Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC Contemporary

This 2025 prime gives APS-C mirrorless photographers a very wide 12mm view paired with a bright F1.4 aperture. Sigma offers it in Sony E, Fujifilm X and Canon RF mounts, so choose the version made for your camera. It suits night skies, dim interiors and landscapes where you cannot step back from the scene.

The fixed focal length means you adjust framing by changing position. Moving also changes perspective, so check the relative sizes of foreground and background details. There is no built-in stabilisation. A camera with body stabilisation can help with shake, while a tripod supports long night exposures.

The Sony E version weighs 7.9 oz (225 g) and measures 2.68 in (68 mm) across and 2.73 in (69.4 mm) long. Weight and dimensions differ for Fujifilm X and Canon RF. A screw-in filter attaches directly to the 62mm front thread. The compact body is useful when packing a small kit for a walk.

At 12mm on an APS-C sensor, this lens takes in a very wide view of a scene. It suits night skies, building interiors and streets where space is tight.

The f/1.4 maximum aperture admits more light than a smaller opening. For stars, this can allow a shorter exposure or lower ISO. It also helps in dim interiors, but the available light still determines practical settings. Check whether the shutter speed is suitable for both camera shake and any moving subject.

Closest focus is 0.6 ft (17.2 cm), measured from the sensor. A rock, plant or railing can become a foreground detail within a wider view. Leave space ahead of the lens for light, and check that the camera does not shade the subject. A close focusing distance does not mean the background will also be sharp.

Stop down when more depth of field is needed across a landscape. At f/1.4, a close subject can have a soft background. Choose aperture and focus position for the picture you want, and inspect near and distant details before finishing a sequence.

Weather sealing helps keep dust and moisture out of the lens, which suits outdoor work when conditions turn damp.

The front has a water- and oil-repellent coating to help with cleaning. Remove loose grit before wiping the surface. Keep both ends capped during transport, especially when carrying the lens through dusty surroundings.

There is no image stabilisation in the lens. Firm support is useful for still scenes in low light. A tripod holds the composition for a long exposure, but it cannot stop a person or branch from moving. Choose a suitable shutter speed when subject movement matters.

The formula uses three double-sided aspherical elements and two SLD glass elements. Aspherical surfaces help correct spherical aberration and distortion, which can make straight building edges appear curved. SLD glass helps reduce chromatic aberration, the coloured fringes that can appear along high-contrast edges such as branches against bright sky.