what makes a professional lens?

[Garbz]

$1,500 and up.

If it's Nikon a gold band on the barrel, if it's Canon, a capitol 'L' in the model.

Hmm. well crap. Looks like neither my 80-200 f/2.8 nor my 85mm f/1.4 or my 50mm f/1.4 or my 105mm f/2.8 macro qualify then.

I think actual working pros probably use less expensive gear than most hobbyists...

I think actual working photographers may use less expensive gear. But given the large number of "professional" wedding photographers who run out and buy a Digital Rebel and a kit lens and then balls up their wedding shoots because they don't have a clue I'd say the only reason "professionals" use less expensive gear than most hobbyists is because too many people are using the term "professional" incorrectly.

 

[EIngerson]

$1,500 and up.

If it's Nikon a gold band on the barrel, if it's Canon, a capitol 'L' in the model.

Hmm. well crap. Looks like neither my 80-200 f/2.8 nor my 85mm f/1.4 or my 50mm f/1.4 or my 105mm f/2.8 macro qualify then.

I think actual working pros probably use less expensive gear than most hobbyists...

I think actual working photographers may use less expensive gear. But given the large number of "professional" wedding photographers who run out and buy a Digital Rebel and a kit lens and then balls up their wedding shoots because they don't have a clue I'd say the only reason "professionals" use less expensive gear than most hobbyists is because too many people are using the term "professional" incorrectly.

Nope, throw all your lenses away. They are obviously not good enough to be "Pro" :er:

This is such a useless debate. A pro level lens is a lens that you use and achieve a pro level photo from.

 

[Benco]

Size. Pro lenses need to be huge.

...and shiny.


.....and if it's a Canon is must be white.

 

[usayit]

I think actual working pros probably use less expensive gear than most hobbyists...

This is my observation as well.... at least from the hobby shooters that walk into a camera store intending to shoot more than just pictures of their own family.

Business expense must be driven by something else other than GAS... or else simply go out of business.

 

[jake337]

I think actual working pros probably use less expensive gear than most hobbyists...

Unless you shoot pro sports!

 

[Mike_E]

The 'Pro' designation is a marketing ploy by manufacturers to drive sales. Nothing more.

Lenses don't do work they just work, or not as the case may be. A Pro lens is really just a lens that someone uses when doing photography for profit- or trying to make a profit in most cases.

 

[greybeard]

Rugged metal construction, smooth operation, consistent predictable performance.

 

[pgriz]

A pro lens does what the photographer needs it to do, without introducing artifacts that require post-processing compensation, works reliably under harsh conditions, and makes the photographer's job easier rather than harder. But that also depends on the "pro" using the lens. A pro shooting under EV6 conditions with a f/5.6 lens handheld, will usually not stay pro very long.

 

[tirediron]

If it's Nikon a gold band on the barrel, if it's Canon, a capitol 'L' in the model.

My MPE 65mm macro wants a word with you ...

Ahhh... you missed the bit where my tongue was very firmly wedged in my cheek... IMO, there's no such thing in reality. Yes, companies put labels on their gear, and to some extent, they do indicate an improvement in quality over less expensive items in their product line, but the fact is that it's the user not the equipment that makes the lens professional. I've used the old Nikon 18-70 (D70 kit lens) professionally and done well with it. Granted, most of my gear is what Nikon calls "professional", but that's because I want fast zooms and primes, and there's a premium to be paid for them.

 

[table1349]

im still a noob and im working on moving up the lens ladder. im wondering what makes a pro lens different from an entry level/kit lens? that the f numbers are lower than 3.5?

What makes a "Professional" lens. The person behind the camera not the lens. There are poorly built lenses and well built lenses. There are decent optics and outstanding optics. There are fast lenses and slow lenses. What it important is that the lens meets the needs of the photographer be it a cheap lens or an expensive lens.

 

[imagemaker46]

Any lens or camera in my hands.

 

[KmH]

No doubt, lenses are designed/made in 3 grade levels - consumer, prosumer, professional.

Consumer grade lenses are mostly made from plastic components, including some resin lens elements, and have basic auto focus motors. Consumer grade lenses lack or have minimal elements of the more expensive glass types like low dispersion glass, and the better lens coatings that promote light transmission and/or minimize lens flare. Consumer grade zoom lenses are usually variable aperture zooms having a max aperture of about f/3.5.

Prosumer grade lenses have more metal parts, may have faster auto focus motors, more low dispersion lens elements, better lens coatings, and wider maximum apertures.

Professional grade lenses have still more metal parts, the best glass, the best lens coatings, the widest max apertures, and in the case of zoom lenses constant max apertures.

 

[usayit]

KmH.... or simply its just marketed that way. >wink<

Professionals know what they need
Amateurs don't and usually just buy at the most they can afford... (or even above it).

<< one of them... hey... no excuses. my stuff is well "under used". lol

 

[Josh66]

There definitely are three tiers, whether the 'pros' use the top tier exclusively (or even primarily) will probably always be up for debate, and likely depends on the specific niche.

 

[Tony S]

what makes a professional lens?

... the loose nut behind the viewfinder