Pergear has introduced the second-generation 12mm f/2 lens, bringing improvements in design and functionality to this affordable APS-C wide angle lens. Here’s a closer look at what the new Pergear 12mm f/2 II lens has to offer.
Specifications at a Glance
- Focal Length: 12mm (18mm equivalent)
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.0
- Minimum Aperture: f/22
- Lens Construction: 12 elements in 9 groups
- Focus Range: Approx. 20 cm / 0.66 ft to infinity
- Angle of View: 97°
- Dimensions: Ø66 mm x 59.5 mm
- Weight: Approx. 230 g (excluding cap and hood)
Key Features
The Pergear 12mm f/2 II has seen a significant reduction in weight, now weighing approximately 230 grams—70 grams lighter than the previous model. Constructed from durable aluminum alloy, the lens combines robustness with portability, making it an excellent choice for photographers on the go. In the hand or on the camera, the lens feels very compact. It still retains nice tactile controls, which are important for an all-manual lens. These controls include a focusing tab and an aperture ring.
The optical design has been upgraded to include 12 elements in 9 groups. This configuration features two extra-low dispersion elements and two aspherical elements, which work together to minimize chromatic aberrations and distortion, delivering improved image quality. My sample performed reasonably well for the price, with the center of the frame being “okay” at f/2 and improving to “good” by f/4. Corners were weaker throughout the aperture range, improving by around f/5.6.
As an APS-C lens, the image doesn’t fill the frame of a full frame camera, but depending on your tolerance for vignetting, you can get slightly wider by shooting full frame and cropping to a slightly wider than APS-C frame.
A 97° field of view and a minimum focusing distance of just 8 inches or 0.18 meters make the lens usable across a range of scenarios. As a 12mm lens, achieving shallow depth of field at f/2 will be difficult, but the close focus capabilities of the lens will help.
The lens uses a clicked aperture design that provides clear feedback when setting the aperture. It cannot be de-clicked for use with video, however.
At just $169 MSRP, the Pergear 12mm f/2 II is a very affordable option for APS-C photographers looking for a first wide angle. The lens is available in Sony E-mount, Nikon Z-mount, and Fujifilm X-mount.
