Is Buying Used Lenses OK? Where to Buy?

The prices of new lenses are rising with every new release. With the leading brands in no mood to reduce the prices of their gear, sometimes I feel that one day we’ll have to sell body parts to buy lenses and other equipment (Nikon, Canon listening?)

But thankfully, for photographers like us, there is a way out: to buy used or pre-owned lenses. But everyone seems to be asking the million-dollar question: Is buying used lenses OK?

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Megapixels, Sensor Size or Lens: What Matters Most?

It’s hard to compare apples to apples when you want to buy a camera. Product descriptions throw all these numbers at you, such as the number of megapixels and the sensor size, but you may not understand how each affects image quality. Plus, for interchangeable lens cameras, many people will tell you the lens is more important than the camera body.

Camera pointing at you

It’s easy to get confused if you don’t understand how these factors are related. So, let’s talk about it. What matters most for image quality? The number of megapixels, the sensor size, or the lens you’re using?

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The Ultimate Guide To Low Light Photography: Tips, Settings, Cameras, Lenses

Low light photography is one of those types of photography that when done well can produce amazing photos but when not done well can leave you feeling a bit disappointed. It’s a type of photography that at first can seem quite complicated as if you need a PhD to master.

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Yet all you actually need is a few simple pieces of knowledge and a little bit of practice.

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Nikon D750: Answers to Your Real Questions

Whether you’ve just purchased the Nikon D750 or you’re still in the research phase, you likely already know this is a DSLR with an amazing price point. It’s still one of the top rated cameras, even after more than 5 years on the market.

Lightweight and extremely reliable, with excellent dynamic range, the Nikon D750 is a full frame DSLR camera that takes great photos and video. With the majority of my work in lifestyle photography, its performance at high ISOs is one of my favorite features. Once you’re actually using the camera though, you’re likely left with a few more questions about how to get the most out of the D750.

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As professional photographer who has shot with this incredible camera for more than 5 years, I have answers to your real questions about the Nikon D750.

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Tokina AT-X 11-16 Pro DX II Review: Best Value from Wide Angle

Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 is an ultra wide angle lens for crop sensor camera bodies (DX) with a moderately fast constant aperture of f2.8. It is Tokina’s top of the line lens (AT-X) with an internal focusing (IF) and Super-low Dispersion glass (SD). It is available in Canon, Nikon and Sony A mounts.

Tokina AT-X 11-16 Pro DX II Review With Sample Images

Due to its focal length and fast aperture, it’s an ideal choice for landscape photographers and a must have for street and indoor photography. Among its competitors, it’s the most cost effective and value for money solution for ultra wide shooting needs.

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Budget Lenses Roundup for Aspiring Professional Photographers

A little while back, I went over a handful of DSLR camera options for anyone who is looking to get started with professional photography. Since I discussed camera bodies, the next step is deciding on some lenses.

And since we’re still trying to find some good options on a beginner’s budget, the lenses we go over are all on the lower end of the price scale. But don’t let the low prices fool you – there are some quality choices available for those who don’t have a ton of money to spend.

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Review: Nikon D90 first impressions

On semi-impulse I bought a Nikon D90 kit last Thursday from Amazon after nearly four years with my trusty D70. I sat down with the manual over the weekend and got to know it a little better. There are plenty of great in-depth reviews of the D90 out there with tech comparisons and sample photos. This is not one of those. I’m just going to give you my first impressions of the D90, especially things about it that made me smile, from the perspective of a D70 upgrader:

  • Live view! Giant LCD! 6.7x image review zoom! Awesome. The D70 screen looks like a postage stamp now.
  • It is perceptibly faster and lighter.
  • I turned on the viewfinder grid, turned off the focus beep, and switched to selected area for focus because that’s how I roll.
  • The default image processing settings are fairly neutral and true to life. In Flickr terms: boring. There’s nothing wrong with that, per se, but I’m not particularly interested in absolute truth, photographically speaking. I prefer my photos to have a little more pop so I adjusted the default to Vivid which boosts both the contrast and saturation.

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8 Online Lens Rental Stores Compared

While big chain stores have a great selection of gear  including lenses, lighting, bodies, and accessories, they don’t deliver and their rates are high.

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If you just want to try a lens out before you buy a copy, if you are looking for a bargain rental and don’t mind waiting a little while to get it, or if you just can’t rent anywhere locally, then one of these online lens rental shops could be the perfect fit.

Read on to find out more.

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Review: Rentglass.com lens rental service

Many professional photographers rent lenses. Rather than spending huge sums on lenses (or other equipment), they rent just what they need for the job at hand. Sounds good, right? But not everyone has a decent camera shop nearby with rental service. In fact, I’d wager that you could only find lens rentals in large metro areas. Rentglass.com, an online lens rental company operating out of Florida, solves that issue by delivering lenses directly to you and at a price often cheaper than bricks and mortar stores.

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