A fast lens is one that has a large minimum aperture (smaller f-stop numbers). The minimum aperture might be f/1.4 f/1.8, f/2 or f/2.8 in comparison to other lenses with the same focal length. The larger minimum aperture requires larger glass elements and is subsequently heavier and usually bulkier than a lens one or two slops slower. They are often higher quality as a side-effect of the lens maker justifying the extra expense. Most lenses do not perform very well wide open (shooting at their maximum aperture). You need to stop it down to get best result out of the lens. A fast f2.8 lens stopped down to 4 or 5.6 will give great results, where the slow 5.6 lens would need to be to be wide open and will not be as great a picture.  Always buy the fastest lens you can afford, or that you want to afford.  A professional zoom lens is already two stops slower than a f/1.4 prime lens. AV -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 f/# 0.5 0.7 1.0 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 22 32 45 64 90 128 Standard F Stop Table Digital Crop Factor:  Placing a 100mm lens on a digital body with a smaller sensor size produces a picture that is the same as the picture taken by 35mm frame body with a 150mm lens. This is known as the “digital multiplication factor”, or sometimes called the “Field Of View Crop Factor”. It is the size of the digital sensor, which decides the effective 35mm equivalent focal length of the lens. Various brand digital cameras have different multiplication factors. (Nikon is 1.5, Canon 30D 1.3 and 1.6) These factors are an advantage to photographers taking telephoto shots, but a disadvantage when shooting wide-angle photos with a digital SLR.
	Canon DSLR Zoom	F-Stop/Price	Angle of View/Filter	Weight	Reviews/Info
	Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 - DX	f/2.8 - $570	104°~82°	19.75 oz.
	Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM AF	f/2.8 - $1,425	108-63°  82mm filter	20 oz	Canon Lenses
	Tamron SP AF 17 - 50mm f/2.8 XR DI-II LD AF-D	f/2.8 - $420	78° 45'  - 67mm filter	15.3 oz
	Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM	f/2.8 - $1,030	78.3-27.5° - 77mm	20 oz	Canon Lenses
	Sigma 18- 50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro HSM AF	f/2.8 - $419	69.3-7.1°  - 72mm	15.9 oz
	Tokina 16mm - 50mm F/2.8 Pro DX  AF	f/2.8 - $660	82-31°  - 77mm filter	21.5 oz.
	Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L USM AF	f/2.8 - $1.260	74 to 29 - 77mm	2.1 lb
	Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DG DF AF	f/2.8- $499	84.1 to 34.3 - 82mm filter	1.6 lb	Sigma Lenses
	Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG AF	f/2.8  - $379	75 - 34° - 67mm filter	1.1 lb	Sigma Lenses
	Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM	f/2.8 - $1,699	30 to 12	3.5 lb with collar
	Canon Prime Fixed Length	F-Stop/Price	Angle of View/Filter	Weight	Reviews/Info
	Canon EF 50mm f / 1.2L USM	f/1.2 - $1,400			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM	f/1.2 - $1,870			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM	f/1.4 - $1,170			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM	f/1.4 - $1,180			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM	f/1.4 - $315
	Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM	f/1.8 - $420			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II	f/1.8 - $85
	Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM	f/1.8 - $355			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 35mm f/2	f/2 - $240			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM	f/2 - $410
	Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM	f/2 - $935			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM	f/2 - $5,200			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro	f/2.5 - $250			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM	f/2.8 - $2,020	114°	18 oz.	Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM	f/2.8 - $390			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 24mm f/2.8	f/2.8 - $305			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 28mm f/2.8	f/2.8 - $420			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM	f/2.8 - $350			Canon Lenses
	Canon MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo	f/2.8 - $800			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM	f/2.8 - $1,100			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 135mm f/2.8 with Softfocus	f/2.8 - $295			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM	f/2.8 - $695			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM	f/2.8 - $4,100			Canon Lenses
	Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM	f/2.8 - $6,800			Canon Lenses
	Nikon DSLR Zoom Lens	F-Stop/Price	Angle of View/Filter	Weight	Reviews/Info
	Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 DX	f/2.8 - $570	104°~82°	19.75 oz.
	AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED FX/DX	f/2.8 - $1,529	114 - 84° 90 - 61 DX°	35.3oz
	AF-S Zoom-NIKKOR 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED FX/DX	f2.8 - $1,495	28°50´	26.6oz.	Nikon Lenses
	Tokina 16 - 50mm F/2.8 Pro DX  AF	f/2.8 - $660	782-31°  - 77mm filter	21.5 oz.
