Being an amateur , I use this lens with my 300D .I find it good value considering the cost and the performance of the lens .It is not the quality of a L lens but nor is the price .The pics are sharp if you keep your speed up or use a tripod. At 300 mm the lens is little soft but for me it's fine .The USM is quick and accurate .This is not a professional lens but for an amateur like myself it is a great way to start and won't dissapoint you .Cheap lens hoods (ET-60) are available on EBay and work well.If I have to note a negative so to speak , my zoom ring is still tight as my lens is quite new and therefor my zooming is not as smooth as my other Canon lenses. Value for money , I would definitely buy this lens again .

this is a good lens, I've had it for five months now and taken over 2000 pictures with it, it has some drawbacks, but it is better to have the lens and be now.