It took me a year to make the decision to buy an L lens from the Canon series. I bought the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM lens from one of the biggest stores (camera.nu) for photographers in the Netherlands.

I had one week off, and my wife and I planned to have quality time together close to the store, so I took the opportunity to get the lens directly instead of waiting.

The lens takes beautiful pictures. Good contrast, colors and sharp — everything I would expect from a lens in this class. It’s fast with focusing and the f/4 aperture is great. Equipment is important for any quality work.

First impressions

• Sharpness: Excellent across the frame, even wide open
• Autofocus: Fast and accurate thanks to the USM (Ultrasonic Motor)
• Image Stabilization: The IS system compensates for up to 4 stops of camera shake
• Build quality: L-series weather-sealing gives confidence shooting in various conditions
• Versatility: The 24-105mm range covers most everyday shooting situations

This was my first L-series lens and it has been a game changer for my photography.