HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO

SIGMA PUTS THE ‘E’ IN ESSENTIAL FOR SONY FULLFRAME MIRRORLESS OWNERS Sigma currently offers the photo trade no fewer than 15 Sony E-mount compatible optics. With the A7 series continuing to wow photographers, adding Sigma to your stock makes sound commercial sense

Sony’s full frame mirrorless camera series has been one of the biggest photographic successes in recent years, smashing the former dominance of the ‘big two’ brands. Excitingly Sigma has responded by developing a host of Japanese-made Sony E-mount lenses ranging from 14mm up to 135mm. There are currently 15 lenses in total, comprising 13 primes and two zooms.

What’s more, all except one sit within Sigma’s ‘Art’ family of optics, which, as the name suggests, comprises products that are all about resolving the ultimate in fine detail. And because some, such as the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, have been produced specifically for mirrorless cameras, overall size and weight have been reduced.

“The Sony A7 system is exploding – nudging in on Canon and Nikon’s monopoly,” confirms Sigma UK General Manager Paul Reynolds. “Our E-mount compatible line up is an affordable yet very high-quality alternative.”

Asked to pick some ‘hero’ lenses from its E-mount range, recommendations include the 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art, which photo retailers should pitch to their Sony-owning customers as “the ultimate landscape photographer’s lens”.

The wide-angle zoom is also said to be a definitive option for astrophotography and interiors. Its construction includes FLD and SLD glass, as well as three aspherical elements, helping keep chromatic aberration suppressed across the whole frame. SRP is £1459.99.

Recently joining it on shelves is Sigma’s 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art lens in which interest is huge. The pitch is that this standard zoom offers best-inclass performance and delivers highresolution results across its entire focal

Shore thing: Lindisfarne, captured on the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN | Art

A perfect fit for Sony users: From L to R: 14-24mm, 24-70mm, 40mm, 105mm and 70mm lenses

„ 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM „ 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN „ 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN „ 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 35mm f/1.2 DG DN „ 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 45mm f/2.8 DG DN „ 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro „ 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM „ 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Sigma’s Sony E-mount compatible Art lenses in full:

range. Optical excellence is provided via a construction comprising both ‘F’ low dispersion (FLD) and special low dispersion (SLD) glass. Three aspheric elements are claimed to thoroughly subdue any aberrations. With a minimum focusing distance of 18cm at the wideangle end, SRP is £1049.99. For more see page 19 of our Dec 2019/Jan 2020 edition.

Thirdly there’s the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art, often hailed as the sharpest optic in Sigma’s range. With an SRP of £1099.99, this services an “often underappreciated focal length,” according to Sigma’s Paul. Aimed at portrait and street photographers, the optical design was originally created for Sigma’s cine line-up before being adapted to a stills model. The lens boasts a dust and splash-proof structure, plus a water and oil repelling front lens coating.

Anyone looking for something with the wow factor should check out the “super sharp” 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art. Described as the “bokeh master”, it offers the longest focal length of the Art line’s f/1.4 lenses. Featuring a rugged brass bayonet mount, construction incorporates 17 optical elements in 12 groups – uncommonly large for a prime lens. As with its other Sony E-mount options, Sigma has sought to minimise chromatic aberration, here including three FLD elements, two SLD elements and one aspherical element to do so.

Our final recommendation from Sigma’s E-mount options for now is the 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro | Art, which Sigma tells us is already being very well received by photographers. Construction is here comprised of two FLD elements, two SLD elements and one element with a high refractive index. Additionally, two aspherical elements help increase resolution at close shooting distances.

So if your customers are looking for affordable third party lenses capable of delivering outstanding resolution when twinned with their Sony E-Mount mirrorless camera bodies, speak to your local Sigma representative or contact head office NOW via sales@sigma-imaging-uk.com or 01707 329 999.