Absurd Lens

When I was getting started in photography seriously, let’s call it the 1970s, I don’t think any lens wider than 21mm was at all commonly available for 35mm photographers.  Oh, there were a couple of fisheyes, including Nikon’s monumental 6mm f/2.8; and their 15mm rectilinear came out in 1973, but I never heard of it then.

A few years have passed since then, and today UPS delivered to me a 12mm rectilinear wideangle.  In fact, a 12-24mm zoom.  For full-frame 35mm (film or digital).

12mm.  I’m still appalled.

Here’s a fairly ordinary view of my room (which will be a bit surprising to people familiar with it).

12mm used for a fairly ordinary view.
12mm used for a fairly ordinary view.

And here’s a rather more interesting view from close to the same location.

12mm used from an unusual angle
12mm used from an unusual angle

I am a happy camper.

(Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6.  Slow, bulgy, fragile, large.  And remarkably cheap with a little shopping (I beat the B&H price on the day I ordered it by $200, which is unusual from any vaguely reputable dealer).)