Sigma 12-24 ART vs Laowa 12mm Zero D | Pros and Cons

Sigma 12-24 f/4 ART vs Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero D | Pros and Cons. In this episode photographer Dustin Abbott takes a look at two very different ways to get to 12mm on full frame. Which of these options are better for you? Watch to find out! Laowa Review: bit.ly/2h28TKx | Sigma 12-24 ART Review: | Buy the Laowa: bhpho.to/2fSO5k0 | Buy the Sigma: bhpho.to/2fRfE0r | Zhiyun Crane - USA: bhpho.to/2gDJhnC - Europe: bit.ly/2fWMWbQ
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[@peterb666]

I picked up a second-hand Laowa 12mm in Nikon mount and it is a fantastic little lens for full-frame. It compliments my Nikon 18-35mm AF-S lens very well and certainly makes up for the limitation of the Nikon lens at the wide end. The Laowa is a fun lens to use and doesn't take up too much room in a camera bag. I use mine with 130mm wide Cokin filters which I already had. I leave the filter adaptor on all the time instead of using the standard lens hood. Pity it wasn't supplied as standard.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I bought one, too, though I primarily use it via the MSC on Sony for when shooting architecture or interiors.

[@friartist]

Thank you for an excellent review! I just want to add: you explicitly state that EXIF info means a lot to you, so I have to add: Nikon users have this info with the Laowa 12mm. Except Nikon does not have a 12mm entry in their Non-CPU lens table, so my Laowa is entered as 13mm. This magic is performed using a mechanical diaphragm feeler in the lens. Quoting my Nikon D800 manual, section: "Non-CPU Lenses": By specifying lens data (lens focal length and maximum aperture), the user can gain access to a variety of CPU lens functions when using a non-CPU lens. • Lens focal length is listed (with an asterisk) in the playback photo info display If the maximum aperture of the lens is known: • The aperture value is displayed in the control panel and viewfinder • Flash level is adjusted for changes in aperture • Aperture is listed (with an asterisk) in the playback photo info display Specifying both the focal length and maximum aperture of the lens: • Enables color matrix metering (note that it may be necessary to use center-weighted or spot metering to achieve accurate results with some lenses, including Reflex-NIKKOR lenses) • Improves the precision of center-weighted and spot metering and i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Unfortunately that doesn't mean enough to me to switch to Nikon :) It is good that such a precedent is there, however, as I would like to see Canon add that functionality.

[@friartist]

Hi Dustin! yes it is nice. I cannot imagine a business case for Canon to add such a functionality, however. I have the Laowa 12mm F2.8, the zeiss 35 F2 and the Samyang 14mm F2.8 that all work seamlessly with my Nikon D800, except that they are manual focus all 3 of course. I supplement the 12mm with the light and affordable Nikon 24mm F1.8. On top of that (literally, in a photographic sense) I have the Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 that adds stabilization and an exciting opportunity for varying compositions by just zooming, not changing lenses.

[@ScottDumas]

Great informative review as always! Both very interesting lenses and I love seeing 3rd party lenses getting better and better. Finally having some level of weather sealing on the Sigma is great too. I agree with others that a comparison to the Canon 11-24 would be awesome if/when possible! :)

[@AgnostosGnostos]

I hope Laowa 12mm will be available soon in Amazon. Certainly a unique lens. No bothering with barrel distortion correction in Lightroom.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It is a pretty unique lens!

[@guardianobserver6593]

Achilleas Labrou I am happy that economic crisis is now a history for Greece.

[@michaels8597]

perhaps i might get both..Laowa for my DSLR and the Sigma for a Canon Mirrorless,or Sony,whatever..everything is still on the table until the middle of 2019...

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Not a bad plan. I'm about to review the Laowa Magic Shift Converter, which is another interest twist (but only if you have a Sony mirrorless body at the moment).

[@jameslarsen9814]

Great review, as usual! I like the Laowa 12mm a lot - but if I went with one of their wide angles, I'd probably get their 15mm f4, because of the 1:1 macro ratio - it can get you some really, really unique photos.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's an interesting lens.

[@arthurgphotography]

The 12mm can also do wide angle macro. It can focus until practically touching the front element.

[@a2roland]

Thank You, Thank You! Sir! You are a LIFE saver!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to help out.

[@alivenesscyclingroadcyclin2673]

I would be very interested in seeing how the Canon 11-24mm f4L compares to these lenses. Sure, the price of this lens is very high, but it is a very tempting proposition - exactly that is why I would hate to have to make a decision without your advice. Any chance you will be able to review the Canon 11-24 sometime this year? Greetings, dirk

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Dirk, I can't say for certain. There are so many lenses on my list already!!

[@alivenesscyclingroadcyclin2673]

Dustin, I am sure you have many surprises lined up for us. Actually, even better that you place such an emphasis on non-1st.party lenses. That has certainly widened my horizon. Thanks!

[@dirkstadil8621]

Thanks Dustin for another great, wideangle-related video. I like the formfactor of the Laowa, but i think 12mm is a little too wide for me. Do you have any plans to review the IRIX 15mm? I read quite mixed Reviews of this lens and would be thrilled to see you take on it.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I wouldn't mind reviewing the Irix, but I don't have a source for it at the moment.

[@dirkstadil8621]

Thanks for the quick reply. Retailers are quite rare until now. Maybe that changes in the future... Have a great day 😉

[@peteranderson6932]

Personally, I would love to see your impressions of the Irix 11mm F/4 coming out in about 2-weeks.

