Whenever you see a professional artist or musician doing their thing, you rarely see them using the cheapest tools they can find. An artist uses high-quality brushes and paints while the musician uses a high-quality instrument to ensure their work is at its best.
The same is true for photographers. Sure, there are many affordable and cheap camera options that can take good photos. But those photos are only good, not great.
If you want to capture high-quality photos, you’ll need an expensive camera. These cameras boast sophisticated technology allowing you to capture photos of anything from high-action sports shots to nighttime photos. Not only can you capture these images but they’ll look sharp!
Are you wondering if an expensive camera and lenses are worth the investment? Check out the reasons for a quality camera below!
Why Do You Need an Expensive Camera?
Depending on your photographing needs, not everyone needs an expensive camera. Are you planning to take a few point-and-shoot photos while on vacation or with friends? Then a high-quality camera probably isn’t necessary.
However, those looking to pursue a career in photography need a more robust camera. If you’re new to photography an entry-level DSLR camera for around $500 could work well. It will allow you to take photos at a higher resolution giving you more flexibility to make more adjustments and printing at a larger scale.
Experienced photographers tend to specialize in a specific type of photography. Photographers specializing in sports photography will need a camera with powerful processing and a high frame rate to capture clear images. Wildlife photographers need a camera with focus tracking and high resolution to capture clean highly detailed photos.
Your experience and the type of photography you plan to pursue will determine the type of camera you will need. But the camera body is only one part of the photography equation. The quality of your camera lens also plays an important role.
We would like to make reference to two camera’s that we support, listed here
- Nikon D5 20.8 MP FX-Format Digital SLR Camera Body (CF Version)
- Canon EOS 5D Mark III 22.3 MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body International Version
The Importance of an Expensive Lens
An expensive camera body can only get the quality of your photos so far. A high-quality camera body paired with a low-quality lens will result in mediocre images. If you want clear high-quality photos you need a quality lens.
Is an expensive camera lens better? In short, the answer is yes. High-quality lenses consist of better components and a better build for improved performance.
Lens Performance
Aperture is the opening in a lens that lets in light. Expensive lenses have a wider aperture. This gives you the ability to shoot photos with beautiful soft backgrounds, bokeh blur, and lowlight photography.
Expensive lenses also have superior focus abilities. The autofocus locks onto subjects faster and quieter. These lenses can also take better quality photos from long distances, an important factor for those in wildlife or sports photography.
Lens Components
Expensive lenses are durable. High-end lenses consist of metal parts that can withstand constant use and get bumped around.
Cheaper lenses use lighter components like aluminum and plastic. They usually can’t handle continuous use or getting knocked around.
The glass and the glass coating on an expensive lens are better. The lens coating helps reduce flare, reflections, and ghosting. Whether your light source is in front of the camera or behind, the lens will ensure your images are sharp.
Lens Build
Did you know most manufacturers hand-assemble expensive lenses? This allows them to pay closer attention to detail and quality. High-end lenses also go through more rigorous inspections to meet higher standards compared to a cheaper lens.
Another issue lenses experience is complications from the elements. Dust, moisture, and temperature can affect your lens.
Your expensive lenses have weatherproofing making them more resistant to the elements. However, you should always take precautions to prevent damage to your lens and camera regardless of the price.
Humid weather, for example, can cause fungus to grow in your lenses. Keeping silica packets in your camera bag can help prevent this.
You should also know that expensive lenses tend to weigh more. While you can use them on a cheaper camera, the lens mount may not withstand the weight of the lens. Like lenses, high-quality cameras use more durable parts making them a little heavier and able to hold a heavier lens.
In the end, your photos will be sharper, have greater contrast, and truer colors with an expensive top-performing lens. Pair that with an expensive camera body and your photos will turn out great!
Now there are so many lens to choice from so we have listed just some here and they are the best of the best
- Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L is II USM Lens International Model
- Nikon Telephoto 400mm f/2.8 D IF-ED Silent Wave Motor AF-S Auto Focus Lens (52)
- Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED Vibration Reduction Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLR Cameras
Does an Expensive Camera and Lens Make You Better Photographer?
Can an expensive camera and a high-quality lens make your photos turn out better? Yes but that doesn’t mean they’re good.
Unfortunately, having high-quality photography tools doesn’t automatically make you a better photographer. The only way you can get better is with experience, learning, and practice. Learning how to use lighting, color, and composition settings in your photography is what will make you a better photographer.
For those who are new to the field, it’s a good idea to start with a cheaper camera and lens. You’ll get feel for how to use the camera while learning about composition and what type of photography you like. As you learn, you can take quality photos with a cheaper camera.
Once you have a good handle on photography or are ready to pursue it as a career, a more expensive camera and lens are necessary. Not only will you be able to take higher-quality images at a much higher resolution, but you’ll also have more flexibility to shoot a wider range of images.
Keep Improving Your Photography
Becoming a great photographer boils down to your experience, knowledge, and finally, tools. An expensive camera and lens can help solve issues and give more flexibility to experienced photographers. For those who are new to photography, it can cause more problems.
Want to learn more great tips and tricks to improve your photography? Check out our latest articles or let us know if you have any questions. We’re happy to help you with your photography needs!