Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM II reviews: Wide Angle Lens
This lens is a good all rounder.
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Some customer reviews of Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM II
Most helpful reviewsHarry, England
- Good points:
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Unique range of focal lengths for 35mm frame sensor or film - if you thought a 20mm lens was ultra-wide (and difficult to line up on streetscapes), the 12mm end of the zoom bears a similar relationship to a 20mm lens as does a 20mm lens to a 35mm lens.
Less than half the price of Canon's EF 16-35mm or 14mm lenses and much more extreme perspective than either at 12mm.
Spectacular results are possible with a lot of work both taking and processing the results.
You can happily use f/11 for much better image quality and depth of field because you need a tripod to line the lens up accurately at the wider focal lengths. - Bad points:
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Not a walk-around snapshotting lens - it's going to take a lot of learning how to use it, a tripod, spirit level, remote release and more software.
Canon's similarly priced 10-22mm EF-S lens is much better for APS C sensor cameras - smaller, wider, faster, takes 77mm filters, much less distortion which can be completely eliminated with the DPP raw converter bundled with EOS digital cameras. DPP won't correct distortion or aberrations for non-Canon lenses.
I can't live with curvy walls so I'm going to have to shell out another £90 for Adobe Lightroom or £239 for DxO Optics Pro Elite when I've tried them out.
Focussing scale not that accurate and the lens doesn't stay completely in focus as you zoom. This is a pity as at these focal lengths scale focussing should be more accurate than autofocus for anything more than a metre or two away; the hyperfocal distance for 12mm f/4.5 & 12½x enlargement is only 1.6m. If you're picky, this means a tripod & Live View.
A lot of corner darkening at the wide end is guaranteed by the cosine to the fourth power law.
Corner darkening at 20mm & f/5.6 is much worse than my 20mm FD lens at f/2.8 but improves at f/11. Not quite as sharp as, more distortion & fall-off than and ¼ the speed of the FD lens (but I've not compared it with the EF 20mm lens).
Similar size & weight to Canon's EF 24-105mm L lens.
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Confirmed purchase: 15 Apr 2013
Matthew, Bristol Discerning Photographer
- Good points:
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solid build quality, fast silent focusing. great ultra wide angles.
Great value for what you pay.
Good image quality - Bad points:
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no image stabilisation, although dont usually have it in this type of lens.
a bit soft on edges zoomed out, but not bad.
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Confirmed purchase: 07 Oct 2012
Chris, devon keen amateur Photographer
- Good points:
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super wide angle coverage.
great image quality when stopped down
ideal for use with full frame camera - Bad points:
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can't use filters and front of lens needs care.
Flare can be a problem.
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Confirmed purchase: 02 Jan 2013
Richard , London
- Good points:
- Price, quality
- Bad points:
- Quite heavy but not too bad
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Confirmed purchase: 02 Apr 2013
Product Features
| Type of lens | Wide Angle |
|---|---|
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Diameter in cm | 8.5 |
| Length in cm | 12 |
| Weight (g) | 670 |
| Max. Aperture Lens 1 | f4.5-5.6 |
Also known as: Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM, Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG HSM -, Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II EX DG HSM -, Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM
Manufacturer's Description
This ultra wide angle zoom lens incorporates the latest optical design and provides superior performance. FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of colour aberration. Aspherical lenses give advanced performance with a compact and lightweight construction and ensure high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and incorporation of HSM ensures quiet and high speed autofocus as well as full-time manual focus capability. This lens has superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp and high contrast images even at the maximum apertures.
Sigma designed and produced the first wide-angle zoom lens, the “zoom gamma 21-35mm F3.5-4”, in 1979. Sigma has since introduced a number of wide angle zoom lenses. The SIGMA 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG HSM is the successor of the SIGMA 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL / HSM which was launched in November 2003. This ultra wide angle zoom lens is ideal for digital SLRs with a 35mm full frame image sensor and incorporates the latest optical design.
Four FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, and one SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element provide excellent correction of colour aberration. Three glass mold elements and one hybrid aspherical compensate for all types of aberration and ensure high optical performance.
Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting which could otherwise create problems when extraneous light hits the lens’ front element. It also provides sharp and high contrast images throughout the entire zoom range. The design of front lens group minimizes light fall off and increases peripheral brightness.
The wide-angle of view produces striking images with exaggerated perspective, enabling photographers to emphasize the subject. Incorporation of four aspherical lenses provides a compact construction with a diameter of 85mm, overall length of 120.2mm and weight of 670g. The compact construction makes this lens ideal for travel photography. Incorporation of HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures quiet and high speed autofocus, while allowing full-time manual focus override. This lens incorporates an inner focusing system, which eliminates front lens rotation which also minimises fluctuation of aberration caused by the focusing system.
Features:
- Lens Construction: 17 Elements in 13 Groups
- Angle of View: 122 – 84.1 degrees
- Number of Diaphragm Blades: 6 Blades
- Minimum Aperture F22
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 28cm
- Maximum Magnification: 1:6.4
- Filter Size Rear Type (Gelatin Filter)
- Dimensions: Diameter 85mm X Length 120.2mm
- Weight: 670g
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Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 MKII DG HSM Lens for Canon | £649 free delivery |
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Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 II DG HSM (Canon fit) | £649 delivery cost may apply |
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Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 MKII DG HSM Lens for Canon | £650 free delivery |
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Ray, West Yorkshire Photography Enthusiast.
Score 9.0/10Confirmed purchase: 21 Jun 2012