Ronkonkoma, NY—Sigma Corporation of America’s 24–35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens is its first full-frame zoom lens offering a wide-open, constant aperture of f/2 throughout the zoom range.
In the development of this latest Global Vision Art lens, Sigma was determined to develop a zoom for 35mm full-frame sensor cameras that enables the same sharpness and resolution as a fixed focal length lens. To do this, Sigma engineers built upon the concept of the company’s 18–35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens, which is designed for APS-C-format cameras and is the first zoom to offer a fast f/1.8 aperture value throughout the zoom range.
The new 24–35mm f/2 DG HSM Art permits photographers to carry one lens that can do the work of three popular fixed focal length lenses—24mm, 28mm and 35mm—with f/2 brightness and optical performance comparable to Sigma’s 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens. It is geared especially for close-up shooting, portraits and deep-focus landscape photography.
“Now, rather than switching between three high-performance, fixed focal length lenses, photographers and videographers can simply zoom and know that the results will be of prime caliber,”said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “There’s nothing like this lens on the market today; we’re thrilled to arm photographers with yet another unique, innovative and versatile lens that features the incredible image quality that has become the hallmark of our Art line.”
The new lens incorporates the latest Sigma technology, including an optimized autofocus (AF) algorithm developed for smooth, fast, accurate focusing, as well as manual focus (MF) override functionality. As with many Sigma Global Vision lenses, Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) compound material is used, which has a high affinity to metal parts, performs well at extreme temperatures and reduces the size and weight of the lens. In addition, super multilayer coating helps reduce flare and ghosting to provide sharp, high-contrast images, even in backlit conditions.
Constructed with 18 elements in 13 groups, the lens employs large-diameter, aspherical lens elements, including one “F” low dispersion (FLD) glass and seven special low dispersion (SLD) glass elements with two aspherical lenses. The optics and optimized lens power distribution are engineered to minimize spherical and axial chromatic aberration as well as field curvature.
Other features include: a video-friendly, inner focusing system to eliminate front-lens rotation, enhancing stability and allowing use of circular polarizing filters; a hypersonic motor (HSM) to ensure a silent, high-speed AF function; full-time MF by rotating the focus ring of the lens while autofocusing; and a nine-blade, rounded diaphragm that creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image.
With a diameter and length of 3.4 inches and 4.8 inches, respectively; the lens has an angle of view (35mm) of 84.1º to 63.4º, a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.4. It is also compatible with Sigma’s USB Dock, which allows photographers to update the lens’s firmware, adjust focus points and customize full-time MF function settings by using Sigma’s Optimization Pro software. Sigma’s Mount Conversion Service, which enables users to convert the lens’s camera mount between supported versions, is also available for a fee.
The Sigma 24–35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens will be available in Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts and will retail for $999. sigmaphoto.com
