Sigma has successfully developed the world’s first full-frame zoom lens with a maximum aperture of F1.8. The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art incorporates an inner zoom mechanism, a minimum focusing distance of 30cm across the entire zoom range, and a filter size of 82mm. Despite its advanced feature set, the lens weighs less than 1kg, making it a portable and versatile option for either hand-held shooting or a gimbal setup.
Constant Maximum Aperture of F1.8
Once a privilege reserved only for prime lenses, the maximum F1.8 aperture allows full-frame camera users to expose hand-held in low light and produce beautiful bokeh, while enjoying the flexibility of a zoom. This unique optical achievement has been created through Sigma’s accumulated optical design experience and advanced production technology at the company’s sole production base in Aizu, Japan.
Made for Video
Employing an inner zoom mechanism, the overall length of the lens remains constant when the focal length or focus distance changes. This means the lens is easy to use when shooting hand-held, highly stable when mounted on a tripod or gimbal, and more resistant to dust and water contamination.
When using regular lenses, the angle-of-view can change as focus moves from near to far, affecting precise composition. With the Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art this focus breathing is suppressed, enabling natural focus pulls when shooting video.
Excellent Optical Performance
With each optical aberration meticulously corrected throughout the zoom range, the Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art rivals prime lenses for clarity and definition. Thanks to its advanced coatings, the lens produces clear images, even in backlit environments, while focus breathing is thoroughly suppressed, bringing expressive power to filmmakers and photographers.
Through the effective arrangement of 5 SLD elements and 3 aspherical elements, aberrations are rigorously corrected. Axial chromatic aberration, which is particularly noticeable with large-aperture lenses, has been thoroughly suppressed, and the lens delivers clear images with minimal colouration, from sharply focused details to large, smooth bokeh.
Flare and ghosting, which reduce image quality, have been largely eliminated using advanced simulation technology, ensuring the lens renders rich, high-contrast results in all conditions. In addition, in order to keep flare and ghosting to a minimum, the lens uses Sigma’s Nano Porous Coating and Super Multi-Layer Coating, producing superior resistance to backlighting and enabling clear, saturated images in all lighting conditions.
High-speed AF and Innovative Features
The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art delivers a range of professional features as impressive as its outstanding optical performance.
The lens’s AF mechanism uses an HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) to combine accelerated focusing speed with exquisite precision. And because the motor is near-silent it allows video recording without noise.
To deliver delicate and accurate manual focus, the lens employs a by-wire driven focus ring with optimum torque setting, high resolution and an adjustable rotation angle between 90° and 720°. This allows film-makers to pull focus with organic smoothness, and photographers to focus manually with outstanding accuracy.
The lens is equipped with an aperture ring as well as an aperture ring click switch and an aperture ring lock switch, allowing for aperture operation suitable for various shooting situations.
Located on the side and top of the barrel, two customizable AFL buttons can be easily reached in either horizontal or vertical shooting positions.
Premium Build at a Lighter Weight
The 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN Art is weather-sealed for protection against dust and moisture. In addition, the frontmost surface of the lens is coated with a water- and oil-repellent coating so that it can be used safely even in harsh outdoor environments.
By rights, such a fast zoom should be big and heavy, but while the lens’s rigidity and durability protect its sophisticated optical design, this is achieved at a weight of less than 1kg. What’s more, this reliable photographic tool uses a versatile filter size of 82mm, meaning no compromise in portability or convenience.
Price and Availability
This latest edition to the Sigma range can be pre-ordered now from C.R. Kennedy and has an RRP of $2,949.00 including GST.