What is the value of "Good Glass"?
Jan 27, 2018 11:43:43 #
I have a very small mix of lenses: a manual 50mm f1.4 AI hold-over from my film days, a 28-300mm (walk-around) lens when I purchased my D600, a higher-end 85mm Portrait lens and a 16-35mm f4 wide-angle zoom. As a Hobbiest, I am wondering what you other Hoggers have to say. Going in, better glass can help produce a better photograph. How about when getting out? Does "good glass" hold its resale value (assuming proper care) enough to better justify the initial outlay? In between getting started and getting out, have you been further ahead to have a wider variety of "medium glass" lenses or a select number of "good glass" lenses? A wide variety of "good glass" is not an option for me.
Jan 27, 2018 11:57:55 #
Invaluable, if you use them properly.
Like everything they do not hold value or not as much. Folks are aware that if one sell them they need money so asking for the 'premium will not work.
The prime lenses I have will not be for sale unless I die at that point I will not care.
I got rid of only one because I thought I would not go back to photography. I am still regretting it*, even if made someone happy when I offered it to a friend.
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* I had to purchase a new one....
Like everything they do not hold value or not as much. Folks are aware that if one sell them they need money so asking for the 'premium will not work.
The prime lenses I have will not be for sale unless I die at that point I will not care.
I got rid of only one because I thought I would not go back to photography. I am still regretting it*, even if made someone happy when I offered it to a friend.
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* I had to purchase a new one....
Jan 27, 2018 12:08:25 #
Day.Old.Pizza wrote:
I have a very small mix of lenses: a manual 50mm f... (show quote)
I’ve never thought of my lens purchases from an ‘investment’ perspective. I don’t plan on getting out. But, I do plan on taking the best images I can get and better glass is critical to that end. Also, we don’t have to purchase all of our lenses at once. As with any worthwhile hobby, there are expenses.
Jan 27, 2018 12:23:25 #
Check out used prices on ebay,craigs list etc. This may give you a ball park figure. I can pick up old lenses for the Canon and Sony (Minolta) for £20 - £30. now they are OLD and mid range in any case. I use kit lenses as I cannot justify spending on them. Its not what you have its how you use it....as an amature I have no income at such from photography....
As ever, its thinking about your own situation...If you regret buying an expensive lens, or cannot see 'any' marked difference between lenses 'trading' it may give you a better option than selling outright. - what other kit do you need?
have fun
As ever, its thinking about your own situation...If you regret buying an expensive lens, or cannot see 'any' marked difference between lenses 'trading' it may give you a better option than selling outright. - what other kit do you need?
have fun
Jan 27, 2018 12:33:38 #
it all depends... upon how one values: less chromatic aberration and greater acutance which maximize use of the sensor’s resolution, both of which maximize the benefits of the tonal spectrum actually delivered by the proportion of the available dynamic range utilized in any given exposure as determined by the bit-depth of the image file.
In other words, if little care is exercised in assuring maximizing the other factors involved in image quality, “good glass” may not be cost effective.
So..as with much involved in quality of image data,....it all depends!
Dave
In other words, if little care is exercised in assuring maximizing the other factors involved in image quality, “good glass” may not be cost effective.
So..as with much involved in quality of image data,....it all depends!
Dave
Jan 27, 2018 13:10:48 #
Day.Old.Pizza wrote:
I have a very small mix of lenses: a manual 50mm f... (show quote)
Yes, good/better glass is the main factor in achieving better image quality, and yes again, good lenses do keep their value much better than average glass, sometimes (in rare cases) the resale value exeeds the amount when purchased new!
Jan 27, 2018 13:28:38 #
Uuglypher wrote:
it all depends... upon how one values: less chroma... (show quote)
Yes, don't purchase them with an eye towards selling them. Purchase what you need. The outlay is justified by the use you get from them, not from the cash your heirs get by liquidating your estate.
Jan 27, 2018 14:15:17 #
Day.Old.Pizza wrote:
I have a very small mix of lenses: a manual 50mm f... (show quote)
Good glass is EVERYTHING in photography! Regardless of the cost going in or out.
bwa
Jan 27, 2018 15:17:33 #
bwana wrote:
Good glass is EVERYTHING in photography! Regardless of the cost going in or out.
bwa
bwa
I have to justify to myself every purchase - do I really need this - because I have other uses for those resources, such as helping the homeless.
Jan 27, 2018 15:36:43 #
rehess wrote:
I have to justify to myself every purchase - do I really need this - because I have other uses for those resources, such as helping the homeless.
I hope your 'helping' isn't eaten up by administration costs and high charity salaries!?
bwa
Jan 27, 2018 19:56:45 #
Good Glass definitely has great potential for producing killer images. But Good Technique trumps Good Glass every time. You can take that to the bank.
Jan 28, 2018 07:56:18 #
Day.Old.Pizza wrote:
I have a very small mix of lenses: a manual 50mm f... (show quote)
The premium lenses fetch a better resale price generally. That said it depends on the demand for that particular lens as well. If there is low demand then it will not fetch as good a ratio as an in demand lens.
Value is what someone else is willing to pay for your lens and you accept that payment and that is exactly the value at that moment for it.
Jan 28, 2018 09:34:13 #
Day.Old.Pizza wrote:
I have a very small mix of lenses: a manual 50mm f... (show quote)
You can mount one lens per body. You can hold and use one body at a time. If you own a few top quality lenses, you won’t leave money in a closet. I’d rather own a few top notch lenses I actually need on a regular basis, than ten I only need every now and then.
Lens rentals can be a very helpful tactic...
Jan 28, 2018 09:51:36 #
burkphoto wrote:
You can mount one lens per body. You can hold and use one body at a time. If you own a few top quality lenses, you won’t leave money in a closet. I’d rather own a few top notch lenses I actually need on a regular basis, than ten I only need every now and then.
Lens rentals can be a very helpful tactic...
Lens rentals can be a very helpful tactic...
Jan 28, 2018 10:04:32 #
bwana wrote:
Good glass is EVERYTHING in photography! Regardless of the cost going in or out.
bwa
bwa
Good glass won't do any good without good technique, a solid artistic vision, good lighting, good composition, interesting subject matter, and a good camera for that matter. It's hardly EVERYTHING. Give me a great photographer with decent glass over a lousy photographer with good glass any time.
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