Hey… Why not?
As stated in a recent post:
More to come on the lens, but I can say that it seems a triple threat. Capable of working with a SIGMA digital camera, adapted to Sony, and also a SIGMA film camera.
Confirmed the lens works fine with film in that post.
Next up I wanted to try it out adapted to Sony. Why not using its native mount digital counterpart next? Easy.
- This is a DG lens which means full frame in SIGMA speak. Film and adapted to Sony you get access to 12mm as opposed to a full frame 18mm equivalent with the sd Quattro.
- As much as makes no sense after quick tests this lens focuses faster on film and adapted to Sony than on the sd Quattro theoretically made to be used with it.
All is not rosy, however. While a consistent performer with film it seems to intermittently lose its way adapted to Sony. This is something I did not experience at all adapting the DC 30mm f/1.4 Art lens. Why? No idea. Older SLR lens maybe? I thought it might be a faulty copy but I doubt it considering there are no issues with the film and digital SA mount cameras.
Am I bothered by this? Not really.
- All it takes is a quick twist of the wrist unmount (dismount?)/mount of the lens to sort things out.
- It is readily apparent when it stops focusing. The focus box no longer lights up green. So no shots are missed as a result.
- This lens costs far less than the similar focal length Sony 12-24mm f/4 I had a while ago and can be used on other mounts so I am good.
Is this lens as sharp? Probably not. But it is good enough for me.
At a variable f/4.5 to f/5.6 aperture is not as fast either, but this does not bother me either. I will be using this lens mostly at 12mm where there is little difference in the aperture spec.
Found that it flares a bit pointed directly into the sun. Again, at a fraction of the price with added flexibility, I am good.
Vignettes a bit wide open under certain conditions left unchecked, but the default SIGMA lens profile in Lightroom eliminates it. That surprised me honestly. Especially since the lens profile used, selected by Lightroom, is not a match.
A lot can be forgiven if I like the images.
That is a lot of preamble admittedly. On to the sample photos.
Final thoughts.
As hard as I find this to believe when the AF chooses to hit I think this lens is at least as sharp as the Sony 12-24mm f/4. Click on the last image above and zoom in on the bench. That was wide open and I imagine it would do even better if stopped down a bit.
I like the images this lens produces more than the Sony. I need no more proof than the following. That Sony 12-24mm f/4? I paid full price for it and did not have it long. Good lens. But I found it a bit too dear for the amount of times I used it.
In fact, only 23 images made it into the Flickr album. This SIGMA has already passed 100 images in much less time.
Overall I am sure the Sony is the more practical option. Likely much better for video for example.
But that is not my use case.
Even came with a rather nice SIGMA padded lens bag.
Nice. This lens will be hanging around for a while.
Does it make sense for everyone? Likely not.
But if you like the images, do not mind using it on a DSLR or do not mind adapting a DSLR lens to Sony, and do not mind a bit of flare shooting directly into the sun I believe it is a decent lens for a reasonable price.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 