Sep 8, 2004, 21:53
Let me save you time. Let me save you money. Let me save you aggravation.
If you buy "starter" lenses you will initially be pleased with your purchase but sooner or later you will want to upgrade. Probably sooner, because it's the age of instant information and you'll see that everyone on the web is posting really sharp images and yours just don't compare, and they'll tell you to upgrade your lenses. You will then have to sell your used lenses and will lose some money in the deal, perhaps 40-50% of the value invested.
You'll do some really careful shopping and find a few mid-priced lenses that people on the web forums say are "really good for the price" and you'll fork out more dough for those. Eventually, and sooner than you think, you'll realize that the phrase "really good for the price" doesn't obviate the time-tested adage "you get what you pay for," and once again you'll be told that your lenses are inadequate, and you'll believe it, and it's true. You'll put them up for sale and will lose more money in the process, possibly 20-30% of the value invested because these hold their value a little better.
Then, while you are researching lenses to buy, a friend or perhaps someone that you just met that day will let you play with a "really good lens." Canon L, or maybe Nikon AF-S. Maybe an f/1.2 prime. Maybe a long white telezoom with image stabilization. You will marvel at the build quality, and how solid it feels in your hands. You will notice how smoothly the zoom and focus rings operate. You will be amazed at the speed and accuracy of the auto-focus, and how darned quiet the AF motor is.
And you'll take your camera home and pop the flash card into the reader and download those few "sample" images into your computer, and they will appear as if by magic on your calibrated monitor. Your eyes will open a little wider, the endorphins will release in your brain, and you will see as if seeing for the very first time. Sharpness. Clarity. Color. And then you will understand, because now you've had the drug and you want more ... you must have more.
There is no turning back. You are hooked. Addicted. And guess what - it's UNAVOIDABLE.
So don't upgrade your lenses ... go straight to the good stuff! You'll get there anyway ...
... we will all get there anyway.
If you buy "starter" lenses you will initially be pleased with your purchase but sooner or later you will want to upgrade. Probably sooner, because it's the age of instant information and you'll see that everyone on the web is posting really sharp images and yours just don't compare, and they'll tell you to upgrade your lenses. You will then have to sell your used lenses and will lose some money in the deal, perhaps 40-50% of the value invested.
You'll do some really careful shopping and find a few mid-priced lenses that people on the web forums say are "really good for the price" and you'll fork out more dough for those. Eventually, and sooner than you think, you'll realize that the phrase "really good for the price" doesn't obviate the time-tested adage "you get what you pay for," and once again you'll be told that your lenses are inadequate, and you'll believe it, and it's true. You'll put them up for sale and will lose more money in the process, possibly 20-30% of the value invested because these hold their value a little better.
Then, while you are researching lenses to buy, a friend or perhaps someone that you just met that day will let you play with a "really good lens." Canon L, or maybe Nikon AF-S. Maybe an f/1.2 prime. Maybe a long white telezoom with image stabilization. You will marvel at the build quality, and how solid it feels in your hands. You will notice how smoothly the zoom and focus rings operate. You will be amazed at the speed and accuracy of the auto-focus, and how darned quiet the AF motor is.
And you'll take your camera home and pop the flash card into the reader and download those few "sample" images into your computer, and they will appear as if by magic on your calibrated monitor. Your eyes will open a little wider, the endorphins will release in your brain, and you will see as if seeing for the very first time. Sharpness. Clarity. Color. And then you will understand, because now you've had the drug and you want more ... you must have more.
There is no turning back. You are hooked. Addicted. And guess what - it's UNAVOIDABLE.
So don't upgrade your lenses ... go straight to the good stuff! You'll get there anyway ...
... we will all get there anyway.
_______________________________________
Everybody got to elevate from the norm!
And budget is not an excuse. One can eat mac & cheese for a year or three. 
