What's so WRONG with KIT LENSES?

[@elmelmon]

This is what baffles me, I hear photographers encourage people to go out and shoot but then they discourage beginners because they use the kit lenes. Hello not everyone has hundreds or much less thousands to purchase pro gear! Not everyone is into photography to make a living, many are hobbyist. My point is most kit lenses are totally good enough, the only complainers are other photographers who always look at others work with a magnifying glass. Learn composition, up your game in post, I have produces photos that most people absolutely love. They don't know nor care what camera you use much less what lense you use, it's the photo they see and does it resonate with them. So go enjoy yourself and listen a little less to the gear snobbs

[@nicolesy]

I get so many great images with my 18-55mm kit lens. In fact, it's going in my bag for an upcoming trip to Thailand and will likely get a LOT of use.

[@margaritan6622]

Great explanation! Makes me feel better about my DX lenses. Thanks Nicole!

[@timelord2222]

Kit lenses WERE bad in their early days. Photos made with today's kit lenses, at the first glance, can be almost indistinguishable from ones made with higher-grade lenses.

[@nino8344]

Kit lenses can take good images, but they have limited capabilities: 1. limited maximum aperture/minimum f-stop (low light ability) 2. slower autofocus, difficult to use manual focus 3. low build quality 4. limited focal length range As a beginner, these things might not be an issue at all, and many very good photographers get great photos from kit lenses. Also, I'm doing street night photography mostly architecture, streets and most of the picture turns awful because of the quality of the manual focus. If you are using for daylight, sunrise or sunset than for beginners then this is perfect lens for you.

[@carrieellison7796]

That’s what she said.

[@zacx6970]

This video clarifies that everyone can be a photographer , just grab an expensive cameras and kits and start shooting stuff. But to be a good photographer, it can takes a lot of time practices and scientific knowledges… Thanks a lot for this short but straight forward but very informing videos! Ps: I’m also a Fujifim XT3 user so the demo photos really gave me an inspiration for my next project!

[@SamRommer]

Best video on KZbin on this subject, thank you so much!

[@carlosreyesf19]

Wow your photos are amazing!

[@adrianbenson2521]

I just jumped into Fuji with the X-T3. I decided to give Fuji a shot largely for the size and weight advantages that you mentioned. And I love the aesthetics and controls of the camera which I guess shouldn't matter but do. I shot most of a week long trip to Hawaii with the 18-55 kit lens and the images were, to my eye, great. I didn't miss my Canon and it's "holy trinity" of 2.8 zooms at all especially when wandering the streets and beaches trying to get some street candids. Great take on a topic that shouldn't be as controversial as it is.

[@smallaxe3692]

This was really cool, great explanation of the practical application of the lenses and beautiful images!

[@Kris-rw7yx]

love how this was presented and explained. thanks nicole!

[@RSWebery]

Concise but detailed and practical. Thanks for explaining this! Very helpful.

[@jamesmatteson6597]

Thanks! This was a clear and simple description without a bunch of snarky opinions.

[@waynegallagher2158]

Very well done, short, sweet and to the point. Your summary was perfect, I've always been a believer if you are happy with what you have, you are getting the photos you want, then why spend $$$ on things you don't need. Great work.

[@mcmerly1355]

I love my Nikkor Kitlens 18-55mm. It is really sharp. I have some prime lenses, 35mm and a 50mm, but regarding sharpness the kitlens is the same quality.

[@peterschlaufer5500]

Thank you Nicole. At long last soemone that is realistic about this topic. I also find the Fuji 18-55 marvelous

[@OORVOKKI]

Very good explanations.! You are always very clear on your videos -I love your teaching videos!!!!!

[@Lauren_C]

I really like the kit lens for the Sony A7C and the ridiculously small size and good sharpness, but I like shooting street at night, so a skipped the kit lens in favor of a 50mm F1.4.

[@wildbill9919]

Most of the time l use my 18-135mm kit lens.

[@WayneBretsky86]

Great explanation, thank you!

