Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Robi68

sent on 08 Maggio 2024

Pros: Definitive!

Cons: Optically and mechanically none, if we want to say the price and the lack of aperture ring, but these are things that you know before taking it.

Opinion: For Sony and also for Fuji I tried almost all UWAs. Nothing compares to the quality I find in this zoom. I've been doing the mail since it came out, but I've been circling around it for years, testing for Sony both the little brother of the G series, all the excellent Voigtlander, and the Sigma 14-24, the only one that in terms of zoom has shown me to have, almost, the same incredible quality as this 12-24 GM. But the Sigma stops at 14 and as a focal length you can see the difference. The GM is basically 6 fixed lenses of the highest quality, enclosed in a body that is all in all compact and not very heavy, (the Sigma has a slightly lower weight and size and to have a 12 you still have to carry a fixed one...), and all 6 of these lenses are perfectly correct, both in terms of aberrations and distortion and with a record-breaking sharpness. Another nice plus is the solar star, at the level of the Voigtlander, despite the high number of diaphragm blades. I understand the criticism for the filters, which can be mounted in the appropriate rear housing, but I don't use them so I'm fine with it as it is. For those like me who love these focal lengths and use Sony I can only say that there is nothing better, if you want to have the highest quality with the great versatility of a zoom this is the non plus ultra. Grade 10 laude.

Luca Schiavetta

sent on 17 Settembre 2023

Pros: Sharpness, excellent construction, optical quality

Cons: Cost, obligation of rear filters or 150mm plates

Opinion: Exceptional lens from every point of view, very sharp already at f2.8, both at 12mm and 24mm, faithful colors and excellent contrasts. In my opinion it gives the best of itself on the machines of series R (RIV - RV), with many mp, managing to capture remarkable details. Considering the extreme focal length it is not even too large and heavy (remember that it is f2.8!). The front lens is very rounded and at 12mm it extends a little outwards and despite being protected by a small fixed hood you have to be careful. Unfortunately it is not possible to mount screw filters and you have to orient yourself compulsorily towards the rear filters (not really a walk to put every time) or 150mm plates (huge and expensive). Surely the cost is very high, but we are talking about a GMaster optics, or the non plus ultra of Sony, to have absolutely, especially in the landscape.

Maurizio Angelin

sent on 28 Maggio 2023

Pros: Focal range, construction, optical qualities, Sony Italia warranty with extension also for lenses import Europe

Cons: Missing diaphragm ring

Opinion: What can I say? Today it is the only 12-24 f2.8 on the market and therefore represents THE state of the art of ultra wide-angle zooms. To consider in my evaluation two important factors: the first that reaches 12 mm (and we all know the design difficulty of "going down" from 14 mm to 12 mm) and the second that was put to the whip combining it with the A7r4 first and then the A7r5 (only ML FF with 61 Mpx sensor). With these bodies we are very close to the yield of "medium format" sensors and the combination, for a landscaper, is the best that can be obtained without switching to higher formats. The overall optical yield is simply spectacular, the center/edge rendering is unique, the distortion is negligible and becomes even more so considering its minimum focal length. https://www.juzaphoto.com/galleria.php?l=it&t=4242942 The AF, thanks also to the linear motors (another uniqueness in this range of focal lengths), is very fast (obviously there are differences depending on the body on which it is mounted). Those who preceded me have already said everything authoritatively about coma and flare, and in particular Matteo Bertetto. Price, size, weight and price I think are in line with the focal lengths covered and the construction level (you buy it import Europe for less than 2300 sesterces). For those who have Sony definitely a "must have". On the price I invite you to make this simple consideration to those who love ultra wide-angle focal lengths: cost of a 14-24 + cost of a 12 mm (which however does not reach f2.8) Vs cost of Sony 12-24 f2.8. I did not put among the "cons" the impossibility of mounting circular filters and stabilization because I think that demanding them from a 12 mm f2.8 is excessive. Finally, I find it relevant and appreciable that Sony Italia recognizes the warranty (and also its extension) to European import lenses.

