Whether film or digital, CCD or CMOS, Foveon or X-Trans, the recording medium in photography helps impart the flatness of the image, one of the defining characteristics of a photograph. Together with the lens, it also sets the field of view. And the color response of the sensor or film can literally set the tone of an image. The lens projects an image onto the sensor, and, crucially, also defines a unique plane of focus. In reality, the factors that characterize a photographic image are pretty difficult to cleanly disentangle. Yet, when you shoot with a great lens, it is hard not to come to the conclusion that the glass is the most important aspect of photographic imaging. So much so that I already have a few of my faves set aside for my final photowalk.
Tasting notes: Canon 5D, Canon 135mm f/2 L lens.
