Quote Originally Posted by Frog
If the average consumer can't tell the difference between a picture taken with a $300 lens or a $3,000 dollar lens, what's the deciding factor?
That's the fallacy. The average consumer can readily tell the difference. The easiest way I demonstrate it is by having someone take a picture with a kit lens at or near 50mm and then take the same photo with the 50mm f/1.8. Every single time once they look at the images they immediately notice the difference. And that's between a $80 lens and a lens that typically costs more.

The disconnect is in that people can't qualify why "professional" pictures look better than theirs, and don't really know how optics figure into the equation.

For what it's worth, though some lenses are considered professional while others aren't, keep in mind that many pros use Holgas and Lens Babies. In the end, it's all about the end result: the image.