Sony FE 12-24mm F/2.8 GM SEL1224GM

Sony made this lens for full-frame E-mount cameras and released it in 2020. It is an ultra-wide zoom that reaches 12mm at its shortest setting. That range suits architecture, interiors, landscapes and night-sky photography. The 24mm end gives a more moderate wide view when 12mm stretches a scene too far.

The constant f/2.8 maximum aperture is useful in dim interiors and at night. The lens also takes more bag space than a compact prime. Its very wide range suits photographers who regularly include large scenes or strong foregrounds. There is no stabilisation inside the lens.

The lens weighs 1 lb 13.9 oz (847 g) and measures 3.84 in (97.6 mm) across and 5.39 in (137 mm) long. Allow space for that body in your bag. There is no front filter thread, so ordinary screw-in filters cannot attach directly. Check a filter system for compatibility before planning a shoot that needs one.

The 12mm setting takes in a very wide view. It can help with small interiors and building exteriors, although the amount included depends on your position. Perspective follows viewpoint: moving near a foreground object makes it look larger relative to the background. Keep faces away from the extreme edges when their shape matters.

The f/2.8 maximum aperture stays available right through the zoom. That helps in dim interiors, where flash may be unwelcome, and at night. Night-sky work in particular benefits, because a wide opening lets faint stars register in less time than a smaller aperture would need.

Closest focus is 0.9 ft (28 cm), measured from the sensor. A nearby rock or plant can become a foreground subject with the wider scene behind it. Both will not necessarily be sharp together. Choose aperture and focus position for the depth you need, and check the result at a useful viewing size.

The lens is sealed against dust and moisture. That helps for landscape and outdoor architecture work, where wind-blown dust and damp air are part of the day.

A fluorine coating helps water and oil slide off the glass. That makes the front easier to clean after a dusty or coastal shoot. Loose grit should still be blown away first, since the coating eases cleaning rather than stopping abrasion.

There is no stabilisation in the lens. A camera with body stabilisation can help with shake, while a tripod supports long exposures of still scenes. A moving subject still needs a suitable shutter speed. There is no zoom lock; this alone does not establish whether the zoom will creep.

The design has four aspherical elements, including three XA elements. Their shaped surfaces help correct spherical aberration and distortion. That is useful when photographing buildings, where curved-looking straight edges are easy to notice. These design features do not establish measured image quality on their own.

Three ED and two Super ED elements help reduce chromatic aberration. This appears as coloured fringes along high-contrast edges such as branches against bright sky. Careful composition and exposure still matter when the scene contains bright highlights.