PERGEAR 12mm 1: 2 HD.FMC Review

For the provided lens PERGEAR 12mm 1: 2 HD.FMC many thanks official Pergear representative.

Navigation

1. In short
2. All PERGEAR Lenses
3. Main Specifications
4. Assembly
5. Focusing
6. Image quality
7. Sample Photos
8. My experience
9. Alternatives
10. All Sony APS-C E cameras
11. All original lenses for Sony APS-C E
12. Video review
13. Price
14. Results
15. User Comments
16. Add your review or question on the lens

In this review, the PERGEAR 12mm 1: 2 HD.FMC lens will be abbreviated as 'Pergear 12/2'.

Please note that the Pergear 12/2 lens is available in different mounts. This review shows the Pergear 12/2 version for Sony E mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensor. At the same time, Pergear 12/2 is also available with bayonets Nikon Z, Fujifilm x and Micro 4/3 (for some reason there is no option for Canon EF-M).

In short

The Pergear 12/2 is a modern manual ultra-wide angle lens for cropped mirrorless cameras. It is interesting with a maximum relative aperture of 1: 2 and a fairly low price.

On cameras with an APS-C sensor, the viewing angle is 97 degrees diagonally.

Pergear 12/2 is a very cheap alternative for the original similar AF fixes:

1. ZEISS Distagon Touit 2.8 / 12 T * (Sony E mount)
2. Fujifilm 14 / 2.8 R (Fuji X mount)
3. Olympus 12mm 1: 2 ED MSC (Micro 4/3 system)
4. Panasonic 12mm f / 1.4 LEICA (Micro 4/3 system)
5. Panasonic 14mm f / 2.5 (Micro 4/3 system)
6. Pansonic 14mm f / 2.5 II (Micro 4/3 system)

In general, the Pergear 12/2 is very sharp in the center of the image already at F / 2.0, but the lens is very afraid of backlight and has a curved field of focus.

Important: the lenses are also built on the same optical design from Pergear 12/2 Brightin Star 12 / 2, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark II, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark III.

All Pergear Lenses

The following lenses are sold under the Pergear brand:

For mirrorless cameras with APS-C sensor:

• PERGEAR 7.5mm 1: 2.8 HD.MC Fish-eye [announce] (E, X, Z, EF-M, MFT)
• PERGEAR 10mm 1: 8 Fisheye [announce] (E, X, Z, MFT)
• PERGEAR 10mm 1: 5.6 Fisheye [overview] (E, X, EF-M, MFT)
• PERGEAR 12mm 1: 2 HD.FMC [overview] (E, X, Z, MFT)
• PERGEAR 12mm f2.0 II [announcement] (E, X, Z, RF, MFT)
• PERGEAR 25mm 1: 1.8 HD.MC [overview] (E, X, MFT, black / silver)
• PERGEAR 25mm 1: 1.7 HD.MC [overview] (E, X, Z, RF-S, MFT, black/silver)
• PERGEAR 35mm 1: 1.6 HD.MC  [overview] (E, X, Z, MFT, black/silver)
• PERGEAR 35mm 1:1.2 DH.MC [overview] (E, X, Z, MFT)
• PERGEAR 50mm 1: 1.8 HD.MC [overview] (E, X, MFT)
• PERGEAR 60mm 1: 2.8 Macro 2x [announce] (E, X, Z, MFT)

For mirrorless cameras with Full Frame sensor:

• PERGEAR 14mm 1:2.8FF [announcement] (FE, Z, RF, L)
• PERGEAR 14mm 1:2.8 FF II [announcement] (FE, Z, RF, L)
• PERGEAR 35mm 1:1.4 FF MULTI COATED [announcement] (FE, Z, RF, L)
• PERGEAR 60mm 1: 2.8 Macro 2x [announcement] (FE, Z, RF, L + X + MFT)
• PERGEAR 100mm 1:2.8 Macro 2x (E, Z, RF, L + EF)

Easier just find Pergear lenses on Aliexpress.com.

