When does it make sense to buy super expensive lenses? (Page 5): I started out with a cheap SLR and cheap glass - I wanted the various focal lengths and zooms at a price I could...

Carl 383 Loc: Southampton UK

dragon64 wrote:

I started out with an inexpensive used 35mm SLR film camera with excellent glass (Zeiss). The quality of the glass offset the less SLR and my pictures were nearly always great. This situation has always infused in me the need for really good glass when purchasing a new camera. The quality or your images can be just the booster you need to help you make the decision to move up to the next level of camera gear and to maintain a high quality level of your lenses.

I started out with a cheap SLR and cheap glass - I wanted the various focal lengths and zooms at a price I could afford. I now have an Alpha 77 and G lenses. Are my images better than thirty years ago? Yes. Is it due to the skill level or the kit level improving? Yes. Do I want to go back to cheap camera and glass? No. Did I know thirty years ago I would have greater enjoyment from my hobby now than I did when I first started out? No.
I also tried fishing, camping, shooting and a few other things over the years, with most I realised very quickly that they didn't hold the enjoyment that photography did. I spent little until my hobby demanded it, I was able to pursue each until I knew what I wanted and only then spend the silly money I do now. Did I enjoy myself along the way? Yes. Did I learn? Yes. Can I readily advise someone else how much to spend and when to start along the road of expensive glass? No, that is up to the individual, they may decide to hold back longer or jump in quicker, but no matter what kit they have, if they strive to improve their photography then they will have my encouragement.

dtparker Loc: Small Town, NC

When does it make sense to buy super expensive lenses?

When you have a task that a cheaper one can't handle, or can't handle as well. And, obviously when you can afford it.

There are some incredibly expensive, not very generally useful lenses out there. But they all do have their niche.

amehta Loc: Boston

dtparker wrote:

When does it make sense to buy super expensive lenses?

When you have a task that a cheaper one can't handle, or can't handle as well. And, obviously when you can afford it.

There are some incredibly expensive, not very generally useful lenses out there. But they all do have their niche.

Agreed. And sometimes it makes sense to rent the super expensive lens.

Photo-Jeff

Good luck! Hope those lenses are still applicable in 10 yrs!
And you just pay for them up front.

Everything is relevant. Read tests and reviews from independent companies. Facts may save you from your opinions.

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo-Jeff wrote:

Good luck! Hope those lenses are still applicable in 10 yrs!
And you just pay for them up front.

Everything is relevant. Read tests and reviews from independent companies. Facts may save you from your opinions.

I hope so too! I have some past information that makes it seem likely: some of the Nikon lenses I bought 20 years ago are still being used, including one on my second camera for a recent wedding shoot. And the best stuff sees to hold up better than some of the cheaper stuff.

dtparker Loc: Small Town, NC

LOL!! I still have AI-S Nikkor lenses from the early 70s that work great and see use on my FA. And they weren't even top of the line back then - I couldn't afford that 40 years ago!

Good lenses last, and hold value.

Photo-Jeff wrote:

Good luck! Hope those lenses are still applicable in 10 yrs!
And you just pay for them up front. ...

Photo-Jeff

LOL!!!!

Film is flat and digital sensors are made up of a series of wells or buckets that collect photons. The processor in the camera converts them to electrons and then images.

Light from lenses designed for film strike the film/sensor plane at an angle, often creating flare and distortion like "ghosting" and fall off around the edges. That is why lenses designed for digital cameras have a different formula and coating that "straightens out" the angle at which they strike the plane.

Can you take pics with them? Sure, if they mount on the camera, but why? If it is best the spend the extra dough for a name brand?

And, Nikon and Canon often both buy technology and componentry from other lens makers. In fact I am aware of several models of Canon and Nikon brand lenses that were actually made by "third party" lens makers.

Facts, not opinions.

amehta Loc: Boston

Photo-Jeff wrote:

LOL!!!! br br Film is flat and digital sensors ar... (show quote)

Jeff, if you use "Quote Reply", the message you are responding to is included like yours above, and we can understand your message better with the additional context.

dtparker Loc: Small Town, NC

OK, Jeff. There is obviously something you want to debunk here, have at it!

Otherwise, you're just coming off as a punk. And we prefer civil here.

Thanks,
Dave

Photo-Jeff wrote:

LOL!!!! br br Film is flat and digital sensors ar... (show quote)

Photo-Jeff

Sorry Dave. Maybe you are right.

I've been as accurate as possible and now you are name calling. I sensed a tone from you from the beginning. Sorry for the negative vibes.
I'll bow out now...

dragon64 Loc: Stewartstown PA

amehta wrote:

There is one significant difference with the 35mm film SLR and the DSLR: when you get a DSLR, you're also getting all the film you'll ever be able to use with it. If Velvia, Kodachrome 25, Ektar 125, Ilford HP5, or Kodacolor 1600 aren't "in" the sensor, you'll never be able to shoot with them. With the 35mm SLR, the actual image capture medium was a separate purchase.

What you say is very true, but when I started out in 1969 I don't recall seeing any DSLR's available for me to spend my film budget on. So my options were narrow. And the camera I chose was a Zeiss Ikon Icarex, very nice camera with a few advanced features and didn't break my budget at $125 including a 50mm F2.8 Zeiss lens. Photos I took back then had a sharpness and clarity that is hard to duplicate even today and that was with basic Kodak 200 color film.