	Nikon 17- 55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX	f/2.8 - $1,164	79° to 28° 77mm filter	26.6 oz
	Tamron SP AF 17 - 50mm f/2.8 XR DI-II LD AF-D	f/2.8 - $439	78° 45'  - 67mm filter	14oz.
	Sigma 18- 50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro "HSM" AF	f/2.8 - $419	76.5 - 31.7° - 72mm filter	18.9 oz.
	AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED FX/DX	f2.8 - $1,500	61 - 22 ° 50 minutes DX	2.45 lbs.	Nikon Lenses
	Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DG DF AF	f/2.8 - $499	84.1°-34.3° - 82mm filter	24.7oz.	Sigma Lenses
	AF Zoom-NIKKOR 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF	f2.8-4 - $574	84 to 28  72mm filter	1.20 lb
	Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG AF	f/2.8 - $379	67mm filter	18.0 oz	Sigma Lenses
	Tamron SP 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD-IF AF	f/2.8 - $349	75°-32° 67mm filter	18.0oz	Tamron Lenses
	Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8 Pro DX APO AF	f/2.8 - $650	31° 3' - 11° 8' - 67mm filter	29.8 oz.	Tokina Lenses
	Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM II AF	f/2.8 - $750	27.9°- 9.5° 67mm filter	1.7 lb	Sigma Lenses
	AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED	f/2.8 - $1,630	34°20'-12°20' (22°50'-8° with D1-series and D100 digital	50.2 oz	Nikon Lenses
	Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG Macro HSM II AF	f/2.8 - $799	34.3°-12.3° 77mm filter	48.3 oz	Sigma Lenses
	Tamron 70 - 200mm f/2.8 DI LD (IF) VC  Macro, AF	f/2.8 - $699	34° 21' to 12°  21' 77mm filter	40.6oz	Tamron Lenses
	Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF HSM  AF	f/2.8 - $2,999	20.4°- 8.2° 105mm filter	91.71 oz	Sigma Lenses
	Sigma APO 200- 500mm f/2.8 / 400-1000mm f/5.6 EX DG AF	f/2.8-5.6 - $24,500	12.3 - 5° 72mm rear filter	553.7 oz.	Sigma Lenses
	Nikon Camera Prime Lens	F-Stop/Price	Angle of View/Filter	Weight	Reviews/Info
	NIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 AIS Manual	f/1.2 - $580	46 °	13.8 oz	Nikon Lenses
	AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G	f/1.4 - $440	46° (FX) 31°30’ (DX)	9.9oz.
	AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4D	f/1.4 - $320	46° (FX) 31°30’ (DX)	9oz	Nikon Lenses
	Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM AF	f/1.4 - $439	45° - filter 62mm	15.2 oz
	Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM	f/1.4 - $490	46.8° - filter 77mm	18.3oz.	Sigma Lenses
	AF NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4D IF	f/1.4 - $1,024	28°30'	13.2oz	Nikon Lenses
	Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF AF-D	f/1.8 - $460	94.5° - 82mm filter	18.3oz.
	Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF Macro Af-D	f/1.8 - $390	84.1° - 77mm filter	17.1oz.	Sigma Lenses
	Sigma 28mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro AF-D	f/1.8 $300	75.4° - 77mm filter	16.9 oz.
	AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D	f/1.8 - $110	46° (FX) 31°30’ (DX)	5.5oz.
	AF NIKKOR 35mm f/2D	f2.8 - $310	62°	7.2oz.	Nikon Lenses
	AF NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8D	f/1.8 - $385	28°30'	13.2oz	Nikon Lenses
	AF DC-NIKKOR 105mm f/2D (defocus control)	f/2 - $920	23°20'	21.9oz.	Nikon Lenses
	AF DC-NIKKOR 135mm f/2D	f/2 - $1,070	18, 12	28.6oz	Nikon Lenses
	AF NIKKOR 14mm f/2.8D ED	f2.8 - $1,420	114, FX, DX, FX	23.6oz.
