Hello ,
It's both true and false because it all boils down to what we're using the lenses for.
Here's what I mean.
Why We Don't Need Expensive Lenses
A good composition is good regardless of the lens used. And the best, most expensive lens in the world ain't gonna make us better photographers.
The only thing that makes us better photographers is understanding light, camera operation, and
composition.
When I started out studying photography and working as a photojournalist, the camera I was working with at the time was a wreck. It was held together with rubber bands and made light-ight with black gaffer's tape.
I started working as a professional by using a brand new, relatively inexpensive third-party lens.
Specifically, it was a Kiron 28-210mm F4-5.6 Macro Zoom Lens because it offered a wide range of focal lengths. But beyond the less-than-stellar maximum apertures, even that brand-new lens had issues that were made aware to me by more seasoned photographers.
Even though my equipment was relatively shabby compared to the staff photographers' gear, it was good enough to work with. And that was because my
understanding of photography and the work I delivered was good enough to be used and paid for despite the less-than-optimal equipment.
Of course, I took the money I made as a freelancer and upgraded my camera and lenses. Not because they'd improve my compositions but because the new equipment was more dependable and efficient.
It was nice
to open and close a camera back without needing to remove and replace rubber bands and gaffer tape every time I needed to change a roll of film.
Why Do We Need Expensive Lenses?
If we're working as professionals, nothing's better than having reliable, clean equipment.
And having lenses that'll allow us to produce images with a visual quality free from lousy sharpness, vignetting, barrel distortion, and chromatic aberration is good.
And it's good because eliminating those things leaves no room for rightfully deserved complaints from clients about the visual stuff that less-than-good quality lenses are often known for.
In short, we should get the best lens we can afford, free from the characteristics associated with a crappy lens.
And as a side note, a good quality lens is built well and can withstand frequent use and occasionally roughing up.
Remember, when it comes to lenses unless
we're looking for some aesthetic effect, it's a good idea to pick glass over plastic always. And then get the best glass lenses suited for the work we do and we can afford.
And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture today.
That’s all for now; thanks for reading!
Sam
Be a better photographer; study and practice photography with
me.
And if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes, we can schedule a one-time lesson or a series of in-person or online one-on-one private instruction that cover the same things as any of my group
classes.
