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At photokina 2012 Sigma announced a new "Global Vision", which divides their lens portfolio into 3 categories: "Contemporary", "Art" and "Sports". These product lines don't apply to existing Sigma lenses, but any newly developed lens will be assigned to one of them, giving a rough guidance about the intended purpose of a lens.
The first lens that carries the "Art" tag is the 35mm f/1.4 DG. Sigma already has some experience in building fast prime lenses, a market segment that has not seen much contribution from 3rd party suppliers in the past. Just like their other full frame primes, the EX 50/1.4 and the EX 85/1.4, the new Art lens competes with the original manufacturer's products. Since we're looking at the EF-mount version of the Sigma lens here, the direct competitor is obviously Canon' own EF 35mm f/1.4, a highly regarded lens, but also a rather expensive one. Retailing at just more then half the price of the Canon, Sigma now offers a more affordable option to Canon shooters but is it also as good ... or even better ?
The rumors were true: Sigma officially announced the world's first 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM lens: World’s first lens offering an aperture of F1.8 throughout the zoom range.SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM...
At photokina 2012 Sigma announced a new "Global Vision", which divides their lens portfolio into 3 categories: "Contemporary", "Art" and "Sports". These product lines don't apply to existing Sigma lenses, but any newly developed lens will be assigned to one of them, giving a rough guidance about the intended purpose of a lens.
The first lens that carries the "Art" tag is the 35mm f/1.4 DG. Sigma already has some experience in building fast prime lenses, a market segment that has not seen much contribution from 3rd party suppliers in the past. Just like their other full frame primes, the EX 50/1.4 and the EX 85/1.4, the new Art lens competes with the original manufacturer's products. Since we're looking at the F-mount version of the Sigma lens here, the direct competitor of course is Nikon's own AF-S 35mm f/1.4, a highly regarded lens, but also a rather expensive one. Retailing at roughly half the price of the Nikkor, Sigma now offers a more affordable option to Nikon shooters.
So, let's have a look at how the lens performs on our current FX test camera, the Nikon D3x.
Our review of the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM. The latest version of Sigma's stabilized superzoom is smaller and lighter than the existing non-macro version, yet is able to add improved close-focus performance, helping it compete with the similarly-sized Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 VC PZD. These long-range all-rounders are a popular choice, so we've had a look at how Sigma's latest performs. We've also added DxOMark's test data for a selection of its competitors, to give a sense of context.
Photokina 2012: Sigma has announced it will brand its lenses in three categories and has introduced a new lens in each of the categories. The 'Contemporary' range will cover compact, flexible zooms, such as the new, smaller 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC OS Macro designed for APS-C DSLRs. The 'Art' range will include lenses such as primes, wide-angles and macros, and a new 35mm F1.4 DG HSM covering a full-frame imaging circle. Finally, the 'Sports' range will encompass Sigma's telephoto primes, telephoto zooms and superzooms, such as the new 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM.
We probably should have figured this out more quickly, but when a brand new Sigma 180 OS gave us this picture shot on a 5DIII, we simply thought “wonder what’s wrong with the lens?”...
Sigma offers a trio of fast wide angle lenses, featuring focal lengths of 20, 24 and 28 mm. All three lenses share a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and a very short minimum focus distance, which allows for interesting and often dramatic perspectives of close subjects.
In this review we'll have a look at how the 24mm lens performs on our current FX test camera, the Nikon D3x. Due to the similarities of the lenses, the three reviews share large portions of text.
"Medium tele macro lenses are among the most popular prime lenses - they are long and fast enough for decent portrait photography and offer a sufficient working distance during macro sessions compared to shorter macro lenses. Other than that they tend to offer an outstanding image quality and all that for an decent price tag. The popularity among customers is also a reason why we are seeing faster than average product life-cycles. In this review we will have a look at the Sigma AF 105mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM OS macro. Its predecassor was quite successful already and this new version is offering a couple of innovations such as an optical image stabilizer and especially a constant physical length across the focus range. As such it competes with the very comparable Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM L IS. It is about 20% cheaper than its mighty rival but it does not feature a weather sealing like the Canon lens."
"Instruments of focal length from 90 to 150 mm, f/2.8 aperture and the minimum focus distance of about 30 cm are considered classic macro lenses. The term ‘classic’ concerns analogue and digital photography on a 35 mm sensor. With the introduction of APS-C/DX sensors, with the focal length magnification of 1.5-1.6x ( but 1.7x for a Sigma and even 2x for an Olympus and a Panasonic), the angles of view of 90-150 mm devices decreased significantly, becoming the equivalents of 135-225 mm class lenses. Often it is too much for the needs of portrait or macro photography.
