An outstanding lens if you get a good copy

This lens is much maligned, but one must first understand that it is a much greater challenge to make a quality superwide angle zoom in the first place. Let me say that I have a number of first rate images that I seriously doubt would have been nearly as nice taken with any competing lens. I've tried and even owned a few, and they were NOT up to the performance quality of this lens. My copy is sharp wide open at F2.8 which I'll be the first to admit may be more the exception than the rule. The color and contrast is superb. Focus speed is outstanding and the overall build is above reproach. I would just say if one is looking for a FAST wide zoom this is the one, with ONE caveat. Buy from a dealer you can easily return it to if it doesn't meet up to the standards I've described, as it should, but if not you need options. I just wanted to offer an opposing view to some that I've read about as it is truly a remarkable lens as long as you get a good one. It could very well be worth the hassle of going through the trial of a few copies to get a good one, as a good one is clearly superior to the competition IMHO.