Sigma EX 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM Review
General information
This is a zoom lens manufactured by Sigma and the lens was released 2003.
The lens belongs to the category
wide angle zoom lenses, a wide angle lens where you have the possibility to zoom in and out.
Product description from Sigma
At launch 2003 Sigma wrote this regarding Sigma EX 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM :
"This Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical lens is a result of Sigma’s reputation for consistently producing outstanding wide angle and super wide angle lenses. This lens incorporates an amazing range of popular focal lengths covering angles of view from approximately 85º up to 122º. This kind of scope makes this lens critical for landscape and scenic photography and can also be an amazing performer for interior and exterior architectural shooting. Three Aspherical glass elements offer correction for distortion and four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements employed for effective compensation of color aberration. It is also perfect for press or social situations where the photographer often has no control of the distances and size of the subject groups.
Designed for use with full frame digital cameras. May also be used with smaller APS-c size sensors with a corresponding effective increase in focal length to about 17-35mm with most cameras
HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet & high-speed auto focus
Minimum focusing distance of 11 inches
A front cap adapter, front/rear lens cap and carrying case are included with the lens."
Compatibility, autofocus and focal length
The lens is available for both Canon and Nikon cameras, but there are two different versions of this lens (one for each brand and mount) so it is important that you ask for and choose the right version when bying the lens.
This lens is constructed to fit all models of Canon and Nikon cameras, regardless of camera model or type of sensor.
The ability to use autofocus is available for all cameras.
The lens has a focal length of 12-24 mm. Depending on which camera the lens is used, the experienced and perceived focal length will be different. Please visit the list of compatible cameras below, it will provide the equivalent focal length you get on each camera.
- See compatible cameras and perceived/equivalent focal length
- See a full camera compatibility chart for Sigma EX 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM
- Read more about focal length and your field of view
- Read more on the cameras impact on the perceived focal length
Lens brightness and image stabilizer
The lens brightness and aperture value is f/4,5-5,6.
This lens is not considered to have a good aperture value and brightness. It is something to consider before you purchase the lens. To compensate for this you might, while photographing in less favorable light conditions, be forced to either use higher ISO settings (which generates more noise in the image), slower shutter speeds (which may give some motion blur) or flash lightning. Read more at the link below what lens brightness means to you as a photographer.
One thing to consider is that the lens has a variable brightness, which means that depending on how much you are zooming the lens will have a different maximum aperture value. At 12 mm the lens brightness is f/4,5 and at 24 mm the brightness is f/5,6. Through the link below you can read more about what this could mean for you as a photographer.
The lens lacks image stabilization, which otherwise os good for avoiding the blur that can occur when using slow shutter speeds.
- Read more about the aperture and lens brightness
- Read more about changing brightness at different focal lengths
- Read more about how an image stabilizer works
Filter and Lens Hood
If you want to use filters on this lens the slot-in filters would be the ones to use.
Most lenses have the lens hood as an accessory, something that you mount on the lens seperately, but this lens has a lens hood as a fixed part of the lens.
Images of Sigma EX 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM
In order to see larger product images of the lens, click the link below.
Things to consider before buying
Below you will find some summarized points and facts that can be considered as the 'pros and cons' of this lens. These are based entirely on the facts and values that are accessible through the lens specification, so we highly recommend that you also read the reported reviews available (see tab 'Reviews'); this in order to get a more complete view of the lens and its capabilities. Reviewer opinions reflect the lens, its use and its optical performance in a more accurate way, but any way - here a few different points to consider before buying this lens.
- Works on all sensor types
- Has a built-in autofocus motor
- A lens hood is included (solid construction)
- No built-in image stabilizer
- Poor aperture value with its f/5,6
- A variable lens brightness at different focal lengths
- The lens is not sealed against moisture and dust
- Heavy (600 gr)
Our Review Ratings
Time to grade Sigma EX 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM .
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| Overall rating | 3 of 5 |
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