Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM lens Announced!

Sigma Corporation announces world’s first F1.8 constant aperture zoom lens

RONKONKOMA, NY, Apr. 18, 2013 — Sigma Corporation of America ( www.sigmaphoto.com ), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider for some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens, the market’s first zoom lens to achieve a maximum aperture F1.8 throughout the entire zoom range.

This revolutionary, wide aperture, standard zoom lens is created for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors, which translates to a focal range of 27-52.5mm on a 35mm camera. With a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches, and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.3, the 18-35mm is ideal for landscapes, portraits, still-life, studio, close-up and casual photography.

“Exceptionally fast apertures were previously unavailable in zoom lenses, so photographers turned to several prime lenses in a session to get bright images at various focal lengths. We’re incredibly excited to be the first manufacturer to bring the F1.8 standard zoom to the market and to provide photographers with a new level of creativity and convenience, with the outstanding image quality at the core of the new Sigma Global Vision,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America.

Amir-Hamzeh added that because developing a large aperture wide angle zoom lens can prove to be technologically and optically challenging, often resulting in various distortions, aberrations and field curvature, Sigma has tapped into its long history as a lens pioneer to overcome those issues in this new generation lens.

“Our experience with the wide angle designs of our 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 II DG HSM and our 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM, and our research and development in our Aizu factory have prepared us for this technological advancement,” he said. “Our wide, glass-molded aspherical lens and the incorporation of Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass have optimized power distribution of the optical elements and compensated for various aberrations, as well as curvature of field at the widest angle. We’re extremely proud of this achievement.”

The 18-35mm is the latest addition to the company’s company’s Art line of lenses, designed under the new Global Vision. The Global Vision lenses have a sleek new design with the manufacturing year stamped on the barrel, and are categorized by use into one of three groups: Art, Contemporary and Sports. The Art category delivers high-level artistic expression through sophisticated and abundant expressive power.

The new 18-35mm lens incorporates Sigma’s improved AF/MF switch and the use of Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) compound material, which has a high affinity to metal parts, consistently performs well at extreme temperatures, and reduces the size and weight of the lens. It is also compatible with Sigma’s new USB Dock, which will be available in coming months, enabling photographers to update lens firmware and adjust focus parameters from their computers.

Convenient handling is achieved with internal focusing and zooming, which prevents changes to the size of the lens. Additionally, the front part of the lens does not rotate, so special filters like circular polarizers can be used.

The 18-35mm lens’ Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides sharp and high contrast images, even in backlit conditions. The petal-type hood that is supplied with the lens will provide extra protection from flare and ghosting. Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures a silent, high-speed AF function and the optimized auto focus algorithm results in smooth focusing and full-time manual focusing capability. Lastly, the nine-blade, rounded diaphragm creates an attractive, round bokeh at large-aperture settings.

Sigma 18-35mm f:1.8 DC HSM

Specs

Designed for APS-C based DSLR cameras
Ultrasonic autofocus (HSM)
9 aperture blades
Type A (Art), which guarantees quality materials, metal bayonet
Filter size: 72mm
Minimum aperture: f/16
Lens construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
The maximum magnification ratio: 0.23x
Weight: 810 grams, length: 121mm
Angle of view: 76.5 – 44.2°
Internal zoom and focusing
Minimal focusing distance: 28cm

canontweets.com/2013/04/sigma-18-35mm-f1-8-dc-hsm-lens/

CanonKid wrote: This revolutionary, wide aperture, standard zoom lens is created for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors, which translates to a focal range of 27-52.5mm on a 35mm camera.

Aaagggghhhh! It does not, it does not, it does not! They should know better.

garyrhook wrote:

CanonKid wrote: This revolutionary, wide aperture, standard zoom lens is created for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors, which translates to a focal range of 27-52.5mm on a 35mm camera.

Aaagggghhhh! It does not, it does not, it does not! They should know better.

It does. 1.5 crop factor.

Scotty wrote:

garyrhook wrote:

CanonKid wrote: This revolutionary, wide aperture, standard zoom lens is created for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors, which translates to a focal range of 27-52.5mm on a 35mm camera.

Aaagggghhhh! It does not, it does not, it does not! They should know better.