[@mdturnerinoz]

Excellent video (as usual). And nice to see the person behind the great videos! :0)

[@leekington2959]

I personally think the industry should switch terminology. Prime for fixed, zoom for zoom, and kit for really low end - low quality lens. In some cases some lenses referred to as 'non-professional' or 'kit' lenses actually outshoot or shoot as well as primes within their range. Nicole you did a great job of stating the facts and I agree with your overall conclusions. You might consider adding that not just you, but many, many pros shoot often with a 'kit' lens. For me the best lens to use is the one that can do the job I need doing and produce the end image I desire. Sometimes that 'one' is what happens to be on the camera and I need employ experience and technique to adjust for what it 'can't' do.

[@guich.mp4]

You explain well , thanks ! This video is very useful🙌🏼

[@BruceDenis]

Getting the most value out of what we already have. That's a great topic because we're all constantly bombarded by 'All New!!!!', 'More Powerful', 'Best Design Yet!!!'. Yeh. This is an excellent topic that could turn into a series. May I suggest topics such as 'Buying used lenses', 'Buying use cameras', 'How does an expensive_________ compare to a low price _______, or could you just make it yourself?'

[@Yummycuisine269_230]

Thank you for this useful video

[@richardpcrowe]

I have always shot with Canon DSLR equipment and never owned a "kit" lens. In the interest of downsizing, I purchased a used Sony A6500 on eBay that included a Sigma MC-11 adapter in the auction. My intention was to use the A6500 with my various Canon lenses. However, I did not really like the results of the MC-11 + Canon mix and decided to buy a native Sony lens to see how well the native glass worked on the A6500. I purchased the Sony 28-70mm lens which is the kit lens for full frame Sony mirrorless cameras. I really liked the auto focus capability of the native Sony lens so I purchased several very decent prime lenses to use on the A6500. Even though I have the great primes, I will still use the 28-70mm kit lens for family occasions and that type of venue. The zoom is quite handy for that type of shooting and, IMO, the IQ of that lens is perfectly good for the uses I make of family photos and the variable somewhat slow aperture doesn't bother me a bit since I will normally bounce flash in those venues. I actually like the 28mm short side of this lens for shooting people since it avoids the distortion often produced by shorter focal length lenses. The quality of this lens is really quite amazing for the $125 I paid for my used copy and I will keep this little jewel! It is a great lens to grab when I need to shoot images of our rescue dog adoptions since the lens is so small and lightweight. As long as I don't try to stretch the limits of this lens, it does a very nice job...

[@jaywagner6433]

Hello Nicole. Nice video and way to break it down for the newbies and the non professional photographers. I read your article on importing from LR CC from an IPAD to Lightroom Classic. Is it possible to do a short move of 2 or 3 photos as an example video..... PLEASE

[@PatriciaDavidsonPhotography]

Excellent topic and video Nicole!

[@CalMukumoto]

Love the photos! Also, your information is excellent. I have regretted selling the kit lens, just for weight factor.

[@patrickmcfadden1689]

Great video, i don't trust "experts" that knock kit lenses. I have a few different bodies, kit lenses, primes, and zooms. Never had issues with image quality.

[@photobizmethod]

I really like this discussion! Thanks for sharing!

[@MikeKline]

Still have my Fuji 18-55 lens as it is still a solid performer as you have shown.

[@phlotographer]

Absolutely agree Nicole. Much depends upon the investment one desires to make, whether income is being derived from the gear one is using and whether one is doing post processing and can simply adjust backgrounds with software if needed. Personally, I would much prefer current photographers know more about posing, lighting, masculine and feminine poses as well as proper facial views when doing people images whether fashion, portrait or wedding. Like you I do love the Fuji although mine is the XT 20 with 4 lenses. Depending upon whether one is doing large prints, again using "pro" glass may be preferred. However, one could also consider the use of the Fuji GFX 50R if currently the user is either flush enough financially or simply is prepared to make the investment into a camera and glass that will move the images to a different level much like we who used film would purchase the Hasselblad when doing portraits and weddings. Had Olympus produced its new lens 12-200 mm f3.5-6.3 (yes slow on the long end but software is amazing related to noise as are the newer sensors) back when I purchased the Fuji (did add the 18-135 after buying the kit lens which I have tested against the other similar Fuji lens and the difference did not make up for the price differential) I would have gone with Olympus as I prefer to have a camera and one lens particularly when travelling. Always appreciate getting your newsletter and the video was excellent with your typically very good images. I have moved away from On 1 as working with it, Luminar and Aurora HDR plus my go to Affinity Photo just became more than needed.

