Progrey G150Z & Sigma 14-24 f2.8
I’ve already reviewed the Progrey G150Z for the Nikkor 14-24 lens, you can read that review and see detailed images of the G150z sytem here.
I recently purchased the Sigma 14-24 F2.8 Art lens, along with a Progrey adapter to mount the G150z onto it. There are some differences between the Sigma and the Nikon setups so rather than add onto my original review I’m doing a separate one for the Sigma.
The first thing I noticed was an issue with the fit between the Sigma adapter and the filter holder, allowing the holder to move back and forward a small amount on the adapter. I’ve done a few shoots in windy conditions and this small amount of movement resulted in quite a bit of rattling as the 2 metal parts moved back and forward.
When I mount the same filter holder onto my Nikon 14-24 adapter everything fits together very well with no fore/aft movement.
I took some measurements of the two adapters
the Nikon adapter has a smaller gap for the petals on the holder to ride in.
It’s only a small difference but it’s enough to be an annoyance in certain conditions.
My G150z holder and Nikon adapter were produced in 2017, while my Sigma adapter was purchased in 2019. I’m waiting on Progrey to check if this issue exists with items from their current stock. If the current holders have wider petals to match the adapter this will not be a problem.
I’ve modified my Sigma adapter by adding a small amount of epoxy to the petals, then filing the epoxy down to achieve the same thickness of the Nikon adapter.
I’ve been using the G150Z on the Nikon 14-24 for the last few years with 3 filter slots installed on the holder. I have never experienced any vignetting with this setup, at any focal length/focus distance.
When mounted on the Sigma 14-24, I do see some vignetting at the wide end.
All sample images shown below have lens profile correction applied in Adobe Camera Raw.
With 2 slots installed on the holder there is some vignetting in the corners at 14mm, f8 infinity focus.
Zooming into 15mm it is almost gone.
Swapping over to the 3 filter slot arrangement, the vignetting is pretty bad at 14mm.
Zooming into 15mm it’s still there.
at 16mm the vignetting is gone.
At shorter focus distances the vignetting is slightly worse
14mm, with the lens focused at 0.3m (according to the lens distance scale)
15mm
16mm
The G150z comes with both 2 slot and 3 slot filter clips, swapping between them requires no tools and can be done very quickly.
On the G150z product page it states:
”Please note: The G-150Z with Sigma 14-24 adapter will not cause any vignetting when focused at infinity, or when stopped down to f/8 or beyond, at 14mm, unlike cheaper brands on the market.”
This doesn’t match up with my results, I’ve contacted Progrey about this and was told that Sigma have made a revision to the 14-24 since it was introduced, causing the vignetting. I also contacted Sigma Australia and was told that there has been no change to the lens since it was introduced.
Looking at the product descriptions from other filter manufacturers (Lee and Nisi) they do warn of vignetting on the Sigma, so I suspect it’s unavoidable with any 150mm filter system on this lens.
I can work around the vignetting, I’m usually at f8 or smaller and zooming into 15mm isn’t an issue but the loose fit between the adapter and the holder can be irritating when shooting in windy conditions.
I don’t think there is any better option for the Sigma 14-24 than the G150z, but the overall experience is slightly better when using it on the Nikkor 14-24, but the Sigma is a superior lens to the Nikkor. I’ll update this review with any new developments regarding the fit between the two parts.
Sample images using the Nikon D850, Sigma 14-24, G150Z and an assortment of Progrey, Lee and Cavision filters: