Tim Keeton has been a professional sports photographer for almost 30 years now. He joined a midlands-based agency in 1989 and has photographed most forms of sport at all levels. In 2009 he formed his own company, Impact Images, which specialises in motorcycle racing and the related work that this brings. The SIGMA Art and Sports lenses have become his preferred choice of professional photographic optics over the years.
Being self-employed, I need value for money but I also want the best equipment. I was first introduced to SIGMA in 2014 and was impressed with the professional specification of the lenses that they were going to launch which included an inclusive 3-year warranty program. I had become increasing frustrated with Canon in terms of spiraling costs, warranty and repair issues. Therefore I decided to trade in all my Canon lenses and replace it with SIGMA equivalents. A bold move some would think but I have not regretted it at all!
I cover the British Superbike Championship, working for several of the main teams, manufacturers, riders, product manufacturers and publications. I also work at the Isle of Man TT and the NW200 in Ireland, for those clients that participate in those events. The TT programme has over the last few years, commissioned me to shoot some of its content. The product manufactures I work with at the race tracks also require me to commercially shoot product launches and product testing prior to their unveiling. Similarly, my editorial clients often commission me to shoot features away from the track. My SIGMA gear has never let me down for all of these commitments.
The SIGMA Art and Sports lenses are not only extremely sharp and easy to handle, but have an excellent build quality, which I need because of the environment in which I work. It can vary in extreme weather conditions, cold and wet in the UK and hot and dusty abroad. I also need equipment that won’t let me down (as you just know that this will happen at the most inconvenient moment). On the odd occasion when I have had an issue with my SIGMA lens, which I’m normally at fault, the SIGMA UK service team have always delivered a knowledgeable, professional service and I praise this back up they provide to their professional quality range of lenses.
The family of SIGMA | Art lenses has rapidly grown over the years and I particularly like the way that they are pushing the boundaries with the fast apertures and all the advantages that this brings. The opportunity to work in low light without flash (in pit boxes) and the shallow depth of field to make the subject stand out with gorgeous bokeh. My ‘favourite’ lens keeps changing. Currently it is the SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art lens. It produces stunning portrait images in the pit box but also outstanding bike statics and I have no qualms in using it track side for action.
My growing kit of SIGMA lenses include:
SIGMA 12-24mm F4 DG HSM | A
SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | A
SIGMA 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM | A
SIGMA 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM | A
SIGMA 70-200 mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM
SIGMA 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | A
SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | S
SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM | S
SIGMA TELE CONVERTER 1.4x TC-1401
SIGMA TELE CONVERTER 2x TC-2001
The next item to join my family of SIGMA lenses will be the new SIGMA 70-200mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports lens. It is the lens I cannot wait to get my hands on next!
You can see more images created by Tim Keeton of Impact Images on the following website: https://www.impact-images-photography.co.uk/