Focal length:
The focal length range of 15-85mm is sufficient for my needs perfectly as "almost-always-on" objective. On paper 3mm seemed more or less wide angle does not really make out much, but I quickly noticed that you do see a little more on the image, which is particularly important for indoor photos and landscapes of advantage. In telephoto range are also the additional 30mm quite useful, but of course a little short. If you want to zoom on and is ready to the higher optical quality, to renounce the better processing and a faster autofocus, should rather take the EF-S 18-135mm IS or even EF-S 18-200mm IS. Otherwise, of course it is always worthwhile to buy a telephoto lens (EF 70-300 IS USM or the 70-200mm lenses from the L series).
Optical quality:
As already mentioned, the optical quality of a lens not L is abnormally high. However, the whole also has its corresponding price. Not quite as ambitious amateur photographers, should perhaps resort to a less expensive optics. Of course, the lens also has the usual optical shortcomings, such as distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberrations (all mainly at wide angle). However, these will be substantially less than that of the lenses above and can be - provided you shoot in RAW - with Digital Photo Professional or slightly herrausrechnen Photoshop. The focus is on the entire image area is very high and is surpassed only by Canon L lenses.
Autofocus:
The USM is fast, accurate and virtually silent. So far he has only rarely located next to it and the fast only in servo mode for moving subjects. Personally, I'm going to buy no lens without ring-type USM more.
Image stabilizer:
The IS does its job quite dutifully. I only succeed to 3 shutter speeds slower shutter speeds, but that may be due to my shaky hand. Nevertheless, the image stabilization is extremely useful in static objects and I think very few photographers would do without it.
PROCESSING:
The lens is solid and provides no comparison is the rickety Kitobjektiv. Zoom Creeping so far I could not find after two months of use. Zoom and focus ring are both comfortable to use and are neither too lightweight nor too stiff. The weight and size are of course not the same as the kit lens, but after a while you get used to the fact that one about to carry twice the weight has (based on the 500D with EF-S 18-55mm IS).
Lens Hood:
Of course, it is advisable mitzukaufen a lens hood, Canon because - as usual - no mitliefert. I have taken from Delamax and am very happy because the original Canon Aperture to buy for twice the price, did not come into question for me.
CONCLUSION:
All in all it can be said that this lens had almost earned a red ring, and that no better "always-on" will look for this price. But if you can do without a few of the above quality criteria, should do so and strike at a lower cost product. Anyone looking for a fast lens, should be more likely to buy the slightly more expensive EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM, but has to deal in this case with a smaller focal length range. Otherwise, I can absolutely recommend this lens every ambitionieren amateur photographers.
