Sensei Rob wrote:

Back in the day every manufacturer's top of the line offerings had some type of metal lens barrel, but now everyone makes them out plastic.

Now plastic often out performs metal in many ways.

it's cheap and lightweight.

That can be a real advantage.  Less expensive and not as heavy.

As a hobbyist, I'm after build quality and satisfaction of feel more than out and out performance.

Build quality may have actually improved...though it doesn't feel like that

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My opinions are my own and not those of DPR or its administration. They carry no 'special' value (except to me and Lacie of course)