Sigma 12-24mm Camera Lens Review

Sigma USA, Sigma Definitions

Sigma 12-24 f4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM Super Multi Coating reduces flare and ghosting that tends to occur when using digital SLR cameras. When used with a 35mm or full-frame digital SLR camera, this ultra wide angle zoom lens offers 122 degree super wide angle of view along the diagonal axis.

Sigma will always be guaranteed a place in the history books as pioneers of the wide-angle zoom lens. Our advanced super wide angle technology was developed far earlier than any of our competitors. Sigma designed and produced the first wide-angle zoom lens, the «zoom gamma 21-35mm F3.5-4.2», in 1979. The wide-angle zoom category didn’t even exist before this date. The market comprised only standard and telephoto zoom lenses with most people believing that wide angle zooms were impossible to develop. However Sigma’s advanced design and pioneering technology went on to prove them wrong and strongly influence subsequent product development.

Optimized for Digital SLR Cameras Four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements are provided for effective compensation of color aberration, which is a common problem with super-wide angle lenses. Two pieces of molded glass and three aspherical lenses, including two molded glass aspherical lens elements, offer excellent correction for linear distortion as well as all types of aberration. It is an ideal lens for Digital SLR Cameras as well as film SLR cameras.

HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) Equipped with Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for Sigma, Nikon and Canon. It is easy to revert to Manual Focus by simply turning the focusing ring and overriding the AF. An inner focus system provides high performance and convenience. The non-rotating lens barrel perfectly suits the matched petal shaped lens hood.

Minimum focusing distance of 28cm/11in. at all focal lengths. 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG lens offers a minimum focusing distance of 28cm/11in. at all focal lengths. The super-wide angle’s useful range of view offers the photographer greater freedom of expression.

Fixed Petal-type hood is incorporated This lens is equipped with a fixed Petal-type hood to obtain a superior extraneous light-blocking effect. 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM LENS RECEIVES EISA EUROPEAN LENS OF THE YEAR 2004-2005 AWARD. The 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHRICAL HSM ultra-wide zoom lens, with an incredible 122-degree angle of view, wins EISA EUROPEAN LENS OF THE YEAR 2004-2005 award. EISA is the largest editorial multimedia organisation in Europe, with a membership of fifty Audio, Mobile Electronics, Video and Photo magazines drawn from twenty European countries. Every year, the EISA Awards celebrate new photographic products such as interchangeable lenses, digital and film compact and SLR cameras. The Awards applaud the products that combine the most advanced technology with the most desirable features. The lens was awarded this prestigious title because of its incredible 12mm focal length, its suitability for both digital and traditional film SLRs and its excellent correction of distortion and flare and last but not least, its reasonable price.

12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM won "Camera Grand Prix 2004" award fro m Camera Press Club (Japan) 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM awarded Camera Grand Prix 2004 Special Prize by Camera Press Club. Except fish-eye lenses, this super-wide angle lens is the only lens that has 12mm focal length and can be used with Digital SLR cameras as well as film SLR cameras. Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements are provided for effective compensation of color aberration, which is a common problem with super-wide angle lenses.

Lens Construction

16 Elements in 12 Groups

Angle of View 122 - 84.1 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades 6 Blades
Minimum Aperture F22
Minimum Focusing Distance 28cm / 11 in.
Maximum Magnification 1:7.1
Filter Size Rear Type (Gelatin Filter)
Dimensions Diameter 87mm X Length 102.5mm
3.4 in. x 3.9 in.
Weight 600g / 21.6 oz.
Corresponding AF Mounts [12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM] Sigma, Canon,
Nikon (D), [12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG
Aspherical] Sony/Minolta (D), Pentax

Buy from:

Pentax & Samsung Mount: Amazon
Nikon Mount: Adorama, Amazon or B&H Photo Video
Other Ultra Wide Angle Lenses to Consider
Lens DSLR Camera Lens F-Stop/Street Price Angle of View/Filter Weight Reviews/Info
Nikon 14-24mm G ED f/2.8 Nikon 14-24mm G ED f/2.8 f/2.8 - $875 114° - 84° - (90 - 61 DX°) 35.3 oz Nikon 14-24mm G ED f/2.8
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 f/2.8 - $570 104°~82° 19.75 oz. Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 review
Tamron 10-24mm f/4 Tamron 10-24mm f/4 f/4 - $500 108° 44'- 60° 20' 13.1 oz. Tamron 10-24mm f/4 review
Nikon 12-24mm f/4 G Nikon 12-24mm f/4 G f/4 - $885 (Nikon Digital): 99-61° 1.07 lbs Nikon 12-24mm f/4 G review
Tokina 12-24mm f/4 Tokina 12-24mm f/4 f/4 - $500 99° to 61° 20.1 oz. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 review
Sigma 10-20mm EX f/4-5.6 HSM Sigma 10-20mm EX f/4-5.6 HSM f/4-5.6 - $479 102.4° - 63.8° 16.6 oz Sigma 10-20mm EX f/4-5.6 HSM review
Tamron 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Tamron 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 f/4-5.6 - $495 103° - 75° 12.5 oz Tamron 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 review
Sigma 12-24mm EX f/4.5-5.6 Sigma 12-24mm EX f/4.5-5.6   f/4-5.6 - $780 122.0°-84.1° 21.6 oz Sigma 12-24mm EX f/4.5-5.6 review
Browse/Buy all Sigma Lenses at: Amazon or B&H Photo
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