Ok. I admit to being somewhat of a snob when it comes to the speed of the lenses I use. The list of my f/2.8’s includes the 120-300mm, 70-200mm, 24-70mm, 150mm Macro & 105mm Macro and a 15mm fisheye. For f/1.4 the list is all primes with the  85mm, the 50mm and the new 35mm Art lens. All of these speed demons are from Sigma of course.

So along comes the latest member of their new Global Vision lenses; the 24-105mm at what I thought was a not-so-speedy f/4.0…

I really need to have a talk with myself about it. Here’s a transcript of that conversation:

Speedball Me: “Hey, hey! Look at this! A 24 to 105 Art lens from Sigma, sweet! Wait a minute… It’s only an f/4.0? Really?!? What’s up with that?”

Photo Me: “Ah, come on Speedball, it’s only one stop slower. That’s no big deal to get the extra reach. I’ll take 105mm at f/4.0 over 70mm and f/2.8 any day. Really!”

Speedball Me: “Well…”

Photo Me: “Speed. Schmeed. Double the ISO and you’ve covered the one stop difference.”

Speedball Me: “Hmmm…”

Photo Me: “By the way, optically stabilized too. Shoot it. Look at the results then decide.”

Speedball Me: “What? It’s a longer telephoto with stabilization too?”

Photo Me: “Yes sir!”

So of course the photographic part of me shot the lens a lot and…Wow. Yep. Wow.

The proof is in the photos. One of the first shoots was with model Amy Patterson as part of my Red Dress series where different ladies rock the same gown.

© 2013 Kevin Ames | A closer look shows just how sharp this optic is. Every hair is distinct and sharp.

© 2013 Kevin Ames | A new set and wardrobe change later the lens reached out to 80mm for this full length lifestyle photo.

© 2013 Kevin Ames | Then I zoomed in for a close up at 105mm. I am loving every millimeter of the extra focal length!

On my next shoot I found myself once again using this versatile light bending tool. I had a brightly backlit set with sheer curtains for Vanessa Guillemette pose with. This situation was ripe for creating lens flare. Yet there isn’t any at all.

© 2013 Kevin Ames | The highlights are well defined while the shadows are open, her skin and the weave of the sheers is distinct at 105mm.

© 2013 Kevin Ames | More 105mm magic happened with model and actor Jennie Carroll. Here the 24-105mm f/4 simply shines. The color rendition is beyond words

© 2013 Kevin Ames | The detail this lens resolves is close to unbelievable. Look at this close up of her eyes. Count her eyelashes for yourself. See the texture in her irises. Her earrings are finely rendered as well.

This lens has earned itself a permanent place in my go everywhere lens kit along with the 35mm f/1.4 | Art, the 85mm f/1.4 HSM and the 70-200mm f/2.8 DG HSM OS all from Sigma. Sadly now, my trusty 24-70mm f/2.8 mostly stays home.