Photography News Issue 60

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Photography News | Issue 60 | photographynews.co.uk

News

Sigma’s fab five

Sigma has been busy with its commitment to the L-Mount Alliance, but that clearly hasn’t distracted the brand from its current core lens business with no fewer than five lenses introduced at Photokina. The first two to arrive in the shops will be the 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and the 60-600mm f/4.5- 6.3 DG OS HSM Sports, both due this October with the latter priced at £1899.99. This is the only lens of the five with a UK guide price at the time of going to press. Of course, we will bring you further price details as they get released. The 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3, which replaces the 50-500mm in the range, is a serious lens weighing in at 2.7kg and features an optical construction of 25 elements in 19 groups that includes three FLD elements and one SLD element. It has a 105mm filter size and features magnesium alloy (Sigma has its own magnesium factory) to help keep weight down and has Sigma OS with a 4EV benefit to compact camera shake. The lens is sealed against dust and moisture, and will be available in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma fittings. The 40mm f/1.4 sits in Sigma’s Art collection and has

a top-end performance, thanks to three FLD and three SLD elements in its 16 elements in 12 group construction. It is designed to make the most of the very high resolution full-frame and movie cameras, and its rugged dust- and splash-build means it will withstand the most challenging conditions. This lens will be available in Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma and Sony E fittings. Available in November is the 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary, a lens for smaller format mirrorless cameras and available for Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount. This compact dust- and splash- sealed short telephoto is perfect for people photography and its fast aperturemakes it very versatile, too. Add a very quiet, smooth AF motor and it is ideal for video shooting as well. This lens has 10 elements in a six group construction, nine diaphragm blades and a 50cm minimum focus. Coming towards the end of the year is the 70-200mm f/2.8

telephoto that will be available in Canon EF, Nikon F and Sigma A fittings. This fast telephoto sits in the Sigma’s Sports range and has a performance aimed to satisfy demanding photographers. Its optical construction comprises 24 elements in 22 groups and ten of those elements are low dispersion (nine FLD and one SLD) to combat chromatic and spherical aberrations, even at the edges of the frame. The diaphragm comprises 11 blades. Magnesium has been

least, next January will see the arrival of the 28mm f/1.4. This high spec wide-angle has a 17 element and 12 group construction and again plenty of exotic glass has been used for the best possible performance. Two FLD, three SLD elements and three aspherical lenses help cutdown chromatic

aberration and help ensure high performance across the frame. This lens will be available in Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma and Sony E fittings.

sigma-imaging-uk.com

used in the lens’s body to minimise weight, while seals provide dust and splash-proof qualities. Add Intelligent OS and HSM for speedy autofocusing and you have a lens that will be in high demand among discerning photographers. Last and by no means

56mmF1.4

28mmf/1.4

40mmf/1.4

70-200mmf/2.8

60-600mmf/4.5-6.3

Sony’s very compact, fast 24mm

Thieves target Leica Photo retailer Ffordes had a considerable amount of Leica cameras and lenses stolen in the early hours of 26 September. It was a carefully planned crime, even putting out of action street lamps and flood lights outside the shop. The thieves also knew what kit was valuable and easy to sell on. If anyone has any information about the break-in, please contact Mr C Still, Inverness Police, Scotland, on 01463 228452

Sony has added a 24mm f/1.4 wide-angle to its G Master series of top-end lenses for its full- frame camera system. The FE 24mm f/1.4 GM has an optical construction of 13 elements in ten groups, including two XA (extreme aspherical) and three ED elements – in a lens that is the lightest in its class. It weighs just 445g and measures 75.4x92.4mm, while its filter diameter is 67mm, which is small considering its fast maximum aperture. Sony’s Nano AR coating is used to supress flare. Sony’s G Master lenses are renowned for their optical skills,

To give an idea of this lens's sharpness, on the right is an enlarged area.

so you can expect outstanding resolution, natural bokeh and responsive AF. This lens uses a new high DDSSM (Direct Drive SSM) that gives three times

more thrust compared with the previous version. Guide price is £1450.

sony.co.uk

ffordes.com

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