Testing Sigma 12-24

[Killakoala]

Went out into the midday sun to test the contrast and colour perception of the Sigma 12-24 and i am proud to announce that the lens performs beautifully. Even without the option of using a polariser, the sky becomes a gorgeuos blue and the pinks and greens in the images below look great. (Taken with D70 and Sigma 12-24mm. Minor cropping, slight saturation increase and sharpening then JPG to web.)

Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.



The image below just shows the close-up capability at 24mm. (Accidently shot at 1600ISO) The lens allows focusing up to about 30cm so will be useful for photographing my future dinners.

In conclusion, i am very happy with this lens and i am very glad i bought it.

[stubbsy]

The lens allows focusing up to about 30cm so will be useful for photographing my future dinners.

Priceless Bet your's won't be steak though

More on topic - I have the Nikkor purely because of the CP issue. Do you miss this, given your comments and this experience?

[Killakoala]

More on topic - I have the Nikkor purely because of the CP issue. Do you miss this, given your comments and this experience?

So far, no. I havent tried white billowing fluffy clouds with blue sky background yet, but i will eventually. From the pics above, i doubt i will miss it. But for now i am happy with the purchase.

This lens looks like a fisheye on a film camera. I really hope Nikon bring out a full-frame DSLR, then this lens will really shine.

[stubbsy]

Thanks Steve. I guess clouds are the real test (especially for me given my apparent fascination with such shots)

[the foto fanatic]

Beautiful colour alright Steve.

It's interesting to see this type of photo taken with a WA - well done.

[Killakoala]

There is supposed to be a big storm or two tomorrow so i will try to get a test shot of the clouds. In the mean time here is a pano attempt at 12mm.


Click on the image to view larger

As you can see, 12mm is not ideal for a panorama. The distortion, even with the Sigma, which is less than the Nikkor, is way too much for Pano Factory to handle. However the other end at 24mm is ideal but i have no exmples yet.

[sirhc55]

Steve - I know how great this lens is and have never had reason to use a polariser - great pics by the way

[big pix]

Steve - I know how great this lens is and have never had reason to use a polariser - great pics by the way

ahhh the chairman......... I need not to say anymore....... ':lol:'

[marcotrov]

Vivid colours steve and once again i made to crave for my Nikkor 12-24.
cheers
marco

[avkomp]

looks like the lens does the business.
want to get some sort of 12-24 so shots like this provide good insight.

Steve

[Glen]

Steve, you are making that lens shine

[birddog114]

Killakoala,
Great! glad to hear you're happy with it!
Other Tokina 12-24's owners are also happy campers with their purchases and same as Nikkor 12-24DX's owners, I own one of these Nikkor 12-24 as well

[Oneputt]

Steve if you do want a circ -polariser for that lens remember that I have one

[mudder]

You're going to enjoy that WA lens mate, once you start playing with WA stuff, it becomes addictive... And FF too, so imagine what that'd be like on FF DSLR... I assume it'd work fine on a Nikon film body?

[MCWB]

Steve if you do want a circ -polariser for that lens remember that I have one

John, not sure if you realise, but the only way you can use a CP on this lens is to screw an 82 mm one into the lens cap holder. The problem is that this will vignette severely at the wide end, probably up to around 16 mm? (Edit: just did a search and found out that you do indeed realise this, my apologies for any offence caused!) I must say, I've always been dubious as to the benefits of using CPs on super wide angle lenses anyway, as the saturation almost always varies across the frame due to the large field of view...

I've loved shooting with this lens, seems you're feeling the same Steve! The only weak point I've found is flare when shooting into the sun. And you're right, after putting the Sigma 12-24 on my F50, I was just looking through the viewfinder!