Sigma’s Art series has won praise and acclaim since the newly designed lenses started rolling out back in 2013. Over recent years Sigma has added to the line up with some amazing glass, including the 50mm and 85mm Art lenses, but there was one optic missing from the range – a macro lens.
Missing until today however, because Sigma has just announced the launch of the 70mm f/2. 8 DG – the first macro lens to join the Art series. The lens is set to be available for Sigma, Canon and Sony E-mount cameras, but will not be immediately available for Nikon cameras.
The 70mm f/2. 8 DG is Sigma's first macro lens in the Art series.
However, the lens is compatible with Sigma’s TC teleconverters, which will change the focal length to either a 98mm f/4 or a 140mm f/5. 6 macro lens depending on whether you use the 1. 4x or 2x teleconverter.
The large f/2. 8 max aperture means the lens is also suitable for portrait photography.
Built around 13 elements in 10 groups , the 70mm lens features a 9 diaphragm blade design and weighs in at 515g. Sigma say the lens is dust and splash-proof and that there’s a DC coreless motor present to deliver smooth autofocus performance.
The macro lens features a filter thread size of 49mm.
SLD glass elements and one element with a high rate of anomalous partial dispersion, back-up Sigma’s claim that this full-frame macro lens produces ‘razor sharp’ images – something that is sure to excite photographers who love to shoot close-up subjects.
The lens boasts a large focus ring and features full-time manual focus is available even during autofocus.
The lens does feature an extending, floating, two-group focus mechanism which means the barrel of the lens extends outwards, which may not be to everybody’s liking, but this 1:1 magnification ratio lens is all about super sharp images of close-up subjects, such as flower heads of insects.
The lens extends out when focusing and can be used with Sigma's teleconverters.
Sigma explains that full-time manual focus is available even during autofocus, enabling users to make precise focus adjustments simply by turning the focus ring.
At present, the Sigma 70mm f/2. 8 DG Macro Art is available for pre-order and carries a US price-tag of around $560.
. digitalrev.com2018-5-18 03:00
