the canon ef-s 17-55mm f.2,8 usm is lens is simply the best walk-around lens available for the crop-body series of canon cameras. it is L glass without the red stripe -canon won't designate any of the ef-s lenses as L because that is reserved for lenses that work only on the full frame cameras. i researched extensively before settling on this lens. also up for choice were: 24-70mm f2.8, 16-35mm f2.8. however, both of these are more designed for the full frame cameras and the 24-70mm would have not given me a good focal range. the 16-35mm while an amazing lens also did not get good reviews when paired with the 50d (which is the camera body i have). so i decided to get this lens along with a hood (it does not come with a hood), a lens bag, a tiffen uv filter and the 430ex ii flash unit. the combo is so amazing that the lens has not left my camera since i got it. the uv filter is a must due to this lens construction. since it's not L it does not have the weather-sealing. basically if you have a crop-body canon camera BUY THIS LENS!!

gmscot

Stone Mountain, GA

Love this lens. It pretty much stays on my camera for 90% of the time. it is a great walk around lens, great for landscapes, parties to capture group shots, and much more. I like the 2.8 since it can handle low light situations. The build quality of this lens is great. It is big, heavy, lots of glass, and should be considered an L lens. I have had 2 issues with my copy of the lens. After about 2 years of using it, the autofocus on it went bad. At the same time, I was not able to extend the zoom out anywhere past 25mm. I was frustrated and forced it a little too much and broke something inside. The lens no longer worked and I took it to one of canons repair centers. I had it fixed, and now it is like brand new. Highly recommended lens.

mapheew

Santa Ana, CA