If money is no object stop reading right here and buy the expensive one.
The Nikon 55-300 Variable Kit Lens Alongside the Tamron 70-200 F2.8
Ok, for those of us in the 99% here is the case for a kit zoom lens versus a pro zoom lens. The price difference is staggering, but your images don’t have to reflect that. Simply, the kit lens in broad daylight at the lowest possible stop you can get it (since it is variable) can be passed off as professional as long as the image is compelling. Where all the kit lens really breaks down is lowlight and fast action. The pro lens will be able to hold a very low stop all the way out to 200mm, (fast glass) meaning more light will be let in at a lower ISO level.
The positives for the kit lens:
Price
Portability (both size and weight)
Can produce professional images with an abundance of light
Cons for the kit lens:
Daytime shot on Nikon 55-300 Variable kit lens.
Variable aperture
Poor lowlight performance
Fishing (less accurate) autofocus
The positives for the pro lens:
Fixed at F2.8 from 70-200
Superb autofocus speed and accuracy
Excellent performance in lowlight
Cons for the pro lens:
Nighttime shot on the Tamron 70-200 F2.8
High price
Bulky and heavy
Purchasing one from Nikon or Canon will nearly double the price
First, a shot in the sun of Little League Baseball from the kit lens. Stops the action, but doesn’t do much to compress the background because I was trapped into shooting F5.6. Still a good shot to everyone who wouldn’t read something like this because it got the job done.
The second photo is of Little League Baseball at night shot on the Tamron 70-200 at F3.2. Extremely poor lighting conditions and fast motion mean this shot could not be re-created in any capacity on the kit lens. Also notice how much more the background is compressed.