Sigma announces new 50mm f/1.4 Art and 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Contemporary lenses (UPDATED)

 

Sigma has been busy redesigning their lenses according to their new 'A(rt)', 'C(ontemporary)' and 'S(ports)' classification scheme as part of their Global Vision series. At CES in Las Vegas, the company has announced two new Global Vision lenses: the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and the Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary.

The new 50mm f/1.4 Art is more than just an update to Sigma's previous fast fifty. Rather, it's a completely new lens. Thanks to a new optical formula now sporting 13 lens elements in 8 groups (an unusual construction for a 50mm lens), the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art promises high resolution to match modern DSLRs, beautiful bokeh as well as overall excellent image quality.

 

The Sigma 18-200mm fully extended vs closed

The new 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Contemporary lens is an update to the company's previous 18-200mm lens. However, it makes use of a revised optical construction that makes it smaller and lighter and gives it a closer minimum focusing distance. Both lenses are compatible with Sigma's USB dock for easy firmware updates. Pricing and availability of either lens have not yet been announced.

Below are the full technical specifications for the two lenses.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art:

• Focal length: 50mm
• Max. aperture: f/1.4
• Min. aperture: f/16
• 9 rounded aperture blades
• 13 elements in 8 groups, containing 1 aspherical and 3 SLD elements
• Min. focusing distance: 40 cm (15.7 in.)
• Filter thread: 77 mm
• Dimensions (L x D): 100 x 85 mm (3.9 x 3.4 in.)
• Weight: 470 g (1.04 lb)
• Mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F (FX), Sony Alpha, Sigma SA

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Contemporary:

• Focal length: 18-200mm (~28-300mm equivalent on APS-C)
• Max. aperture: f/3.5-6.3
• Min. aperture: f/22
• 7 rounded aperture blades
• 16 elements in 13 groups, containing double-sided aspherical and SLD elements
• Min. focusing distance: 39 cm (15.4 in.)
• Filter thread: 62 mm
• Dimensions (L x D): 86 x 71 mm (3.4 x 2.8 in.)
• Weight: 430 g (0.95 lb)
• Mounts: Canon EF, Nikon F (DX), Pentax K, Sony Alpha, Sigma SA

UPDATE: We got a brief hands-on with these two new lenses at CES, and, as expected based on Sigma's other Global Vision lenses, the build quality of these new optics are excellent. The new 50mm f/1.4 Art lens is extremely solid and much larger -- and heavier -- than we were expecting on account of the new optical layout -- there's a lot of glass in there.

The new 18-200mm lens is equally impressive. The two-part telescoping barrel is sturdy, with no issues of wiggling, and is buttery smooth. The locking zoom switch is a nice touch, even though the zoom feel was anything but loose. There was a sample Canon-mount copy of this lens to try, and the AF speed was very snappy.

We look forward to fully testing these lenses in the near future, and if Sigma's other recent triumphs are of any indication, these new lenses are likely to be quite impressive.