Bayonets: E: Sony E || FE: Sony FE || X: Fujifilm x || Z: Nikon Z || Ef-m: Canon EF-M || L: Leica l || RF: Canon RF || MFT: Micro 4 / 3

Main technical characteristics of PERGEAR 12mm 1: 2 HD.FMC

Review Instance Name	Near front lens: 12mm 1: 2 62mm HD.FMC On the case: PERGEAR 'E-Mount' bayonet side
Basic properties	The lens uses a Sony E mount and is suitable for Sony mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor Manual focus only Metal mount, metal body, metal hood Included hood HD.FMC (High Ddefinition Fully Multi Coating) - multi-coating optics Aspherical elements in the optical design Elements with a high refractive index in the optical design
Front Filter Diameter	62 mm
Focal length	12 mm EGF for Sony cameras, Fujifilm with APS-C sensor is 18mm EGF for cameras of the Micro 4/3 system is 24 mm
Zoom ratio	1 X (this is a fixed lens, it does not have a zoom)
Designed by	for cropped Sony mirrorless cameras. This lens is available with other mount systems: Nikon Z, Fujifilm x and Micro 4/3
Number of aperture blades	10 rounded petals
Tags	bayonet mount mark focusing distance scale in meters only, markers available for 0.18, 0.24, 0.3, 0.5, 1 meter and infinity mark DOF scale for F / 4, 8, 11, 16 (there is no label for the extreme value of F / 22) aperture scale on aperture ring
Diaphragm	f / 2 to f / 22, controlled with the aperture control ring. There are labels for F / 2, 2.8, 4, 8, 16, 22 (no labels for F / 5.6 and F / 11). The ring rotates without clicks, smoothly. Any intermediate value can be set.
MDF	0.18 meters, maximum magnification ratio is approximately 1:14 (according to my measurements)
The weight	300 grams (according to the official site) 269 ​​grams (according to my measurements, lens without hood and caps, Sony E mount) 300 grams (according to my measurements, lens with hood and covers, Sony E mount)
	12 elements in 9 groups, including 2 aspherical elements and two high refractive index elements Optical design clickable The lens uses the same optical design Brightin Star 12 / 2, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark II, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark III (possibly also Meike 12 / 2)
Lens hood	Metal, petal type, threaded, included in delivery, can be installed in the opposite direction
Manufacturer country	Made in China
Period	Announced early November 2020 of the year
Price	View on Aliexpress from a trusted seller View on the official website

The f / 2.0 aperture is a full stop wider than the f / 2.8 used in common such lenses.

Assembly

The lens came to the review completely new. The delivery box contains a lens with front and rear caps and a metal hood, as well as a soft transport pouch with a bag of desiccant. The bag has a drawstring with a lock, as well as a carabiner for attaching to a belt, or to a backpack.

It's important: instruction does not go to the lens. On the box in which the lens is supplied, as well as on its front and rear cover and lens hood, there is no mention of the manufacturer. Apparently these are universal caps and a lens hood that fits different lenses and comes immediately for different brands. The same goes for the delivery box, which simply indicates that the lens is in the middle. Maximum unification allows you to save on trifles and make a low price tag for such lenses.

In general, the lens is assembled well. Pergear 12/2 has metal mount for bayonet, and the lens body itself is completely made of metal. The focus and iris rings are also metal.

The weight of the Pergear 12/2 lens itself is almost 300 grams. In the hands, the lens feels like a solid thing.

The design is interesting but slightly clumsy. The focusing ring has 3 screws, which spoil the appearance of the lens a little (this was done earlier on old manual lenses). The aperture control ring has a strange ribbed texture, different in design from the focus ring. The aperture ring is tight enough, apparently, so as not to accidentally knock down the set aperture value.

The lens itself is quite compact, ideal for small Sony cameras with an APS-C sensor, for example, my Sony a3500with which I used this lens. The front filter diameter is 62mm, which is small for an ultra wide angle lens. For instance, Meike 12 / 2.8 uses light filters with a diameter of 72 mm.

The Pergear 12/2 uses a metal hood that screws into a thread. The lens hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation; in this position, access to the focus ring is not lost. The lens hood is small (not long).

Diaphragm comprises ten petals and forms a hole in the shape of a regular decagon, while in the photographs in the zone of confusion, rather round discs of confusion are obtained at any aperture values. The diaphragm can only be controlled manually using a special ring. The diaphragm ring rotates smoothly, no clicks and fixed values, you can set any intermediate value in the range from F / 2 to F / 22, which is very useful during video shooting.

Focusing

The focus ring is not very wide, metal, ribbed. The ring rotates on 120 degrees... Focusing is smooth and pleasant. You can only focus'one finger'. In cold weather, the focus ring and aperture become tight.

