I am an intermediate level photographer and this lens is great for portrait photography! The wide aperture is perfect for capturing images with a bokeh/ blurry background. This helps to zero in on the subject to make the person the hero of the composition. I gave the product 4 stars for image stabilization because compared to other lenses the image stabilization needs some work. However, if you are starting out and this is the first lens you buy for photography I would recommend trying the autofocus if you are not comfortable with manual focus yet. Overall, there are a few minor critiques for this product but I would definitely recommend buying this product!!

I purchased this lens specifically for weddings, and for trips. I have NEVER had a better lens. Yes, it is pricy. But you always get what you pay for (that's my motto). Definitely not cheap. But I will not buy a non L IS lens so when it came to getting a new zoom, this one topped the charts in my book.The output is absolutely incredible. It comes with AF and MF. Yes, you can hear the IS a little bit when in use. My first one was rather loud and "scratchy" sounding, right out of the box, and I had to send it back for a new replacement, but once I received my second one, it has worked like a charm from day one. This lens has been around the world with me, and has never once faltered. The photos are crisp, clear, and quite simply, amazing. Outstanding in low light settings!This lens is quite heavy, and bulky in my opinion, however, coupled with my D40, it balances itself out because the body of the D40 is also on the heavier side. Be aware of arm fatigue with this one, however with much use, my muscles are now loving this lens, and I don't enjoy light "flimsy" cameras/lenses anymore, even on a temporary basis.If there was one thing that I had to complain about (only a nit pick) is the fact that it is white. VERY noticeable when shooting. People tend to stop and look when I use this lens (thinking I am paparazi perhaps?), because it just seems out of place and bulky. But once I used it, I knew the trade off of lens color vs output, was worth it 100 million percent.

I love this lens. I’m new to photography and wanted to try something different and am happy I purchased this lens. There is a learning curve with it because you have to adjust your distance from the subject to get the shot but it’s fun learning what does and doesn’t work. It takes great photos with its large focal point.

Got this lens today and it is AWESOME for the price. I was able to capture some great pictures just testing it out, and got some product photos for my sister-in-law's business as well! Absolutely psyched to use this for portraits in the future.

I prefer this lens cap over Canon's because of two simple things. First, it's a tad thicker, so you can grip it more easily from the sides. Second is the pinching mechanism that also lets you take the cap off from the top, so if you have a lens hood on it's easy peasy. Not much else to say! It's built well and hasn't let me down.

You will need to read up on this lens and what it can do before you can appreciate what it can do for you. It is most effective at closeup shots with very clear crisp satisfying shots that you will be glad to share. Up close though the FIELD OF VIEW is quite tight so if you know what Im referring to you know what I mean. This lens will take excellents shots of flowers , insects , hummers so you dont have to be right on top of them possibly spooking them and get great shots.If you are lucky to find a good used one like I did it would be just like new and save hundreds of $$$ if that is important to you.

Flawless operation. Super sharp. Great Bokeh. I wish I got this sooner.

Ok....I'm in love with this lens, so I'm a little bias here.Pros: not enough room to write allcons: it's a little heavy....but totally worth it. Wish it were cheaper.