Overview: Canon EF Lens - 24-105mm 1:4L IS USM

Well, it's been about a month since I purchased the Canon 24-105mm 1:4L lens, and I thought I'd take a moment to give a brief overview of experiences I've had with it.

Although I am still work with a crop-sensor body camera (I see a full-sensor investment in the near future), I am very impressed with the quality and range of the lens. As always, I recommend prime lenses over zoom lenses, but it you are working in any kind of photography requiring quick adjustments or are on a tight budget but want a top-of-the-line lens, then I would highly recommend this model.

The first thing you will notice with this lens is the weight. Though it is a hefty lens, it greatly makes up for that in other departments. Strictly focusing on the build, the lens includes very smooth adjustment rings for both the focus and the zoom. Stopping is also a breeze, and doesn't involve any kind of jerky motions (for those concerned with using it for film/video).

Picture quality is spectacular. Even on cheaper crop-sensor bodies, the lens performance is astounding. The photos are crisp and clear. The range in depth of field is something to drool over. Overall, it is very professional-grade. As Canon suggests, this line of lenses is built from the highest quality of materials and geared towards more advanced users. This model of lens includes both image stabilizer technology and an ultra sonic motor, meaning quick (and quieter) reactions with the auto-focus and more controlled image quality. It's really the perfect lens for outdoor/sports photography. Not only does it have a very versatile range of focal lengths (the most common ones for any introductory to intermediate photographer), lens settings can be adjusted quickly, when shooting on the fly.

The only downside that I have noticed so far is the limited aperture/iris size. Completely open, the aperture can only go as far as f/4. While this hasn't been proven to be too problematic, the lens could potentially fail to perform in low light situation. Images begin to show obvious signs of grain, as the ISO strains to compensate for the aperture.

Though I don't have any field tests ready to go (this was more of a quick overview than an actual review), I have used the lens in a few recent projects. Personally, I've been really impressed with the results.

If I do any tests with the lens in the near future, I'll make sure to post them on here. Until next time!

Back and Here Again

Over the past few weeks, I've been compiling archived photos from 2011 and 2012. I've touched up the selected stills and posted them in my photo gallery. While most of them I have taken myself, I have to give part of the credit to Kevin Kukler for the 'One Model Army' stills (mostly because I can't recall which ones are mine and which ones are his).

Still of Danielle Winters on the set of 'One Model Army'.

While I have posted the most notable stills, there is one final set from 2012 that needs touched up in post-production. Actually, it was a self-portrait project that I have briefly mentioned before. I'll have that finished up and uploaded within the next couple of days, then it's onto the first few projects of 2013 (some of which I have already uploaded).

Still from the set of 'Assertions' from Nickel 17 Productions.

2013 is full of new and exciting opportunities, and with that, additions to my website and portfolio. I'll keep you updated on any new projects and additions to the website.

Speaking of projects, here is the link to the trailer for Nickel 17's 'Assertions'. Judging by the trailer, I'm very interested to see the finished product, which should be in its final stages of post-production.

I'll post some more about my recent experiences and work in the near future. Stay tuned!

=P