The fallacy of the Magic Lens (...or how the wow doesn't come from glass)

Double Negative wrote in post #5612282
We're afloat in a sea of metaphors and similies!

I don't like the use of smilies, though I'll throw in a 'wink' every now and again

What's a meta for?

cdifoto wrote in post #5612368
What's a meta for?

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Meta_element

I got a link for you too D-N!

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Sarcasm

oo oo oo and here's another goodie!

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Play_on_words

cdifoto wrote in post #5612368
What's a meta for?

Measuring light ...

cdifoto wrote in post #5612472
I got a link for you too D-N!

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Sarcasm

oo oo oo and here's another goodie!

http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Play_on_words

I know what you meant... Re-read the first link you sent.

Nice.

nicksan wrote in post #5611875
Yes, the grass is always greener (or glass is always glassier?)...but it sure is nice having a decent lawn.

One could say "The glass is always cleaner"

gardengirl13 wrote in post #5612180
[Robins] then wake us up at 4am every single freakin' morning sitting on a branch level with the bedroom window!

But I love the little song birds, they only cheep quietly in the morning.

4?!? You're lucky. They start between 2:30 and 3:00 some days up here.

The glass is always cleaner on the other end of the lenspen?

nicksan wrote in post #5612108
Yeah Ed, we know you like watching the gardeners when they work on your lawn.

it's my contribution to NAFTA !

ed rader

I'm not sure I can summarize the rant better than Quad and others have because your post still doesn't get it. Buy expensive glass for whatever reason you want but don't buy into the idea that you need it to produce photos that have the WOW factor. Of course, certain shooting conditions require expensive lenses to even begin, such as low-light, some sports, and wildlife.[/QUOTE]


hmm...sports shot taken with a fast Pro lens = wow factor.
same shot taken in same lighting etc with a generic kit lens = wow factor?

don't think so.

accept that progress is a fact of life.

The lack of reading comprehension on these forums really amazes me...and yet doesn't surprise me.

I don't understand why some people find it so difficult to distinguish between

"Don't buy expensive equipment when you have no idea what you're doing because it probably won't help much, if at all."

and

"You can shoot anything with crappy equipment if you know what you're doing."

To each their own - lens collecting is a perfectly fine and acceptable hobby in my opinion.

bluefox9er wrote in post #5613026
hmm...sports shot taken with a fast Pro lens = wow factor.
same shot taken in same lighting etc with a generic kit lens = wow factor?
don't think so.
accept that progress is a fact of life.

The equation that is being debated is not what you mentioned.
It is:
no experience and/or lack of talent + expensive gear does not equal wow factor.
In your example. Take a Mark III, 400 2.8 IS, an elementry school student and a football game.
Wow factor? No. Regardless of gear. I guarantee a pro would take a XTi and kit lens and at least get a few shots with the wow factor.