[@SkepticleOrc]

Love the video, focus isn't a major issue with kit lens if you have basic knowledge in Photoshop or Lightroom.

[@dominicwroblewski5832]

I love my Pentax kit lenses. In my film days I had the humble 35-80mm and now in APSC digital I have the 18-55mm. Both are sharp as hell and close focusing. I a camera manufacturer can't make a good Kit lens to get a photographer started they aren't gonna make anything else good.

[@GeraldPagdato]

thanks for this video, very well done and great explanation

[@Malcolmqp]

I’m not sure that you can compare the Fuji ‘kit’ lens with the Canon/Nikon equivalents. It’s faster across the whole range and has OIS. It’s made of metal and badged as part of the high quality XF ‘pro’ range. As I understand the image quality is almost on a par with the 16-55 f2.8 constant aperture version.

[@FabianThielain]

Great video! Nothing is wrong with those kitlenses. Even the 16-50mm kit lens from sony is ok, since its all about storytelling. I had a problem to fokus myself 100% on the story, as i got my first more premium lenses. I was like: I need to yield the best quality possible, instead of just use whatever enables me to tell the story...

[@DeyvsonMoutinhoCaliman]

A kit lens that can open up to 2.8 is quite expensive and pro grade, not really on par with what most people have for kit lenses.

[@nicolesy]

The one I use is a variable aperture lens, and at the time was the main kit lens that came with Fujifilm cameras. Sure, there are "worse" lenses out there, but that doesn't make them bad to use in all circumstances.

[@daustin777]

Great video. I think most people will do well with a "kit" or less expensive lens or lenses. There is a large price difference and that money could be spent on things to bring more fun and experience to a person's photography (travel, seminars, and classes). Another disadvantage of a less expensive lens may be autofocus. A couple of cheap lenses I own are slow and less accurate at focusing. Though, I never noticed there was a problem until I started buying "pro" lenses.

[@Robert-ug5hx]

I do have the canon 70x200 f4 non IS its ok for the money

[@jungsomewhat]

Expensive prime lenses with wide apertures that are mostly used at f4 lets face it ....its not about the quality you can see its about spending on kit ....its got to be the best, every one else uses this so i must ...nah! Its about eye and seeing and skill ...most shots dont get off the screen so where does quality on the 1.2 come into it .... Nose out of focus when eyes are in thats not a good wedding photo love ..

[@salsabilahmedshrestho960]

"With photography, every choice you make is a compromise." I guess that's also true for life.

[@tomchristen427]

what we want: 8-1000mm F0.95 :D

[@Robert-ug5hx]

I use them because the canon L lenses are out of my price range if money was no object I would have the 24x70 70x200 2.8, 100mm macro 50mm 1.8 ,400mm telephoto

[@andriebastian264]

awesome video :D

[@vnaruspanda9441]

Pro never think kit lens or prime He always use his talent😊

[@Baronstic]

2.8 is great, my kit lens 3,5-5,6:(

[@nicolesy]

They're all a little different, but I only get f/2.8 at the widest setting and I find wider apertures more effective with longer focal lengths.

[@jadur]

3110 for a kit lens is probably not too light

[@LordyLord]

Pickle Riiiiiick!

[@julianhettich6370]

Thank you! Buying a lens is a fucking rocket science 😂. Aaand wow your actually an incredible photographer

[@jsinou]

with photography every choice you make is a compromise

[@nayelischoice]

I kept thinking this whole time it was “kid” Lense. Like, y’all can’t insult me anymore by saying I’m a beginner shooting with my kid lense.

[@nunezski54]

Not to mention, 90% of photography is not the gear.... it’s the photographer.

[@PatriciaDavidsonPhotography]

Excellent topic and video Nicole!

[@PatriciaDavidsonPhotography]

Excellent topic and video Nicole!