Sigma have announced four new lenses, further adding to their already impressive line up. The lenses are the 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art, 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art, 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM and the 100-400mm F5-6.3 FDG OS HSM | Contemporary.
The 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art is not only full frame but according to Sigma it is also world’s first and only F1.8 ultra-wide- angle lens (among interchangeable lenses for digital SLRs). This is an impressive feat by Sigma and the lens becomes the sixth 35mm full-frame prime lens to join the Art line.
The combination of an ultra-wide angle of view with a fast aperture is sure to produce some fantastic results, especially on full frame cameras. The lens features three FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements and four SLD (Super Low Dispersion) glass elements that Sigma claim help to minimise transverse chromatic aberration, which tends to be noticeable in shots taken with a lot of ultra-wide-angle lenses. Sigma also say that the new 14mm has outstanding image quality from the center of the image to the edges.
The lens features a large-diameter ⌀80mm precision-molded glass aspherical lens as its front element. Sigma’s own 12-24mmF4 DG HSM | Art lens was the first of its kind to feature a ⌀80mm aspherical lens element. It is this same technology that has helped make the 14mm F1.8 lens a reality.
The 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art will be available in Sigma, Nikon, and Canon mounts. The price and availability is not yet known.
The 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art lens is the seventh to join Sigma’s Art line and completes an already impressive set of prime lenses. Just like the 14mm, the 135mm is full frame lens that can be used to deliver a strong perspective compression effect. The lenses fast 1.8 aperture should also be very capable of delivering some really nice bokeh.
Sigma claim that the new 135mm offers superb contrast and sharp image quality, and offers the resolution required for 50MP or higher ultra-high- megapixel DSLRs.
The 135mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art is also available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts. The price and delivery date and still undetermined.
The 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM is the latest in a series of 24-70mm lenses from Sigma that dates all the way back to 2001.
The latest version features a HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) for high-speed autofocus, OS (Optical Stabiliser), a dust- and splash-proof mount with rubber sealing, and a metal barrel. Sigma claim the optical performance of the lens has been enhanced and that they have paid specific attention to the shape of the bokeh, aiming for perfect circularity.
The lens is constructed of 19 elements in 14 groups and features 9 aperture blades. The minimum focus distance is a respectable 37cm./15in.
The 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM looks to be a nice alternative to similar offerings from Canon and Nikon. Just like the other lenses announced the price and delivery date is still TBD.
The final new lens is the 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary, which Sigma claims offers users the performance of a 70-300mm lens , while delivering added telephoto range. The lens is not only compact in size, but it only weighs in at 1.16kg.
The lens features a push/pull zoom mechanism in addition to the regular twist mechanism. The lens hood has also been designed to accommodate the push/pull motion.
The 100-400mm includes both telephoto and macro functionality. With a minimum shooting distance of 160cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.8, the lens is capable of shooting from a distance or up close.
The body of the lens is dust and splash-proof, and Sigma have added an all-new optical stabiliser (OS) unit that features a newly developed gyroscopic sensor and a new algorithm.
Sigma have certainly come a long way in recent years and the performance of their lenses often over shadows much more expensive options from their competitors.
These new offerings from Sigma look to be a great addition to your kit regardless of whether you are shooting video or stills. Newsshooter and our sister site Photo Gear News will be at CP+ in Tokyo later this week and we will be sure to bring you more information about Sigma’s new lenses.