During focusing, the trunk moves forward 2-3 millimeters, but does not rotate. Focusing is done by moving the entire lens unit.

On the ring there is a scale with a focusing distance in meters and feet and a depth of field scale. The DOF scale has no mark for the minimum aperture of F / 22. The aperture control ring has no F / 5.6 or F / 11 marks. The focusing distance scale is not very detailed; it has marks for only six values ​​(0.18, 0.24, 0.3, 0.5, 1 meter and an infinity mark).

The closest focusing distance is only 18 centimeters. The maximum magnification factor is approximately 1:14 (according to my measurements).

Pergear 12/2 has a subtle 'Focus Breathing' effect (changes in the angle of view during focusing). When focusing towards the MDF, the angle of view decreases.

Focus Shift (shift focus, changing the focus distance due to iris) is missing.

There is no hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) for fast and accurate focusing in all operating temperatures. The focus ring has an infinity overshoot.

While running Pergear 12/2 on camera Sony a3500 problems with focusing or metering exposure did not have. Focus-peaking (emphasizing sharp edges) and rapidly enlarging the central area of ​​the image greatly simplifies the operation of the lens.

Important: The Pergear 12/2's angle of view is slightly less than expected and roughly matches that of a 13mm lens. For example, if you compare the viewing angles of Pergear 12/2 and Samyang 12 / 2 while focusing to infinity, then Samyang 12 / 2 unambiguously shows a wider viewing angle.

Image quality

In general, the Pergear 12/2 does not shine. He has very strong sides, but at the same time there are serious problems.

It's important: at the lens curved field of focus... A curved field of sharpness means that if the center of the image is sharp, the corners are not, and vice versa. This effect is clearly noticeable even when working with focus-picking when focusing on a uniform plane (for example, a brick wall). During focusing, you can see how focus-picking illuminates the center, then the edges and corners of the image. You can even see how focus peaking during focusing creates concentric circles that converge or diverge. The curvature of the field is almost completely leveled by the expansion of the DOF during aperture and at values ​​after F / 11 it is no longer noticeable.

Sharpness

1. in the center of the frame at F / 2.0 the lens shows good sharpness
2. excellent resolution in the center of the frame on covered apertures after f / 2.8
3. there is a very strong drop in sharpness to the edges and corners of the frame at F / 2.0
4. the resolution at the edges of the frame returns to normal only at very closed apertures, in the area of ​​F / 11-F / 22, but at such apertures diffraction comes into effect
5. good contrast
6. small coma, which pleases

Distortion

1. there is a small barrel-shaped distortion
2. the overall level of distortion is at a level typical for such high-quality lenses

Vignetting

1. tangible vignetting on f / 2.0
2. vignetting practically independent of focusing distance
3. vignetting decreases noticeably only at values ​​below F / 5.6
4. vignetting quite easily fixable in the editor

Aberration

1. chromatic aberration well corrected in the center of the frame
2. tangible amount HA available only in the corners of the frame
3. general level HA is at the level inherent for high quality lenses

Rest

1. to achieve a beautiful effect of a 10-ray star is possible only at very closed apertures in the area of ​​F / 11-F / 22
2. bright light sources can produce a huge variety of flares, which is one of the weakest aspects of a lens
3. Concentric bulbous circles are observed in the bokeh area due to aspherical elements on the discs of confusion

Important: at the time of the creation of this review, there was no Pergear 12 / 2 profile for popular RAW converters. You can create a profile yourself or wait for its release.

It's important: it happens that the left or right side of the image begins to 'float' strongly (very much loses detail). I attribute this to the temperature conditions of the lens, the quality of its assembly and the centering of the lens unit, as well as the method of focusing implementation. This problem most often manifested itself in me while shooting in the cold around -10 degrees Celsius.

Sample Photos

All photos in the review are shown without processing. Camera used Sony α3500 (Sony ILCE-3500) based on EXMOR APS-C CMOS 20 MP sensor. All photos are on-camera JPEG.

JPEG source pictures at this link (65 files, 400 MB). Original RAW images (Sony '.ARW') at this link (40 files, 700 MB).

My experience

Shooting with this lens is easy enough. As with any other lens of this kind, it is difficult only to select the scenes to be shot.

If you need a sharp center already at F/2.0, then this Pergear 12/2 will be just right. In other cases, it is better to look for alternatives, for example, something like this Meike 12 / 2.

Incidentally, Ken rockwell their Chinese 7Artisans 50 / 1.05 и TTArtisan 50 / 1.4 ordered exactly for Pergear.com here и here.

Alternatives

There are very few such inexpensive manual focus lenses for mirrorless cropped cameras with an APS-C sensor. As alternatives, I only know:

1. Samyang / Rokinon 12/2 NCS CS E (black or silver) and its version Vdslr for video
2. Brightin star 12/2, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark II, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark III
3. Samyang / Rokinon 10 / 2.8 ED AS NCS CS and his version Vdslr for video
4. Meike 12 / 2.8
5. Meike 12 / 2
6. 7Artisans 12/2.8
7. 7Artisans 12 mm F / 2.8 II
8. many similar lenses Opteka / Kaxinda / Mcoplus / Voking / 'NO NAME' 2.8 / 12 MULTI COATED
9. laowa Venus Optics Zero-D C-Dreamer 9 / 2.8

Other similar lenses with a focal length less than or equal to 12 mm are either of the FISH-EYE class, or are designed only for Micro 4/3 and less.

The only serious competitor for Pergear 12/2 is Samyang 12 / 2, which is significantly better than the Pergear 12/2, but at the same time much more expensive.

Most likely other Chinese lenses by type Brightin Star 12 / 2 optically indistinguishable from Pergear 12/2.

All Sony E-mount cameras with APS-C sensor

• NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-F3, NEX-3Women
• NEX-5, NEX-5N, NEX-5R, NEX-5T
• NEX-6, NEX-7
• a3000, a3500
• a5000, a5100
• a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600, a6700
• ZV-E10, ZV-E10 II
• FX30
• QX1
• Hasselblad lunar

All Sony E lenses for APS-C

Fix Lenses:

1. Sony 11 mm f/1.8 (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
2. Sony 15 mm f / 1.4 G (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
3. Sony 16 mm f/2.8 (overview) [2010, silver, BHphotovideo]
4. Sony 20 mm f/2.8 (announcement) [2013, silver, BHphotovideo]
5. Sony 24 mm f / 1.8 ZEISS ZA (overview) [2011, black, BHphotovideo]
6. Sony 30 mm f / 3.5 MACRO (overview) [2011, silver, BHphotovideo]
7. Sony 35 mm f / 1.8 Health Care (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
8. Sony 50 mm f / 1.8 Health Care (announcement) [2011, black/silver, BHphotovideo]

Zoom Lenses:

1. Sony 10-18mm f / 4 Health Care (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
2. Sony 10-20mm f / 4 G PZ (announcement) [2022, black, BHphotovideo]
3. Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ Health Care (overview) [2012, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
4. Sony 16-50mm f / 3.5-5.6 PZ OSS II (announcement) [2024, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
5. Sony 16-55mm f / 2.8 G (overview) [2019, black, BHphotovideo]
6. Sony 16-70mm f / 4 Health Care ZEISS ZA (overview) [2013, black, BHphotovideo]
7. Sony 18-50mm f/4-5.6 (overview) [2014, black]
8. Sony 18-55mm f / 3.5-5.6 Health Care (overview) [2010, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
9. Sony 18-105mm f / 4 G PZ Health Care (overview) [2013, black, BHphotovideo]
10. Sony 18-110mm f / 4 G PZ Health Care (announcement) [2016, black, BHphotovideo]
    
11. Sony 18-135mm f / 3.5-5.6 Health Care (overview) [2018, black, BHphotovideo]
12. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 Health Care (overview) [2010, silver, BHphotovideo]
13. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 Health Care LE (overview) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
14. Sony 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 PZ Health Care (announcement) [2012, black, BHphotovideo]
    
15. Sony 55-210mm f / 4.5-6.3 OSS (announcement) [2011, black/silver, BHphotovideo]
16. Sony 70-350mm f/4.5–6.3 G OSS (announcement) [2019, black, BHphotovideo]

Third-party autofocus lenses for Sony E APS-C:

