Sigma unveils three new full-frame mirrorless lenses, and three updated for Canon EF-M mount

 

 

Alongside Sigma's rather bombshell announcement of the Sigma fp, a compact photo/cinema full-frame camera, they also debuted a trio of new lenses for full-frame mirrorless cameras for Sony E-mount and, of course, Sigma/Panasonic/Leica's L-mount. Additionally, Sigma has refreshed three earlier APS-C prime lenses, offering a version for Canon EF-M cameras.

SIGMA 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art

Sigma's first ultra-bright f/1.2 prime lens comes in the form of a classic focal length: 35mm. Not only is this Sigma's first lens with an f/1.2 aperture, it's also the world's first AF-capable wide-angle prime with an f/1.2 aperture for E-mount and L-mount cameras. This fast, wide-angle optic is another addition to Sigma's high-end Art series lineup and is said to offer the "ultimate image quality" according to Sigma. Given our experience of fantastic image quality from other Sigma Art lenses, we've got high hopes that this new 35mm f/1.2 lens will continue that tradition.

 

Sharing similar styling to previous Sigma Global Vision lenses, the 35mm f/1.2 sports a sleek matte black finish with a large ridged focusing ring. However, there is a new manual aperture ring with a de-clicking option for video shooters. Further, like most other Art series lenses, this too offers robust build quality with weather-sealing throughout and a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front lens element.

 

 

In terms of optical construction, the 35mm f/1.2 is comprised of 17 total elements in 12 groups, and features three SLD glass elements and three aspherical lenses including a single double-sided aspherical lens. The lens is designed to take advantage of both physically-correctable optical aberrations, such as sagittal coma flare, as well as the various corrections that can be digitally adjusted in-camera, such as distortion and vignetting. The lens also features an 11-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.2 is designed with both photographers and videographers in mind, hence features like the de-clicked aperture ring. For still shooters, the lens' Hyper Sonic Motor provides fast, precise AF performance, and for those -- particularly cinematographers -- utilizing manual focus, the focus ring on the lens is nevertheless a focus-by-wire system, but Sigma claims the torque and feel of the focus ring is designed to allow for precise focus adjustments.

SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary

While the 35mm f/1.2 is a large, fast prime lens, the new Sigma 45mm f/2.8 lens, on the other hand, is a very compact, very lightweight prime designed primarily for use with small full-frame cameras. A member of the Contemporary line of lenses, the new 45mm f/2.8 is also designed for impressive optical performance yet maintain an affordable price point.

 

 

This small and lightweight lens weighs in at only 215g, which is less than half a pound, and is only 46.2mm (1.8 in) in length. It's an impressively small lens for a full-frame camera. The lens features a total of 8 elements in 7 groups, and the optical design has been designed for producing pleasing bokeh. According to Sigma, spherical aberration has been controlled in order to make pleasing blur both in front of and behind the subject. Furthermore, deliberate vignetting has been incorporated to help with the smooth look and feel of the bokeh characteristics. Additionally, with a minimum focusing distance of just 24cm, the lens 45mm f/2.8 is a great option for close-up photography.

Utilizing a stepping motor system for autofocus, the lens offers fast yet quiet AF performance and also supports Face/Eye Detection AF and video AF. Manual focus is also available. And like the 35mm f/1.2, the 45mm prime also features a dedicated aperture ring, although it is unclear at this time if it offers a de-click option. The lens uses a 7-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm.

SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art

Landscape photographers and astrophotography aficionados will have undoubtedly noticed the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens, which is now coming to Sony E-mount and L-mount. Previously available solely as a DSLR lens, for Canon and Nikon mounts, the 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN lens is not merely a re-mount of the existing 14-24 DSLR version, but rather a complete redesign, taking into account the short flange back distance of mirrorless cameras. This mirrorless version uses a different optical structure and is an altogether smaller, lighter lens than its full-frame DSLR counterpart.

 

 

Designed with low-light and astrophotography in mind, the new Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN lens features a number of exotic lens elements to help suppress chromatic aberration and coma flare as well as offer very high resolving power. The lens uses a total of 18 elements in 13 groups and features one FLD glass and five SLD glass elements as well as three aspherical elements, including one large-diameter aspherical element as the frontmost element. Furthermore, thanks to a new multi-layer Nano Porous Coating, which uses nano-sized porous silica coatings, the lens is also designed to withstand flare, ghosting and flare due to strong backlighting. And as an Art-series lens, the 14-24mm is dust- and moisture-resistant and has a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element. The lens uses an 11-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm. 

Given the large diameter of the front inherent in such a wide-angle lens, the Sigma 14-24mm, instead, offers a rear filter hold bracket allowing the use of sheet type rear filters. Like the 45mm f/2.8 lens, the Sigma 14-24mm utilizes a stepper motor for autofocus, allowing for high-speed and silent AF functionality. The lens is also compatible with Face/Eye Detection AF features of Sony and L-mount cameras. Additionally, the lens features a customizable "AFL" button on the side that can be programmed for various functionality in-camera.

Pricing & Availability: Sigma states that the 35mm f/1.2 and 45mm f/2.8 are slated to go on sale sometime this month, while the 14-24mm will hit the market in August, with pricing as follows:

• SIGMA 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art - $1499
• SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary - $549
• SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Art - $1399

Sigma updates 16mm f/1.4, 30mm f/1.4 & 56mm f/1.4 for Canon EF-M mounts

Previously only available for Micro Four Thirds and APS-C Sony E-mount cameras, Sigma has also announced that they are developing new versions of their 16mm f/1.4, 30mm f/1.4, and 56mm f/1.4 prime lenses for Canon's APS-C EF-M mount. Further details are not available at this time, but Sigma states the EF-M version of these primes will be available this Fall.