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Cons:
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Three issues:
1st:Chroma distortion and vignetting are rather pronounced, especially at the wide end -- and yet easily correctable in Canon's DPP software -- however, only in the latter model cameras (30D, 40D and later).
2nd (and far more troubling to me): If you shoot a lot (and I do, with probably close to 120k+ shots taken with this lens), the manufacturing defect of a ribbon cable makes itself apparent (in my case apparently every 60k exposures). Now this may have noting to do with exposure, but instead a result of the zoom action. The first time I had to send in the lens to Canon (after warranty had expired) was when I'd get an error by the wide angle at anything but wide open aperture. Err 99. ~$100 and two weeks later I had it back in my hands. A few months back I started having the same issue, except now the zoom action binds at the wide angle field of few as well. Haven't decided whether to send it in for repair yet (though I likely will) and purchased a new 18-55 all plastic 18-55is II lens for $100 locally, and have been very satisfied with the results -- though the cheapo lens certainly doesn't have the smoothness or build feel I would prefer.
3rd: The Price/performance issue. When I bought this lens it was discounted because I bought it with the camera -- but the discounted price was $600!!! So while I'm not anxious to through it out, there are better values for the $$ today. I'm guessing another ~$100+ repair will make it good for another few years, but this really shouldn't happen -- and it it's really a pretty heavy lens.
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