Sigma's vintage fast wide-angle macro — the 24mm f/1.8 EX DG with close-focus capability.
The Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG Aspherical Macro was released in 2001 as a unique wide-angle prime combining fast f/1.8 speed with macro-like close focusing capability. The combination of ultra-wide angle, fast aperture, and close focus was unusual and appealed to photographers wanting versatility from a single wide-angle lens.
Optical performance is decent for the era. Sharpness is respectable from f/1.8 and good by f/2.8. The macro mode allows focusing down to 18cm for dramatic close-up wide-angle perspectives. The aspherical element helps control aberrations. The fast f/1.8 aperture at 24mm was unusual for the period. DG coatings reduce sensor reflections.
Nikon F mount. Filter thread is 77mm — large for a 24mm. Weight is approximately 520 grams. Build quality is solid with the EX professional designation. HSM motor provides fast, quiet autofocus. No image stabilisation. The close-focus macro capability at 18cm minimum distance creates dramatic wide-angle close-up perspectives impossible with standard lenses.
Available on the used market at low prices. Check AF accuracy and smooth focus. The macro capability at 24mm wide-angle is genuinely creative. The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art has replaced it for pure wide-angle quality. Best appreciated for its unique close-focus versatility rather than absolute optical quality.