I've been using this lens for almost two years now and I still love it. The 14-45mm range is wide enough for great landscape shots and gives you enough zoom for most situations (although you'll need more for wildlife photography). There is some chromatic aberration in high contrast situations and some barrel distortion (only noticeable when photographing a brick wall or other strong mesh) but given the price of this lens I think it's acceptable. Even if it is not protected from the weather and dust, it makes a high-quality impression thanks to its smooth rotation. Overall, this is a compact and affordable lens that delivers excellent results in most situations. There are better lenses out there, but for the beginner/intermediate photographer, it's better to save some lens money and invest in good books on technique, self-control, etc.
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Lens - Fixed Black (6310B002) for US Cameras
76 Review
New Nikon 18-105mm Vibration Reduction π· Zoom Lens with Auto Focus for Nikon DSLRs
104 Review
Canon EOS SLR Camera Lens EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
124 Review
Black Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens - Model 1380C002
78 Review