Great price for a goal as open!

Recent buyer of a Canon 550D with the basic objective Canon 18-55mm F / 3.5-5.6, I quickly encountered problems with pictures in low light (concerts). I was looking for a more open lens with a focal length max that can take a minimum distance, all without ruining me! The task was not easy, and this goal fills very properly seen its price!

Already, the opening is a priceless comfort: f / 2.8 was already more light that enters! Gains on the speed compared to the standard lens Canon are considerable compared to the Canon lens I often comes down to 1/150 1/200 see with normal sensitivity as if I could not get to the best that 1/40 sensitively to the max and thus a lot of noise! And HAPPINESS: f / 2.8 is available throughout the zoom range!
But this openness requires an update more accurate focusing than f / 3.6: my various tests showed that he had to be very strict about the development and the AI ​​Servo fashion of my case (mode Canon, which adapts the focus continuously while one has not triggered) mixes the pedals the majority of time in concert (too much movement in the viewfinder I suppose?). Lens engines are a bit slow and noisy, but no more no less (may be slightly quieter) than the base came with my Canon lens case (EF-S 18-55 IS).
I was however disappointed with the speed possible in some cases even amount sensitivity ... But I think this opening is the best compromise, because a larger opening can still win on speed but it would be even more difficult to have a correct focus with people moving on stage no example, and a depth of more limited scope could not be used in a lot of pictures!

So if you are an amateur like me looking for his first goal for the concert photo, look no further opening :)

But as careful as this objective is not stabilized! And even if the maximum focal length is not so huge (so I'm APS-C equivalent = 75 * 1.6 = 120mm) I noticed several times even shake at slow speeds not so: it must be kept in mind during the shooting, you get used quickly stabilized and no longer pay attention to be very stable!
I also note that the maximum focal length is a little light, it is better to be close if we want to make interesting photos! In contrast the short focal length is almost equivalent to a 50mm, it lacks a little more wide angle ... But the objectives also open with different focal lengths are also at very different prices, at least 2X more expensive!
Another detail worth noting: the zoom ring is hard enough ... so its handling is very slow! A shame but still not prohibitive.

Finally, I found a little less perfect images with the Canon lens: most of the time I have to drop some pouillèmes temperature and saturation. It catches up easily, but almost all my shots with this lens are in this case. All these pictures were taken inside however with stage lights and a lot of contrast, not necessarily simple situation?

So in the end, you'll understand the few months spent with him is my opinion that this is not an ideal goal, but at an unbeatable price!