What Is "Good Glass"?

I hear this phrase quite often. Just what does "good glass" mean? I have a Canon 7D and quite often I see the comment that the 7D requires good glass to get the most out of the camera. I don't doubt that statement but I've never seen a definition of just what "good glass" really is. Anyone have an explanation of exactly what "good glass" is? I can't believe that the only "good glass" is Canon L lenses.

Thanks.

? A lens does the job within your budget

Some lenses are better than others. Definitely good lenses that aren't L.... The nifty fifty being one in particular.

Good glass to me is just high quality optics that are shape, produce good colors, have low CA, focus well, and give a pleasing out of focus highlight (bokeh)

Canon L lenses do this but there are plenty of other lenses that do it as well, from canon and third part company's (canon 17-55, sigma 17-50, sigma 70-200, ect)

It's what works for the job

It has a red ring

Good glass is like middle class. Everyone has their own definition. It is usually based on themselves.

I am middle class. I own good glass.
EVERYONE with less money than me is poor. Everyone using 'lesser' glass than me is a snap-shooter.
EVERYONE with more money than me is a rich snob. Everyone with all red-ringed-L-glass is a snob.

Buy what works for you. Judge your photographs, not your equipment. I doubt if 5% of us can outperform our equipment these days. I know I don't even come close. A 1DX and 10 L-lenses wouldn't make me one bit better at this. But I'll take them if you are buying!

good glass is relatively better than bad glass

bad glass could do the job

good or bad has nothing to do with money

read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to get started

Higgs Boson wrote in post #15274874
good glass is relatively better than bad glass

bad glass could do the job

good or bad has nothing to do with money

read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to get started

Define 'relatively'. Define 'better'. My 28 2.8 is faster at 28mm than the 24-105L. Does that make it better? My 28 2.8 is razor sharp, with no distortion at f/8. Does that make it better than the 24-70 2.8?
NOTHING to do with money? Like better tires has nothing to do with money. Or a better house. Or better politicians. We are back to defining 'better'.
Sorry - can't comment on Zen or motorcycles.

No true definition. I use the phrase you need better glass when I reach a thread.... So I bought a 5diii and my 18-55 doesn't work on it. What lens should I get for 50 bucks to really use this 3500 camera?!

Good glass is better than bad glass....

TSchrief wrote in post #15274838
Good glass is like middle class. Everyone has their own definition. It is usually based on themselves.

I am middle class. I own good glass.
EVERYONE with less money than me is poor. Everyone using 'lesser' glass than me is a snap-shooter.
EVERYONE with more money than me is a rich snob. Everyone with all red-ringed-L-glass

Uh oh... Now it's political.... At least that's the only time I seem to hear about the so called middle class

jerbear00 wrote in post #15275024
Uh oh... Now it's political.... At least that's the only time I seem to hear about the so called middle class

I meant economic middle class. My most profound apologies.

I avoid politics and religion discussions like the plague. Primarily because I can think for myself. Most people, in either category, hold rigid dogmatic positions that they simply cannot defend with reason and logic. To compound the problem most of them have a "Please, do not confuse me with actual information!" attitude.

Photography forum, stick to the topic, please.

Good glass is subjective. I personally hate the nifty fifty but time and time again you will hear people call it good glass. Rent some lenses and figure out for yourself what you like.

good glass allows you to use your camera to it's potential or nearly so. what's good for a rebel is not necessarily good for, say, the 5d3.

Daphatty wrote in post #15275157
Good glass is subjective. I personally hate the nifty fifty but time and time again you will hear people call it good glass. Rent some lenses and figure out for yourself what you like.

good glass refers to the entire lens, not just the optics. there are plenty of lenses that are optically very good but do not focus reliably. these i call "she-it glass". the 50 1.8 is in that category, imo.