Sirio

sent on 20 Gennaio 2023

Pros: The perfect wide-angle

Cons: Certainly the price

Opinion: Really wonderful lens... It gives excellent shots for colors and sharpness even at the edges at 12. Carefully built... using it you immediately feel the quality of the materials used, as per recent GM "tradition". Very high price... but for Sony I don't see any viable alternatives. Definitely recommended... I tried many wide angles on Canon and Nikon... but this one from Sony is in another category... Vote 10.

Jok3r

sent on 04 Dicembre 2022

Pros: All

Cons: Price if not compared to quality and if interested in filters there is to carry around the swag plates 150mm

Opinion: The best lens I have used and owned, is wonderful from all points of view, a blade at f2.8 as at f16, flare resistance, lightness and compactness (remember 12-24mm 2.8 !) There is not much to say so far I do not think there is a wide angle on the market that can rival this for focal extension / brightness / size. Dezooming from 24 to 12 the front lens always moves internally but advances as a protrusion and becomes a little more "vulnerable" not to be protected by the hood from shocks

Matteo Bertetto

sent on 22 Agosto 2020

Pros: Sharpness, flare resistance, autofocus, material quality

Cons: price :-), inability to mount screw filters

Opinion: Huge lens, long awaited in the house of all Sonyists!!! it was just missing something of quality and ultra-wide angle very bright and with this 12-24 g master f/2.8 Sony just closed the circle. Of course the price is not cheap, but over time it will come down and for the moment I can say that it is more than justified. We are talking about a Sony lens, but G Master, so top quality!! The sharpness is exceptional as always in all Sony/Zeiss lenses, in the edges works very well, I can say that in my opinion does not suffer from coma, and I tried it on r IV, where with 61mpx if there are problems emerge immediately. The brightness is the highlight of this lens, which at the same time does not even suffer from flare. I was really amazed when at night, in front of the strong lights of Manarola and Vernazza, it did not produce the slightest flare!! Amazing!! Even the weight in the end is not excessive, because we stay under the kg with its 847g, and the clutter is the minimum union that a lens so can give. Compared to its peers (es tamron 15-30) the lens is much smaller and lighter. Finally, closing the diaphragm, it has a wonderful star, the tips alternate, a longer one and a shorter one, really a note of character of this lens that will surely distinguish it among all in time. I received it in rehearsal to test it and review it, after a few hours I decided not to return it and to keep it :-)

Kobezzz

sent on 18 Agosto 2020

Pros: Construction, Autofocus, Sharpness, Vignetting, Flare, Materials, Rear Filters

Cons: Nothing

Opinion: Let's start with the very first impressions. Arrived about a week ago, the optics are built very well. Both the size and the aspheric lens are greater than in the 12-24 f4 and not by a little, despite this increase in hand it is not at all heavy. The design of the lens is eye-catching compared to 12-24 g. Improved the fixed light rail, larger than 12-24 g and this helps protect the aspheric lens from shocks and scratches. The angle of field is equal to 12-24 g and at 12mm it is absolutely fantastic. There is no stabilization, not bad, but autofocus has improved a lot (speed) compared to 12-24 g. The flare is practically absent from f11 to f22 with solar and artificial lights alternating with a star spendila, with long, short tips alternating. In the edges the sharpness is excellent at all openings. Surprised in positive for the vignetting which is very but very light from f8 to f16. Interesting the possibility of installing the filters in the appropriate back thread (in addition to the specific holder), too bad that there is only one slot. In the box there is the appropriate shape to cut the filters of the right size. Surprised positively by the warranty extension (2+1) once the lens is registered on the Sony website. The price is perhaps the only thing that goes out: 3300 euros (price list), they are too many but for those who have the 12-24 g the passage is almost automatic as between the two optics the difference is very noticeable, also with an ultra wide-angle zoom like this with this quality all fixed from 12mm to 24mm become useless.