Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM

Nikon F (DX/FX)

Review

The Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM is a versatile ultra-wide zoom lens designed for Nikon F (DX) mount cameras. This lens is particularly appealing for landscape photographers, real estate photographers, and anyone looking to capture expansive views, as it offers a compelling focal length range of 12 to 24mm. Its design allows for creative perspectives that are hard to achieve with standard zoom lenses.

Build Quality and Design

The lens boasts a solid build quality, which is typical of Sigma's EX (Excellence) series. With its durable construction and a matte black finish, it not only feels good in hand but also looks professional. The lens is relatively compact for its class, which is a significant advantage when shooting on location. Moreover, it features a petal-shaped lens hood, which helps minimize flares in challenging lighting conditions.

Optical Performance

In terms of optical performance, the Sigma 12-24mm is impressive. The lens includes a variety of special elements, such as aspherical and low dispersion glass, which help to effectively reduce chromatic aberration and distortion—a key concern with ultra-wide lenses. Images are generally sharp across the frame, especially when stopped down, allowing for crisp details in your photographs. However, some users may experience softness at the extreme edges at wide-open apertures, particularly when using it at 12mm.

Autofocus and Handling

Equipped with a hyper sonic motor (HSM), this lens offers fast and relatively quiet autofocus performance. It’s responsive enough for most shooting scenarios, and the manual focus override is a helpful feature for those precise adjustments or in low-light situations. Additionally, the lens doesn't rotate while focusing or zooming, which is a bonus for users of polarizing filters.

Compatibility and Usability

One of the highlights of the Sigma 12-24mm is its compatibility with full-frame and crop sensor cameras. On a Nikon DX body, the effective focal length ranges from about 18mm to 36mm, which is incredibly versatile for various photography styles. However, due to the lens's large front element, regular circular filters cannot be mounted, which may be a limitation for some shooters.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Outstanding ultra-wide focal length range
• Solid build quality and professional appearance
• Fast and quiet autofocus performance
• Good optical quality with minimal distortion
• Compatible with full-frame and crop sensor cameras

Cons

• Edge softness at wide apertures
• No ability to use standard circular filters due to large front element
• May be cumbersome for hand-held low-light shooting due to low maximum aperture

Verdict

The Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM is an excellent choice for photographers seeking an ultra-wide zoom lens for their Nikon F (DX) mount cameras. It provides impressive optical performance, versatile focal lengths, and a robust build quality that can withstand the rigors of outdoor shooting. While there are minor drawbacks, such as edge softness at wider apertures and filter limitations, the lens's strengths make it a worthy addition to any photographer’s kit who values wide perspectives.