is shooting. But, for the older canon DSLR, with mostly 1.6 multiplier, the lense will appear as a normal range lense ( 38 - 168 mm focal lenght ). Any way, it's an ideal lense for those camera shooting portrait consider that lighting is enough. I've been using Canon 17-40 F4L, 24-70F2.8L, and 70-200F2.8L for both EOS 20D and EOS 5QD ( film ), really loved the F-4 apperture; nevertheless, quite disappointed when shooting at the dimmer light. Consider the dimmer light, the F2.8L lenses are still more preferable. Yet, it will be about more additional $ 500 to spend for and lighter weight with IS. It'll hard to pick, depends upon type of shooting. Not any single lense can serve every purpose. Definitely, another good Canon lense will soon hit the market.