Sigma: Pro Proven Performance

Top Sigma Pro Photographer Kevin Ames selected the Sigma Macro 105mm f/2.8 EX DG lens for its superior optical performance and detailed precision to capture this lovely commercial portrait. “The 105 f/2.8, beyond its incredible sharpness, is an ideal portrait length for either small chip or full-frame cameras,” says Kevin. “This image was made with a 21-megapixel camera. The light source is a Dynalite head in a Chimera OctaPlus 72-inch octagonal bank. A separate 2000-watt powerpack and two heads illuminate the background.”

Ideal for digital and film SLR cameras, the 105mm lens is part of a suite of three other Macro lenses—the 50mm f/2.8, the 70mm f/2.8 and the 150mm f/2.8—all of which focus down to 1:1 life-size. Kevin says of using the lenses, “I’ve used the 70mm and the 105mm. Sigma’s range of macro lenses gives me the choice of prime focal lengths, all with incredible sharpness so I can pick the focal length to fit the need. The 105mm f/2.8 fits my sweet spot of focal lengths. That’s my primary lens when I’m using macro. The reason is that for work beyond portraits, jewelry for instance, I can move into 1:1 and still be far enough away to precisely light the gemstone and the metal mounting.” Other nice features of the lens include an f/45 minimum aperture for optimal sharpness of close-up subjects; a screw-in lens hood and enhanced autofocusing as a result of the Sigma’s DF (dual-focus) system.

An easy-to-use short-to-medium telephoto lens, the 105mm is designed to reduce the incidence of flare, ghosting and other image-degrading factors. “Often times in the world of zoom lenses we forget to move our cameras,” insists Kevin. “One of the things I love about using the Macro 105 f/2.8 lens is moving the camera to create the composition I want rather than zooming the lens. It’s a great creativity booster and it enhances my vision as I move toward or away from my subject. The original purpose of the zoom lens was to avoid carrying a whole box of lenses. Using the 105mm as a prime lens lets me revisit the idea of moving the camera instead of changing the focal length, which alters perspective.”

Sigma manufactures over 40 different high performance lenses available for Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony and Sigma SLR cameras.

Kevin Ames is a commercial photographer who maintains a studio in Atlanta, GA, where his clients include AT&T, Westin Hotels and Honda Power Equipment. He has authored books on photographing women, Photoshop and Lightroom; writes a column, “ Digital Photographer’s Notebook,” for Photoshop User magazine, and speaks across the country, in Canada, Europe and Asia. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Jezebel, Atlanta Sports and Fitness as well as on corporate websites, brochures and capabilities programs. Learn more by reading his blog on www.amesphoto.com.