The SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art is being touted as the world’s first full-frame zoom lens with a constant maximum aperture of F1.8. SIGMA claims that the lens delivering sharpness and clarity comparable to that of a prime lens. It is available in both L-Mount and Sony E-mount.
This lens is bound to be very popular with Sony and L-mount shooters, especially those doing video.
SIGMA has quite a long history of creating fast aperture zoom lenses, including the 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art which was released 11 years ago. They also made the 24-35mm F2 DG HSM | Art. The 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art is slightly faster than the 24-35mm F2 DG HSM | Art, but it isn’t as wide. In some ways, the 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art could almost be viewed as a full-frame version of the 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art.
Key features
- Lens construction: 18 elements in 15 groups (5 SLD, 3 aspherical elements)
- Inner zoom
- Inner focus system
- High-speed AF
- HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
- Supports DMF and AF+MF
- Compatible with AF assist (for Sony E-mount only)
- Nano Porous Coating
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Water- and Oil-Repellent Coating (front element)
- Aperture ring
- Aperture ring click switch
- Aperture ring lock switch
- AFL button (2 locations)
- Focus Mode switch
- Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-mount only)
- Dust- and Splash-Resistant Structure
- Petal-type hood with lock LH878-06
- Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
- Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
- Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
- 11-blade rounded diaphragm
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
- Mount Conversion Service available
- ‘Made in Aizu, Japan’ craftsmanship
The lens has been fully redesigned to take advantage of the latest technologies and it includes an improved AF motor, SIGMA’s HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) for faster AF and improved image quality throughout the entire zoom range.
The lens weighs 960g / 33.9oz (L-mount) and it has a minimum focussing distance of 30cm / 11.9″. The front filter diameter is 82mm.
The optical design consists of 18 elements in 15 groups and it has 11 aperture blades.
Through the effective arrangement of 5 SLD elements and 3 aspherical elements, aberrations are claimed to be corrected. Axial chromatic aberration, which is particularly noticeable with large-aperture lenses, has also been thoroughly suppressed, and the lens delivers clear images with minimal coloration.
SIGMA states that the lens also has minimal focus breathing.
The lens employs an inner zoom mechanism, so that the overall length of the lens remains constant when the focal length or focus distance changes. It is also claimed to be resistant to dust and water contamination.
Price & Availability
The SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art will be available on the 20th of June for $1,349 USD.
