Sigma AF 12-24mm vs. Tokina AF 12-24mm vs. Nikkor AF-S 12-24mm

[KangS]

If you intend to keep the lens for a long time and you see yourself moving to a FF camera in the future (2-3 years), then the Sigma 12-24 is the only option! Unless you take the Nikon or Canon 14mm primes. :dunno:

Regarding the distortion part, the percentage may seem small, but when you take buildings, it can be seen as some of the guys on the net seem to report. :think:

As for filters, well it is possible to make a suitable mount for filters for that lens, if you're willing to spend that kind of money. In fact based on rough estimates, the smallest filter size that can cover the 12mm breath would be 95mm with a suitable adapter. You certainly won't want to know how much a 95mm CPL filter costs though! :bigeyes::sweat:

 

[KangS]

Ok... let me rephrase myself on the 95mm filter part.

If you're only willing to use 'branded' filters, then 95mm and maybe even 105mm is way, way expensive... but there are more 'affordable' alternatives it seems on the net ! :embrass:

 

[calebk]

looks like sigma needs to tighten their QC a little bit. when i bought my sigma 10-20mm, i tested 4 to get a good copy.

Thankfully, the first copy I tested was tack sharp.

Here's a sample from the 10-20. Like its bigger brother, it handles distortion very well too. The flag stick is actually bent. It's not distortion.

 

[FilterFunk]

here is a sample with the Tokina 12-24.. distortion handled v.well too.

 

[daydreamz]

wow...nice pics guys! but then if most things equal then would the sigma 10-22 not make the obvious best choice due to the extra wide 2mm (10-20) v/s 12-24?? quite confused since i hear the tokina is a great lens too but then the sigma offers this extra wide 2mm and both are nearly the same price (in the used lens market here in b&s)...any comments?

 

[KangS]

For the 5D, only the Sigma 12-24 will fit the bill. Or perhaps the 14mm primes from Sigma, Canon. If 'Ultra-wide' is the objective on the 5D.

 

[calebk]

Heh looks like I've thrown a spanner into the works.

You have to ask yourself if the added 2mm (which is a lot!) on the wide end is critical for you, as a trade-off to a constant f/4.

On top of that, you have to think whether you will be using screw-on filters (the Sigma 12-24 can't do that).

After that, you have to consider also whether you will be upgrading to FF.

 

[daydreamz]

thanks calebk. Honestly, am not sure as this will be the first wide lens I will use...so do not know if the extra 2mm over the 12-24 is a value add or not. It seems to be on the face of it, also given that it comes at the same price of the tokina 12-24.

on the other hand constant f/4 does not seem like a big value add since this lens is anyways gonna be used outdoors mostly, landscapes etc where a higher f may not really help (unlike portraits or indooer use where f2.8 or 3.5 etc lenses are great)

the reviews on tokina 12-24 are really very good, and is a worthy lens to be considered. however the extra 2mm of the sigma at the same price kinda still confuses me...hmmmm...which to buy ...!?!?

Heh looks like I've thrown a spanner into the works.

You have to ask yourself if the added 2mm (which is a lot!) on the wide end is critical for you, as a trade-off to a constant f/4.

On top of that, you have to think whether you will be using screw-on filters (the Sigma 12-24 can't do that).

After that, you have to consider also whether you will be upgrading to FF.

 

[m3lv1nh0]

Bro.. I'm also looking at the Sigma 10-20mm or the Canon EF-s 10-20mm.. price difference is big.. couldn't find anyone selling in the B&S forum too..

I truely believe that that extra 2mm makes a difference.. I'm getting a UWA lens so might as well get the widest available.. I do have the tamron 17-50mm to make up for the rest of the focal length.

Wanna join forces to bargain at shops for a better prize?

 

[calebk]

Bro.. I'm also looking at the Sigma 10-20mm or the Canon EF-s 10-20mm.. price difference is big.. couldn't find anyone selling in the B&S forum too..

I truely believe that that extra 2mm makes a difference.. I'm getting a UWA lens so might as well get the widest available.. I do have the tamron 17-50mm to make up for the rest of the focal length.

Wanna join forces to bargain at shops for a better prize?

Hate to burst your bubble, but usually for photography equipment and accessories, buying together cannot and will not bring your price down.

 

[calebk]

thanks calebk. Honestly, am not sure as this will be the first wide lens I will use...so do not know if the extra 2mm over the 12-24 is a value add or not. It seems to be on the face of it, also given that it comes at the same price of the tokina 12-24.

on the other hand constant f/4 does not seem like a big value add since this lens is anyways gonna be used outdoors mostly, landscapes etc where a higher f may not really help (unlike portraits or indooer use where f2.8 or 3.5 etc lenses are great)

the reviews on tokina 12-24 are really very good, and is a worthy lens to be considered. however the extra 2mm of the sigma at the same price kinda still confuses me...hmmmm...which to buy ...!?!?

