SIGMA 14-24MM F2.8 DG HSM | A
It’s the second ‘widest’ lens in the group, but still manages a fast f2.8 aperture rating and aims for negligible distortions
Giving an object lesson in zoom range and aperture versus physical size, this lens doesn’t go quite as wide as the sigma 12-24mm art lens but gains a full f-stop in aperture width, and is virtually identical in size and weight. as with all of the lenses on test, it has a bulbous front element and a permanently attached lens hood, giving physical protection as well as helping to reduce ghosting and flare. That said, sigma offers to remove the petal-shaped hood and exchange it for a stubby circular version, which reduces odd-looking shadows when creating virtual reality environments, if using multiple cameras in video capture.
as with the other sigma, an ultra-high-precision moulded glass aspherical element heads up the optical path, supplemented by two further aspherical elements. There’s one more element in total, bringing the count up to 17, this time including three FLD and three sLD (special Low Dispersion) elements.
Better built for the great outdoors, the newer 14-24mm art lens is shod with a comprehensive set of weather seals, rather than just having a weathersealed mounting plate. again, fluorine coatings are on hand to repel grease and moisture, and to aid easy cleaning. sigma’s usual super Multi-Layer coatings are applied to reduce ghosting and flare. Handling is equally superb in both sigma lenses, with silky-smooth operation of the zoom and focus rings.
not only does this lens give slightly better centre sharpness than sigma’s 12-24mm zoom, but it retains better sharpness in the edges and corners of the frame, even when shooting wide open. That’s despite its wider f2.8 aperture rating. Better still, whereas the 12-24mm lens delivers very low levels of distortion, this one is a virtually distortion-free lens, throughout its entire zoom range. colour fringing is also reduced to entirely negligible amounts.