The industry requires more lens support for APS-C cameras and often looks like a neglected market. When it comes to this camera game, the full frame is clearly a favorite baby, but I love small sensor cameras, which gives a great mix of compactness and quality. Sigma is on a roll, which makes users sure to give excellent and inexpensive optics to Sony E Mount, Canon RF Mount, and Fujifilm X Mount. The latest $ 629 Sigma wants to cover the ultra-wide area with light-acted capability to boot a 12 mm 12 mm f/1.4 DC.
Sigma 12 mm F/1.4 DC Contemporary Review: How it feels
I just like how compact APS-C lenses can be, and Sigma 12 mm is definitely easy to carry. Weighing only eight ounces (225 grams), this small lens barely feels at the end of a compact mirrorless body. In front, you get a simple plastic hood with a grippy rubber ring and 62 mm filter diameter. I think Sigma placed a functional aperture ring on such a small lens, which can be adjusted from f/1.4 to f/16. The lens is measured with rubber gaskets around the lens mount, causing it to get ridiculous enough for some bad weather. Otherwise, there is nothing to comment about this when it comes to the physical appearance of this simple small lens.
Sigma 12 mm F/1.4 DC Contemporary Review: How it shoots
This lens offers a full-frame equivalent area of 18 mm with a depth of the same area of F/2. Ultra-wide lenses usually do not need to autofocus quickly, but the stepping motor in Sigma does a good job of pushing light elements rapidly. There is a good manual focus ring, which is quite smooth for the time when you want to take complete control yourself.
It is important to evaluate the bokeh of this lens because the F/1.4 aperture opens the possibility for a soft background when you want them. A soap for highlights is a touch of a bubble look, and the look of them may be slightly rigid. However, overall Bokeh is quite pleasant, and I found that the background was found to look smooth without much distracted edge.
Sigma also handles very well. Bright light is slightly bleed from sources, but the contrast is maintained well. I did not pay attention to any issue with ghosts, even on strict aperture. The stars of the sun also look quite dramatic, with clean stars size and long, well -defined points. I think any photographer Sunny is looking to shoot Landscape, City Night Lights and Architectural interiors, enjoy the results of this small lens.
The presence of longitudinal chromatic aberrations, otherwise known as Loca, was very low. There are some minor colored casts in front and back in front of the point of focus, but there is nothing that was distracted or difficult to deal with. Even shooting of close-up of text or details, I only paid attention to a minor colored shift. Talking about close-up photography, the ultra-wide nature of this lens allows for some beautiful macro-like shots. Working distance is terrible, of course, so it can be a challenge to keep its shadow from the subject, but the lens is very fast at a minimum distance. You can get some dramatic looking close-up with background methods in distance.
It is actually a sharp lens, as well as with excellent expansion in the center of images at f/1.4. Conversely, there is a slight damage, but it goes when you stop the lens slightly below. The corners are also surprisingly good, some vignating but good details in broad aperture. Stopping the lens slightly below helps to speed up the entire frame, but I was very happy with the look of my shots on any chosen aperture.
Many cinematographers will appreciate this light lens, which will be a compact prime for handheld Vlogging purposes or for zimbal use. The lens breathing is minimal, which means that your area only changes slightly when focusing on the lens. If you are looking for an ultra-wide field with a bright aperture, and with ideal coverage for APS-C video cameras or super 35 mm mode on full-frame bodies, this is a small piece of glass.
Sigma 12 mm F/1.4 DC Contemporary Review: Good things in small packages
It is an absolute gem of a lens, and it leaves almost nothing to complain to me. You really get a complete package with some issues to speak. To be honest, there are not many options. You can find a lot of lenses that are wide, but they usually consists of a slow aperture. $ 629 Sigma 12 mm f/1.4 Contemporary is providing great light without any bad agreement, and it is filling a role that needs to be filled.
What are the options?
The options are low, especially in X Mount or RF Mount. Sony makes a good 11 mm lens, but has a slow f/1.8 aperture. The viltrox offers a 13 mm lens with a similar f/1.4 aperture for a similar price, and will also be well viewed.
Should you buy it?
Yes. This sigma ultra-wide is cheap and cheap, with no real shortcomings to speak.
