Photography Reviews

During the January 2012 CES/PMA show in Las Vegas, Sigma was able to grab a bit of the spotlight with the introduction of an updated mid-range, fixed focal length telephoto lens and 2 new Micro Four Thirds lenses with mounts for Olympus and Panasonic, and an E-mount for Sony NEX-series cameras.

1. The Sigma APO Macro 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens improves on its predecessor, the 180mm f/3.5 EX DG macro, with a faster aperture and the inclusion of Sigma’s Optical Stabilizer (OS) capability. According to the Sigma announcement, the new version of the 180mm is the first lens of this size and speed that has a magnification ratio of 1:1. The company also claims that photographers can shoot as many as 4 stops slower with this lens because of the OS technology. The combination of the faster aperture and OS should allow digital photographers to capture better low-light images while shooting hand-held. The wider aperture will also create a narrower depth of field since faster shutter speeds will be possible.

Sigma has also engineered the glass elements in the 180mm to address the common aberration, ghosting and flare issues of all telephoto lenses. Three of the glass elements are “F” Low Dispersion, which help to minimize color aberrations because these glass elements are similar to fluorite glass’ optical characteristics. Sigma gave the elements in this lens its Super Multi-Layer Coating, which suppresses ghosting and flare. Maybe, more important for serious amateurs and pros is that the coating helps to create the deeper contrast they prefer. The new 180mm f/2.8 is also built with internal focusing, so aberrations that are produced at various distances become negligible.

The “HSM” designation in the full name of the new Sigma 180mm f/2.8 lens refers to the company’s Hyper Sonic Motor that drives the auto-focus system quickly and quietly. Full-time manual focus is also available. This lens should also create excellent bokeh (also important to experienced photographers) with its 9-blade diaphragm.

Since Sigma is touting the macro capability of the 180mm f/2.8, its 1:1 magnification ratio results in a focusing distance of 18.5 inches. This allows macro photographers to remain farther from subjects that are often spooked when a macro lens of a shorter focal length is being used.

The new lenses for mirrorless interchangeable lens systems that Sigma announced at the 2012 CES Show are the company’s first such products. Sigma is calling this line of lenses, Digital Neo (DN). Sigma states in its press release that all DN lenses are designed with what the company calls “telecentric optics.” The lenses will be capable of delivering sharpness and high resolution over the complete expanse of each image.

Sigma also created a new linear, auto-focus (AF) motor for these Micro Four Third lenses. The motor directly controls the lens, eliminating gears or other mechanical parts. Sigma is confident both still and video photographers will find these lenses highly usable since the new AF motor is so quiet and follows moving subjects so well.

2. The first lens of the line is the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN. It is the equivalent of a 60mm lens in the 35mm format when used with Olympic and Panasonic mirrorless systems and a 45mm lens when E-mounted to Sony bodies. Sigma has created an interesting combination of glass elements, giving the 30mm f/2.8 two glass mold aspherical elements, one of which is aspherical on both sides. This is Sigma’s solution to the various types of possible aberrations. The minimum focusing distance of this lens is 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification ratio is 1:8.1.

3. The first wide-angle lens for Sigma’s Digital Neo series is the 19mm f/2.8 EX DN. It has an angle of view of 38mm in the 35mm format for Micro Four Thirds cameras and 28.5mm on Sony NEX cameras. The Sigma 19mm is equipped with three of the glass mold aspherical elements. Its minimum focusing distance is 7.9 inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:7.4.

As of the writing of this PhotographyTalk.com article, Sigma had not announced when these lenses would be available for purchase or their prices. Check with B&H Photo Video regularly for this information (bhphotovideo.com).

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