A Diamond Among Gold: The SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 ART Lens
It’s the classic choice that almost every photographer eventually turns to. For years, I watched these lenses from the sidelines, relying on prime lenses and telephoto zooms for my work in reportage and sports photography. But the moment I tried the SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 ART, I knew right away—it’s a top-tier lens that every photographer should have.
Below, I’ll showcase some shots where I used only this lens. I hope these examples will convince you that a versatile zoom is an essential part of any photographer’s toolkit.
A vibrant photoshoot using artificial strobe and colored continuous lighting.
When it comes to shooting with colored lighting, I’d like to point out that despite its relatively lower aperture compared to prime lenses, I experienced no loss in color fidelity when using continuous lighting. This is crucial for such photoshoots because if your gear doesn’t handle the necessary settings well, you risk distorting the model’s skin tones—something that can lead to poor feedback from clients.
Dancer Photoshoot in the Studio
Have you ever tried photographing someone who transitions from a whirlwind of motion on the floor to a dramatically posed performer? In such fast-paced situations, is it really worth spending time switching lenses from a wide-angle for full-body portraits to a telephoto for close-ups? Definitely not! While your model is in their element, ready to deliver their best poses, just shoot and seamlessly adjust the focal length from a wide 24mm to a tight 70mm with ease. The superb build quality of Sigma lenses ensures that you never have a doubt—you’re holding a piece of glass capable of capturing top-tier portraits.
Business Portraits in Formal Tones
In this style of photography, there are constant demands: quality, sophistication, and professionalism. Clients who commission such shoots often use these images for media publications, company presentations, and other important, high-profile platforms. When clients arrive at your session and see equipment that looks as impressive as a luxury car, they’ll be more inclined to trust you, confident that you’re a professional who will deliver exactly what they need. The result? The shots meet their expectations, you receive your fee, and the clients never realize that despite the impressive and expensive appearance of your gear, you’ve saved a significant amount by choosing Sigma lenses—without sacrificing image quality.
Atmospheric Image
“What film was this shot on?” your followers will ask.
“On the Sigma 24-70mm lens,” you’ll proudly reply!
Don’t be afraid to experiment. Behind modern equipment that delivers high-quality images, you can still capture a charming, nostalgic shot that pleases the eye with a retro aesthetic. Keep these photos in your personal album, and they’ll remain timeless for years to come.
Why am I sharing this shoot? There was a lot of running, jumping, and dancing during the session. Were there any focus misses? None at all. So, if you’re still worried about autofocus performance when using an EF-to-RF adapter, let me reassure you—everything works flawlessly.
Creative Shots in Clinics
Bokeh? Absolutely! You can create those captivating shots where a subject is presented to the camera, while the person holding it—often in my case, syringes or other medical instruments—is beautifully blurred in the background. These photos are clickable, visually engaging, and highly marketable.
Aside from that, it’s important to mention the lens hood. It has saved my lens numerous times from direct hits by droplets and other airborne objects. I highly recommend using it. Luckily, it comes included with the lens and has proven to be incredibly durable despite its compact size.
Extreme Conditions
I urgently needed to photograph my friends’ newly finished skate park, but just as the shoot was scheduled, a heavy downpour began. Was I worried? Of course not. The weather sealing on the lens performed flawlessly, without any issues. Even when raindrops landed on the lens’s extending parts, the equipment gave no reason to panic. As always, it did its job perfectly, allowing me to capture the shots despite the challenging conditions.
Outdoor Sports Photography
When shooting outside the confines of a studio, it often involves covering long distances in search of the perfect location and angle. Despite not being into weightlifting, and my arms being far from muscular, I never get tired of carrying my camera with this lens for more than 30 minutes—a huge plus. The manageable weight and balance of the gear make it easy to focus on capturing the action, without worrying about fatigue, even during extended outdoor shoots.
How I’d Like to Conclude
I may not be the best technical reviewer when it comes to gear, but I wanted to show you just how versatile this lens can be. Its range of applications is incredibly wide, and even without knowing all the intricate technical details or what exactly it’s made of, you can still create content that meets your every need.
An artistic photoshoot for your social media, exhibitions, or framed photographs? No problem! If you earn your living through photography and need a reliable lens that won’t fail you in crucial moments, this one is especially for you. Yes, the f/2.8 aperture may not be ideal for low-light conditions, and I can confirm that from my experience shooting night drift racing, but a perfect lens hasn’t been invented yet. And this one comes as close as it gets.
I highly recommend the SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 ART, and if anyone has something negative to say about it, tell them to reach out to me.
