How much better is this than the kit zoom lens?
583552
This zoom lens is 110% better than the kit zoom lens. Basically Canon L glass is the top of the line glass. The quality of the shots taken with L glass is amazing. The construction is second to none, it's built like a tank and lasts for over 20 years with proper care. The resale value is usually high because of their quality. This was my first L glass from Canon and I never looked back. I don't know which zoom lens your talking about, the 75-300,55-250 or 70-300mm. My first ever zoom lens was the 70-300mm I still use this lens even though i upgraded to the L glass just because of the extra 100mm reach. But the only real shots i take with the 70-300 are shots of the moon. Other than that it's the 70-200mm F4 for me.
583553
This lens is a lot better than kit zoom lens, first: the speed, at 70mm and 200mm or in between the faster speed is f/4. In the kit zoom lens change making it slower at longer focal distance. This lens makes sharper image, beatifull colors. The kit lenses are made from inexpensive materials to keep the price atractive to beginners.
583554
I found that the photo's I've taken with this lens are much sharper. It's almost like the kit lens was looking through a double paned window in comparison. The color saturation seems to be better too, but it could be due to the crispness of the image. If your unsure - rent one and compare, or find a friend willing to share and try it for a day. This lens is much heavier to carry (more elements means more weight). I don't find this a fault.
583555
If you are an enthusiastic of image quality, the L series glass really makes a difference
305770
The image quality (sharpness, contrast, bokeh) of this 28mm prime is vastly superior to that of the 28-300mm. Primes are going to beat zooms 9 times out of 10 when it comes to IQ anyway, but even moreso when compared to a super-zoom like the 28-300mm. The 24-70mm f2.8 would be a closer competitor, but still falls short when solely comparing IQ.For reference, I own both the 28mm and the 24-70mm, and have used the 28-300mm a handful of times.
947781
Not much. The size is about the same. This one has a little bit better zoom.
1728199
Sure enough! That's my back up camera! And a benefit of this lens on that camera is the crop factor sticks it out to around 100 -300mm making it a very effective long zoom. Another plus is a crop sensor camera will only utilize the center part of the glass, effectively increasing the already superb quality of this lens.
1746187
In my opinion L-series lenses are all significantly better than their non-L counterparts, and for the examples we had, the L-series lens was much better. A 400 mm L-series prime lens would serve a more specialized niche than a zoom, so your intended use would decide.
1983279
Yes. It's a very sharp lens. Better range than the 16-50mm kit lens though certainly heftier.
557615
I've stopped using the kit-zoom-lens (14-42). I have a 14-mm and a 20-mm prime lens ($300). I like night-photography too; I mostly use the 20-mm-lens, however. I like the 14-mm lens though, since it's small ... if you only want to get one more lens, get the 20-mm prime lens. It's worth it. If you don't wanna spend 300, spend the 150 or so (ebay) on the 14-mm lens ... it's small and good for night shots ...
2073715
It's a noticeable difference over the kit zoom lens. The 32mm Nikon 1 lens would be better at separating a subject from the background, though I think the 18.5mm is better value for the money.Getting blurry defocus areas and a well defined subject in an image is mostly a function of the distance between you and your subject. If you use an 18.5mm for headshots at f1.8, then the background will be very defocused. Step back and do a full body image, then the background will be a bit less defocused.
219912
It's a wonderful lens and incredibly fast. I carry it and the Sony 50mm exclusively with my NEX-7. I've never been a huge fan variable zoom, especially when it comes at the cost of more than a stop. If 24mm is wide enough for you, this is the must own lens for the nex system.
483786
Hi Charles I purchased this lens in addition to standard kit lens that comes with Sony nex3 or nex5. Reason to buy this lens is are: 1. its sharp 2. It has 2.8 aperture , which is about a stop better than the kit lens at this focal length of 30mm.this one better stop let's you give two things 1 . Better blurred backgrounds in portraits. 2. You can keep your iso low, that means less noise and grains in your pictures To answer your question if telephoto is better, ask yourself or your wife which focal length you take your pictures, if more of them are at telephoto then you have the answer. Hope this helps.
2004639
I've tried both and I like the 24-70 far better. It is a sharper, faster lens.
423139
The kit lens is pretty cheap and probably the best Rebel kit lens to date. Plus its optically stabilized and, as you note, it'll help you get an idea what lens you'd like next so why not?
759247
Even better. The 1.4 is rock solid compared to the flimsy 1.8, and slightly faster. Ten times as expensive, but may be worth it. If you're still thinking of adding a new zoom to your arsenal, look at the 24-105L, as well. It's pretty much a coin toss, as far as IQ, with the 24-70L, but it adds IS. So, it's one stop slower, but it gains about 3 stops due to the IS, so it's actually better for low-light than the "faster" lens. And longer, too.
1625585
You can consider the specifications, both lenses are very highly reviewed. You are right, you are making a choice between zoom range and aperture. For me aperture always wins, but, that is me.
176998
You can have a look on canon website for the specs but the lens that comes with this kit is the stm version which produces pretty sharp images for kit lens. Again there is a ton of reviews out there if you research. This lens is obviously not going to be better than L lenses if you do a comparative. So it's really about what situation and output you are shooting for.
866362
its, a better lens that the kit lens by far, it's bigger heavier and the filter is bigger, its the lens I keep on my Camera all the time...
1746186
Yes, much better. Better optics, better sharpness and color transmission, better weather sealing. Heavier, and more conspicuous. You might consider the 100-400 IS L lens. I switched from that because I got tired of carrying it around. Which is a problem with a 400 mm IS prime. Good luck. JWK