Image: Sigma
Sigma has announced its newest optic, the 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art lens for E-mount and L-mount cameras. The lens covers a wide-to-standard focal range, and Sigma claims it’s the first constant aperture F1.8 zoom lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Sigma is setting high expectations for this lens, claiming that it achieves image quality comparable to prime lenses and that it exceeds the performance of its own 24mm F1.4 DG DN and 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art lenses.
To do this, the 28-45mm F1.8 has an optical formula that includes three aspherical and five SLD (super-low dispersion) elements in front of an 11-bladed aperture. Sigma says the lens will deliver excellent performance wide open and is specifically designed to suppress longitudinal chromatic aberration.
The tradeoff for the fast aperture is size and weight: The lens is 151mm (6″) long with a diameter of 88mm (3.5″) and weighs 960g (33.9 oz).
Image: Sigma
Sigma is targeting video users in addition to still photographers. The lens’s autofocus is driven by an HLA (high-response linear actuator) motor to provide quick and fast AF, and Sigma says the optics are designed to minimize breathing when focusing. An internal zoom design should make it easier to use on gimbals.
Other features include a lockable aperture ring, a click/de-click switch allowing for clickless aperture changes and two customizable buttons. The minimum focus distance is 30cm (11.8″) across the entire zoom range, and the lens has a maximum magnification of 1:4. It uses an 82mm filter thread, and Sigma says the lens is dust and splash-resistant.
Pricing and availability
The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art lens has a suggested retail price of $1349, which includes a case and lens hood. It’s expected to be available for purchase on June 20.
Click to see our 28-45mm F1.8 DN DG Art sample gallery
Press release:
Introducing the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, the First Full-Frame F1.8 Zoom Lens for Mirrorless Camera Systems
Ronkonkoma, NY – June 3, 2024 – SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art lens. This is the world’s first zoom lens with a constant F1.8 aperture for full-frame mirrorless camera systems. Available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount, this new wide-to-standard zoom spans several popular focal lengths from 28mm to 45mm, with image quality comparable to prime lenses.
The SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art was developed as a full-frame successor to the SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art (for APS-C DSLR cameras), which in 2013 became the first lens in the world to achieve F1.8 throughout the entire zoom range.
While offering the convenience of a zoom, this new lens does not compromise on optical performance. By effectively arranging 3 aspherical lens elements and 5 SLD glass elements, this lens suppresses various aberrations and achieves performance comparable to single focal length lenses, even surpassing the SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG DN | Art and SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, which have an established reputation for their optical quality.
In particular, the 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art focuses on suppressing axial chromatic aberration, which is often noticeable in large-aperture lenses, to achieve images with minimal coloration on both the focus plane and bokeh, and to demonstrate high optical performance from open aperture. The minimum focusing distance is 30cm (11.8 inches) throughout the entire range, and the maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 is achieved at the 45mm focal length.
Featuring internal zoom and HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) autofocus, and an optical design that minimizes focus breathing, the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art is well-suited for video work, including gimbal setups, thanks to its balanced design. The click/de-click switch and lockable aperture ring are designed to suit a variety of personal capture preferences, and the dust- and splash-resistant design also makes it suitable for shooting stills and video out in the elements.
The SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art lens will be available for $1,349 through authorized retailers in the US in late June 2024.
Learn more at the SIGMA America website:
https://www.sigmaphoto.com/28-45mm-f1-8-dg-dn-a
Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art specifications
Principal specificationsLens typeZoom lensMax Format size35mm FFFocal length28–45 mmImage stabilizationNoLens mountL-Mount, Sony E, Sony FEApertureMaximum apertureF1.8Minimum apertureF16Aperture ringYesNumber of diaphragm blades11OpticsElements18Groups15Special elements / coatings3 aspherical, 5 SLDFocusMinimum focus0.30 m (11.81″)Maximum magnification0.25×Motor typeLinear MotorFull time manualYesFocus methodInternalDistance scaleNoDoF scaleNoPhysicalWeight960 g (2.12 lb)Diameter88 mm (3.46″)Length151 mm (5.96″)SealingYesZoom methodRotary (internal)Zoom lockYesFilter thread82 mmHood suppliedYesTripod collarNo