Originally posted by jsherman999 Here's what I would do: put your 18-55 away for a full week, and force yourself to use the 77ltd. Go on walkabouts with it, start 'seeing' at 77mm. Shoot some portraits, some flora.
Pretty soon you'll start seeing the effect this lens can have on your photography, and it will become indispensable. But to get to that point you have to put away your kit lens for at least one week.
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I also agree with Jay. This is an exercise I put myself through any time I get a new lens. As others have noted, it should allow you to "understand" the lens -- what it does well, what it struggles with and, with some lenses like the 77, what it blows you away with. In its element, this is a phenomenal lens and I suspect that if you take the time to learn it you will be loathe to part with it. Indeed, as I have discovered, this can be an expensive exercise -- good as the kit lens is, it can't hold a candle to the 77 and you may find yourself looking at the 15,21,31,40,43, Limiteds as well as the * lenses.
Dave