Is the Carl Zeiss lens good lens?

[p544ps]

Dear Experts Out there,

Please help this novice out.

1) Is lens the most important component of adigi cam?

2) If so, is Carl Zeiss a good lens?

3) Should I pay the premium to get Carl Zeiss?

4) Why is that for comparable cameras, Kodak is so much cheaper? Is there a catch?



Thank you in advance for any suggestions/answers.



Novice

[bradg]

1)mostly

2)extremly good, they make some of the best optics, them and leica

3)yes

4)i dont know

[p544ps]

Thanks so much for the input, Bradg.

Between the lens of Sony, Cannon and Kodak, do you have an opinion as to which is better?



Thanks

[eric s]

Without knowing which cameras you are talking about it is impossible to say. The same company can produce camers with good lense and with bad lenses. So to say "compare the lenses of company X to company Y" is not really something that can be done.

We need to know which cameras to compare, not which companies.

Eric

[digital demon47]

Carl Zeiss makes some of the best lens in the world. Its used Hassleblad

2 1/4 film cameras. The ones that are used for fashion photo shoots and many

wedding photographers uses them. Have you ever been to the Air and Space

museum in Washington DC? The planeterium uses a Zeiss projector for their show.

I think Sony is the only one thatuses Zeiss lens in some of their Digital Cameras.

The cameraI use is a Sony DSC F828 and it a has a Zeiss lens. That was a main reason that I chose that Camera.

[p544ps]

Eric S,

I am thinking about the Sony W-1, 5 MP, 3X optical zoom.

For Cannon, I am thinking about the G-3 (or the newer replacement model S45).

Consumer Magazine recommended the Kodak EasyShare CX6330 for its value ($200), saying that it's better than the $500 Minolta DiMAGE Xi.

I don't know much about Minolta's digi cam, but I read somewhere about Kodak and its lens seems not good at all.

So I am narrowing down to the Sony W-1 or Cannon S-45. If lens is important, then I am leaning more towards the W-1.

Is there an overriding reason why CAnnon may be better?

:?

[p544ps]

Wow, Sony F828, that's the 8 MP hi-end camera. You must be a pro.

I also have a Sony video camera (model ??27) which has a Carl Zeiss lens. The images are good.

I am transitioning from my old 35MM camera to the digit cam era. That's why I don't want to make mistakes. These toys are not cheap and come in different sizes, features, qualities, etc.

I guess the lens is worth the premium. The Kodak is selling for $200 for a comparable camera whereas Sony is $400. Have you ever seen Kodak digi cam pictures? And what do you think about them?

What do you think about warranties? (also a question for the rest)

Thanks again! You guys have been very helpful.

[eric s]

From what Steve said in his review, the Sony sounds like a good camera. You can read more about it here.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/w1_pg5.html

The G3 is a big old. I know some who like it and some who don't. I believe its replacement is actually the G5, not the S45, which is a lower class of camera (less features, simpler to use...)

It should be stated that I have not seen either of these cameras (let alone use them) so I can't comment personally on them.

Eric

[berto]

while the G5 does have fringing problems(it can be easily cured) and noise problem past iso100( i say carry a tripod at all if not most instances you use this camera and it will give you great pictures in return).

[digital demon47]

No I'm not a pro. However photgraphy is my hobby.

You had a question about warranties. Just stick with manufacters don't buy any

extended ones offered by the stores. When the cameras go bad they go pretty fast.

Normally in the 1st 3 months of normal useage.

One word of advice, never take a brand new camera to vacation. Always use it for a few months 1st. 2 months at least. And never buy a new model when it first comes out. wait at least 6 months for the manufacter to get the bugs out.

I waited 7 months before I brougt my new camera.