Just curious...kit lenses
Nov 23, 2014 09:41:05 #
Are the lenses you buy as a kit, (like the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM) that comes with the t5i the same quality as buying it separately?
Nov 23, 2014 09:45:29 #
Marilia wrote:
Are the lenses you buy as a kit, (like the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM) that comes with the t5i the same quality as buying it separately?
Lenses in the "kits" are the exact same lenses you would get if you ordered them separately. The difference is the packaging and they are almost always cheaper when bought as a kit rather than alone.
Nov 23, 2014 09:45:32 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
Marilia wrote:
Are the lenses you buy as a kit, (like the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM) that comes with the t5i the same quality as buying it separately?
The lenses are one and the same, whether purchased with the camera or separately.
Nov 23, 2014 09:55:07 #
waykee7
Loc: Cortez, Colorado
Marilia wrote:
Are the lenses you buy as a kit, (like the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM) that comes with the t5i the same quality as buying it separately?
Not only are the same, as noted by MT Shooter, but kit lenses are often derided as somehow "inferior". The counter argument to that is that I've been told the camera manufacturers put a LOT of energy into the design of those lenses, knowing that's what most people use, and the company's reputation is strongly influenced by those lenses.
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Nov 23, 2014 10:00:32 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Lenses in the "kits" are the exact same lenses you would get if you ordered them separately. The difference is the packaging and they are almost always cheaper when bought as a kit rather than alone.
The lens's are the same but are they of the same quality when tested in their labs? I'm talking about the sharpness of photos.
Nov 23, 2014 10:03:12 #
Bill MN wrote:
The lens's are the same but are they of the same quality when tested in their labs? I'm talking about the sharpness of photos.
Tested against what?
Sharpness ratings between lenses can be viewed at DXOmark.com, but you need to make sure when comparing lenses that you designate the same camera used for testing as the camera sensor can make a HUGE difference in any particular lenses end result.
Nov 23, 2014 10:16:25 #
The stereotype of a kit lens is 18-55mm for an APC sensor camera and 28-80mm for a "full frame" camera. Nearly all the objective reviews I've read about these whether Nikon, Canon or whoever conclude that the kit lens is surprisingly good and that more expensive alternatives will not result in a noticeably superior image under the most common circumstances.
Camera manufacturers often offer a much, MUCH more expensive zoom that covers similar focal lengths. What justifies the higher price is usually (I believe) a wider maximum aperture (f/2 vs f/3.5 for example) and also that max aperture remains constant over the focal length range. This is considered desirable by some professional photographers as well amatures who want the same stuff as pros. These lenses may be more durable in harsh climates -- tropical or heavy dust.
Camera manufacturers often offer a much, MUCH more expensive zoom that covers similar focal lengths. What justifies the higher price is usually (I believe) a wider maximum aperture (f/2 vs f/3.5 for example) and also that max aperture remains constant over the focal length range. This is considered desirable by some professional photographers as well amatures who want the same stuff as pros. These lenses may be more durable in harsh climates -- tropical or heavy dust.
Nov 23, 2014 10:52:00 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Tested against what?
Sharpness ratings between lenses can be viewed at DXOmark.com, but you need to make sure when comparing lenses that you designate the same camera used for testing as the camera sensor can make a HUGE difference in any particular lenses end result.
Sharpness ratings between lenses can be viewed at DXOmark.com, but you need to make sure when comparing lenses that you designate the same camera used for testing as the camera sensor can make a HUGE difference in any particular lenses end result.
I'm not talking about DXO. I'm saying testing 2 of the same lens's in name brand in their own test labs, Canon, Nikon, Sony and others. I have read or heard that no 2 lens's of the same brand will test the same and they put the less quality lens in a kit.
Nov 23, 2014 11:15:02 #
Bill MN wrote:
I'm not talking about DXO. I'm saying testing 2 of the same lens's in name brand in their own test labs, Canon, Nikon, Sony and others. I have read or heard that no 2 lens's of the same brand will test the same and they put the less quality lens in a kit.
Typically "kit" lenses are made to a lower production standard that premium grade lenses. Kit lenses are usually production line manufactured to a design standard and the occasional production model is pulled off the line to test for function and that's about it. Premium grade lenses are pretty much all hand assembled to very stringent specs and made of higher quality components and optics. Almost all these higher grade lenses are actually bench tested before shipping depending on that manufacturers policies.
Mid grade lenses testing and QC procedures vary widely between manufacturers. Does any manufacturer ever pull two identical models and bench test them against each other? I find that highly doubtful as doing so would be redundant and would likely result in any specific design or manufacturing changes.
Nov 23, 2014 11:18:40 #
Bill MN wrote:
I'm not talking about DXO. I'm saying testing 2 of the same lens's in name brand in their own test labs, Canon, Nikon, Sony and others. I have read or heard that no 2 lens's of the same brand will test the same and they put the less quality lens in a kit.
Delete
Nov 23, 2014 11:47:37 #
MT Shooter wrote:
Typically "kit" lenses are made to a low... (show quote)
Thank you for the explanation MT. :D
Nov 24, 2014 05:47:58 #
some are cheap and cheaply made. on one of my mid zooms the auto focus gears are stripping.
Nov 24, 2014 06:27:26 #
Thank you all for your input! Just another question: will the kit lens deliver better quality photos depending what camera body is being used?
Nov 24, 2014 08:08:50 #
As I have always understood it:
Kit lenses are more cheaply manufactured, but will perform reasonably. There will be similar which will cost much more which will perform excellently - but are not included in a kit. Kit lenses are included in a camera purchase to get you "up and running" But you can buy just the body and take your choice.
There are a few kit lenses which do perform with excellence.
It is not just down to image quality. More expensive lenses will have increased durability for different reasons, will feel smoother in use, and therefore be easier to use. I think!
Kit lenses are more cheaply manufactured, but will perform reasonably. There will be similar which will cost much more which will perform excellently - but are not included in a kit. Kit lenses are included in a camera purchase to get you "up and running" But you can buy just the body and take your choice.
There are a few kit lenses which do perform with excellence.
It is not just down to image quality. More expensive lenses will have increased durability for different reasons, will feel smoother in use, and therefore be easier to use. I think!
Nov 24, 2014 08:33:55 #
Do not underestimate the quality of a kit lens. I have the Canon 18-200 and it performs very respectably. Plus, it has more zoom than quality lenses making it a wonderful "walk around" lens. If you are starting in photography, stick with the kit lens until and if you truly need another lens.
Another word of advice. Do not think you have to be the body, lens and other accessories as a bundle. Sigma and Tamron make lens of comparable quality at substantially lower cost. The accessories are usually not that useful and you can always buy what you really need. For example, lens cleaner and paper and a bag. You may go through a few bags, back packs and other carriers as your needs change and you get more familiar with what they do.
Another word of advice. Do not think you have to be the body, lens and other accessories as a bundle. Sigma and Tamron make lens of comparable quality at substantially lower cost. The accessories are usually not that useful and you can always buy what you really need. For example, lens cleaner and paper and a bag. You may go through a few bags, back packs and other carriers as your needs change and you get more familiar with what they do.
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