How Important is Good Glass?

[Dr_O]

Just came across this story and thought it aptly demonstrates how key using good glass is, especially if you're into wildlife photography.

I'm pretty sure if I used my Nikon 70-200 (or any of my lenses) I'd be able to spot the difference in detail between a real tiger and a cuddly toy but obviously when you use an el cheapo lens this just isn't true

Perils of cheap glass

You just couldn't make it up

 

[menthel]

Good glass is only any good installed in a lens housing!

 

[danbroad]

We all preach the importance of good glass over camera body, but it's only the third most important thing a photographer has.

Second most important is good light. The right light, whatever light it takes to turn a flat shot into something more. Far more important than good glass. But that's not even the most important thing...

..the most important photography tool is a good eye. Without this, you can have the perfect light, caught by the best glass on the most accomplished camera body, and come away with uninspiring, unimportant shots.

 

[Laudrup]

Sigma will have another recalibration on Monday morning

 

[33L]

We all preach the importance of good glass over camera body, but it's only the third most important thing a photographer has.

Second most important is good light. The right light, whatever light it takes to turn a flat shot into something more. Far more important than good glass. But that's not even the most important thing...

..the most important photography tool is a good eye. Without this, you can have the perfect light, caught by the best glass on the most accomplished camera body, and come away with uninspiring, unimportant shots.