Inexpensive and light

This is a VERY inexpensive lens, and it really shows in both the build quality and the optical quality.

It is cheaply built- Mostly plastic, with no focus scale. The autofocus is slow, and sounds like a freight train, especially as compared to a higher end lens with a Ultrasonic focus. The mount is plastic as well, so you'll have to be careful putting it on and off the camera.

Image quality is acceptable, and would be OK for most people in many situations, though once you have used a higher end lens, you will not be able to go back.

Why does canon pair this with their cameras in the kits? Well, it's cheap, and allows them to hit a low price point. It really doesn't do justice to the cameras, though- They are capable of so much more!

It is a SLOW lens, too! Not the best for low light.

When I first got in to digital, I had this lens on my Rebel XT. I used it- a LOT, as I was getting to know photography and my camera. I used it because I had it, and I didn't know what I was missing out on. Eventually, as I got more in to photography, I invested more money in good glass, and really saw what a difference it made.

The bottom line is, The photographer has more to do with the quality of the photo than the equipment in most cases. Hand this 'bad' lens to a great photographer, and you'll still get good pictures. Hand the best lens to a poor photographer, and you will still get bad pictures. Use this lens if you have it- practice with it, and learn the basics. But, if you are looking to buy a lens, look elsewhere. There are much better choices out there!