GEAR MINI TESTS
We try out two top-end mics from Rycote, a full motion control system from Syrp, a high-tech tripod set-up and three mirrorless lenses
WORDS ADAM DUCKWORTH
SIGMA 17MM F/4 AND 50MM F/2 DG DN LENSES £549/$599 for 17mm, £619/$639 for 50mm sigma-global.com
that were compact and light, often with modest maximum apertures. You don’t always need to cart around a hefty 35-150mm f/2 lens, for example. The latest in the range are 17mm f/4 and 50mm f/2 DG DN optics, for Sony E-mount and Leica L-Mount cameras – many of which have stayed true to the more compact form factor of mirrorless cameras. Think of the Sony A7 range, Sigma fp line-up or Panasonic S5 series and these lenses make an ideal companion. The new optics have an MF/AF selector switch, although no distance markings. There is an aperture ring that can be set to A to allow you to control the iris from the camera. Sadly, they don’t have the body controls of some other Contemporary
When mirrorless cameras first came to prominence, a major benefit was their small size, since they did away with the mirror mechanism and optical prism to give through-the-lens viewing. While some brands stayed true to that ethos and kept models small, others went the opposite way – and now have products as large as pro DSLRs. Adding fans for cooling, processing units for advanced AF plus swivelling screen mechanisms has grown many a mirrorless camera. For example, take a Canon EOS R3 with a 400mm f/2.8 telephoto on it, or a Panasonic S1H with active cooling – and the size is no longer an advantage. But for those who like to keep things compact, Sigma’s Contemporary lenses could be just the ticket. They hark back to a world of stills primes
TOP GLASS The 17mm lens (above) has a unique look shot close up (right), while the 50mm has more blatant bokeh (below right)
lenses. For example, the 20mm and 24mm f/1.4 DG DN lenses have AF with a lock button and a manual focus override switch, plus an MF lock switch to disable the focus ring. The more expensive models also have an iris ring with a lock button, and a switch to de-click it – ideal for silent and
IN THE HOOD The 17mm has a petal-shaped hood, while the 50mm’s hood is straight
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