After researching this lens I decided to go ahead and purchase one. The biggest complaint I had read was about it's weight... It is a little hefty but not that bad (3.68 lbs add a mono or tripod if need be, but seriously it's not like you're lugging around a 600mm prime) and considering the...

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

All Purpose Carry Lens; Construction quality; Durable; Focal length range; Image quality; Rugged; Strong Construction

Heavy

I borrowed a friend of mines lens before I just purchased one from B&H.Here is my final analysis of the Canon EF 28-300mm F/3.5-5.6L lens. Weight is only 190 grams more than the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens.

This replaced the same lens and i could not be without it, it's a great lens.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Lightweight; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

The lens was second-hand and whilst there is a minor issue with the smoothness of the zooming, the lens was priced accordingly.

I use a Canon 1D Mark II, a 10D, & a newly acquired 40D for all around photography. My lens inventory include a Canon 50mm f/1.4, 16-35mm f/2.8L, 28-70mm f/2.8L, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS, 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, 70-200mm F/2.8L IS, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS, & a Sigma 50-500 f/4-6.3.

The expansive zoom range; the IS; & its surprisingly fast auto focus

In my opinion there's no cons associated with this lens

Overall..This is best Lens for outside shooting!! F/3.5 is little dissapointment...However, it has Image stabilizer...Very fast auto focus...Image quality is super!!

28mm to 300mm.; Image stabilizer..; Fast AutoFocus..; Super Image quality!

f/3.5..; Really Heavy..; Lens get longer if you zoom...

it is a versatile Lens , good if you travel , so you can cover a wide focal , instead of carrying different lenses. It is scary to people that you want to snap shot them. A little Heavy , but doesn't bother me at all. It feels like a Tank . and makes you proud.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Fast / accurate auto-focus; Rugged; Strong Construction

Heavy; Heavy and scary to people; Lens Creep

Canon's EF 28-300mm lens gives me a versatile, high quality, professional lens for my outdoor photography. Image quality is excellent and I couldn't resist the discounted price.

Versatility and image quality

Heavy; but the versatility is worth it

Great lens. Bought to cover all other lenses, in other words, we do not have to swap lenses now. It is a bit heavy, and needs to be rested on something to take good clear pictures. Ideally it would be better if it was lighter. Ideal for a male to use, but a bit heavy (unless you are a weightlifter!