Starbursts Lens Club

steve-rsa · 08-27-2018, 04:36 AM - **1 Like**

DA 17-70mm SDM F4
Both images cropped slightly.

Last edited by steve-rsa; 08-27-2018 at 06:16 AM. Reason: Spelling

**UncleVanya** · 08-27-2018, 06:13 AM

17-70 really delivers!

**Mbaez** · 08-27-2018, 08:25 AM - **1 Like**

For starbusts my favorite is the DA15.

bdery · 10-04-2019, 10:33 AM - **1 Like**

I wish I had known about this club before. I hope it's still alive.

The best I've ever tested myself is the SMC DA21.

I've now replaced it with the FA20-35, it works well but the 21 is something special.

**BruceBanner** · 11-02-2019, 01:51 PM - **4 Likes**

Would like to bump this thread. Do we have anymore star bursts with the 12-24?

I think the FA43 does some nice defined star bursts;

Not such a fan of F28 bursts;

What I haven't tried yet but should is see what some of the lensbaby lenses handle bursts. I have the Velveet 56, Twist 60, Burnside 35, Sol 45, they could all be interesting for star bursts but have not tried yet.

Grippy · 11-03-2019, 01:46 AM - **1 Like**

DA35mm, always gives great starbursts

P3II9296

**Kerrowdown** · 11-03-2019, 02:11 AM - **3 Likes**

I haven't many of these type of images, but here's one.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

**BruceBanner** · 11-03-2019, 03:08 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

I haven't many of these type of images, but here's one.

Which lens is that Kerrow?

**Kerrowdown** · 11-03-2019, 03:39 AM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

Which lens is that Kerrow?

It was my "Good Lady” (Pentax-A 20mm F2.8).

All the details are there in the attached "View Picture EXIF", top left just above the picture.

**BruceBanner** · 11-03-2019, 03:49 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

It was my "Good Lady” (Pentax-A 20mm F2.8).

All the details are there in the attached "View Picture EXIF", top left just above the picture.

Ah so it is... I always miss that. I'm used to clicking the image to be taken to Flickr and then checking EXIF.

**Kerrowdown** · 11-03-2019, 03:55 AM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

used to clicking the image to be taken to Flickr

"Gonnae no dae that" Flickr nonsense.

bdery · 11-03-2019, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

I think the FA43 does some nice defined star bursts;

Yes, it was one of the most pleasant surprise with this lens.

Originally posted by BruceBanner

Not such a fan of F28 bursts;

I've heard that one stopped down it can deliver pleasing results.

**BruceBanner** · 11-03-2019, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by bdery

Yes, it was one of the most pleasant surprise with this lens.

I've heard that one stopped down it can deliver pleasing results.

Both those are f8, which is usually enough to get cool results. I guess it depends on your preference. I don't so much like the find that 'fan out' and get thicker at the tip compared to the root, nor mushy ones like most of the rounded aperture blade HD DA ltds produce. I also like a few spikes, 8 usually being the minimum.
Still... Grippy seems to like his DA35 ones, which again fan out too much for my liking and have too few spikes.

I'm still sitting on the fence about the 12-24, would love to see more star burst shots from it..

bdery · 11-04-2019, 06:29 AM

Originally posted by BruceBanner

I don't so much like the find that 'fan out' and get thicker at the tip compared to the root, nor mushy ones like most of the rounded aperture blade HD DA ltds produce. I also like a few spikes

I see I'm talking to a connoisseur

I agree that spikes should be narrower at the tip and should be numerous enough. That's why the DA21 and 15 are so well liked. It seems the FA*24 and FA31 LTD are also pretty good ni this regard. The FA 20-35 works well enough, but needs to be closed down to F8 at least.

I had heard good things about the F28, you've just cured me of my curiosity. If it needs to be stopped down to smaller than F8 to deliver useful results, then it's not for me.

**BruceBanner** · 11-04-2019, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by bdery

I see I'm talking to a connoisseur

I agree that spikes should be narrower at the tip and should be numerous enough. That's why the DA21 and 15 are so well liked. It seems the FA*24 and FA31 LTD are also pretty good ni this regard. The FA 20-35 works well enough, but needs to be closed down to F8 at least.

I had heard good things about the F28, you've just cured me of my curiosity. If it needs to be stopped down to smaller than F8 to deliver useful results, then it's not for me.

I think the F28 is a great lens, but the longer I hold onto it the more I learn its limitations. In addition to producing average looking star bursts it also flares in an unattractive way, not in a kinda cool 'ring' like magical FA ltd kinda way, but rather a condensed localized and very digital looking like flare pattern that just screams to be removed in PP. it is also very noisy and clunky, worse than FA43 and 77 for example. Having said that, when I put it on the K-1 and take a shot at f2.8 I am always blown away from sharpness and DoF. It really can shine in the right circumstances and I think that's what being a good photographer is all about, learning when to use certain glass and when not. For sure the FA31 would be a better successor I think, more complete, but then there is a significant price trade off.

So if you're looking for a 28mm 2.8 lens with unreal sharpness (really.. as good as it gets), with AF, compactness, not planning to use when shooting into the sun, then it's definitely a contender. I would just be picky about price. I paid $300AUD for mine, possibly a tad too much in some respects (and in other ways quite fair), but I have seen some people recently pick them up for $120USD... absolute bargain! It's a no brainer, get it.. add it to the collection

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08-27-2018, 04:36 AM - 1 Like	#16
steve-rsa Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Perth Posts: 47	DA 17-70mm SDM F4 Both images cropped slightly. Last edited by steve-rsa; 08-27-2018 at 06:16 AM. Reason: Spelling

08-27-2018, 06:13 AM	#17
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407 Original Poster	17-70 really delivers!

