I feel the same way you do, that if I am going to be paying double the price it really needs to be justified! I may go with the non IS and do an upgrade later, I think it was you who suggested looking for a used one to get even cheaper which I will do! I ordered my 85 1.8 online from B&H!!! The prices seemed much better than here in canada even with the exchange and shipping! Its supposed to get here Monday, so will have to see how it turns out! Thanks for the support