Bought this lens about a year ago. I took about 20 photos with it (wide open) and was extremely dissapointed with it. Not sharp enough! Then i went through this post two weeks ago and decided to try it again. Used it excusively for the weekend. I am sold. The soft focus wide open now a positive instead of a negative. Great bokeh. I took some really plain snapshots that came out with a pop that was not planned. Still playing with it, now actually planning some shots with it and it is (suprisingly) fast becoming a favorite. It is never too late to learn how to use a lens properly. Pin sharp lenses is not the be all and end all I believed them to be.