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<blockquote data-quote="BackdoorArts" data-source="post: 144001" data-attributes="member: 9240">There are pros and cons to plastic construction.&nbsp; Both metal and plastic can break, but plastic is likely less durable if you are to drop it or something falls on the camera.&nbsp; Plastic is also lighter, which makes for an easier lens to carry, so it has its definite advantages.&nbsp; It's also less costly to produce, so if the optics are good then you get more bang for your buck ... provided you don't damage it.For me, where the rubber really meets the road on this issue is the mounting hardware.&nbsp; For me, that's the difference between a &quot;cheap&quot; lens and one that I'd consider carrying around.&nbsp; You're far more likely to have that break on you than anything else (just think about how many times it gets stuck into the camera and twisted and how many opportunities there are for that to be done too aggressively or misaligned).&nbsp; After that, I'm going to be more concerned with optics than the metal/plastic debate, though I will consider how and where the lens will be used.&nbsp; I'm glad my 150-500mm is metal as it hangs by my side as I climb through bushes and trees as it's had its fair share of knocks.&nbsp; I'm far less concerned about my primes and small zooms.&nbsp; That said, if I'm paying 4-figures for glass, I'm going to want the construction to be the last thing I worry about.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="BackdoorArts, post: 144001, member: 9240"] There are pros and cons to plastic construction. Both metal and plastic can break, but plastic is likely less durable if you are to drop it or something falls on the camera. Plastic is also lighter, which makes for an easier lens to carry, so it has its definite advantages. It's also less costly to produce, so if the optics are good then you get more bang for your buck ... provided you don't damage it. For me, where the rubber really meets the road on this issue is the mounting hardware. For me, that's the difference between a "cheap" lens and one that I'd consider carrying around. You're far more likely to have that break on you than anything else (just think about how many times it gets stuck into the camera and twisted and how many opportunities there are for that to be done too aggressively or misaligned). After that, I'm going to be more concerned with optics than the metal/plastic debate, though I will consider how and where the lens will be used. I'm glad my 150-500mm is metal as it hangs by my side as I climb through bushes and trees as it's had its fair share of knocks. I'm far less concerned about my primes and small zooms. That said, if I'm paying 4-figures for glass, I'm going to want the construction to be the last thing I worry about. [/QUOTE]

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