Flyextreme wrote:
I can share only my experience as I'm fairly new and got my first DSLR about 14 months ago. Before that, all I did was point and shoot...literally.
Anyway, I took my new camera and two kit lenses out to get started. When I got home and viewed my images, I though ugh! is that it? I expected better photos. So, I posted some for help because I thought something was wrong with my camera. Besides folks pointing out a few obvious errors on my part, some guessed that I was using the kit lenses and suggested considering better glass.
So, I relented and bought better glass. The difference was astounding to me. It wasn't so obvious in the smaller sizes, but when I enlarged them and took a closer look in PP, it became very clear. Neither of the kit lenses ever went back on my camera.
Anyone that says premium glass over some of the cheaper kit lenses won't make any difference is smoking crack. don't know about Canon kit's, but I know Nikon's are barely just good enough for everyday use. What good is a premium camera without quality glass to realize it's potential? And what good is premium glass if you don't clean it?
If you are only going to view your photos on a phone or tablet without enlarging them, a P&S or phone is plenty. If you are serious about your photography, you don't want a weak link in the system.
I suggest renting a premium quality lens for a day or two, take some picture of the same subject with the kit lens and the quality lens with the same settings and focal lentgh and see if the difference is something you want. And I'll bet there's a difference and I'm guessing you'll want it :wink:
All I know is that if I had stuck with the kit lenses I had, I doubt I would be nearly as OCD about photography as I am. Once you get a really nice crisp, rich shot, you will be very motivated for more of the same. Then, it's "game on!"
Also, burksphoto's advice about learning and practicing is priceless :thumbup:
I can share only my experience as I'm fairly new a... (
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According to Ken Rockwell the Canon 18 - 135 usm IS lens is of quite high quality. In fact he prefers it over the Canon 24-105 L Lens. This is also the verdict of "The-Digital-Picture" review. It has Image Stabilization and USM focusing as do many of Canon's better consumer grade lenses. I have not used the lens and cannot give an opinion.
The OP reports that she has a good bit of experience with SLR cameras and is an architect. I suspect that she is a more experienced photographer than several of those essentially telling her that she is a rank beginner. Do I detect a bit of Male Chauvinism here?
I might add that she did not say that she was getting bad photos from either camera, the problem is that she is not seeing the difference she expected to see between the cameras. Not the same thing at all.
She has gotten some good advice from some of the more experienced members. Unfortunately there are some less experienced or less knowledgeable members who like to speak with dogmatic assurance on topics they know relatively little about. She will I expect soon learn which is which.
And Blurry Eyes, while we may disagree on politics, I do not include you among the inexpert.