Part of the excitement of last week’s Photokina (click here to read more about amazing things announced across the pond!) was the forthcoming release of five new lenses by Sigma, from all three of their Global Vision categories. Pricing and availability will be announced at a later date, except for the 60-600mm, which we know will be available later this month. You’ll be sure to find them on MikesCamera.com for preorder as soon as they’re available!
The lenses
- Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art in SA-, F-, EF-, and E-mounts. A much-requested angle of view, with minimum distortion.
- Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art in SA-, F-, EF-, and E-mounts. Designed to function at the level of high-end cine lenses.
- Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports in SA-, F-, and EF-mounts. Includes a customizable AF Function button.
- Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports in SA-, F-, and EF-mounts. Available late October 2018.
- Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary in MFT and E-mount. Art lens quality in an ultra-compact size.
The lowdown
Here’s what all that means, in case you don’t speak Sigma yet.
All of Sigma’s lenses are divided into three categories as part of their “Global Vision,” implemented a few years ago.
- Art lenses prioritize quality and artistic expression above all else. Art lenses include fast primes, fish-eyes, macros, and more, but the common thread is the exceptional image quality they enable.
- Sports lenses are telephoto lenses designed to capture action as fast as you can find it.
- Contemporary lenses take advantage of the latest techniques in optical design to keep size and weight to a bare minimum. This doesn’t necessarily mean a sacrifice in quality—the new 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is promised to provide “art lens image quality.”
DG lenses are made to cover full-frame sensors.
DN lenses are made to cover APS-C sensors, and will show vignetting if used on larger sensors.
DC indicates that a lens is made for mirrorless/compact camera systems.
HSM stands for Hyper Sonic Motor, and denotes a silent, ultrasonic ring-type focusing motor. With a redesigned control algorithm, the HSM is faster and more accurate than ever.
OS stands for, as you might guess, “optical stabilization,” and designates lenses with anti-shake technology built-in.
What about the L-mount standard?
You may have heard about Sigma’s participation in the L-Mount Alliance. If you’re wondering about lenses you may have from Sigma remaining useful, fear not! For a fee, Sigma will actually convert Global Vision lenses to any of their other mounts. Click here for more information.