I weigh it this way.

Why I went for the Sigma over the Tokina is because with 10-20, I can still zoom in to 12mm if I want to, but with the Tokina, I can't zoom out to 10mm.

Actually, the Sigma's price is considerably higher, at around $890, while the Tokina is now selling as low as $750 first hand, so that's another spanner into the works.

I decided to go for the Sigma in the end because I like the 10mm, and the rather silent focusing (as compared to Tokina's buzzy motor - a no-no because I shoot in church often).

 

[m3lv1nh0]

Hate to burst your bubble, but usually for photography equipment and accessories, buying together cannot and will not bring your price down.

Oh man.. it's ok.. I'm still gonna get the Sigma..

btw.. how do you test to determine if the lens is sharp? esp when r u at the shop and cannot download the image to a laptop to view it in 100%? Thanks

 

[daydreamz]

thanks guys, very useful thoughts. am headed to hk next month, so probably will buy the sigma 10-20 there...hear it's only S$650-670 there. actually krw's wide lenses comparison which someone has earlier posted a link to is very insightful. it shows that the tokina 12-24 is actually very close in all parameters to even the nikon 12-24...which is outstanding for a third party lens. the sigma 10-20 fared no3, and last was the tamron 11-18. tokina build quality also quite nice as per that report.

but ur right, in the end the extra 2mm of sigma does offer a winning point to score over the tokina 12-24. esp since if one is buying a wide lens, then may as well buy the widest one available in the same or similar price range.

thanks again. :thumbsup:

 

[FilterFunk]

i chose the Tokina over Sigma for a few reasons:
1. constant F4 aperture, the Sigma is F5.6 on its tele end
2. built quality, Sigma's coating peels, YMMV though. (after my last experience with a Sigma 70-200 EX coating). :sweat:
3. Price, the tokina is cheaper and loses 2mm on its wide end. but on construction wise, it is built like a Tank.

lastly, over the motor issue, while the Sigma is quieter than the Tokina, it is nowhere as high pitched as the one from the Tamron 17-50.

just my 2c

 

[daydreamz]

thanks bro. so you didn't think the extra 2mm in the Sigma (at nearly the same price) was worth considering? yeah...no doubt the build & IQ of the tokina is the best tho.

i chose the Tokina over Sigma for a few reasons:
1. constant F4 aperture, the Sigma is F5.6 on its tele end
2. built quality, Sigma's coating peels, YMMV though. (after my last experience with a Sigma 70-200 EX coating). :sweat:
3. Price, the tokina is cheaper and loses 2mm on its wide end. but on construction wise, it is built like a Tank.

lastly, over the motor issue, while the Sigma is quieter than the Tokina, it is nowhere as high pitched as the one from the Tamron 17-50.

just my 2c

 

[FilterFunk]

yes, the 2mm is useful.. but there is only 'so much' my wallet can offer at that time..

but i will get the 10-22 if i got the budget, original = usually the best..

 

[calebk]

thanks guys, very useful thoughts. am headed to hk next month, so probably will buy the sigma 10-20 there...hear it's only S$650-670 there. actually krw's wide lenses comparison which someone has earlier posted a link to is very insightful. it shows that the tokina 12-24 is actually very close in all parameters to even the nikon 12-24...which is outstanding for a third party lens. the sigma 10-20 fared no3, and last was the tamron 11-18. tokina build quality also quite nice as per that report.

but ur right, in the end the extra 2mm of sigma does offer a winning point to score over the tokina 12-24. esp since if one is buying a wide lens, then may as well buy the widest one available in the same or similar price range.

thanks again. :thumbsup:

This was one of KRW's better reviews. I read through all the material and I have to agree that it was a very well done test.

 

[m3lv1nh0]

Bros.. went to MS color and was quoted $900 for the Sigma 10-20mm. Now there's a guy offering his 3 yr old Canon EF-s 10-20mm for $850? Which offer is better?

Thanks..

 

[calebk]

Bros.. went to MS color and was quoted $900 for the Sigma 10-20mm. Now there's a guy offering his 3 yr old Canon EF-s 10-20mm for $850? Which offer is better?

Thanks..

I wouldn't get the 3-year old 10-22, simply because of wear-and-tear. The USM drive might give way soon.

In other news, it seems MS Color's price is rather steep, because I got mine cheaper at John 3:16. You might wanna check them out. Great service, too.

 

[daydreamz]

think the sigma 10-22 price should be S$800 +/- ...no more!