Is it worth getting a better lens? I almost never get a printed copy of any of my photos. Rather I generally view them on my 27 inch iMac which has a 1920X1080 resolution. My T2i has a...

waynesmythe

I almost never get a printed copy of any of my photos. Rather I generally view them on my 27 inch iMac which has a 1920X1080 resolution. My T2i has a pixel dimension 5184X3456. I have read a lot about zoom lenses getting "soft" near the corners, but here is my question. Since clearly my monitor cannot display all the pixels that are recorded by the sensor, and the monitor display is therefore clearly a "low resolution" version of the image on the camera, do I need to worry about softness of the image at the edges of the frame? Does the relatively low resolution of the monitor effectively overwhelm the softness of the lens? In short, should, when looking to upgrade from the kit lens to something a bit better, should I be concerned about the softness of the image, especially in the corners? My T2i kit lens is the 18-55mm. I like the lens fine - just wondering. Much appreciate any help!
Thanks

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Welcome

You must be the only person I have ever know that does not print images

If it works for you why change

ggttc Loc: TN

JR1 wrote:

Welcome

You must be the only person I have ever know that does not print images

If it works for you why change

sounds like your comfortable with your set up,,,why change?

lightchime Loc: Somewhere Over The Rainbow

JR1 wrote:

Welcome

You must be the only person I have ever know that does not print images

If it works for you why change

You may want to consider increasing your circle of acquaintances. The custom of many, especially younger generations is just to view images on their cell phone or video display. For them, printed photographs are becoming a thing of the past.

To the lament of many, a professional wedding album is no more than digital data on a piece of plastic.

waynesmythe

For one thing, I'd like a longer zoom - I'm toying with the idea of going to the Canon 18-135 mm, but according to the reviews I've seen, this lens gets soft near the corners. My question has to do with whether this softness would be washed out by the low resolution of the monitor. I'd hate to spend the money and then be disappointed by the results - on the other hand the longer zoom would be nice, especially if I really can't tell any loss in image quality on the iMac.

Thanks

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

waynesmythe wrote:

For one thing, I'd like a longer zoom - I'm toying with the idea of going to the Canon 18-135 mm, but according to the reviews I've seen, this lens gets soft near the corners. My question has to do with whether this softness would be washed out by the low resolution of the monitor. I'd hate to spend the money and then be disappointed by the results - on the other hand the longer zoom would be nice, especially if I really can't tell any loss in image quality on the iMac.

Thanks

Check out the performance of these lenses on slrgear.com

oldmalky Loc: West Midlands,England.

JR1 wrote:

Welcome

You must be the only person I have ever know that does not print images

If it works for you why change

Hello and welcome as JR1 says if it works why change?

Incidentally JR1 i am the second i dont bother printing mine either.

weebit Loc: earth

I picked up a book and not knowing if I can say the book name, I will just say the book is on photography. After a while using my lens I have three I learned in this book of a setting that most DSLR cameras have. On the Canon it is under custom settings. It has two located there one for High ISO, and one for long exposure. Both of these reduce noise. You have several options, but I use kit lens a lot, so I chose the high setting. I realize many say use your software to correct noise, but I found the more you play with light doesn't mean that your software will do a great job every time. Kit lens suffer from cheap, and some people hate them. Those that love them know or learn the settings to make a kit lens work as it should. Before today I had problems with sorry looking pics that had too much noise. This afternoon I took two great shots with a kit lens. So don't give up on your kit lens. I am forever learning the ropes, and no where near done learning.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

<---does not even own a printer.

DigiKid

This is a good question and there are a plethora of issues. First, a printed image, when you look at it is reflected light off a surface, whereas on your monitor is displaying the light directly towards you and is not reflected. They will not be the same, but it takes a discerning eye to notice. The convenience of either using a monitor or a digital picture frame can outweigh any negatives, but what it really comes down to is, do YOU see or can you tell the difference? I think I have over talked my stay, and that may or may not have helped. I hope that my input did help. If not then.....never mind ! LOL

DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia

JR1 wrote:

Welcome

You must be the only person I have ever know that does not print images

If it works for you why change

Hey, JR1, I don't print images either. If you branched out a little from your own sanctimonious world, you might discover that there are many keen photographers who do not print. We are not all high flying professionals. :-D

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

oldmalky wrote:

Hello and welcome as JR1 says if it works why change?

Incidentally JR1 i am the second i dont bother printing mine either.

Well #3 gets in line too

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

..and No.4...only print a few on occasion for special purposes....when someone requests one of my pics, I email it to them and let them worry about it...
As for kit lenses being soft at the edges...never had a problem with mine...I have two I use regularly, 18-105 and a 55-300 (Nikkor)..both have won photo comps for me...I have seen a lot of shots taken with expensive lenses and could never justify buying one based on what I saw...if it works, don't fix it...!!

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

waynesmythe wrote:

I almost never get a printed copy of any of my pho... (show quote)

I shot with the same camera and lens for 2 years and was happy with my shots. I bought the Sigma 18-250 about 8 months ago and love the lens. When I upgrade to the 60D it came with the canon 18-135. I shot with the 18-135 and the 18-250, compared the shots, then sold the Canon and keep the Sigma.

Pappy

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

geez I must be an anachronism ,Someone at Adorama is driving a real nice car with the money I spend for prints with them.

You might look at the 18-200 lens, very versatile lens and one of my favorites, until I bought a 70-200 2.8