The Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp (also called 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 check to see if it lives as much as the G Grasp title. It has been available on the market for over two years, and it is nonetheless the costliest Sony zoom lens you’ll be able to personal, to not point out it’s the first-ever lens of its form. 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: Fastened 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 concert events. With the ability to shoot at 12mm might not be essential for most individuals. Nonetheless, the ultra-wide focal size offers you the liberty to shoot nearly something you would like, making it extremely versatile. If you’re a full-time skilled photographer and have the finances for this lens, it could 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
- Inside zoom
- Very sturdy and properly 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 change, a programmable operate button, a easy focusing ring, and a really sturdy and it’s a very well-built lens. Equally to the 14mm prime, this lens includes a bulbous entrance component, which has its benefits and downsides. Its bulbous form means filters will not match, which suggests the glass is unprotected always. Regardless of this, the glass is fluorine coated and does not appeal to any oil or dust and it isn’t a very delicate piece of glass. With correct care and treating it with respect, it isn’t 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 so much 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 capturing, so in the event you attempt to take portrait orientation photographs within the rain, you may wrestle to maintain the glass dry. That stated, we are able to verify that it is rather properly weather-sealed, having used it for capturing 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 inside reflections that may trigger flare and ghosting for clear, crisp imagery’. They declare you’ll be able to 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 top-of-the-line Sony lenses cash should buy — and for the worth, it needs to be. We seen that it often produces some distortion on the fringe of the body at 12mm, however it varies relying on what topic you are capturing and the way shut you might be to it. That is simply fastened with modifying although so it isn’t an enormous dealbreaker. There may be additionally a noticeable quantity of vignetting, which is sort of anticipated at 12mm at f/2.8. Nevertheless while you shoot at smaller apertures, the vignetting does go away. This is not essentially a unfavorable, although, as many photographers add a vignette to their photos as an inventive alternative, however it’s price noting that you will must appropriate 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 capturing at f/22 (as a result of diffraction, an issue encountered by any lens), however barely anybody can be capturing 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 will get extremely near your topic, though generally the attention autofocus struggles at 12mm if the topic is way away, however the lens will effortlessly change to face monitoring, performing very properly. Total a really responsive lens in relation to autofocus, as anticipated from a Sony G Grasp.
Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens: Performance
- Incredible optical efficiency
- Fastened aperture all through zoom vary at f/2.8
- Very easy focusing
The massive promoting level of this lens, except for the extensive focal size, is the fixed f/2.8 aperture that is still the identical by means of the zoom vary. That enormous aperture on such a wide-angle lens is virtually extraordinary. Though it could not give as excessive bokeh as an extended telephoto lens would, this lens nonetheless presents a ravishing mushy blur at a continuing f/2.8. The mix of f/2.8 at 12mm is a superb choice for astrophotographers, as you need to use slower shutter speeds than that of an extended lens. 12mm can open up a scene when capturing astro, however it might make it harder to focus. Nevertheless, this is not essentially the lens’ fault, as it could be difficult to focus a 12mm lens on a tiny star so distant, it doesn’t matter what you do. This lens might doubtlessly be an awesome 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, easy focusing. There’s barely any purple fringing round topics within the picture, and it is fairly wonderful that you do not get a lot of a fish-eye impact when capturing extensive at 12mm.
Ought to I purchase the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 G Grasp Lens?
It is 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 an awesome choice in the event you do not wish to commit to 1 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? Effectively, you will need to think about 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) may very well be an awesome choice. 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 expect the Sigma is superb, 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 may very well 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 only some hundred {dollars} distinction.
If you wish to follow Sony lenses and are out there for an ultra-wide angle, think about their Canon EF 14mm f/1.8 prime lens (opens in new tab). Not solely is it considerably cheaper, however it’s additionally a fraction of the scale and weight of the 12-24mm. In our hands-on Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 review, we beloved its extremely sharp picture high quality. It is an awesome choice in the event you nonetheless desire a highly effective wide-angle lens with astounding picture high quality.
