I'll Never Sell This Lens!

When I "outgrew" the kit lens that came with my Canon EOS Elan 7e I decided that I wanted to try a lens w/Canon's IS (Image Stabilization) feature. To my great satisfaction, this is the one that I chose. This lens has become my "do all, be all" choice every time that I start a day when I don't want to be loaded down with equipment. If I am going to be exercising a lot (hiking, a day of sightseeing, etc.) I know that this lens is going to be on my camera. This lens is not perfect, but its limitations are acceptable. Its aperture is relatively small, so it is not a great low light lens (but this problem is mitigated by its wonderful IS technology that allows a longer exposure), and its telescopic limitations prevent it from being a great long distance glass (This limitation is also eased by the IS feature that allows me to handhold it at a slower exposure). However, all that means is that I have to work a bit harder to get those special shots. This is the only lens I kept when I the Elan 7e and moved up to my Canon 30D because it is the only one I just could not do without. It is not a macro lens (min. focus is about 18"), it weighs in at slightly over a pound and is almost four inches in length. It requires a 72 mm filter and as we all know the wider the filter, the higher the premium we pay for it. Still, it's AF is quick, it captures nice, sharp images, not too pricey, well built, solid, almost completely silent, takes very nice portraits, and is a pleasure to use for those of us who can't afford the red stripe. If you have one lens, I think that this is the one you want.