Who makes the best lenses?

[ianpinion]

Jake, it doesn't matter who makes the camera you use, just learn how to get the best out of own kit first because you might well be pleasantly surprised at just how brilliantly it can perform. I've been out on a few photoshoots with a group of other people using either Canons, Nikons, Sonys and Pentax cameras and they've all produced some cracking images. This had more to do with the skill of the photographer rather than the make of camera.

As the old adage goes, a bad workman always blames his tools!

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Oly Paul

I think I would quantify that by saying the faster the lens, there are a lot of cases where a f4 lens is optically better than a f2.8 even though it is cheaper.

A bigger price does not guarantee a better lens optically just a faster one.

Of course you are correct, but I did say there were exceptions.

[sony_photographer_jake]

I am very happy with my Sony camera. I am not going to change systems. I have two kit lenses and I'm happy enough with them. I just started some threads as I was a bit curious, as to what type of answers I would get. I know it can be the skill of the photographer that can produce brilliant images. However there is an exception where e.g. someone might say "Go for canon or Nikon, as they have better quality images or are better at high ISO".

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by sony_photographer_jake

I am very happy with my Sony camera...

Thats OK then!

It's really difficult to say which is "best" whether its lenses, noise or other things. If you look at the laboratory tests and go by the numbers that often gives you a good idea but it's not the be all and end all.

The ultimate system would allow you to mount any lens on it, while maintaining full metering and AF functionality, so you could pick the very best lenses regardless of camera body. Of course, they've tried this previously (M42 mount for example) and it doesn't work because the big companies want to keep their best for themselves.