The 18-55 Kit lens

As everyone has said it is a good lens when used within it's limitations.
My wife gave me my Rebel with the kit lens about a month before we went on vacation to Scotland this summer and I didn't have the opportunity to consider anything else before we went away.
After 3 weeks of shooting I was pleasently surprised with many of the shots I got. Yes there were some bad ones but there were also a lot of very good ones.
After listening to everyone and doing a lot of experimenting I have learned to work with the lens inside of it's capabilities and have seen better results.
If I had the knowledge I have now back when I was considering the purchase I may have looked at other options. On the other hand, looking at the pictures I have hanging on the walls from my trip I think I'll continue to use it for quite some time.
Just got the 50mm 1.8 so that will be used for the low light situations.

Wayne

I ordered my 20D this Christmas with the 18-55 because I wanted to try it. I could have just gotten the body. Well, I can tell you when it gets here in 4 days. Happy New Year.

SuzyView

I think It serves its purpose. Being on a tight budget, I wouldn't have been able to buy my 350D and get a better lens that is just as wide.

I've gotten a lot of what I consider great shots with it, and some good/decent shots when pushing it's limits. And I would say most of the not so great shots are probably because of my skills and familiarity with the 350d than the lens. I know there is better glass out there but until the cash is available to get something faster and better it will have a nice spot in my bag. My first priority is to get something longer like in the 100-300 range and and a fast prime or two. Then maybe I'll replace the kit lens.

To be honest i've NEVER gotten good photos wih the kit lens.
I do keep it around though as there simply isn't any reasonably priced allternative.

I bypassed it entirely, as I already had a decent selection of lenses for my Canon film SLR.