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Ok, I've read some threads very recently and it seems to me that several of us are 1) going to purchase this lens and some of us 2) have purchased this lens. I love my landscape photography but want to know from those 'who have' how much of a fish-eye effect (distortion) does this lens make at close to 12mm? I was considering a fisheye converter but a couple of photographer friends have laughed at me saying why ruin a Merc. with mag wheels? The 12 - 24 costs a pretty penny and I want to know for sure it's a top shelf item before I break the piggy bank! Tell me about it all you 12 - 24mm DX owners....

To be honest, I'm a little disappointed at the build and finish of the 12-24DX. With its premium pricetag, it's shares too much in common with the kit lens, having the same plasticy build (it's not much bigger too, aside from the front 'lip' for 77mm filter attachment).
As for images... I'm sure if I trawl thru my pictures collection I'll find a few taken from reviewing Birddog's one. I'll post if/when I find.

Onyx wrote:To be honest, I'm a little disappointed at the build and finish of the 12-24DX. With its premium pricetag, it's shares too much in common with the kit lens, having the same plasticy build (it's not much bigger too, aside from the front 'lip' for 77mm filter attachment).
As for images... I'm sure if I trawl thru my pictures collection I'll find a few taken from reviewing Birddog's one. I'll post if/when I find.

Onyx,
In the new term of today, any Dx or new lens from Nikon are built the same way. Mainly plastic, even the camera body!.
Go back to 10 years ago: look at the 20-35/ 105DC/ 85/1.4/ 28/1.4 they're 95% metal.
The 12-24Dx is one of the lens I have in my inventory, I love the lens very much in taking wide angle shot in a confined space and you have no room to put yourself in reserve gear, distortion, it has distortion at 12 but even the 18-70 or the 17-35 still has its distortion degree.
It's one of the lens in my bag most of the time.

I bought this lens just before Christmas, and I think it is superb. Here is my original thread:
http://forum.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=1850&highlight=

You may also want to read Thom Hogan's review of the 12-24 DX:
http://www.bythom.com/1224lens.htm

I have no problems with the construction of the lens, just as I am happy with the kit lens and the D70 itself.

Yes, you will get distortion at 12mm. (There is some distortion at 18mm in the kit lens.) People say there is less distortion in the Sigma 12-24, but I have never used one, so I can't comment. Personally, I don't find the distortion offensive, but I'm not using this lens purely for architectural photography.

I kinda wish it was faster, so that it would be easier to use indoors. But outside, the minimum aperture is not a problem IMHO.
Good Luck

Hey! Where are all Sigma fans of the 12-24?
sirhc55? werewolf? and______?

Birddog114 wrote:Hey! Where are all Sigma fans of the 12-24?
sirhc55? werewolf? and______?

I've got Sigma 12-24. I'm not a Sigma fan but this lens are very good

Here is example, made on 12mm - http://hlop.net/gallery/NZ/Domain_Waiheke_II_033

Is the 10.5 fisheye worth buying over the 12-24 lens for photo's of rooms in houses?
Reason being my boss is interested in paying me to take pictures of his property development houses when there up for sale.
Is there any use of the short end of the 18-70mm kit lens for this project?
As always price is a major concern!

If he is wanting them to hlep advertise the property I would definitly stear away from the 10.5 fisheye. It is designed to have distortion and will look very unrealistic to a potential buyer. Depending on how bad the distortion of the 12-24 (either Nikon or Sigma) is would be the deciding factor as to whether this lens would suite. I would definitly be going for the 12-24 over the kit lens for the purpose you are talking about though.

Cheers,

Sorry if was unclear, I meant to say use the fisheye then PP using the Nikon software to turn it back into a "normal" picture.

I have sold many 12-24Dx to the Photogs who is doing photo for the Real Estate Industries.
They want to go with the Nikon 12-24Dx rather than the Sigma 12-24.
Please don't ask me why?

Paul wrote:Sorry if was unclear, I meant to say use the fisheye then PP using the Nikon software to turn it back into a "normal" picture.

