Your underrated lenses

[Darinwc]

Most 135mm lenses are under rated and overlooked.
But probably most unloved and under rated is the Pentax (Bayonet) Takumar 135mm f2.5. It's compact, produces beautiful color, good bokeh, and has character. Not as sharp as the 6 element super Takumar but you would never know it unless comparing side by side.

 

[Bingley]

Echoing what a commenter posted above, the Canon 50mm f1.8 LTM is (still) an underrated lens. It lives in the shadows of the 50mm f1.4 version, but a clean copy of the 1.8 is actually sharper. Yes, it does have a deserved reputation for gassing from the lubricants, and my copy has been cleaned a couple of times. But, once cleaned, it is a beautiful optic, compact, sharp, with lovely smooth bokeh. I think it's a fine alternative to a Leitz Summicron of the same vintage. My copy is from the first batch of black and chrome versions, based on Peter Kitchingman's book.

EC & KC by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

Belem by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

Map break by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

 

[Bingley]

And the Canon 50mm f1.8 is also good with color film:

Above Salzburg by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

Little-Trees by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr

Lisbon by Steve Macfarlane, on Flickr