What's the worst 35mm lens you've used?

[Gabriel M.A.]

BTW, I just realized you meant 35mm as in focal length, not format.

I don't think I've ever used a bad 35mm lens. Although I've read that a properly scratched "fast" and hazy LTM Canon is bad. If you do a search on ePrey for a cheap copy, you may find what you're looking for.

Otherwise, I'd really recommend just decentering/dissassembling+greasing-up any cheap lens.

 

[Joe AC]

version 4 Summicron.

Really???????

 

[lawrence]

Another vote for the Jupiter 12. Ergonomically daft and, should you ever have the misfortune to use one, make sure the protruding rear element doesn't foul something up inside the camera body.

 

[charjohncarter]

I've only used two: worst Serenar 35mm f3.5, really great Pentax 35mm f2.0.

 

[Vics]

I bought a beat-up old Elmar LTM back in '71 at 47th St. Photo for $40. Worst lens I ever owned. More flare than image. I didn't know much back then, but I knew I hated that lens!

 

[porktaco]

delete.....

 

[ampguy]

a collapsible lens, I-50 or not fully extended. The cctv lens will vignette and also have field curvature, so mainly useful only for centered subjects.

 

[raid]

The thread is about your worst 35mm lens. Why are 50mm lenses mentioed?

 

[ampguy]

good point raid

good point raid

sorry about that.

The thread is about your worst 35mm lens. Why are 50mm lenses mentioed?

 

[raid]

It is difficult to make a bad 35mm lens, so unless you carefully search for a bad one, you will not get a bad one.

With old lenses, the condition of the glass is important. If you are looking for a good SLR 35mm lens at a low cost, then there are several options. Discussing which lenses stink may be subjective.

 

[brbo]

Another vote for the Jupiter 12. Ergonomically daft and, should you ever have the misfortune to use one, make sure the protruding rear element doesn't foul something up inside the camera body.

Hmm... J-12 is not a sure bet to get you lousy IQ (corners can get pretty soft at wide open, though). Ergonomically, I can't imagine a worse 35mm in small format.

@f4 on Kiev II:


. by boachi, on Flickr

 

[RAK]

Not the focal length you are looking for but they sell Holga lenses adapted for e-mount. You could try researching 35mm toy lenses that can be adapted to the NEX system.

 

[Rangefinderfreak]

Why do you have to get a special bad lens? Just get some nylon stocking, preferably black. make a hole in it, expand it a bit on the shade and experiment with the softening effect...
jelly, "nose rub", is also very effective, you can wipe it away with some lens cleaning liquid. I have even used black marker pen on the edges on a filter to get that "Holga vignetting"

 

[msbarnes]

I can't imagine anyone wanting a "bad" lens. For something soft and a little fuzzy, I would reccomend a Canon 35mm f1.8 LTM. It isn't THAT bad but a bit too soft for my liking.

 

[Sooty_1]

Nikkor 36-72 E series....does that count? It's almost 35mm...

 

[L Collins]

Contax G 35mm f2 planar was the worst good lens Ive used. Pretty useless wide open.

Your standards are, Apparently, significantly higher than mine.😕

 

[Monochrom]

Hi, i can say i love the j-12 although setting apertures can be a problem, but with a filter on it is quite easy to do so...

The 35mm lens i didn´like was the "king of bokeh" of course it´s a reputed sought after lens which can achieve large amounts when sold...but to me it wasn´t the great deal...it´s price made flare and shifting focus simply unbearable...sold it and got a far better c-biogon that doesn´t shift, doesn´t flare and is sharper...

BRBO that citroen is gorgeous!!!!

 

[Brunocstreet]

The Olympus Trip 200 - the whole camera is quite bad, but I can use it whenever I want!


. by #brunocstreet, on Flickr

 

[Kent]

That one:

Revuenon-Special 2.8/35
(M42)

 

[x-ray]

18mm Takumar. I had three samples and none were good even after returning one to the factory and testing the Pentax reps sample.

Some of the old 500mm mirror lenses were bad too.