Re: [APML]: Best lens manufacturers

[Wil Milan <wmilan@airdigital.com>]

Scott,

In 35mm and 2-1/4 every experience I've had indicates that the best
camera lenses are made by the makers of the best cameras: Nikon, Leica,
etc. The only exception to that is Zeiss, which makes no cameras but
makes excellent lenses for several camera manufacturers. The better
aftermarket lens makers (Tamron, Tokina, Sigma) occasionally turn out
some excellent lenses, but their overall level of quality, optically and
mechanically, is not as good as the lenses from the better camera makers.

In large format the three big names are Schneider, Rodenstock, and Nikon;
all three make excellent lenses. Amateur astrophotographers don't give a
lot of thought to large-format lenses, but those are some of the sharpest
lenses made anywhere, particularly when used on smaller formats.

One caveat about 35mm lenses: Companies such as Nikon and Canon which
make 35mm gear for both pros and amateurs usually have two tiers of lens
quality: a lower-priced line for the snapshot shooters, and much better
(and more expensive) lenses for the pros. Thus Nikon makes a little 35-80
f/4.5-5.6 zoom which sells for $100 or so, and also a 35-70 f/2.8 zoom
which sells for $750. In the case of Nikon, which caters primarily to
serious and professional photographers, there are only a few low-end
lenses and all the rest are top-quality lenses at relatively high prices.
I've been told that Canon, which has a larger presence in the amateur
market, has a larger low-end lens line, but I'm no expert on Canon
lenses. In any case, the thing to be aware of is that if what you want is
a top-quality Nikon or Canon lens don't get one of the low-priced lenses
they sell to the amateur market. (Though some of those are very good too:
I have one of those $100 35-80 Nikons, and though it's mostly plastic and
won't last forever, the optics are quite good.)

As for a rule of thumb, the only one I can think of is that
speed/price/sharpness trade-off: A fast, cheap lens will be optically
lousy, while a sharp, inexpensive lens (there are some) will be slow. A
fast, sharp lens is always expensive, and sometimes even that won't
ensure that a really fast lens will be sharp wide open.

A lot depends on what kind of use you have in mind. What kind of lenses
are you looking for, and for what use?

Wil Milan
--
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars which You have set in place, what is Man that you are
mindful of him, or the son of Man that you care for him?"  -- Psalm 8


konomi@mail.geocities.com wrote:

>
> Hi folks,
>
> I am also looking for camera lenses and wondered if anyone would care
> to suggest some good manufacturers/ bad manufacturers and rules of
> thumb for lens purchases.
>
> In particular I am looking for a wide angle, a telephoto and a
> teleconverter.  I would appreciate any and all input!
>
> Best regards,
>
> Scott
> ---------------
> Dr. Scott Teare
> University of Illinois and Mt. Wilson Observatory
> Mt Wilson, California.