• Sigma: Sigma C 16 / 1.4 | Sigma A 19 / 2.8 | Sigma EX 19 / 2.8  | Sigma23/1.4 | Sigma C 30 / 1.4 | Sigma EX 30 / 2.8 | Sigma A 30 / 2.8 | Sigma C 56 / 1.4 | Sigma A 60 / 2.8 | Sigma C 10-18 / 2.8 | Sigma C 18-50 / 2.8 | Sigma C 18-300/3.5-6.7 OS
• felttrox: Viltrox 13 / 1.4 | Viltrox 23 / 1.4 | Viltrox 25 / 1.7 | felttrox 27/1.2 | Viltrox 33 / 1.4 | Viltrox 35 / 1.7 | Viltrox 56 / 1.7 | Viltrox 56 / 1.4 | felttrox 75/1.2
• Tamron: Tamron 11-20 / 2.8 | Tamron 17-70 / 2.8 VC | Tamron 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 VC | Tamron 18-300 / 3.5-6.3 VC
• tokina: Tokina 23 / 1.4 | Tokina 33 / 1.4 | Tokina 56 / 1.4 | Tokina 11-18 / 2.8
• Zeiss: Zeiss Touit Distagon 12/2.8 | Zeiss Touit Planar 32/1.8 | Zeiss Touit Makro Planar 50/2.8M
• Hasselblad: Hasselblad E 3.5-5.6 / 18-55 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 3.5-6.3 / 18-200 OSS LF | Hasselblad E 2.8 / 16 LF
• yongnuo: Yongnuo 11 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 16 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 23 / 1.4 | Yongnuo 33 / 1.4 | Yongnuo 50 / 1.8 | Yongnuo 50 / 1.8 II | Yongnuo 56 / 1.4
• TTArtisan: TTArtisan 23 / 1.8 | TTArtisan 27 / 2.8 | TTArtisan 35 / 1.8 | TTArtisan 35/1.8 II | TTArtisan 56 / 1.8
• SIRUI: Sirui 16/1.2, Sirui 23/1.2, Sirui 33/1.2, Sirui 56/1.2, Sirui 75/1.2
• Brightin star: Brightin Star 50 / 1.4
• Meike: Meike 33 / 1.4 | Meike 55 / 1.4
• 7Artisans: 7Artisans 27 / 2.8 | 7Artisans 35/1.4
• Samyang: Samyang 12 / 2
• Ulanz: 27/2.8
• Jintu: 27/2.8

Many interesting manual solutions are provided by Chinese manufacturers and brands. 7Artisans, TTartisan, Meike, Neewer, PerGear, Kamlan, Brightin star, Mitakon Zhongyi, Venus laowa, Fujian, ARTRALAB, AstrHori other. Autofocus Speed ​​Boosters are also interesting Viltrox Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X и Metabones Canon EF -> Sony E 0.71X... List of full-frame cameras and lenses Sony FE (Full Frame E) here

Video review

My video review on PERGEAR 12mm 1: 2 HD.FMC can be viewed on Youtube at this link.

Price

Pergear 12/2 costs around $ 150. The easiest way buy Pergear 12/2 at Aliexpress.comfor example verified seller by this link.

Results

The Pergear 12/2 is another budget wide-angle lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. On a micro 4/3 system, the lens will just be a nice wide-angle (EGF 24 mm). I’m very pleased with the absolutely working F/2.0 in the center of the frame, as well as the ability to use filters. The lens is not without some serious problems. Due to its very low cost, it can be considered as an alternative to more expensive solutions, first of all, in some cases, Pergear 12/2 can serve as a replacement for the popular Samyang 12/2.

10 main advantages

1. low cost (around $ 150)
2. high aperture (these lenses tend to use f / 2.8 instead of f / 2.0)
3. the body is made of metal, the set includes a metal hood and a bag for transportation
4. compact size, small diameter of the front filter
5. smooth movement of focus rings and aperture rings, aperture without click
6. depth of field and focus distance
7. The optical design has two aspherical elements and two elements with a high refractive index. The optical design turned out to be very successful and was later used in lenses Brightin Star 12 / 2, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark II, Brightin Star 12/2 Mark III (possibly others)
8. ten aperture blades
9. weak distortion
10. good sharpness in the center of the frame is already at f / 2 and excellent at covered apertures

10 main disadvantages

1. no CPU pins to form the correct EXIF
2. focal length is actually closer to 13 mm
3. non-bayonet type hood
4. caps and box with no lettering or 'Pergear' logo, which causes some distrust of the lens
5. lack of data about the lens in modern cameras, which makes it difficult to automatically correct some types of optical distortion (distortion, vignetting etc.)
6. no lens profile for popular RAW converters
7. very poor image quality at the corners and edges of the frame at f / 2.0
8. large curvature of the field of focus (a very serious drawback)
9. the lens does not tolerate backlight very well
10. alignment problems

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.