New Sigma Patent For 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS Art Lens

Egami discovered a new Sigma patent for the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Art lens. This is hardly surprising since Sigma has been on a roll in the last few years and is steadily marching towards a well rounded line of high quality, Art lens for both Canon and Nikon mounts. We may see this lens announced late in 2016.

Patent Publication No. 2016-38502 (Google Translated)

• Published 2016.3.22
• Filing date 2014.8.8
• Zoom ratio 2.74
• Wide-angle intermediate telephoto
• Focal length 24.85 50.00 68.00
• F-number 2.92 2.92 2.93
• Full angle of view 2? 83.71 45.71 34.33  
• The image height Y 21.63 21.63 21.63
• The total lens length 150.73 167.12 178.30

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.

Sigma TC-1401 and TC-2001 Tele Converters

Sigma TC-1401 and TC-2001 tele Converters

Sigma Corporation announced the availability of two types of new tele converters. Please note that the SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports requires an update to the firmware to make it compatible with the SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1401 and SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-2001.

For those who own the SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports and considering using it with either the SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-1401 or SIGMA TELE CONVERTER TC-2001, please follow the steps below to update the firmware of the lens.

Please be advised that the updated version of firmware will make it compatible with the new tele converters, however it will also make it incompatible with conventional APO TELE CONVERTER 1.4x EX DG and APO TELE CONVERTER 2x EX DG.For further information, please contact your nearest authorized subsidiary / distributor of SIGMA.

For customers who own the SIGMA USB DOCK
Please start up the SIGMA Optimization Pro software and update the firmware of the SIGMA 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM | Sports.
There will be the optimized firmware compatible with the new tele converters (Sigma: Ver. 1.01, Nikon: Ver. 1.02, Canon: Ver. 1.03), currently scheduled for release on October 24th.

For customers who do not own SIGMA USB DOCK
Sigma are going to start the service for update on October 27th.
Please contact their Service department with any further detail or question.

More Sigma DG Art Lenses Coming In 2015

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

Recently, I have reported Sigma is planning to launch a new line of Cinema lenses. Their 24-105mm f/1.4 Art lens has received very good reviews and now Sigma is ready to go on a row in 2015.

Rumor has it they are planning to offer a host of new DG Art lenses - 14-24mm f/4 ; 16-20mm f/2 ; 24mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4  This is an aggressive agenda and Sigma is bent on giving companies like Canon, Nikon and Zeiss a run for their money. Photographers can only benefit from a healthy competition.

Sigma Announces 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS Lens

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens

RONKONKOMA, N.Y — September 12, 2014 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, has announced two new 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM high-performance, hyper-telephoto zoom lenses that celebrate significant optical and build advancements. The two lens designs vary in size and use, and add to the company’s impressive roster of Contemporary and Sports lenses in the Global Vision lineup.

The 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports delivers enhanced, professional-grade optics and greater durability for challenging, high-action photographic situations. The 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary is a versatile lens that offers similar performance in a more compact and portable design. Pricing and availability of these lenses are not yet available.

Both versions of the 150-600mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM feature dust and splash-proof features, as well as new water and oil-repellent coating on the front and rear lenses. They boast an updated Optical Stabilizer (OS) that features an accelerometer for improved vertical and horizontal panning, essential for bird, wildlife and motor sports photography. Two new switches were added for ease-of-use, including a new zoom lock switch capable of locking at any focal distance and a Manual Override (MO) switch for improved control of focusing performance. An enhanced auto focus (AF) algorithm and Hyper Sonic Motor ensure quiet and fast AF. The lenses are compatible with Sigma’s newly announced lineup of Global Vision teleconverters, which are effective up to F/8.

“The Global Vision Art, Sports and Contemporary lines were developed to help photographers identify lenses that are best suited to their specific photography and these two lenses are perfect examples of that intent,” Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “While they share a focal length and many outstanding features, these lenses are designed with different photographers in mind. Both high-performance lenses, one is for the professional-grade action shooter; the other for photographers looking for high performance and portability.”

The 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports offers the highest level of performance and durability with a splash and dust proof construction, and features dimensions of 4.8 inches by 11.4 inches, with a weight of 100.9 ounces. It contains 24 lens elements in 16 groups – including two FLD and three SLD glass elements – with a minimum aperture of F/22 and minimum focusing distance of 102.4 inches. Its maximum magnification ratio is also 1:5. The Sports lens will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts.

The 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens is the first hyper-telephoto zoom lens from the Global Vision Contemporary line, and will enable easy handling with a smaller build than its Sports counterpart. It is equipped with a splash and dust proof mount, and while the weight of the lens is still to be determined, its dimensions will be 4.1 inches by 10.2 inches. The lens will feature 20 elements in 14 groups – including one FLD and three SLD glass elements – with a minimum aperture of F/22 and minimum focusing distance of 110.2 inches. Its maximum magnification ratio is 1:5. It will be available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon and Sony mounts.

All of Sigma’s Global Vision lenses are compatible with the company’s USB dock and Mount Conversion Service, and undergo individual testing before being shipped. Using the USB Dock allows for advanced customization of AF speed, OS viewing modes, focus limiter and firmware updates. Every Sigma Global Vision lens is tested with Sigma’s proprietary “A1” MTF measuring system prior to shipping to ensure optimal performance and image quality.

The company will be exhibiting at the 2014 Photokina in Cologne, Germany, later this month. The latest lenses from the Global Vision lineup will be on display at the event and attendees are invited to stop by booth #B20/C29 in Hall 4.2. For information about Sigma, go to www.sigmaphoto.com or follow the company on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports Lens

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports lens

* * *  Sigma announced 150-600mm Sports lens for Photokina 2014  * * *

Late last year, the Tamron 150-600mm f/5-6.3 lens was announced and it is still not widely available in the United States. I managed to put the lens through a quick test in January 2014 and wrote a post about it.

Now Sigma wants to join this space by announcing their own 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS lens. Ever since the revolutionary Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS 1.4x Extender USM lens was released last year, third party lens manufacturers are trying to emulate the versatility of this Super Telephoto lens but for a fraction of the price.

Sigma’s new lens has 24 elements compared to Tamron’s 20, and weighs a little over 6 pounds. Minimum focusing distance is also a bit shorter, and the lens has optimized AF and OS. The Sigma lens will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts, with Sony A-Mount coming later. I will reserve judgement on this lens until I have a chance to try it out.

Sigma 150-600mm Lens Specs, Tamron 150-600mm specs in bracket for comparison :

•     Construction : 24 elements, 16 groups (20 elements, 13 groups)
•     Filter diameter : 105 mm (95mm)
•     Minimum focusing distance : 260 cm (270 cm)
•     Dimensions : 121 x 290.2 mm (105.6 x 257.8 mm)
•     Aperture blades : 9, rounded (9, rounded)
•     Maximum magnification : 1:5 (1:5)
•     Weight : 2860 g / 100.88 oz.  (1951 g / 68.8 oz.)
•     Available mounts : Canon, Nikon, Sigma (Canon, Nikon, Sony)
•     List price : less than $2,000