It does. 1.5 crop factor.

It (the sensor size) affects the view field. It does not affect the focal length or range. That makes their statement inaccurate.

garyrhook wrote:

Scotty wrote:

garyrhook wrote:

CanonKid wrote: This revolutionary, wide aperture, standard zoom lens is created for DSLR cameras with APS-C size sensors, which translates to a focal range of 27-52.5mm on a 35mm camera.

Aaagggghhhh! It does not, it does not, it does not! They should know better.

It does. 1.5 crop factor.

It (the sensor size) affects the view field. It does not affect the focal length or range. That makes their statement inaccurate.

Focal length is the distance between the rear element and the sensor. Focal range is the reach of the lens.

Big time game changer. I'm thinking $1500.

• Weight: 810 grams, length: 121mm

This thing is a beast. I will pass.

KCook wrote:

• Weight: 810 grams, length: 121mm

This thing is a beast. I will pass.

rofl that's lighter than the 24-70.

Scotty wrote:

KCook wrote:

• Weight: 810 grams, length: 121mm

This thing is a beast. I will pass.

rofl that's lighter than the 24-70.

... which is a full frame design ...

KCook wrote:

Scotty wrote:

KCook wrote:

• Weight: 810 grams, length: 121mm

This thing is a beast. I will pass.

rofl that's lighter than the 24-70.

... which is a full frame design ...

You need to work out.

Scotty wrote: Focal length is the distance between the rear element and the sensor. Focal range is the reach of the lens.

I understand that. The sensor size does not affect the geometry of either of those in any way. The view size is what it is, but it does not change the behavior of the lens.

It's pretty much decided that the manufacturer's should never have tried to liken APS-C sensor sizes to full-frame sizes in this way. The fact of the matter is that it is impossible, geometrically speaking, to completely and precisely recreate an image in camera from one sensor type to another, crop factor included. The geometry does not allow it. I don't get why some insist on making this comparison.

garyrhook wrote:

Scotty wrote: Focal length is the distance between the rear element and the sensor. Focal range is the reach of the lens.

I understand that. The sensor size does not affect the geometry of either of those in any way. The view size is what it is, but it does not change the behavior of the lens.

It's pretty much decided that the manufacturer's should never have tried to liken APS-C sensor sizes to full-frame sizes in this way. The fact of the matter is that it is impossible, geometrically speaking, to completely and precisely recreate an image in camera from one sensor type to another, crop factor included. The geometry does not allow it. I don't get why some insist on making this comparison.

What they are stating is true. I'm not sure what you're arguing.

Well, try as I might, I can't find a single definition of "focal range" (via google) that matches your assertion as to its meaning. It appears to be synonymous with "focal length". If so, at the risk of repeating myself, the crop factor has zero to do with the focal length/range/whatever. Nothing, period. The view area is what it is, and the two are unrelated. It's asinine for manufacturers to obfuscate this issue, because a crop sensor camera is not going to cause a (e.g.) 35mm lens to change the way it processes light rays one iota. It does what it does.It's just a lens and it behaves according to physics. You want to capture a larger area of the image it produces, get a larger sensor.

We don't have to tolerate this nonsense when discussing full-frame vs. medium format, do we? Or am I just missing something.

garyrhook wrote: Well, try as I might, I can't find a single definition of "focal range" (via google) that matches your assertion as to its meaning. It appears to be synonymous with "focal length". If so, at the risk of repeating myself, the crop factor has zero to do with the focal length/range/whatever. Nothing, period. The view area is what it is, and the two are unrelated. It's asinine for manufacturers to obfuscate this issue, because a crop sensor camera is not going to cause a (e.g.) 35mm lens to change the way it processes light rays one iota. It does what it does.It's just a lens and it behaves according to physics. You want to capture a larger area of the image it produces, get a larger sensor.

We don't have to tolerate this nonsense when discussing full-frame vs. medium format, do we? Or am I just missing something.

They do focal range or reach when talking about comparisons for hasseblads, and phase one IQ 180's. I've heard it in the movie industry in the studio.


I think we're talking about the same thing.

So they said "translates" when they should have said "gives field of view equivalent"?

mumbles