Is It Worth Investing In Third-party Camera Lenses

In the past, there were only two options for purchasing camera accessories: name-brand things created by reputable manufacturers like Canon and Nikon OR third-party items of dubious quality that you would probably only purchase if you were on a limited budget. Today, however, things are different since independent producers like Sigma and Tamron have improved their offerings and created substitutes that even reputable pros are now using.

Does the brand name really matter when it comes to camera accessories is still an open subject.

Let's look at some of each side's advantages and disadvantages. Remember that this is a hotly debated subject, and the overall benefits and drawbacks of choosing name-brand and off-brand products are just briefly listed below.

Why brand names are important

The cost of name-brand goods will almost always be higher than those of third parties, but as most photographers agree, "you get what you pay for." Some justifications for the higher cost of brand-name goods include:

Improved reliability and design quality

If you are a member of any professional organizations, such as Canon or Nikon Pro Services, where cleaning and repair of name-brand equipment is typically included by membership, then this can be quite significant. While the majority of third-party manufacturers have started offering their own repair services, they aren't recognized for being as quick, reliable, or guaranteed to work with your preferred brand of camera as name brands are.

Assurance of compatibility

The ability to develop products and accessories that work with numerous cameras from well-known brands is a big advantage for third-party suppliers. A Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens, for example, is available in both Nikon and Canon mounts. This implies that you must be extremely careful to ensure that a third-party component will function with your particular camera model. But if you purchase a 35mm f/1.4 lens from Nikon (for instance), you can be certain that it will function with your Nikon camera.

The admiration of other photographers

You're more likely to receive nods of admiration from other photographers who appreciate the worth of that genuine, name brand lens when you shoot with brand name accessories (the coveted gold ring on Nikon lenses and red ringed lenses from Canon). With the rise of high-quality third-party equipment options, this issue is getting more contentious, but there is still merit in choosing the real deal versus a third-party brand. Read more...