Likewise, I waste hours pouring over reviews and tests! All decisions are seriously informed!

It is, but I know it's a very good lens for the EF-S mount. A colleague has it on a 30D and 7D and loves it, it is fairly chunky though as with all 2.8s
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-can ... s/p1012403

A good local deal will let you try them out, we have one in our town, I usually go in to compare for an hour on a body, but would never buy from them, prices way too high

That's good, but we don't have any local dealers of any worth round here. I discount Jessops completely in that regard, even if they stocked the items. Our nearest "proper" camera shop is a Jacobs in south London.