Quality of lense and image

[alexblackwelder]

Hey guys! I've had my DSLR for a while now. It took me a bit to explore the realm of digital photography because I use to be a film purist. I am NEVER satisfied by my digital shots compared to my film shots. I have a pretty nice camera (Canon 30D) so I assumed the quality of shots wouldn't be horrible. By horrible I mean that my shots look the same as a cheap point and shoot camera (minus the DOF).

With my film camera, I never really explored different lenses because the one it came with was sufficient. I use an old hunky Canon AE1 but I love it. I've been reading a lot on digital lenses, and I'm beginning to think my problem with my DSRL is because of my cheap lense.

This is what I use:

http://www.camcor.com/cgi-bin/cat/id=1126214154&src=fg


So my question is, do you think that my poor lense could affect my shots THAT much? Will I see a difference if I upgrade? Is it worth it?

Thanks so much!

-Alex

 

[HatMan]

Hi!

I carry a couple of Sigma lenses as well as Tamron and Pentax. Although I use the Pentax 18-55, my main Sigma is 55-200 and I love it. Perhaps not "top of the line," Sigma seems to be generally good to very good quality and perhaps you just got a bad lens.

A photog buddy of mine picked up a high end Canon lens a few weeks ago and ended up taking it back within a few days because of problems with focus and dust.

Good luck!

 

[simonkit]

Hi,

I read many reviews etc recently when looking for a replacement for my kit lens & to be honest the Sigma 18-50 didn't really do too well.

I actually purchased the Sigma 17-70 instead & have to say I'm extremely impressed, massive difference over the kit lens, contrast & sharpness are excellent. Without a doubt a poor lens makes ALL the difference

simon

 

[Garbz]

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1850_3556_nikon/index.htm It's an all right lens unless you shoot at 18mm and wide open. At f/8 it's very sharp. Maybe the lens isn't the only thing at fault. Digital takes getting used to. Are you post-processing your images? Remember when shooting film the lab's computers normally has a jolly good play with all sorts of variables. This is something you need to do yourself now with a digital camera.

 

[Alex_B]

do you print your images or do you look at them on the screen?

pixel peeping on the screen makes most images look bad ...

 

[Jestev]

Make sure you are post-processing and buy a better lens. A lot of the time the lens on your camera is worth more than the body.

 

[Bevel Heaven]

great glass makes all the difference. Truely it does.