Sigma12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG IF HSM Aspherical Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras

I got it because I intend to use it on both my film and my digital bodies. For ultra wide angles I'll use it with film (Nikon N-80) and for more conventional wide angle with my Nikon D-200. It's one of three lenses I'm taking with me on vacation to the mountain states. The others are a Nikkor 28mm - 85mm and a Nikkor 70mm - 300mm with 2X Tamron SP doubler. Since I don't yet have photoshop or similar I wanted to be able to take real wide shots without having to paste them together.

Purchased this a little over a year ago. The only dissapointing thing was unlike the advertised picture this lens did NOT have the little auto/manual focus cut out switch (Nikon mount). I would love to have it on this lens but I have learned to work around that little shortfall.This lens is wonderful for capturing large vehicles up close (less than 15' away) such as Fire engines or trains. This lens enjoys lots of light. it will do a decent job in poor lighting but it really excells in brightly lit scenes. Focus time using a Nikon D5000 is quick in good lighting. There is however a significant amount of limit to limit "hunting" when shooting in Dusk/dawn situations in the shadows. The Nikon D5100 minimizes the hunting around with this lens and can usually focus quickly and spot on in poor lighting. I have found that using single point instead of wide area greatly reduces the hunting around with this lens on either camera.It is wonderful for getting pictures of huge subjects (tall buildings, cranes or large panoramics that capture everything high low and wide. It is easy to carry around and is a good lens to have in the bag. A lot of times i use this as my prime when documenting emergency scenes as it captures the big picture.Solid feel and have probably used it for over 1000 shots. Glad I got it when i did. I would have gone 5 stars if the switch was on the lens.

Sigma has been much maligned by the Nikon-brand lens snobs, and not without good reason. The build quality and optical clarity of the average Nikon lens easily trounces the average Sigma.This particular Sigma lens has been in my bag since 2004 (three years now) and has performed flawlessly in dusty, humid, and rainy conditions. I can't say that about every Nikon lens I have owned.Don't get me wrong-- this is not a flawless lens. It is weather sealed enough, but I doubt it would survive being dunked in water the way some (but not many) Nikon lenses would. It focuses faster than many Nikon lenses, but slower than competing Silent Wave Motor Nikons. It is quieter than any non-SWM Nikons, and almost as quiet as SWM. It focuses as well as any Nikon f/4.5-5.6 lens in similar lighting conditions.Now for the flaws. It has more chromatic aberration than Nikon's 12-24mm DX and 14-24mm FX lenses. It isn't as sharp, especially near the edges. But if your maximum print size is 8x10 you'll likely never notice.UPSIDES: Even though it works at full frame (important for those of us that still shoot film as well as digital) it is much cheaper than Nikons 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 DX lens-- a lens that is only good for DX-sized sensor digital Nikons. It is less than 1/3 the price of the recently released FX (full-frame) 14-24mm f/2.8 Nikon lens.Granted, the professional Nikon 14-24mm lens is clearly the best of the bunch, but most of us can't afford that extravagance. When I bought this lens it was the only 12-24mm lens available, and given the offerings from Nikon and other third-party lens makers, I can't regret this purchase for one moment.While I'd like to own the new professional Nikon 14-28mm f/2.8 lens, that won't be in my budget in the foreseeable future. My buying advice: take your camera to a good local camera shop and try this lens (and its competitors) for yourself. I'm confident many of you will agree that the Sigma, while it is not the best lens, is good enough and the best compromise-- given the price.Cheers.

This one led lens doesn’t work in live mode!

This was better than described. Excellent value we will continue to buy from seller. He even included the original box, the lens case and paperwork.We have used it numerous times and it is in perfect working condition. No scratches or wear and tear at all.

Awesome lens but can't use filters