Hasta La Gadget!

Your DSLR probably came with an affordable zoom lens worth $200 on its own. But its optics are so-so. The largest aperture, or biggest light-gathering setting, is relatively modest at its widest-angle setting and falls further as you zoom toward telephoto. The downside to the faster lens is the price, $500 to $1,350, and some makers nick you another $25-$50 for the lens shade. The f/2.8 lens is also bigger and bulkier as you can tell from the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lenses above. With a high-speed zoom, you can do most all your indoor photography without resorting to using a flash, so the photos will look more natural. And the optics are better.