08-27-2018, 08:25 AM - 1 Like	#18
Mbaez Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: NY Photos: Albums Posts: 3,774	For starbusts my favorite is the DA15.

10-04-2019, 10:33 AM - 1 Like	#19
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	I wish I had known about this club before. I hope it's still alive. The best I've ever tested myself is the SMC DA21. I've now replaced it with the FA20-35, it works well but the 21 is something special.

11-02-2019, 01:51 PM - 4 Likes	#20
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404	Would like to bump this thread. Do we have anymore star bursts with the 12-24? I think the FA43 does some nice defined star bursts; Not such a fan of F28 bursts; What I haven't tried yet but should is see what some of the lensbaby lenses handle bursts. I have the Velveet 56, Twist 60, Burnside 35, Sol 45, they could all be interesting for star bursts but have not tried yet.

11-03-2019, 01:46 AM - 1 Like	#21
Grippy Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Adelaide Posts: 816	DA35mm, always gives great starbursts P3II9296

11-03-2019, 03:08 AM	#23
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404	Originally posted by Kerrowdown I haven't many of these type of images, but here's one. Which lens is that Kerrow?

11-03-2019, 03:39 AM	#24
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by BruceBanner Which lens is that Kerrow? It was my "Good Lady” (Pentax-A 20mm F2.8). All the details are there in the attached "View Picture EXIF", top left just above the picture.

11-03-2019, 03:49 AM	#25
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404	Originally posted by Kerrowdown It was my "Good Lady” (Pentax-A 20mm F2.8). All the details are there in the attached "View Picture EXIF", top left just above the picture. Ah so it is... I always miss that. I'm used to clicking the image to be taken to Flickr and then checking EXIF.

11-03-2019, 03:55 AM	#26
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by BruceBanner used to clicking the image to be taken to Flickr "Gonnae no dae that" Flickr nonsense.

11-03-2019, 12:47 PM	#27
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by BruceBanner I think the FA43 does some nice defined star bursts; Yes, it was one of the most pleasant surprise with this lens. Originally posted by BruceBanner Not such a fan of F28 bursts; I've heard that one stopped down it can deliver pleasing results.

11-03-2019, 08:22 PM	#28
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404	Originally posted by bdery Yes, it was one of the most pleasant surprise with this lens. I've heard that one stopped down it can deliver pleasing results. Both those are f8, which is usually enough to get cool results. I guess it depends on your preference. I don't so much like the find that 'fan out' and get thicker at the tip compared to the root, nor mushy ones like most of the rounded aperture blade HD DA ltds produce. I also like a few spikes, 8 usually being the minimum. Still... Grippy seems to like his DA35 ones, which again fan out too much for my liking and have too few spikes. I'm still sitting on the fence about the 12-24, would love to see more star burst shots from it..

11-04-2019, 06:29 AM	#29
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by BruceBanner I don't so much like the find that 'fan out' and get thicker at the tip compared to the root, nor mushy ones like most of the rounded aperture blade HD DA ltds produce. I also like a few spikes I see I'm talking to a connoisseur I agree that spikes should be narrower at the tip and should be numerous enough. That's why the DA21 and 15 are so well liked. It seems the FA*24 and FA31 LTD are also pretty good ni this regard. The FA 20-35 works well enough, but needs to be closed down to F8 at least. I had heard good things about the F28, you've just cured me of my curiosity. If it needs to be stopped down to smaller than F8 to deliver useful results, then it's not for me.

11-04-2019, 03:44 PM	#30
BruceBanner Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 5,404	Originally posted by bdery I see I'm talking to a connoisseur I agree that spikes should be narrower at the tip and should be numerous enough. That's why the DA21 and 15 are so well liked. It seems the FA*24 and FA31 LTD are also pretty good ni this regard. The FA 20-35 works well enough, but needs to be closed down to F8 at least. I had heard good things about the F28, you've just cured me of my curiosity. If it needs to be stopped down to smaller than F8 to deliver useful results, then it's not for me. I think the F28 is a great lens, but the longer I hold onto it the more I learn its limitations. In addition to producing average looking star bursts it also flares in an unattractive way, not in a kinda cool 'ring' like magical FA ltd kinda way, but rather a condensed localized and very digital looking like flare pattern that just screams to be removed in PP. it is also very noisy and clunky, worse than FA43 and 77 for example. Having said that, when I put it on the K-1 and take a shot at f2.8 I am always blown away from sharpness and DoF. It really can shine in the right circumstances and I think that's what being a good photographer is all about, learning when to use certain glass and when not. For sure the FA31 would be a better successor I think, more complete, but then there is a significant price trade off. So if you're looking for a 28mm 2.8 lens with unreal sharpness (really.. as good as it gets), with AF, compactness, not planning to use when shooting into the sun, then it's definitely a contender. I would just be picky about price. I paid $300AUD for mine, possibly a tad too much in some respects (and in other ways quite fair), but I have seen some people recently pick them up for $120USD... absolute bargain! It's a no brainer, get it.. add it to the collection