how long before L lens?

[mrthingyx]

I'm lucky enough to have a younger brother who is a serious hobbyist snapper... he has the 70-200L and the 24-70L to match his 5dMk2.

And, as he can't use all his lenses at once, I get to stick them on my 20D... shame I suck.

 

[tbs]

I wouldn't agree with that. There's situations in my sports photography where an f2.8 L lens would be better than the current zoom that I've got. I would have thought its more to do with knowing why the L range of lenses would suit your needs over other lenses.

You seem to not agree with anything I say

Well hes asking "how long before L lens" then obviously he doesnt really have a clue on what hes shooting or the reason why he needs a L lens . A 17-50 would be as a good of a lens to use then any and thats a fast lens too, and its sharp.

So why would you need a L lens over any other if youre just going to be doing snap shots? Maybe its because its cool to have L lenses I dunno...

 

[ichabod crane]

When you need/want a new lens and an L fits your needs and is within budget.

 

[Derek W]

You seem to not agree with anything I say

Dunno what gave you that impression

I wouldn't have taken it as 'how long before you got your first L lens' - as in a competition of 'I got my L lens first' type boast but more of a 'I felt i needed to get an L lens because' for whatever reason, required the faster glass, got interested into a specific area of photography where an L lens is an advantage, but not necessarily a must.

The reasons he's listed about the cost / partner issue is as he states, for a hobby an L lens is an expensive bit of kit and typically spending £1000 + is a lot of money for a pastime. There are more important things in life to be spending that sort of cash on if you're not making a living out of photography

 

[tbs]

Dunno what gave you that impression

I wouldn't have taken it as 'how long before you got your first L lens' - as in a competition of 'I got my L lens first' type boast but more of a 'I felt i needed to get an L lens because' for whatever reason, required the faster glass, got interested into a specific area of photography where an L lens is an advantage, but not necessarily a must.

The reasons he's listed about the cost / partner issue is as he states, for a hobby an L lens is an expensive bit of kit and typically spending £1000 + is a lot of money for a pastime. There are more important things in life to be spending that sort of cash on if you're not making a living out of photography

Then hes obviously asking the wrong question if its just a past time for him to spend £1K on some lens when he only uses it every now and again.

If he was using it for work, weddings or whatever then yea the question "how long before L lens" would be more applicable, say for quality wise, how long before the cheaper lenses wouldnt keep up with constant use, then upgrade to L grade, so there you go!!

 

[Namistai]

When referring to examples of 'non-L' lenses that may have a similar IQ to an L lens, such as the 50mm and 85mm mentioned above, one must remember that Canon produce L versions of these Perhaps the biggest differences are USM (in some cases) and exceptional build quality - unlike the 50 f1.8!

 

[Derek W]

Then hes obviously asking the wrong question if its just a past time for him to spend £1K on some lens when he only uses it every now and again.

He hasn't actually stated camera usage only the difference between amateur status and if you use your photography to make a living. I class myself very much as an amateur although I do have an arrangement with the local paper to supply photographs from the away games at footy but i can see the advantages of spending £1k plus on an L lens if it will allow me to capture a better shot.

The only thing stopping me is financial constraints but thats something I've got to live with while looking for a new house! So long as the photography bug is still biting and I have the money for it I'll quite happily buy L lenses over the cheaper equivalent because i know what I'm trying to achieve in my photography and which lenses can assist in my goal.

When you need/want a new lens and an L fits your needs and is within budget.

Essentially that. its like the 5D mk2 topic so long as you can justify the cost and need for the upgrade to yourself then who cares what anyone else thinks

 

[Raymond Lin]

Whats wrong spending money on a hobby that your love?

Football fans spent a few thousands a year on season tickets, jersey, traveling to games etc.

I just take photos

 

[Xenoxide]

Whats wrong spending money on a hobby that your love?

Football fans spent a few thousands a year on season tickets, jersey, traveling to games etc.

I just take photos

I agree with this completely. Too many people are too concerned with "oh you dont really need that". Everything from L lens, to SLR's, to high end camcorders.

Seems a big theme in here is that if you're not doing commercial photography you shouldn't get an L lens.

If they have the money, why not?

 

[neil_g]

ive been doing this 4 or more years now and i still dont have an "L". i take pics for money too.

 

[SQUEEZO]

Got my first DSLR in May 2009 and got my first 'L' lens last month. I don't earn money from taking photo's (yet)