	Tamron SP AF 14mm f/2.8 Aspherical (IF) AF	f/2.8 - $1,099	113.8° - gel filter	23.3oz	Tamron Lenses
	AF NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D	f2.8 - $490	70°	9.5oz	Nikon Lenses
	AF NIKKOR 24mm f/2.8D	f2.8 - $310	84°	9.5oz.	Nikon Lenses
	AF NIKKOR 28mm f/2.8D	f2.8 - $234	74°	7.4 oz.	Nikon Lenses
	Tokina AT-X 35mm f/2.8 PRO DX Macro AF	f/2.8 - $460	43° 52mm filter	340g	Tokina Lenses
	Sigma 50mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro AF-D	f/2.8 - $280	46.8° - 55mm filter	11.5 oz.	Sigma Lenses
	Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG  AF-D	f/2.8 - $449	34.3° - 62mm filter	18.5 oz.	Sigma Lenses
	Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di 1:1 AF Macro AF	f/2.8 - $360	27° - 55mm filter	14.3oz	Tamron Lenses
	Nikon AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED	f/2.8 - $750	23°20'- filter 62mm	1.6 lb	Nikon Lenses
	Tokina AT-X 100mm f/2.8 PRO D Macro AF	f/2.8 - $400	55mm filter	19.0 oz.	Tokina Lenses
	Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX "DG" AF	f/2.8 - $405	23.3° - 58mm filter	15.8oz.	Sigma Lenses
	Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX DG APO AF	f/2.8 - $669	16.4 - 72mm filter	32 oz	Sigma Lenses
	AF NIKKOR 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED	f2.8 - $750	9	26.8oz	Nikon Lenses
	AF-S VR NIKKOR 200mm f/2G IF-ED VR	f/2 - $4,000	12° 20'	93.24oz.	Nikon Lenses
	AF-S VR NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED	f2.8 - $4,500	8° 10'	101.23oz	Nikon Lenses
	Sigma 300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG	f/2.8 - $3,000	8.2° - 46mm drop in filter	84.7oz	Sigma Lenses
	Olympus 2.0 DSLR Lens	F-Stop/Price	Angle of View/Filter	Weight	Reviews/Info
	Olympus 25mm f/2.8	f/2.8	47° 43mm filter		Olympus Lenses
	Olympus 50mm f/2.0	f/2.0			Olympus Lenses
	Olympus 150mm f/2.0	f/2.0			Olympus Lenses
	Olympus 14-35mm f/2.0 ED SWD Zuiko	f/2.0			Olympus Lenses
	Olympus 35-100mm f/2.0	f/2.0			Olympus Lenses
	Olympus 90-250mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Olympus Lenses
	Olympus 300mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Olympus Lenses
	Pentax 1.5 DSLR Lens	F-Stop/Price	Angle of View/Filter	Weight	Reviews/Info
	Pentax 31mm f/1.8	f/1.8	70° 58mm filter		Pentax Lenses
	Pentax SMCP-FA 43mm f/1.9	f/1.9			Pentax Lenses
	Pentax SMCP-FA 35mm f/2.0 AL	f/2.0			Pentax Lenses
	Pentax 14mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Pentax Lenses
	Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 ED AL IF SDM	f/2.8			Pentax Lenses
	Pentax 35mm f/2.8 DA Macro	f/2.8			Pentax Lenses
	Sony Fast DSLR Lens	F-Stop/Price	Angle of View/Filter	Weight	Reviews/Info
	Sony 50mm f/1.4	f/1.4			Sony Lenses
	Sony SAL-85F14Z 85mm f1.4	f/1,4			Sony Lenses
	Sony 50mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Sony Lenses
	Sony SAL-16F28 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye	f/2,8			Sony Lenses
	Sony SAL1635Z 16-35mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Sony Lenses
	Sony SAL-20F28 20mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Sony Lenses
	Sony SAL-28F28 28mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Sony Lenses
	Sony 70-200mm f/2.8	f/2.8			Sony Lenses
	Sony 100mm f/2.8 Macro	f/2.8	24° 55mm filter		Sony Lenses

Camera Lens Truths

• f/1.4 lenses aren't used for their optical perfection, but because they are f/1.4.
• There is no single manufacturer of camera lenses who is best at everything
• Every lens manufacturer may make one or more best lens of a given type
• Every lens manufacturer has some dogs and skeletons in their closet
• Exotic lens choices may only be the OEM lens offerings due to market demand
• For mass market lenses, there are more choices thanks to third party lenses
• There may be fewer choices than you think, as many third party brand lenses are actually just the same lens offered as different brand names
• The best lens can only be decided on a case by case basis
• Price and quality are critical to determining which lens meets your needs the best

Circumvent brand loyalty without guilt by owning them all.