I was wrong about Chinese lenses...

Summary

In this video, Jared Poland from photo.com admits he was wrong about Chinese lenses, having tested and been impressed by their build quality, autofocus capabilities, and affordability. He discusses the emergence of new third-party lens manufacturers like Vro and Laowa, which offer good alternatives to more expensive brands for beginners. Poland also shares his experience using these lenses for sports photography and low-light situations, suggesting they're suitable for new photographers on a budget. He invites viewers to share their experiences and offers a free guide on his website for improving low-light photography.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker admits he was wrong about Chinese lenses after testing some out and finding them surprisingly good.
• 🔍 He has tested two VRO lenses and a LAA lens, all of which had good build quality, metal construction, and nice optics.
• 🔄 These lenses also offer autofocus capabilities that work on mirrorless cameras, representing a new generation of third-party lenses.
• 🚫 The autofocus is not perfect in every situation, but it's a significant improvement for third-party lenses.
• 🌐 There are other Chinese manufacturers like Meike, Seven Artisans, and Astor, offering very inexpensive lenses.
• 📸 The speaker encourages viewers to share their experiences with third-party lenses in the comments.
• 👎 In the past, cheap lenses like Yongnuo had a poor build quality, feeling almost breakable.
• 🎯 Despite initial skepticism, the tested Chinese lenses performed well, even with autofocus on Sony and Nikon cameras.
• 💰 The speaker suggests that these lenses are a good affordable option for beginners in photography.
• 📈 Chinese manufacturers are improving in quality, focus speed, and usability, becoming a potential threat to established brands like Tamron and Sigma.
• 🏆 Professional photographers should still opt for higher-end lenses from brands like Sony, Nikon, and Canon, but for beginners, Chinese lenses are a viable option.
• 📚 A free guide for better low-light photography is available on the speaker's website, fronos.photo.com.

Q & A

What was the initial opinion of the speaker about Chinese lenses?

The speaker initially had a negative opinion about Chinese lenses, but after testing some, they found that they were wrong in their initial assessment.

Which Chinese lens brands has the speaker tested so far?

The speaker has tested lenses from the brands VRO and LAOWA, both of which surprised them with their build quality and performance.

What is special about the new generation of third-party lenses mentioned in the script?

The new generation of third-party lenses, including those from Chinese manufacturers, are designed to work with autofocus on mirrorless cameras, which was not common in the past.

Is the autofocus on these new lenses perfect in every situation according to the speaker?

No, the speaker clarifies that while the autofocus works, it is not perfect in every situation.

What other Chinese manufacturers are mentioned as trying to enter the lens market?

The speaker mentions MEIKE and Seven Artisans as other Chinese manufacturers trying to enter the lens market, along with ASTOR, though the speaker notes that the names might not be accurate.

What was the speaker's experience with Yongnuo lenses in the DSLR days?

The speaker describes Yongnuo lenses as cheap and poorly built with a plastic feel, indicating a low-quality product.

According to the speaker, who are the better options than Chinese lenses for quality?

The speaker suggests that Tamron and Sigma are better options than many Chinese lenses, as they have a long history of producing high-quality lenses.

What is the speaker's recommendation for beginners in photography who need affordable lenses?

The speaker recommends starting with VRO and LAOWA lenses, which are more affordable but have shown good quality and performance in their tests.

How does the speaker view the use of these Chinese lenses for professional work?

The speaker advises that professional photographers or those aspiring to be professionals should stick with first-party lenses from brands like Sony, Nikon, and Canon for their reliability and accuracy.

What does the speaker offer to help with taking better pictures in low light situations?

The speaker offers a free guide for taking better pictures in low light situations, which can be obtained by visiting fronos.photo.com and signing up for the Orange Box.

What is the speaker's final stance on Chinese lenses after testing them?

The speaker concludes that they were wrong about Chinese lenses and that these lenses have come a long way, offering good value for beginners and intermediate photographers.