Ronkonkoma, NY—Two Sigma full-frame DG DN prime lenses for full-frame mirrorless camera systems were introduced by Sigma Corporation of America. The Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye | Art and the 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS | Sports lenses will both reach retail March 14, 2024. Sigma will offer both lenses in the Sony E mount as well as the Leica L mount.
Two Sigma Full-Frame DG DN Prime Lenses
Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye | Art
Sigma says this is the “world’s first full-frame f/1.4 diagonal fisheye lens.” With a 180° angle of view, Sigma engineered it to take in sweeping scenes with the signature fisheye lens effect. “Unlike conventional fisheyes, the 15mm f/1.4 DG DN diagonal fisheye | Art is exceptionally sharp across its entire 180º and offers an ultrafast f/1.4 aperture,” the company stated. Consequently, the lens is an option for a range of applications. They include astrophotography, landscapes and architecture as well as action sports.
Exclusively for mirrorless full-frame cameras, the 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye | Art achieves point image reproducibility and high resolution by correcting various aberrations, especially sagittal coma flare. Moreover, Sigma guarantees the lens’s performance via inspection with the company’s proprietary MTF measuring system.
Further, the lens consists of 21 elements in 15 groups. They comprise four FLD (fluorite-equivalent); three SLD exclusive special low-dispersion glass elements; as well as two aspherical lens elements. By correcting sagittal coma flare and other aberrations, the lens can reproduce bright points of light across the whole frame even wide open. Thus, it is a solution for astrophotography. What’s more, the diagonal fisheye lens with its 180° angle of view produces a powerful distortion effect and a unique perspective and emphasis on the subject at a 180° angle of view.
In addition, to prevent flare and ghosting, Sigma designed the lens to handle all conditions of incident light based on simulation technology. What’s more, the lens features an MFL switch. When the MFL switch is set to “lock,” the focus ring operation is disabled. So, once focus is acquired, it will not change due to unintentional movement of the ring.
Additional Features
Another useful feature is a small step at the front of the lens called a lens heater retainer. It prevents the lens heater from protruding over the front element to eliminate the risk of vignetting. Plus, a standard rear filter holder at the lens mount allows photographers to use sheet-type filters. In addition, the included cover lens cap has two slots to securely store rear filters, as well as a locking mechanism. The specially designed cap permits users to carry sheet-type filters without the risk of forgetting them, while also protecting them from scratches and dirt.
Additionally, the lens has an Arca-Swiss compatible, lightweight, magnesium alloy tripod socket. Photographers can mount the detachable leg on a tripod for stable conditions even during long exposures. Sigma purposely designed it to prevent interference when using a lens heater.
Shooting Functions
The 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye | Art also provides functions to assist shooting. Among them is an AFL button to which users can assign a preferred function via the menu on selected cameras. In addition to an aperture ring, the lens also has an aperture ring lock switch and a click switch to turn the click on and off. Moreover, a linear motor HLA (high-response linear actuator) AF actuator was included to enable fast, quiet and accurate autofocus.
The lens is also dust and splash resistant. And to enhance its robustness, Sigma used metal parts in key areas of the lens body. However, a lightweight engineering plastic, TSC, is also used to reduce weight. This thermally stable composite is a type of polycarbonate with a thermal expansion rate like that of aluminum.
Rounding out the 15mm lens’s features are an inner focus system; compatibility with lens aberration correction as well as AF assist (E mount); super multilayer coatings to reduce flare and ghosting; a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element; as well as an 11-bladed rounded diaphragm.
The suggested retail price of the Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye | Art is $1,999.
Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS | Sports
This full-frame, ultra-telephoto prime is also exclusively for mirrorless cameras. Sigma built it for action capture, including aviation, sports and wildlife. It combines fast HLA-driven AF, an OS (optical stabilizer) system, an optical design with low-dispersion glass elements, and splash/dustproof construction.
Notably, by incorporating multiple large-diameter, low-dispersion glass elements, Sigma significantly downsized the lens construction without using diffractive optical elements. Meant for handheld photography, the lens measures 4.2×9.2 inches and weighs 48.3 ounces, including its tripod foot. In addition to its size, high-speed autofocus via a high-response linear actuator and Sigma’s OS2 optical stabilization algorithm support comfortable shooting.
Sigma used low-dispersion convex elements at the front of the lens to deliver high aberration correction as well as a short overall length. Thus, Sigma engineered the lens to correct all aberrations, especially axial chromatic aberration, which cannot be corrected by the camera. Additionally, Sigma used refractive lenses in its optical system to prevent flare and ghosting, even in backlit conditions or when a light source is in the image. Furthermore, measures were taken against all conditions of incident light based on simulation technology.
What’s more, Sigma’s latest OS2 optical stabilization algorithm provides an image stabilization effect of 5.0 stops. The lens has two OS modes. Mode 1 is suitable for general shooting. Mode 2 is for panning shots of motorsports and other sports.
Moreover, to further aid in creating a compact, lightweight yet robust body, materials such as TSC and magnesium were used. Plus, featuring the weatherability of the Sports lens series, the mount connection, manual focus ring, switches as well as exterior connection of the 500mm lens are dust and splash resistant. Again, Sigma uses a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element of the lens, which also facilitates maintenance.
Shooting Functions
The 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS | Sports also boasts a range of assist functions. They include an aperture ring and three AFL buttons to assign preferred functions using the camera. Additionally, the L-mount version is compatible with Sigma’s teleconverters for AF-enabled shooting at ultra-telephoto focal lengths up to 1000mm.
Further, with a focus limiter switch, the lens enables users to limit the focus driving range during AF when necessary. And they can also assign a range of functions to three AFL buttons via the menu on selected cameras. The AFL buttons can be operated regardless of how the camera is oriented. In addition, for the L-mount version, Sigma’s USB Dock UD-11 can be used to set OS operation or the focus limiter range for the custom mode switch.
Along with an aperture ring, the lens also provides an aperture ring click switch and an aperture ring lock switch. Plus, its lightweight magnesium alloy tripod socket is Arca-Swiss compatible. The detachable socket also comes with a ring that clicks into position at 90° intervals.
Other features include 20-element, 14-group construction with three FLD and two SLD elements; an inner focus system; support for DMF and AF+MF; compatibility with AF assist (E mount only); super multilayer coating to minimize flare and ghosting; an 11-blade rounded diaphragm; as well as a brass bayonet mount. SRP: $2,999.