[@philindeblanc]

If you read the few Negative reviews on purchasers of the SIgma, you notice they complain about distortions that LR lens correction does not fix. So this looks like a very bad choice for architecture. Do you have some tests of the Sigma on a grid at different focal points? I also read that if adapting it from a EF lens to a Sony adapter you get even more issues. Your thoughts? Great points made.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I used that lens for some branding projects for the most high end hotel brand in Canada, and they were very happy with my results. I haven't used the 12-24 adapted to Sony.

[@PeacePham1991]

Thank you for the review! Which one has a better handle on distortion?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Laowa has ever-so-slightly less, but that's not an issue for either.

[@seminolecapt]

Nice review of the key issues. Comparison reviews like this are very helpful.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to help out!

[@vznz7]

Hey Dustin, how would you compare the Sony 12-24 F4 to the 12mm laowa?? I already have the laowa but I’ve been looking at the Sony for the auto focusing cause the manual focusing is quite tedious and I’ll often have to constantly check to make sure I’m focused.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I haven't used the Sony, so I'm not sure.

[@samuelabbott4718]

Awesome video!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks, Sam

[@mashamasha2725]

Mr.Abbott, do you know a place in Toronto where I can buy Laowa 12mm?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I do. store.amplis.com/c/lenses_laowa (they are in Markham). If you use this code (AMPLIS52016DA) you can even get 5% deducted off everything in your cart.

[@mashamasha2725]

Thanks ,that is so kind of you!

[@danielbeckendorfer9833]

Hey Dustin thanks for your detailed review. Which one would you recommend for Real Estate shootings? Wide angle lenses gots often perspective distortion. Would you say to avoid perspective distortion its better to have a zoom lense like the Sony 12-24mm or its better to buy a Magic Shift Converter with the Laowa 12mm for this application? Thanks

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Magic Shift Converter or a T/S lens is the only real way to avoid perspective distortion.

[@danielbeckendorfer9833]

Thanks for the quick reply. What i dont get is that Christopher Frost is saying you got a Laowa 12mm and 17mm with the MGC. If you mounted the MGC on the 12mm is it always 17mm F4 or just if you are shifting? Thanks

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Probably when shifted.

[@aziznasuti2038]

Thanks again Dustin for another nice video. I have Laowa 12mm (Sony E version) I would say it is very copact and very good but flare resistance is not that great! I am thinking about Tamron 15-30 mm could you please let me know how it compares to this 12-24 sigma. If you want to choose one which one you pick?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I do really like the Tamron. I've used it extensively over the past almost two years.

[@aziznasuti2038]

Thanks Dustin,, I am really thinking to buy it with the full Lee filters.

[@Weatherby86]

Dustin you'd pick the Tamron over the Sigma? I'm considering the same thing right now, replacing a Tamron 15-30 that was stolen but I had it for a while it and it was amazing

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I own the Tamron and love it...BUT...this last weekend, when I needed to do architectural/interior work, I borrowed the 12-24 from Sigma. It all depends on your shooting needs.

[@philindeblanc]

@ Dustin Abbott I hear the distortion on the 12-24 sigma is bad for architecture, and worse when adapting from EF to Sony. Maybe a revisit, or do you have the grid tests done for distortion? Cheers!

[@wahabdilawar]

I want to get a super wide full frame NON-fish eye lens for my Nikon. What do you recommend?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Either or these is a good option.

[@MelvinDlaCruz]

about the distortion?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Both have next to no distortion

[@brucekirby1574]

Hi Dustin have you or will you be reviewing the Sigma 18 - 300 f3.5 -6.3 dc macro os hsm lens ? Thanks. Bruce

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Bruce, I probably won't. It's no longer a new lens, and I have 4 Sigma lenses to cover already this year!

[@ScottcNehrer]

What does the shift adapter do? Or in what scenario would you benefit from using it?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It can help you to reduce perspective distortion and get straighter lines - very valuable for architectural work.

[@ScottcNehrer]

So if I were to purchase this to use on an a7sII for real estate video work it's probably a must I assume. I thought the lens already claims "Zero Distortion"

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

+Cameron Scott You need to watch my episode on "Really Distortion Free?" (Look in the Laowa playlist). It will help you understand the difference between barrel distortion and perspective distortion.

[@ScottcNehrer]

Thanks will do.

[@missionlinguistiquefrancop6356]

I'm not able to figure out what "CA" control means. (language barrier)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

chromatic aberration

[@howardkahn4330]

Sigma is better, image wise ....for me, under 70mm I do not need stabilization.....manual focus is not interesting to me... thats why I buy f4, so it will not be sharp until f8, smile.......

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

This lens is actually better at f/4 than f/8

[@browaterboy7968]

brother i am still awaiting for tamron g2 vs canon 100-400 usm ll

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I don't have a date scheduled for that yet. I need the right conditions, so it probably won't be until late February or early March.

[@browaterboy7968]

Dustin Abbott appreciate your kindness to take my request. m planned to buy 100-400mm usm ll on February end. Hope your video will upload before. Can tell the performance and focus capability with 80d. is it produces better result rather than other 3rd party lenses?.

[@MrKdr500]

i have both lenses ( the Tamron on loan) and the canon is sharper with a much faster and more reliable focus.

[@browaterboy7968]

MrKdr500 did you tested with. any apc body. hope you can help me to choose best one.

[@edrader]

laowa does not do 14 tho

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

??? It doesn't do 13-24mm, either.