The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp (often known as the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM) is an absolute beast of a lens — however is all of it it is cracked as much as be? We put this powerhouse lens to the take a look at to see if it lives as much as the G Grasp identify. It has been in the marketplace for over two years, and it is nonetheless the costliest Sony zoom lens you may personal, to not point out it’s the first-ever lens of its variety. However who is that this lens for?
Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens: Key specs
Compatibility: Sony FE
Focal vary: 12mm to 24mm
Aperture vary: Mounted f/2.8
Weight: 847g (1.8lbs)
Measurement: 97.6mm (D) x 137mm (L)
Absolutely climate sealed: Sure
Filter measurement: NA
This lens is ideal for anybody eager to shoot wider — nice for photojournalistic work and live shows. Having the ability to shoot at 12mm is probably not mandatory for most individuals. Nonetheless, the ultra-wide focal size provides you the liberty to shoot nearly something you need, making it extremely versatile. If you’re a full-time skilled photographer and have the finances for this lens, it will be an ideal addition to your equipment to make use of alongside a 24-70mm and a 70-200mm.
Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp lens
Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens: Design
- Inner zoom
- Very sturdy and effectively constructed
- What you’d count on for a G Grasp
On the subject of design, this lens is exactly what you’d count on for a Sony G Grasp. It options the usual AF/MF swap, a programmable operate button, a clean focusing ring, and a really sturdy and it’s a very well-built lens. Equally to the 14mm prime, this lens encompasses a bulbous entrance factor, which has its benefits and downsides. Its bulbous form means filters will not match, which implies the glass is unprotected always. Regardless of this, the glass is fluorine coated and would not appeal to any oil or dust and it is not a very delicate piece of glass. With correct care and treating it with respect, it is not a giant deal that it is unprotected. To not point out that the petal hood is built-in into the lens and cannot be eliminated, so lots is happening to maintain the uncovered glass protected, making it very sturdy.
One draw back of the fastened petal hood is that the longer a part of the hood will solely cowl the lens in panorama taking pictures, so in case you attempt to take portrait orientation photographs within the rain, you may wrestle to maintain the glass dry. That stated, we will verify that it is rather effectively weather-sealed, having used it for taking pictures on a moist, windy and stormy day within the Lake District, England.
The 12-24mm lens has 4 XD linear motors to offer quick, exact monitoring and autofocus. In Sony’s phrases, it additionally options ‘a brand new Nano AR Coating II which suppresses inner reflections that may trigger flare and ghosting for clear, crisp imagery’. They declare you may shoot straight into the sun with this lens, creating lovely sunbursts with out inflicting any lens flare.
This lens is comparatively massive and heavy, which can be a deal breaker for some. It weighs 847g which is not outrageous, however you’d want to think about whether or not you’d get sufficient use out of it to warrant carrying the noticeable weight round.
Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens: Efficiency
- Impeccably sharp
- Nice monitoring
- Some distortion at 12mm
On the subject of sharpness and picture high quality, that is undoubtedly among the best Sony lenses cash should purchase — and for the worth, it ought to be. We observed that it often produces some distortion on the fringe of the body at 12mm, but it surely varies relying on what topic you are taking pictures and the way shut you’re to it. That is simply fastened with enhancing although so it is not an enormous dealbreaker. There’s additionally a noticeable quantity of vignetting, which is form of anticipated at 12mm at f/2.8. Nevertheless whenever you shoot at smaller apertures, the vignetting does go away. This is not essentially a adverse, although, as many photographers add a vignette to their photos as an inventive selection, however it’s price noting that you will must right this in post-production if it is not one thing you need in your photos. The lens can also be not at its sharpest when taking pictures at f/22 (resulting from diffraction, an issue encountered by any lens), however barely anybody can be taking pictures at f/22 in order that should not be a difficulty.
This lens can also be wonderful at monitoring topics and the autofocus is simply sensible. You may get extremely near your topic, though generally the attention autofocus struggles at 12mm if the topic is way away, however the lens will effortlessly swap to face monitoring, performing very effectively. Total a really responsive lens with regards to autofocus, as anticipated from a Sony G Grasp.
Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens: Performance
- Incredible optical efficiency
- Mounted aperture all through zoom vary at f/2.8
- Very clean focusing
The large promoting level of this lens, apart from the extensive focal size, is the fixed f/2.8 aperture that is still the identical via the zoom vary. That enormous aperture on such a wide-angle lens is virtually exceptional. Though it could not give as excessive bokeh as an extended telephoto lens would, this lens nonetheless affords an attractive delicate blur at a relentless f/2.8. The mix of f/2.8 at 12mm is a superb possibility for astrophotographers, as you should utilize slower shutter speeds than that of an extended lens. 12mm can open up a scene when taking pictures astro, but it surely may make it harder to focus. Nevertheless, this is not essentially the lens’ fault, as it will be tough to focus a 12mm lens on a tiny star so far-off, it doesn’t matter what you do. This lens may doubtlessly be a fantastic rival for the Sony 20mm f/1.8 prime.
The optical efficiency of this lens is nothing wanting revolutionary. It has three excessive aspherical parts, and 4 linear motors working in unison serving to to acquire tremendous quick, clean focusing. There’s barely any purple fringing round topics within the picture, and it is fairly wonderful that you aren’t getting a lot of a fish-eye impact when taking pictures extensive at 12mm.
Ought to I purchase the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens?
This can be a nice lens for motion or sports activities images, cityscapes, photojournalism, and even for landscapes or astrophotography. It’s versatile sufficient to have the choice to make use of the broader 12mm for nighttime photographs, whereas additionally having the ability to zoom in for daytime landscapes. It is a fantastic possibility in case you do not need to commit to at least one particular images area of interest.
If the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens is not for you
This lens is not for everybody, and since it’s so costly, it is nearly inaccessible to many individuals. Ask your self, do you want this 12-24mm or would you be higher off with one wide-angle prime, for instance? Nicely, you will need to contemplate the competitors.
If having a local Sony lens is not as necessary to you, the Sigma Art 14-24mm f/2.8 (opens in new tab) could possibly be a fantastic possibility. At $1400 it is lower than half the price of Sony’s $3000 G Grasp, and the distinction between 12mm and 14mm could be minimal. Whereas full-time skilled photographers would possible nonetheless go for Sony over Sigma, we predict the Sigma is great, and gave it 5 stars in our Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM ART lens review in addition to giving it a spot in our best lenses for astrophotography shopping for information.
For Canon customers, the closest rival to the Sony lens for Canon customers could be their Canon EF 14-24mm f/4 lens (opens in new tab). Whereas this lens can shoot wider than the Sony we have reviewed right here, it is solely an f4, so it could possibly be higher suited to landscapes the place you do not essentially must shoot faster. It is usually a good quantity heavier than the Sony, and there is just a few hundred {dollars} distinction.
If you wish to follow Sony lenses and are out there for an ultra-wide angle, contemplate their Canon EF 14mm f/1.8 prime lens (opens in new tab). Not solely is it considerably cheaper, but it surely’s additionally a fraction of the dimensions and weight of the 12-24mm. In our hands-on Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 review, we cherished its extremely sharp picture high quality. It is a fantastic possibility in case you nonetheless desire a highly effective wide-angle lens with astounding picture high quality.
