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SIGMA 12MM F/1.4 DC CONTEMPORARY £519/$629 sigmauk.com
With a headlong rush towards full-frame and even larger sensors, filmmakers who prefer the compact Super 35-size APS-C sensor may feel left out when choosing fast glass. Once again, Sigma has you covered with the widest f/1.4 prime available for crop- sensor mirrorless cameras. The 12mm Contemporary joins a series of compact f/1.4 primes for APS-C cameras, including the 16, 23, 30 and 56mm. It is available in Sony E, Fujifilm X and Canon RF mounts. With a field of view of roughly 18mm in full-frame terms, this ultra- wide, bright optic is for those working in landscapes, astrophotography, architecture, interiors and vlogging, where low-light and depth control matter. It unites ultra-wide ease and cinematic expressiveness. Construction is made up of three double-sided aspherical elements and two SLDs (Special Low Dispersion), which suppress aberrations and deliver high resolution and contrast across the frame, even at f/1.4. Wide open, sharpness is good, improving
HANDY CAM The advantage of APS-C is that cameras and lenses can be small and fast
by f/2. The periphery softens at the widest apertures but sharpens at the mid range. In practice, performance is impressive for a fast, compact lens and it’s ideal for video use. Combined with an APS-C body like the Sony A6300 we used, the package is compact and easy to carry, but has solid build quality and weather sealing. At 225g/0.5lb and less than 7cm/2.7in, it pairs beautifully with APS-C bodies and even small gimbals. Autofocus is driven by a quiet and smooth stepping motor and focus breathing is minimal. For Sony users, there is an aperture ring on the barrel. The lens lacks optical stabilisation – which isn’t surprising at this focal length and with such a fast aperture. In use, the 12mm f/1.4 delivers striking results. Landscapes rendered with dramatic perspective and wide coverage feel immersive. In low light, the f/1.4 aperture helps immensely, allowing lower ISOs. For interior scenes or architecture, distortion is noticeable but well managed and correctable in post. Some vignetting appears at f/1.4, but disappears by f/4. Chromatic aberration is modest, though under some high-contrast edges it can creep in; but Sigma’s coatings and design keep ghosting and flare in check. For creative vlogging or run-and- gun work, the combination of light weight, fast aperture and wide field of view pays dividends. The extreme wide angle means that, to isolate a
SPECIFICATIONS
Mount: Fujifilm X, Canon RF, Sony E Image coverage: APS-C Aperture: f/1.4-16 Aperture blades: 9, rounded Construction: 14 elements in 12 groups with 3 aspherical and 2 SLD glass elements Image stabilisation: No Minimum focusing: 17.2cm/ 6.8in Filter size: 62mm Dimensions (wxl): 68x69.4mm/ 2.7x2.7in Weight: 225g/0.5lb subject with strong background blur, you’ll need to be close to the subject. At 12mm, even a wide aperture still yields considerable depth-of-field compared to telephoto lenses. For creators in spaces where light is scarce or dramatic perspective is key, this lens is a strong tool. In one package, it brings optical quality and video-capable usability to the often- overlooked APS-C wide end. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 A compact and great-value APS-C super-wide Pros: Low weight and fast aperture Cons: No image stabilisation
PIPE DREAM The fast f/1.4 aperture, close focusing and extreme wide angle work for creative shots
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