Sigma Plans For Their Art Line of Lens In 2016

Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO EX DG lens

Zeiss is known as the third party lens maker that charges 'an arm and a leg' for those who want to own German glass. The recent announcement of the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 Art lens and their other offerings in the line in the past couple of years have many photographers sit up and take notice of this Japanese lens manufacturer. Zeiss recently introduced a 'lower priced' Milvus line of lens to try and blunt the appeal of the Sigma Art line.

Sigma will build on their recent success and continue to introduce more Art lens in 2016. This will certainly coincide with the big German trade show Photokina next year. Among the sought after Art lens will be the 85mm f/1.4, 24-70mm f/2.8 OS and the 70-200mm f/2.8 OS Sport.

All told, Sigma may be working on about 10 new Art lens, including wide angle primes and Super Telephoto models and will announce more models in the next 12 to 18 months. There is no plan to replace the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 lens, which is mostly a conversational piece of glass. The company that should be most worried is Zeiss.

Canon is already readying their venerable EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III model for a 2016 announcement. Their Series II Super Telephoto lens lineup is in good shape, except for the replacement of the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS, which may be announced some time next year. The recently featured prototype EF 600mm f/4 DO BR lens during the Canon Expo 2015 will be the most anticipated lens for me in 2016 if they decide to release it.

Sigma Announced 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Lens

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens

RONKONKOMA, NY — October 16, 2015 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading DSLR lens and camera manufacturer, is setting new benchmarks for wide-angle image quality with the announcement of the newest Global Vision and market’s first full-frame 20mm F1.4 lens, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens. The lens will be on display at PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo in New York City from October 22-24. The lens will become available late November for the street price of $899.

This revolutionary prime lens is designed to bring out the full potential of ultra-high-megapixel DSLR cameras. With a focal length of 20mm and F1.4 aperture, this lens delivers outstanding large-aperture brightness and bokeh. Through decades of experience in lens design and Sigma Global Vision lens craftsmanship, the 20mm incorporates both “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass, and five Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass in a design of 15 elements in 11 groups. The combination of advanced optics and optimized lens power distribution minimizes spherical aberration, axial chromatic aberration and field curvature, producing outstanding image quality. The wide angle and outstanding image quality make this lens great for seascape, cityscape, and astrophotography, as well as for photos in low light, indoor photography, portraits, and event and wedding photography.

“While many saw the development of a 20mm lens for today’s super-resolution DSLRs as challenging, Sigma approached it head-on utilizing our advanced manufacturing technologies to create the world’s first 20mm F1.4 ultra-wide-angle lens,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “This new lens is a result of years of experience by the company’s optical engineers in developing state-of-the-art lens designs and proven production knowledge, and high-precision craftsmanship by our factory team in Aizu, Japan.”

From the start of the design process, Sigma took steps to minimize flare and ghosting, and established an optical design that is resistant to strong incidental light sources such as backlight with its Super Multi-Layer Coating. As with all Sigma Global Vision lenses, the 20mm F1.4 lens incorporates the latest Sigma technology, including an optimized autofocus (AF) algorithm for smooth, fast, and accurate focusing. In addition, Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) compound material is used, which has a high affinity to metal parts, consistently performs well at extreme temperatures, and reduces the size and weight of the lens.

This lens is compatible with Sigma’s USB Dock, (sold separately) which allows photographers to update the lens’ firmware, adjust focus points and customize full-time manual focus over-ride function settings using Sigma’s Optimization Pro software. A new metal lens cap (LC907-02) is also available as a separate accessory for $23.

The Sigma 20mm F1.4 Art lens will also feature :

• A Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) that ensures a silent, high-speed AF function. Smoother AF is achieved when the this AF algorithm is optimized
• A nine-blade, rounded diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image
• A brass bayonet mount of highly precise and durable construction to enhance mount’s strength and long-term wear resistance

Specifications :

Weight of 33.5 ounces; a diameter and length of 3.6 inches by 5.1 inches; a minimum aperture of F16; and angle of view (35mm) of 94.5°; minimum focusing distance of 10.9 inches; and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:7.1

Sigma fans can feel confident knowing that every 20mm lens that leaves Japan’s factory has been tested using Sigma’s own modulation transfer function (MTF) measuring system, “A1.” Other prime lenses in the Art line include : 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM, 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM, 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM, and 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM.

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens Coming Soon

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG Art lens

* * *  Sigma officially announced the 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens  * * * 

Sigma is about to announce their new 20mm f/1.4 DG Art lens. This company has been releasing some very nice, high quality lens at an attractive price in their Art series, like the 24-35mm f/2, 50mm f/1.4 and the 24mm f/1.4 lens.

They are certainly giving Zeiss a run for their money. No wonder, Zeiss had to release a 'lower priced' Milvus line to compete with Sigma.

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG Art Specifications :

•     Designed for 24×36 DSLR cameras
•     Lens construction: 15 elements in 11 groups
•     One large-diameter aspherical element
•     Two FLD elements and five SLD elements to best correct chromatic aberrations
•     In-lens HSM AF motor. New full-time manual override in AF mode
•     Total length: 129.8mm
•     Maximum diameter: 90.7mm
•     Weight: 950g
•     9 diaphragm blades, rounded
•     Maximum magnification: 1:7.1 (0.14x)
•     Designed to minimise flare and ghosting
•     Very low distortion
•     Designed to minimise coma aberration
•     Available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts
•     RRP: ¥ 162,000 (over-the-counter price should be around and above ¥ 120,000)

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Art Lens Announced

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens

Sigma has announced its new 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens for Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts.
The new 24-35mm zoom is the second large aperture zoom lens Sigma has launched recently. It follows the impressive Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens for APS-C cameras and is the first time we’ve seen an f/2 zoom for a full frame DSLR.

Sigma claims that optical performance of the new zoom lens is comparable to Sigma’s 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art and 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lenses. As such, Sigma suggests that it can replace 24mm, 28mm and 35mm prime lenses in your camera bag with this single zoom lens.

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art Key Features

• Large-diameter, aspherical lens elements, which require advanced technologies to produce, one “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass, and seven Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements with two aspherical lenses. The advanced optics and optimized lens power distribution minimizes spherical aberration, axial chromatic aberration and field curvature, resulting in outstanding optical performance.
• A video-friendly, inner focusing system that eliminates front-lens rotation, enhancing the lens’ stability and allowing use of circular polarizing filters
• A Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) that ensures a silent, high-speed AF function. Smoother AF is achieved when the this AF algorithm is optimized
• Full-time MF by rotating the focus ring of the lens while auto focusing
• A nine-blade, rounded diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image
• Specifications: Lens construction containing 18 elements in 13 groups; a weight of 33.2 ounces; a diameter and length of 3.4 inches by 4.8 inches, respectively; a minimum aperture of F16; and angle of view (35mm) of 84.1° to 63.4°; minimum focusing distance of 11 inches; and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.4

The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens is compatible with Sigma’s USB DOCK, which allows photographers to update the lens’ firmware, adjust focus points and customize full-time MF function settings by using Sigma’s Optimization Pro software.