I'd be thinking about workflow here. sounds like alot of work + (not sure of the possible losses in digital manipulation), all for an extra 1.5mm of lens

The other downside is with the 10.5 you would not have the additional uses applications of the 12-24. This is a very versitle lens and can be used portrait, lanscape etc - where the 10.5 is a very specialised (and thus less flexible) lens.

I have the Nikon 12-24 DX and, like cricketfan, am more than happy with it.

The image below shot at 24mm - it was taken at the long lens workshop & has had no cropping and minimal PP (larger version is here):



You might also like to look at this shot at 12mm which HAS had slight cropping but shows the image quality nicely.

From my observations (I have the Sigma 12-24mm) if the plane of the D70 is in the same plane of the shot to be taken there is very little distortion. As soon as you move the camera up or down away from the plane distortion will appear whether it be a Nikon or Sigma.

Chris PS Birdie - real estate agents by the Nikon glass coz’ they have money to burn

Chris

sirhc55 wrote:From my observations (I have the Sigma 12-24mm) if the plane of the D70 is in the same plane of the shot to be taken there is very little distortion. As soon as you move the camera up or down away from the plane distortion will appear whether it be a Nikon or Sigma.

Chris PS Birdie - real estate agents by the Nikon glass coz’ they have money to burn

Chris

1/ It's Correct Chris!
2/ Not really! but by my Sales & marketing skills!

Birddog114 wrote:Hey! Where are all Sigma fans of the 12-24?
sirhc55? werewolf? and______?

Thanks Birdy I've only had the Sigma for a few days and haven't really had a chance to utilise it. Managed to take a couple of trial shots down at Nan Tien on Tuesday and I gotta say the width is brilliant. Images are a little soft out of camera but sharpen up nicely in NC. Sharpness does appear to fade towards the edges but not to a great extent.

Very happy so far..............and when I get to grips with it I'll post a few shots.

Excellent build quality BTW, and the usual FANTASTIC deal and service from Birddog.

Great response! Now I have two lens makers to add grist. to the mill! I had no idea there existed a Sigma version. Just shows how much A) I don't know and B) how open and free D 70 forum members are. Thanks for all of the image links and downloads, for the distance stuff I think the 12mm is not an issue distortion wise. The Harbour Bridge and NZ Vineyard shots are both I'd be pleased to have taken myself. I'm convinced to lay off the wide angle converter and toss up for Nik. or Sig.
now which one.........

Many Thanks

Matty B.

I've been very happy with the Sigma 12-24 - I think it's got less distortion than the kit lens (which is not saying much really)

It starts looking very wide on a 35mm body!

Cheers

Paul, I needed a lens for property so chose the Sigma. Dont use the 10.5 and de fisheye as it is hard to add something not there and wont look as realistic as the 12-24 for interiors. I used a 20mm on a film camera prior and chose that as it was the widest without obvious distortion. Consumers have a feel for something which looks dodgy

I have the 10.5dx fisheye this Saturday for members to try and eval. I didn't like fisheye, the 12-24 Nikon or Sigma will do better job.

Well, today I received my new Nikkor 12-24DX and just love it's sharpness and DOF. Here's my first image from today... and oh yes that is blue sky in Melbourne.

http://www.pixspot.com/albums/userpics/Melb12-24DX.jpg

I have to say i'm really pleased with this lens.

Alistair

AlistairF wrote:Well, today I received my new Nikkor 12-24DX and just love it's sharpness and DOF. Here's my first image from today... and oh yes that is blue sky in Melbourne.

http://www.pixspot.com/albums/userpics/Melb12-24DX.jpg

I have to say i'm really pleased with this lens.

Alistair

Welcome to the 12-24 club alistairF - great pic by the way - you must let me know how you got the blue sky in PS

Chris

Thanks Chris, yes, that PS technique comes in handy to fool you Northerners

Here's another... I can't get over just how sharp the images are from this lens... I even did a A4 print on my R800 and then examined the print with a 8x loupe not a pixel out of place... i have to say i'm very chuffed with this lens.

http://www.pixspot.com/albums/userpics/CopperCod12-24DX.jpg

Not a "wow" pic, but damn sharp IMHO. Just shot in raw and then sized to 1024 pixels high jpg.

Alistair