The producers’ reaction was quite fast. Since March 2005 Canon has been offering the EF-S 2/8/60 lens, designed only for reflex cameras with APS-C sensors; it performs like a 95 mm instrument on full frame.
We had to wait a bit longer for an answer from Sigma but finally that producer decided to follow the others’ example. In July 2006 they launched the Sigma 70 mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro which is supposed to be an equivalent of a classic 105 device on small sensors. What’s important, it is also a full frame instrument and it can be used both as a macro or a casual portrait lens."
"Just posted: our review of Sigma's SD1 Merrill, the company's flagship 15MPx3 DSLR. The SD1 is the first camera to use the latest APS-C Foveon sensor, which detects three-color data at each location, giving what Sigma says is resolution equivalent to a 30MP conventional Bayer design. We've used both an original SD1 and SD1 Merrill, which are identical in terms of function and output, and the review reflects the behavior of the latest firmware for each. So does the no live view, no video SD1 deliver enough to carve out its own niche?"
"We've been taking a closer look at the latest Sigma products, on show at the Focus on Imaging event in Birmingham, UK. A lot of the buzz at this year's show may be around the big new SLRs from Nikon and Canon, along with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Fujifilm X-Pro1, but Sigma is also quietly showing its recent announcements. The 15x3MP Foveon sensor-equipped DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill, along with the Digital Neo 19mm F2.8 and 30mm F2.8 lenses for Micro Four Thirds are all on show, so we decided to dig a bit deeper..."
"Sigma has totally reinvented its DP series of large sensor compacts with the DP1 Merrill and DP2 Merrill. The DP Merrill models are named after Dick Merrill, inventor of the Foveon sensor and include the most recent version of the technology - the 15x3MP APS-C sensor first seen in Sigma's SD1. Because the Merrill cameras feature full APS-C sensors, they also feature totally redesigned lenses, with the DP1M including a 19mm F2.8 lens to offer a 28mm equivalent field of view and the DP2M having a 30mm F2.8 lens to give a 45mm equivalent field-of-view. Both camera's lenses (which may sound familiar in the light of the company's Digital Neo announcements) include Sigma's Fluorite-like 'FLD' glass elements. They also both include substantially redesigned bodies that incorporate high-resolution 920k dot LCDs. The controls have also been updated and the cameras look smarter as a result. Having been first-to-market with a large sensor, prime lens compact, it must have been hard for Sigma to watch the success of Fujifilm's X100. We haven't had a chance to see the Merrills in-person yet but we hold out hope that the high-res sensor and updates will make the DP series competitive again. There is also no detail on pricing yet."
"Sigma has announced the APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, an image stabilized telephoto macro lens. The company claim it is the first 180mm macro to combine 1:1 reproduction with an F2.8 maximum aperture. It offers a closest focusing distance of 47cm (18.5 inches) and includes the company's optical stabilization and 'FLD' fluorite-like glass elements. An internal focus design and ring-type HSM focus motor allow full-time manual focus override. Pricing and availability will be announced later."
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ver many years Sigma struggled to take off in the fast standard zoom arena for APS-C DSLRs. That segment had been dominated by the Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 (VC) with its highly attractive price/performance ratio and the all mighty but expensive OEM offerings (Nikon AF-S DX 17-55/2.8 and Canon EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS) owning the quality crown. However, with the release of the AF 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM OS in 2010, Sigma finally offers a lens that is able to compete in this arena.
That alone may not be all THAT exciting - we've seen many fast standard zoom lenses by Sigma come and go - but this one is a bit more special. Within the recent years, Sigma announced a couple of lenses featuring their new FLD glass and the new 17-50mm f/2.8 OS is among them. FLD glass has an optical characteristic similar to fluorite glass. Such glass elements can be used to compensate optical aberrations (defects) more efficiently than conventional "special" elements such as Sigma's more commonly used SLD glass. We were already very impressed by the performance of the Sigma AF 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM which also benefits from FLD elements so there's some well founded hope that the AF 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM OS stands out from the ordinary as well.
So, let's have a look at how the lens performs on our current DX test camera, the Nikon D7000.
Normal primes for full frame cameras are often considered must-have items in any camera bag, since they usually offer stunning performance at a very moderate price.
On APS-C digital cameras, things look a bit different though. To achieve the field of view of a normal prime, it takes a lens in the range of 30mm to 35mm, preferably a fast one. Many systems feature a native 35mm f/1.4 lens, however these are usually full frame lenses targeting professional users. Which means: they are mighty expensive.
Nikon adresses this issue with its AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 lens, however there is also a 3rd party option that is even faster: the Sigma AF 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM. The lens has been around for a while, in fact at the time of this review Sigma just announced they are going to replace the lens with a different design. So, the lens faces the end of its product life cycle. However, that won't stop us from having a look at how the lens performs on our current DX test camera, the Nikon D7000.
