Sigma get ergonomic with 16-28mm
Posted on Jun 1, 2022
This full-frame Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary combines exceptional optical quality, a bright F2.8 constant aperture and a robust and lightweight body, opening up new possibilities for L-Mount and Sony E-Mount shooters who are looking for professional results in a compact package.
Excellent field curvature correction provides exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness – essential for most wide-angle applications. It boasts five FLD elements and four aspherical lens elements to ensure optimal image quality with minimal aberrations
The inner zoom mechanism keep the overall length consistent throughout the entire zoom range, creating a balanced feel in the hand. This also means the lens’ centre of gravity stays fairly constant, which means it is perfect to use with a gimbal. A purpose-built front thread allows filters to be attached with more ease than previous models, naturally increasing convenience.
Exceptionally compact form-factor (weighing in at just 450g and measures a mere 100.6mm in length) makes it a highly practical optic that is portable enough for everyday shooting. It is especially appealing for landscape, wedding and travel photographers, who lug their kit across long distances or for long periods of time. With the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | C, there is a brilliant balance of portability and high-definition optical performance, making it somewhat of a crossbreed of a compact zoom and a large-aperture lens. It is a game-changer in the mirrorless ultra-wide-angle zoom category.
The uncompromising optical performance of the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | C uses the latest technology to deliver exceptional image quality despite its compact size. The two large-diameter aspherical lens elements and five perfectly arranged FLD glass elements (whose characteristics mirror that of fluorite) keep the lens light and compact while effectively surpassing the lateral and vertical chromatic aberrations. It is important to avoid these, as they can often diminish the image quality of other ultra-wide lens designs. The 16-28mm utilises the advanced digital correction capabilities of modern cameras to enable it to achieve such impressive image quality in such a small body.
An F2.8 constant aperture gives a shallow depth-of-field for blurry out-of-focus areas, which is especially useful when shooting close-ups. The bokeh is smooth and circular thanks to the nine rounded diaphragm blades, which means the background never distracts from the in-focus subject. Sigma has taken special care to counter ghosting and lens flare, which are caused by reflections inside the lens barrel. The Super Multi-Layer Coating ensures that the 16-28mm delivers punchy, high-contrast results even in the most difficult of backlit conditions.
Everyone wants more freedom nowadays, and the SIGMA 16-28mm achieves just that. The built-on front filter thread allows neutral density and polarising filters to be attached more easily, which comes in handy particularly for landscape photographers and filmmakers. The inner zoom mechanism allows the lens to maintain the same length throughout the zoom range and with almost no shift to its balance point. The resulting stability will be appreciated by anyone looking to use the lens with a gimbal, or for hand-held or vlog-style filmmaking. This also contributes a considerable amount to the lens’ favourable physical dimensions – it is comparable to wide-angle zooms with slower maximum apertures.
In using a stepping motor, Sigma has added an element of control to the AF actuator. The result? Autofocus of the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN is fast and silent, making it ideal for shooting in quiet environments such as weddings. It also comes in handy for video when using an on-camera mic. When paired with the Sigma 28-70mm, you can cover ultra-wide to medium telephoto focal lengths with only two lenses. Their combined weight of only 920g makes fro an extremely versatile, compact lens system with the uniform F2.8 brightness.
Build quality with intuitive ergonomics means that the lens can function at peak performance even in environments with harsh temperature differences. The lens is constructed using specially selected lightweight materials including Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), a polycarbonate with a thermal contraction rate like that of aluminium. The metal and plastic parts can contract and expand to similar degrees. Through precision engineering, each individual component has an elegant beauty thanks to the expert craftsmanship of Sigma’s lens design and production teams. Of course, Sigma also possesses unparalleled manufacturing technology which is operated under the watchful eye of quality control in Aizu, Japan.
All-in-all, a sophisticated, but versatile photographic tool that offers photographers and filmmakers the perfect blend of portability and performance.
Key specifications (The figures below are for L-Mount)
- Lens construction: 11 groups, 16 elements (5 FLD and 4 aspherical elements) Angle-of-view: 107°–75.4°
- Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Minimum focusing distance: 25cm
- Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5.6
- Filter size: φ72mm
- Dimensions (max diameter x length): φ77.2mm x 100.6mm Weight: 450g
It is available from 17 June and will be priced at £749.99.
For more information, visit Sigma’s website.
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