Lens Love | 24-105mm f4.0 | Cinnamon Wolfe Photography

Lens: Canon 24-105 f/4
Nickname: Family Favorite
Started using it: beginning of 2015
On my camera: 25-25% of the time
Bought it: used

This lens is relatively new to me as I just picked it up at the beginning of 2015. The reason I purchased this lens was mainly because I broke my Tamron 28-75 f/2.8. I was at a session and dropped it on the cement! It didn't appear to be injured from the outside, but something is definitely wrong on the inside because the pictures look distorted on one side. I was going to purchase another one with my insurance but my deductible was the exact same amount as the lens itself. I contemplated long and hard what I should do. I did really love the Tamron. It was my first professional glass, and it was very, very sharp. It was my absolute go to lens for family sessions.

In the end I chose the Canon 24-105 f/4 for a couple of reasons.

I wanted something just a little bit wider than the 28mm but didn't want to buy a whole other lens just for wide angle purposes
The added reach from 75-105 was appealing to me
Reviews of this lens are great. It is a fantastic all purpose-walk around lens and I wanted something that I could take on trips that would kind of "do it all" for me.

The only downside to this lens of course is the f-stop. Wile f/4 isn't horrible, it obviously is not as wide as 2.8 so the use will be somewhat limited and getting shots indoors would likely be a challenge without flash.

I decided the pros outweighed the cons and since I won't be shooting dimly lit indoor weddings any time soon, I went with the Canon and got it used on ebay.

The entire purpose of this lens for me is family sessions. Although I prefer prime lenses, during a family session with quick moving toddlers and kids, a zoom is really the only way to go. It allows me to get wider and tighter shots quickly without having to move myself. I am almost always on the ground for family sessions as well so getting up off the ground and then getting back down on the ground is a waste of precious seconds when that kiddo is finally smiling and having a great time.

During a family session I usually only bring this lens and maybe the 85 to use for individual shots or shots of mom and dad. Two lenses, easy peasy.

I also will use this lens for travel. When considering what I wanted to take to Italy, I really didn't want to bring my camera + 5 lenses with me. Talk about heavy and cumbersome!! I really wanted to take only one lens that could handle wide and tighter shots without also being a burden while we are walking all around. This lens was the perfect choice.

Overall I am very happy with this lens and will likely keep it in my collection for the foreseeable future!