I for about 9 months using the Canon 15-85mm now on my EOS 1000D and am very happy with it. While it was in the acquisition not cheap and I had wondered whether I should wait a while until the price drops. Now in retrospect I am very happy with my decision because I previously had a lot of fun while shooting with the lens. It's anything but with the kit lens IS beforehand. The first and only disadvantage is that the 15-85 kit is considerably heavier than the lens. But because I have long been accustomed. Since outweigh (literally) the benefits much more. First, there is the very good image quality mentioned, which is very pleased me. It has good sharpness even at maximum aperture at all focal lengths. Fade course improves BQ yet. The processing is pretty good, it makes a strong impression, and the zoom and focus rings can be rotated and fed up with zero tolerance. The front lens does not rotate with it, which is good for filter cartridge. Well, I think that you can always intervene manually in the autofocus without switching anything. The autofocus is very fast thanks to USM and fail. The image stabilization works very efficiently I find. The zoom range is ideal for me. Before, I was always made to super-telephoto zoom. Today I am amazed at how often I still use the 15mm. The 15mm wide-angle are already a great advantage and unlike the 18mm kit lens. But the 85mm 55mm are advantageous over previously. So it's the ideal lens Always plan for me. The often criticized vignetting at 15mm is available but not as much annoying as often described, so for me, anyway. And if, they can be very easily and well removed with Canon DPP, like other lens error also. Condition one is stored in RAW. Conclusion: I am very happy with the lens and can recommend it.
Update 23/09/2011: Now almost 1 year has passed. And? I'm still happy with the lens. So far, not had any problems. Many beautiful pictures taken. I hope I have tuned far from joy.