Zoom lenses are lenses that allow the change of focal length. You can have wide zooms such as the 17-55mm, or any other non-prime (fixed focal length) lens.

I think that when you said “zoom” in this article you really meant “telephoto”. Please correct the article as not to confuse people who are new to this – because it may lead them in awkward conversations on various forums.

Ideally, to make this list complete, you may want to mention what’s the difference between zoom lenses and primes.

“The lens is always considered the most important of all the tools the photographer employs. So it is, but I should like to say boldly that, within limits, I do not care what make of lens I use. It is as well to have the best your means will allow, but there has always been too much made of particular variations in the make of lenses. It has been the fashion to think too much of the tools and too little of the use made of them. I have one friend who did nothing last year because he had made up his mind to buy a new lens, and could not determine whose make it should be, and he was tired of his old apparatus. His was of the order of particular and minute minds that try to whittle nothing to a point. I have another friend who takes delight in preparing for photography, and spends a small fortune in doing so, but never takes a picture.” -H.P. Robinson

My 17-40mm is great for landscapes (wide angle). My 24-70mm is also great on landscape work, people shots, portraits, and close range work with fire dancers (it’s a 2.8). Finally, my 70-200 is multi-purpose. It’s great for compressing landscapes, and it’s an amazing portrait lens. Actually, I prefer portrait work with the 70-200mm.

One last thought. People always ask about what camera, what lenses, and how to be a great photographer. I recently met one of the most amazing portrait photographers who is undiscovered but I’m hoping to help get found. He shoots with a Rebel XT and a 70-200mm. That’s his entire gear list, and his portrait work is the best I’ve seen in a long time! Not just the gear……it’s the person on that shutter!
.-= Rich C´s last blog ..White Pocket: Day three of the adventure =-.