Buying a 1.4 vs. 2.8 lens
Apr 16, 2018 17:45:19 #
Other important considerations are size and weight. As we add these fast lenses to our bags, portability becomes an issue.
Apr 16, 2018 20:20:44 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
par4fore wrote:
For the purpose of discussion; Let’s say you would be happy to buy a f2.8 lens and think you will want to shoot at f2.8 shouldn’t you still consider a faster lens since most tend to shoot sharper two or so stops over open?
It really depends on lens design. Most of the new Olympus Pro lens designs start at f2.8 or f4 and retain that sharpness until defraction starts setting in between f8 and f11. I haven't seen the data for the newer f1.2 lenses. But from what I have heard, it is still a very similar situation. That may be why they use so many elements and not a lot of groupings of elements.
Apr 17, 2018 22:19:28 #
Lenses today are generally better than we are. If you can afford the extra money for the faster lens - buy it, you'll feel better and will not have that nagging feeling that you should have spent the money.
Apr 17, 2018 23:51:13 #
wdross
Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado
Howard5252 wrote:
Lenses today are generally better than we are. If you can afford the extra money for the faster lens - buy it, you'll feel better and will not have that nagging feeling that you should have spent the money.
Sometimes even when buying things that are not a lense this happens. Buying short of one's actual equipment requirements is not good. That means you buy once for the equipment that doesn't really meet your needs, and then buy again for the equipment you should have got in the first place. Buy first to truly meet your needs. If it happens to be cheaper than the most expensive, you have had a run of luck.
Apr 18, 2018 00:32:43 #
Longshadow wrote:
If lenses are sharper away from their maximum aperture, wouldn't logic dictate that the 1.4 would be somewhat sharper at 2.8?
Exactly to what extent that "somewhat sharper" is depends on the specific lens. And then, if that "somewhat sharper" is really worth all the extra cost. Sharpness is not the most important thing in photography.
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