This is an excellent lens; An indispensable assistant for the creative photographer from Canon. When reading negative reviews, be aware that wide-angle lenses can be very difficult to use (especially for a beginner) and require a lot of patience and practice with framing and composition. The lens itself is small and compact, especially when compared to the relative bulk and weight of the 11-24mm f/4L lens - keep that in mind if you're torn between the two. Many people will argue that the 11-24mm lens is the best lens; That may be true visually, but the 14mm has an unmistakable charm that I haven't found in other wide-angle lenses.