Canon - EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Telephoto Zoom

This is a very nice low end lens that most amateur photographers will enjoy. The auto focus is fast but it will focus on larger objects first, you have to refocus sometimes when trying to say take a shot of a bird in a tree, but all auto focusing is this way I believe.  The quality and colors of the 8x10 prints are great. The IS - Image Stabailser really helps when taking photos hand held, and especiall when zoomed in or in low light. If you use the IS for every shot it will use up your battery twice as fast as normal. If you limit the time you have the shutter button pressed halfway down you can extend the life of your battery a lot. I keep it turned on all of the time except when using it with a tripod. You need to turn the IS off when using it with a tripod or you will damage the lens. When you buy the lens I would also get the lens hood. The hood not only helps with blocking the sun it protects the lens from getting scratched.  A UV filter is also a good thing to have and keep on the lens. It is cheaper to replace the filter than to scratch the lens.  Overall I have no complaints, it has been working fine for around two years now.