what lenses you have that you really like that others may not have as high regard for.
The most under appreciated lens that I use are my standard/normal primes. Both the 50mm for FF/35mm or the 75mm for MF.

I know there are plenty of Pentaxians that would agree, but in general I perceive it is one of the most under utilized and disregarded lens in most kits.
For years, I was guilty of this as I could get more 'wow' out of an ultra wide, macro, or telephoto prime.

I mainly love the combination of shallow depth of field, bright viewfinder, image quality, and compact size....and the no nonsense field of view that feels a bit more authentic and honest to me.
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