At Photokina 2012, Sigma announced a reorganization of its lens lineup into three categories - 'Contemporary' covering lightweight, flexible zooms, 'Sports' for larger telephoto lenses, and 'Art' for a wide range of optics aimed at serious photographers, including ultra-wideangles, macros and fast primes. At the same time the company announced three new lenses, one in each class, with the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM as the first release in the Art category...
Today, we received our first 35mm f/1.4 Sigma lens. The first in their new revamped lineup. I was eager to see it, hoping it was going to be another step forward and hoping to find some signs of what will be adjustable in these new lenses.
The product life cycle of a lens usually covers several years, if not a decade or even more. As with any rule, there are exceptions, and the Sigma EX 70-200/2.8 is certainly one of them. The initial product was launched back in 1998, when Sigma introduced the EX 70-200/2.8 APO as one of the first lenses to carry the "EX" designation. That lens remained a current product for 7 years. From 2005 onwards however, Sigma's product managers switched into fast pace mode. The Sigma 70-200/2.8 EX OS HSM, announced in 2010, is the 4th update to the initial product within less than 5 years: - 2005: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM
- 2006: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro HSM
- 2007: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II
- 2010: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM
The latest upgrade adds optical stabilization (OS), a feature that has been offered by the original manufacturer's lenses for quite some time now. With this feature added, Sigma currently is the only 3rd party manufacturer that can fully compete in this segment with Nikon and Canon, at least on paper. In this review we'll have a look at how the lens performs on our current FX test camera, the Nikon D3x.
Recently we have had an opportunity to test in detail a very interesting and quite unique lens which is Sigma 120-300 mm f/2.8 APO EX DG OS HSM. How it managed in our test procedure You can find out reading our review of this lens. Enjoy!
Sigma offers a trio of fast wide angle lenses, featuring focal lengths of 20, 24 and 28 mm. All three lenses share a maximum aperture of f/1.8 and a very short minimum focus distance, which allows for interesting and often dramatic perspectives of close subjects.
In this review we'll have a look at how the 28mm lens performs on our current FX test camera, the Nikon D3x.
"In January 2012 the Sigma company presented two new lenses designed for mirrorless cameras - the Sigma 30 mm f/2.8 EX DN and the Sigma 19 mm f/2.8 EX DN. One month ago we have published our review of the first one of them. Today the time has come for the second. Enjoy!"
The Sigma 19 mm f/2.8 EX DN lens has come to our editorial office, recently. We are pleased
to present the sample pictures taken using this lens mounted to the mirrorless Sony NEX-7 camera.
"The "old" Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC is/was one of the more popular standard zoom lenses. It provides a longer reach than the average "kit" zoom lenses (usually 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 variants) yet it's a bit more affordable than the typical mid-grade zoom lenses a la Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 USM IS or Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR ... and it's 2/3 f-stops "faster".
In our previous tests it performed pretty well. But the initially released version relied on a fairly dated screw drive, which made it an unattractive choice for most Nikon DX users. Sigma upgraded the F-mount version of the lens to an HSM drive (the Canon variant uses a DC motor instead), but still the lens lacked one important feature: optical image stabilization. Well, it seems as if Sigma agreed here because they eventually released the Sigma AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC HSM OS, that provides both the modern ultrasonic AF drive (HSM)as well as stabilization (OS). In this review we will have a look at how the lens performs on our current DX test camera, the Nikon D7000."
"Sigma's new CEO, Kazuto Yamaki has announced the re-branding and re-pricing of the company's flagship camera. The SD1 DSLR will now be know as the SD1 Merrill, in honor of the Dick Merrill, inventor of the Foveon sensor technology on which it is based. The price will also be revised, falling to what should be a street price of around $2,299, which Yamaki attributes to work conducted to reduce production costs of the sensor. Despite these changes, his letter promises the performance and characteristics of the sensor have not changed. To avoid disappointing existing SD1 customers, Sigma will offer a support program with 'points' that can be exchanged for Sigma products. ($2,299 is the Minimum Advertised Price quoted by the Sigma Corporation of America - the price that suppliers agree not to publicly advertise the camera below - and can be expected to be the street price shortly after cameras become available)"
"It is with great sadness that we receive the news that Sigma's founder and CEO Michihiro Yamaki has died of liver cancer at the age of 78. Yamaki founded Sigma in 1961 and was still head of the company when it celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011. In that time he took it from being a maker of converter lenses to one of the largest independent lens makers in the industry. His passion for photography also saw Sigma create one of the first large sensor compact cameras. Everyone at dpreview.com would like to offer our deepest condolences to his family at this sad time."
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