Sigma 10-20 v Sigma 12-24

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Now that I've got my 5D3 and have relegated my 60D to 'reserve' camera, I'm looking to rationalise on lenses as I need to keep my carry-on weight in check on some forthcoming flights.

I've been using, and have been pleased with, a Sigma 10-20 on the 60D but, as it's a 'DC' lens I won't be able to use it on the 5D3. I've had a look around and am wondering how the Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM II compares as it's pretty near the 10-20 in range and I would be able to use it on both cameras.

Anyone able to offer an opinion?
 
I have a 12-24mm, first version, and have used it on 20D and now on 5D.

I think it's a good lens and it performed better on my 20D than my previous Canon 10-22mm. There are those on this forum who'll no doubt tell you the Siggy is pants and the corners are crap but honestly I think you should just try one for yourself. There's no real distortion and it's wiiiiiiiide.
 
I had one on my d700. It wasn't super sharp in the corners, but not bad. It's crazy wide and great fun.
You really need to be careful with it, I often got myself or my feet in the shot!

I only sold it cos I needed to be able to use my lee filters.
 
I have the 12-24mm version 1 and like it. Sure it's not as good as an L lens but its wide on my 1DIV and I use it when my 17-40mm isn't wide enough

Remember though that the equivalent field of view of the 10-20mm on a 60D is 16-32mm so on a full frame camera you might be better with a 17-40mm. The 12-24mm on a 5D will give a wider image than your 10-20mm on a 60D

Neil
 
I have a 12-24mm, first version, and have used it on 20D and now on 5D.

I think it's a good lens and it performed better on my 20D than my previous Canon 10-22mm. There are those on this forum who'll no doubt tell you the Siggy is pants and the corners are crap but honestly I think you should just try one for yourself. There's no real distortion and it's wiiiiiiiide.

Thanks for that. I get the impression that the latest version is significantly better and, yes, I've seen comments about corner softness, though I've seen some of them refuted! Unfortunately, try before I buy isn't an option.
 
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You really need to be careful with it, I often got myself or my feet in the shot!

I've done something similar with the 10-20 and Management thought I was being funny when I kept having to ask her to move an unusually long way to get her out of shot!
 
Remember though that the equivalent field of view of the 10-20mm on a 60D is 16-32mm so on a full frame camera you might be better with a 17-40mm. The 12-24mm on a 5D will give a wider image than your 10-20mm on a 60D

Neil

Thanks. I've been playing with the consequences of full frame v crop and I'm OK with the longer end as I can cover it with my Canon 24-105. At the wider end I'm willing to lose with the 12-24 compared with the 10-20 on the 60D for what I can gain on the 5D3.
 
Well, just to be clear... You don't completely lose the ability to use filters. It'll take gel filters at the camera end and at the other end if you leave the bucket in place you can use filters at least at the longer focal lengths although a filter holder like a Cokin will probably be visible at all focal lengths on full frame.
 
12-24 on FF = FoV (35mm eq) 12-24
10-20 on 1.5x crop = FoV (35mm eq) 15-30.

No real comparison!

I thought I had some comparison shots using the 10-20 and the 12-25 on my D700 but can only find examples showing how bad the vignetting is from the 10-20 on a FF body.

4050193432_c3c925124a.jpg


and

4050193420_526824ab9e.jpg


I do have the same scene shot with the 12-24, although, IIRC, Yv had it stuck on the front of her D300 (the 10-20 was hers) but it's on a different machine and isn't on Flickr.

I may be on that machine later, and may even rustle up the energy to resize, upload and post it!
 
Thanks for the comparison images. The full frame v crop focal length differences are not really an issue for me. I'm more interested in how the lenses compare in terms of image and build quality.
 

My sister used to shoot with the wrong lens hood on to deliberately get that effect :D

OP. The first version of the 12-24mm that I have seems and feels very well built and the HSM works brilliantly.
 
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The 12-24 is one of their EX range, indicating a higher build quality than lesser ranges. Not sure if the 10-20 meets the same criterion. Certainly the 12-24 feels a lot more solid in usethan the 10-20.

Alan, my 8mm fisheye gives me a full circular image but the vignette on that is because it only covers 180°.
 
I've got a 12-24mk1 and a 5dmk3. It's better than I expected it to be, but you can get really good deals for the new one on HK based sites. The new lens is sharper in the corners by a fair margin, and slightly sharper in the centre from the few shots I've seen online (I haven't really looked into it too much).

It's definitely a lens I'd suggest people buy over the 10-20. When I bought it originally I had FF in mind, and that was when I was skint and only had a 300D years ago :D
 
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