Canon 28-135mm IS Lens - bargain!

Thank you gentlemen.

At night it's difficult to focus due to the lack of a suitable object to focus onto. Ideally, focus onto a distant object during the day, tape the focusing ring up with a bit of masking tape and that might hold focus for use later that night.

Maybe the light pollution in built up areas could be put to good use by allowing the camera focus on a lit up wall/building etc. that's at infinity :

BTW, for those of us who don't know, what is the significance of the USM being on/off :

USM is Ultrasonic Motor, which as I understand, is simply the electronic focus. At night it's difficult to focus due to the lack of a suitable object to focus onto. Ideally, focus onto a distant object during the day, tape the focusing ring up with a bit of masking tape and that might hold focus for use later that night.

.... AND remember to flip the little switch for autofocus back (for OFF).

Has anyone actually gone out and bought this just for the hell of it due to the price? I still haven't made the decision yet!

I'll have to admit that it swayed me. I have a more powerful zoom, but this fills the gap of having a more compact lens, but a good bit more powerful than the 18-55mm std. lens.

It just brought forward the purchase date, cos at that price.....

Whats the story regarding an infinity mark on this lens, does it have one or do you have to go searching for the infinity point yourself.

It has an infinity mark.
However like all motorised lenses, the lens can twist past this point (i.e. lens doesn't stop turning like it would with a manual lens).