joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Good photographers make excellent photos...in the camera then is in post processing. If you want excellence both are needed. The quality of the lens is secondary.

Miami39 Loc: Florida

IMHO, technique is critical but you cannot fix a poor quality lens in post, particularly focus issues.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Those who lack the best equipment never lack for excuses.

Miami39 Loc: Florida

I do know who you are responding to. I am using really old Nikon lenses from my film cameras and they are great on any Nikon camera. A good lens is a good investment. I am not upgrading my lenses. They are fine. No excuses.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I'd much rather have a high quality lens on a basic, entry level camera... than a cheap, kit lens on a pro quality body.

The lens will make far more difference in images, than the camera it's used upon.

"Pro" cameras are more about bells and whistles... fast frame rates, more advanced AF systems, extra durability, more customizability, added weather resistant sealing, etc. But they use essentially the same sensors as "lesser" cameras. So when it comes to image quality, if the same lens is used, the same settings are used and the same care is given to accurate focus, there will be little difference whether a camera costs $500 or $5000.

But with lenses the difference in image quality is much more dramatic.

For example, you can buy a Canon EF 75-300mm III lens for under $200 but it's image quality is nowhere near that of a Canon EF 70-300mm L series that costs $1350. https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=776&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=1&LensComp=738&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=0 Then compare the EF 70-300mm L with the $2400 EF 100-400mm L II at 300mm: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=738&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=4&API=1&LensComp=972&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=0 But if you want a larger aperture to be able to more strongly blur down backgrounds, you'll need to spend $6100 for the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L II: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=972&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=739&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

How about a wide angle zoom comparison? Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L ($800) versus Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS ($1100): https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=100&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=949&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0 or the 16-35mm f/4L IS ($1100) versus a Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III ($2200): https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=949&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=1073&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Or a standard zoom: There's a pretty noticeable difference between $650 Tokina AT-X 24-70mm f/2.8 (at f/4) and $900 Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=993&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=2&LensComp=823&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0 But image quality differences are a lot less obvious comparing the EF 24-70mm f/4 with the even more premium $1900 Canon EF 24-40mm f/2.8L II: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=823&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=787&CameraComp=979&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

These compare Canon DSLR full frame lenses in some popular and common focal lengths, simply because there are a whole lot of lenses and choices for the EF system. In other systems you'll find similar differences, though the selection may vary a lot. For example, there are probably even more choices in the Nikon DSLR F-mount... But so far there are relatively few choices in both Canon RF and Nikon Z mirrorless systems.

Zeke

Thanks to all the hoggers for your great responses. As usual, they were spot on the money.

gwilliams6

You have some excellent info in your post. But I need to correct one of your big misconceptions . The sensors in $500 cameras are NOT the same sensors in $3000 cameras. The higher end cameras almost always have higher megapixel sensors with better dynamic range , better low light capabilities, less noise, less rolling shutter, and much better resolution and detail. That is just the fact, and that is physics as well as better sensor technology at work .

Yes some makers like Sony, Canon and Nikon are putting their excellent 24mp sensors in cheaper and smaller bodies, with fewer bells and whistles, to attract new buyers. But they aren't selling them for $500 with those sensors in them. But some are around $1000 now.

What image quality you get out of any camera/lens combo, at any price, is of course heavily dependent on BOTH the quality of the sensor and the quality of the lens. There really is no advantage to putting a great lens on a body with a mediocre sensor, if that sensor isn't good enough to resolve what the lens can resolve. Likewise, putting a lessor quality lens (and I mean optical quality, NOT Price ) on a higher quality sensor camera will leave you something less than that camera can truly deliver in image quality, resolution and detail.

Fortunately you dont have to spend a fortune today to get both good quality sensors and good quality lenses, as almost all makers have recognized the need to produce excellent quality cameras and lenses that will fit many budgets. Taking a few features off an optically quality lens or off a decent sensor camera allows these makers to offer us new models with great deals for our money. So good lenses and good cameras now can be had at more price ranges. Buyers just need to do their research to get the most for their budgets. And dont overlook the used market for excellent quality cameras and lenses for sale far below their original list prices.

Cheers

gwilliams6

Don't get me wrong above, The skills ,experience, and vision of the photographer will still matter most in achieving a great photo than the equipment, camera and lens. But in the right hands, a skilled photographer can extract the most image quality out of better camera sensors and better lenses, NOT necessarily meaning more expensive cameras and lenses nowadays with excellent quality budget gear on the market, new and used. Learn the craft and then you can be ready to take the most advantage of the best image quality gear for your budget.

Here Dave McKeegan has a good youtube discussion of some of this, just posted today:

The BIGGEST MISTAKE you can make!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f02-ynYWQuo&fbclid=IwAR2WItKEVEeLkWkCUZlEcJMBNlRI6sIFCrRwdyuXuD2pXvlssuV1RMP4SeA