When I first started doing photography I often asked myself the same question. What is better? Fixed or Zoom lenses?

Zoom lenses are far more functional and easier to use. There isn't that much thinking in terms of dimensions of the room or the size of family portraits. Family portraits can be BIG.

For quite a long time I only had one fixed lens that was Canon 135mm f 2.0. It's the greatest long lens I know. It creates magic portraits and great candids. With this lens you always have to bear in mind that you need a lot, and I mean it, a lot of space to take portraits. And I'm not even talking about group shots.

Then around the same time I had an opportunity to shoot with Canon 24-70 f 2.8 and Canon 24-105 f 4.0. The first lens is great for portraits and larger groups of people. It really is great in it's quality and functionality. It is much faster to focus than Canon 135 f 2.0.
The second lens... Personally, I never understood it :) The quality of the picture is always dirty and grey... And there really isn't much I can say about it.