How about this lens as a general purpose? Canon - EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

I am on a quest for a good wide range general purpose lens that can get me through good wide angle and telephoto situations.

I have asked and posted regarding the Sigma and Tamron 18-200m lenses and just saw this one and the price would also fit into my budget well.

I know down the road I will probably want more specialized lenses and would have 2 or 3 that I carry at all times but for now, and in the interest of learning a new camera I would like one good lens so as not to confuse the issue with multiple lenses.

So is anyone using the Canon - EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM and if so what is your opinion and do you have any shots I can see?

I think it's a mistake to try get an all-in-one lens to learn the camera on. It comes with a perfectly good lens to do that with - the kit lens. Optically the kit lens should be at least as good as this lens, and remember these super zooms are not cheap either.
Have you checked out The Digital Picture

they have a review for the Canon EF 28-200 here and it is not very complimentary. I've just seen one of these lenses in my local camera stor and was surprised, it's not a very cheap lens, but it seems you are paying over odds for the large zoom range.

I'd suggest get yourself the kit lens - it is unbeatable value for money, and get a 70-300 telephoto zoom - the sigma 70-300 APO macro is the best of these - and both together will cost less than the 28-200.

If you've posted on this subject before, then I'm sure you you've heard all of the cons. Too much range for one lens, optic compromise, etc. That's why the majority of members carry at least 2 lenses to cover that range. If you are dead set on going with one of the superzooms as your first lens, go for one of the 18-200 offerings. I don't think that you would be satisfied with only 28mm on the wide end.

Thanks for the input. The more I read and discuss the more I am realizing you are right. I think I will ultimately get the kit lens as it is a good value and probably great to learn on and then get a telephoto that picks up where the kit left off and goes to 200 or 300mm.

Do the 200 and 300 mm lenses gather enough light to allow for shutter speeds that do not require a tripod or do you find that anytime you are at those long focal lengths you must use a tripod?