I hand soldered a QFN package with 0.5mm pin pitch last month with a 10x hand lens and a hakko-888 iron with the chisel tip. I don't do a lot of soldering. Yes it was tricky and it took quite a while to convince myself I'd gotten good connections and no bridges, but it worked the first time. With drag soldering, plentiful flux, and maybe some solder wick it is within grasp of anyone that cares to try.
PCB was one of those 10 for $2 style chinese manufacture.
I basically never comment, but have read daily for ages. I went nigh on five years without getting any mod points, but now I seem to get them frequently. Carry on.