lens glass
Nov 24, 2014 08:10:05 #
paulrph1
Loc: Washington, Utah
What is the reason for the increase in photo quality from the older off brand lenses to the newer lenses which seem to have a greatly increased quality. Tamron, Signa seem to have great glass these days compared to yesteryear.
Nov 24, 2014 08:30:07 #
They have both simply upped their QC, engineering, design and manufacturing. Capitalism at its finest. Both are producing some pretty fine alternatives to Nikon and Canon. ;)
Nov 24, 2014 10:34:23 #
Nov 24, 2014 10:35:08 #
Nov 24, 2014 11:00:09 #
The lens coatings are also superior to the olden days. This is exhibited in greatly reduced CA to go along with the resolution of the great glass.
Nov 24, 2014 11:38:58 #
paulrph1 wrote:
What is the reason for the increase in photo quality from the older off brand lenses to the newer lenses which seem to have a greatly increased quality. Tamron, Signa seem to have great glass these days compared to yesteryear.
Modern digital cameras require better optics and readily reveal inferior lenses. It was a matter of "measure up or march out".
Nov 24, 2014 12:06:56 #
Nov 24, 2014 12:22:53 #
paulrph1 wrote:
Anyone would realize that but the real answer is?
The dog ate your homework ??!! :lol:
SS
Nov 24, 2014 14:33:11 #
paulrph1
Loc: Washington, Utah
I am kinda looking for a technical answer. But I guess to some that is as technical as it gets. Sorry to have bothered you.
Nov 24, 2014 15:21:16 #
Db7423 wrote:
They have both simply upped their QC, engineering, design and manufacturing. Capitalism at its finest. Both are producing some pretty fine alternatives to Nikon and Canon. ;)
Computers also design better lenses.
Nov 25, 2014 08:25:41 #
wolfd
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
paulrph1 wrote:
What is the reason for the increase in photo quality from the older off brand lenses to the newer lenses which seem to have a greatly increased quality. Tamron, Signa seem to have great glass these days compared to yesteryear.
The marketplace.
Nov 25, 2014 08:57:18 #
As DSLR's improve, the makers of the DSLR's have improved their lenses with fluorite & other expensive elements as well as better coatings & in Canon's case MFT on lenses to make sure they are as good as possible on your camera. One of the arguments for using your DSLR 's name brand lenses has always been that if you changed cameras, the name brand would work well where as the third party might not. The third party lens manufacturers have decided to step up their game & have started using the more expensive elements in some of their lenses & in Sigma's case providing a docking station that will help tune your lens to your camera. The results have been a big improvement in third party lenses that give them the reputation of making some lenses that are as good or better than some brand name lenses. This is causing the price of these lenses to be a bit more than they used to be but very competitive. It also causes the brand names to step up their game or lose customers. The completion can only be good for consumers who have more & better selection. Bab
Nov 25, 2014 09:54:50 #
paulrph1 wrote:
I am kinda looking for a technical answer.
There are times when a simple question opens many doors to reading and at least partially understanding. Thank you for asking your OP question of why New, even off-brand, lenses have greatly improved.
Want technical... OK, paulrph1 go make your own lens design!!
http://www.astro.caltech.edu/~lah/ay105/pdf/codev_intro.pdf
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Yes, paulrph1, I would like to see lab test data, did not find any. Suggest that someone in UHH with new & old equal mm and f, compare side by side and examine the edges.. my old lenses are all Minolta for my Sony alpha. Are new better than old... real hard ball side by side.
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DB said it was Capitalism at its best... I will be the counter point: my experience after 40 + years in industry is that modern "end of the month bottom line Capitalism" suppresses quality to achieve best "cost engineering." Many people buy on price and the fine points of a lens costing half again as much does not get the market. eg: coatings.. how long do the have to last 20 years or 5.... 5 is enough and costs less.
Capitalism for money money money, no... I give credit more to the technical availability of fantastic software ... much done at government expense (satellite photography) at universities and eventually available to all. (Google "software for designing camera lenses" )
CA is suppressed by using different glasses with differing refractive index to correct the "prism effect" that separates the fringe into a rainbow. Too often fine craftsmanship and materials are just too expensive and JQ Public does not see minor differences.
My old Minolta were a result of Minolta/Zeiss/Leica collaboration after WW2. They by many years of cut/fit made great glass. The names were fame and pride of excellence.
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Other view, our computers and fantastic instrumentation can do one designers work in a short time and give cost analysis that is hard to argue with.
A yea/na debate on Nikon glass old/new
http://photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00SmTm
Canon people debated new/old here:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3501608
KenRockwell discusses testing old glass for defects, great article for those buying "vintage glass."
Wish I could give you a great reference for a scientific study... sorry.
Again thank you for the great question.
Nov 25, 2014 12:26:41 #
Db7423 wrote:
They have both simply upped their QC, engineering, design and manufacturing. Capitalism at its finest. Both are producing some pretty fine alternatives to Nikon and Canon. ;)
+ 1.
Nov 25, 2014 12:44:56 #
paulrph1 wrote:
What is the reason for the increase in photo quality from the older off brand lenses to the newer lenses which seem to have a greatly increased quality. Tamron, Signa seem to have great glass these days compared to yesteryear.
Computers have allowed designers to create new lens in very short time lines. They also allow for the grinding and shaping of lenses to a higher degree. Add the fact that new technology has brought new coatings. We have lenses today that are superior in design AND construction to older series lenses. But there are some great lenses from yesteryear available today. The real technology advancements are in camera bodies (IMHO). They are actually computers with great eye-sight. It's kind of exciting to think what the future holds for photographers.
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