…but is it any good?!
Sigma announced the release of their new “Widest on the aps-c market” Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM FLD AF Ultra Wide Zoom Lens at PMA this year, and below you will find the press release if you’re interested in such things… What we don’t have just yet is access to this lens to try it out and see if it is indeed any good… (update from Darren: we’re hoping to get one from Sigma in the coming weeks).
Update: this lens is available for Pre-order at Amazon for $699 USD in the following mounts:
Sigma 8-16mm APS-C Lens PRESS RELEASE
Ronkonkoma, NY, April 23, 2010 – Sigma Corporation of America (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, has announced that its new, 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM lens, which incorporates the company’s new “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) lens glass, is now available.
Wide, You want Wide?
This rectilinear lens, which was first introduced at PMA 2010 in February, is the widest angle zoom lens on the market today. The 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM is designed specifically for APS-C size image sensors and has an equivalent angle of view of a 12-24mm lens when used on digital cameras of that sensor size. The lens is currently available in Canon mount at all authorized Sigma dealers for the MSRP of $1,100, and it will be available in Sigma, Nikon, Sony and Pentax mounts in the coming weeks.
“As the manufacturer of the first ultra wide angle lens, there are a number of reasons why we are incredibly excited about the arrival of this lens. The fact that it produces a wide-angle view of nearly 121.2 degrees, depending on what camera you are shooting with, is definitely at the top of that list,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “Another feature that we are extremely proud of is this lens’ use of our company’s new FLD glass, which boasts performance equal to fluorite glass, but without the added weight.”
FLD glass is the highest level, low dispersion glass available with extremely high light transmission. With a performance equal to fluorite glass, this optical glass has a low refractive index and low dispersion compared to current optical glass. It also benefits from high anomalous dispersion. These characteristics offer excellent correction for residual chromatic aberration (secondary spectrum), which cannot be corrected by ordinary optical glass and ensures high-definition and high-contrast images.
In addition to having four elements of the FLD glass, the 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM also offers one hybrid aspherical lens and two glass mold elements for excellent correction of distortion and astigmatism. It incorporates an inner focusing system to produce high-definition images throughout the entire zoom range, and has Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting with superior peripheral brightness to produce high-contrast images. The lens’ Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides quiet and high-speed auto focus, as well as full-time manual focus capability.
The 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM has a minimum focusing distance of 9.4 inches throughout the entire zoom range to create exaggerated perspectives and help photographers emphasize the subject. Its compact construction measures up to an overall length of 4.2 inches and a maximum diameter of 2.9 inches.
PRESS RELEASE ENDS
So, Is it any good? Well, as I mentioned, we don’t have one as yet, but we’re looking to get one in and check it out! Meanwhile, what’s your opinion, or, even better, if you DO have this lens – comment and let us know what you think, or better still, email some images and we’ll put them up here for you!
— Sime
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