Sigma announced the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art for Sony E and Leica L-mount cameras. Carrying on the spirit of the now legendary 18-35mm f/1.8 for APS-C DSLR cameras, this new zoom is the world’s first with a constant f/1.8 aperture for full-frame mirrorless camera systems.
Spanning several popular focal lengths, Sigma says the new lens doesn’t compromise on optical performance and instead provides an experience that would be expected from carrying multiple prime lenses. Sigma’s new zoom lens is constructed from 18 elements arranged into 15 groups, including three aspherical lens elements and five SLD glass elements to suppress multiple types of aberrations. The company is so confident in the lens that it says it surpasses the quality of the 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art and 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art prime lenses.
Sigma says that the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art is especially good at suppressing axial chromatic aberration, which is more noticeable on large-aperture lenses. Its engineers have created a lens with minimal coloration on both the focus plane and bokeh so that it can provide high optical performance even wide open.
It features an aperture range of f/1.8 through f/16 via an 11-bladed diaphragm. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches (30 centimeters) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 at 45mm.
Sigma also equipped the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art with an internal zoom (the lens does not physically change length when zoomed) and a high-response linear actuator (HLA) autofocus motor to allow for fast, quiet, and accurate autofocus. It also has an optical design that Sigma says minimizes focus breathing and a click/de-click switch and lockable aperture ring — all great features for video shooters. The lens is also dust and splash-resistant.
The 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art supports DMF and AF+MF focusing, is compatible with Sony’s AF assist, and works with cameras that support Lens Aberration Correction. For select L-mount cameras, the lens also supports switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings. The body of the lens features two AFL buttons.
Below are a few sample images captured with the lens, provided courtesy of Sigma:
Make no mistake, the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art is not small (it measures 87.8 x 151.4mm or 3.5 x 6.0 inches), but Sigma says it has dedicated efforts to making it as light as possible. Despite all the physics working against it, Sigma managed to keep the lens under a kilogram in weight (less than a Nikon Plena) at 960 grams (33.9 ounces).
Sigma’s 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art will be available for Sony E and Leica L-mount on June 20 for $1,349.
Image credits: Sigma