- Sigma unveils an ultra-wide 12mm f/1.4 lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras
- It is accessible for Sony, Canon and Fujifilm cameras for £519 (US / AU pricing TBC)
- 200mm F2 telephoto prime additionally revealed, a part of Sigma’s professional Sports activities line
Good Lord, Sigma’s lens making division is on a roll. Following its versatile 18-40mm F1.8 zoom and award-winning 300-600mm F4 telephoto monster, it has unveiled two high-quality primes; a 12mm F1.4 for APS-C cameras, plus a full-frame 200mm F2.
The 12mm lens is the fifth and widest in a line of f/1.4 primes for APS-C cameras, following 16mm, 23mm, 30mm and 56mm choices. I’ve examined all of 4 of these current f/1.4 primes with a Canon mirrorless digital camera, and so they pack excellent optical efficiency into a light-weight and super-compact kind issue.
There’s nonetheless a transparent want for the brand new 12mm lens, although, with its equal 18mm focal size in full-frame phrases filling a distinct segment for astrophotography, particularly with its super-bright f/1.4 aperture. The earlier widest f/1.4 lens within the vary has an equal 24mm focal size, which will not be extensive sufficient for a lot of eager astrophotographers.
Sigma has made the ultra-wide prime for Sony E, Canon RF and Fujifilm X-mount cameras and its listing value is £519 (US and Australia pricing TBC). We do not but know if it is going to be made for different lens mounts equivalent to Nikon Z or L-mount, however judging from earlier launches I’d hedge my bets that it’ll.
The brand new ultra-wide prime is not the one information from Sigma in the present day. It has additionally unveiled the world’s first 200mm lens with shiny f/2 aperture, accessible for Sony E and L-mount cameras.
As a part of Sigma’s Sports activities line for execs, the 200mm F2 shares a lot of the identical DNA because the 300-600mm tremendous telephoto zoom; it options excellent optics, a high-speed autofocus response, 6.5EV optical picture stabilization utilizing Sigma’s OS2 algorithm, and a dust- and splash-resistant construct. It prices £2,999 (once more, US and Australia pricing TBC).
The gross sales begin date for each lenses is ready for September 4.
Shoot for the celebrities
Sigma’s new 12mm F/1.4 lens will little question enchantment to astrophotographers that shoot with an APS-C mirrorless digital camera, such because the Sony A6700, Canon EOS R7 or Fujifilm X-T5. Nevertheless, with its compact construct, extensive perspective, responsive autofocus and minimal focus respiration, it additionally matches the invoice for a distinct sort of star – vlogging.
It weighs simply 7.9oz / 225g and measures 2.7in / 68mm in size, making it a compact pairing with any suitable APS-C, plus it is dust- and splash-resistant, so there isn’t any downside getting out in difficult terrain or chilly nights.
For optical engineering, the 200mm F2 professional prime is arguably all of the extra spectacular, being the brightest 200mm lens in the marketplace. It is billed for telephoto portraits and indoor sports activities, particularly given its shiny f/2 aperture and the compression impact achieved by the telephoto focal size.
It is a weightier affair than the 12mm F/1.4, tipping the scales at 64.2oz / 1,820g and measuring 7.9in / 201mm in size. That is the value you pay for the intense f/2 aperture at such a telephoto focal size, versus a 70-200mm zoom lens with a most f/2.8 aperture.
Judging from my expertise with earlier Sigma lenses, I count on each of those newest distinctive optics to ship high-quality photographs, that are in any other case not attainable given the world-first options on provide, whereas many APS-C shooters may lastly have the astrophotography lens they’ve been asking for. For additional info, do try the Sigma web site.
