Lens News

Sigma has expanded its popular Global Vision lens line with the introduction of two new zooms and two high-speed primes, including the 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art, which is the world’s first ultra-wide, full-frame lens with an f/1.8 maximum aperture.

The quartet of new lenses was just introduced at the CP+ Camera & Photo Show in Tokyo, and also includes the 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art, the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM OS Art, and the 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 HSM OS Contemporary lenses. All four will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts, with pricing and delivery dates to be forthcoming.

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
This groundbreaking high-speed ultra-wide lens features the same 80mm aspherical molded glass element (the largest in the industry) first used in Sigma’s 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM zoom we reviewed recently. In combination with special FLD (low-dispersion) and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, the aspherical design delivers ultra-wide images that Sigma says have “virtually no distortion, flare or ghosting.”

With its fast f/1.8 maximum aperture, the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art lens is ideally suited to hand-held, low-light photography. Constructed with three FLD elements and four SLD elements, the new ultra-wide lens is said to offer edge-to-edge sharpness, fast autofocus, and minimal chromatic aberration. Minimum focusing distance is 10.6 inches.

Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
Another fast prime lens, the new 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is a versatile mid-range telephoto offering shallow depth-of-field when stopped down for isolating subjects from the background. Suited for everything from portraits to indoor sports, the fast, new 135mm f/1.8 is designed to deliver optimum corner-to-corner sharpness and image quality.

Sigma says the focusing system in the 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art boasts a new, larger hypersonic motor (HSM) for faster and more precise performance. The lens is equipped with a focus limiter to further boost AF speed for a variety of distances and shooting situations.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM OS Art
This updated version of an earlier model features a new optical stabilization (OS) system and enhanced AF speed and accuracy. Sigma says the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM OS Art utilizes the latest optical and mechanical technologies common to their high performance Global Vision series. This lens features three SLD elements and four asperhical elements to reduce aberration and maximize resolution and bokeh effects.

Like the other three new Global Vision lenses, the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM OS Art is compatible with Sigma’s MC-11 Mount Converter that lets you use Sigma SA-mount and Canon EOS-mount lenses with Sony E-mount cameras.

Sigma 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 HSM OS Contemporary
The new Sigma 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 HSM OS Contemporary is a powerful telephoto zoom that delivers impressive reach in a relatively compact and lightweight design for a lens in its class. Measuring just 7.2 inches in length, this compact telephoto zoom uses 67mm filters and weighs just 40.9 oz.

Constructed with 21 elements in 15 groups, the new Sigma 100-400mm features a new optical stabilization (OS) system for greater hand-held performance at slower shutter speeds. It also offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 1:3.8 for macro photography and a convenient push/pull zooming mechanism.

More information on these new Sigma Global Vision lenses is available on the Sigma website, where you can find complete details on their full assortment of optics.