Sigma Announces Fast Telezoom for APS-C SLRs

Sigma is not afraid to push the envelope in zoom lens design. Its catalog already includes the 24-35mm F2 DG HSM Art zoom for full-frame SLRs and the 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art for APS-C SLRs both capture more light than the pro-grade f/2.8 lenses that you're used to seeing from Canon and Nikon, but do show more limited zoom range.

And both cover wide-angle fields of view. Fans of longer focal lengths who shoot with an APS-C camera now have a lens that can complement the 18-35mm. The new 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM Art covers a field of view that's equivalent to a 75-150mm zoom on a full-frame system, and does it with a wide aperture that doesn't change when zooming.

The lens is on the hefty side. It measures 6.7 by 3.7 inches (HD) and weighs 3.3 pounds. Its front element supports 82mm filters, and it can focus on subjects as close as 37.4 inches from the image sensor. The 50-150mm doesn't have a price or release date yet. When it does go on sale it will be sold in Canon, Nikon, and Sigma mounts.

Sigma is also announcing a new lens for mirrorless cameras. The company has dipped its toes in this market before with a trio of f/2.8 primes sold for Sony E and Micro Four Thirds systems, but this is the first wide aperture prime in the series. The 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary's field of view will vary based on the system with which its used—on APS-C cameras from Sony it matches a full-frame 45mm lens, and on Micro Four Thirds systems it acts more like a 60mm.

Even though it's an f/1.4 lens, it's fairly compact, so it will match well with mirrorless bodies. It measures 2.9 by 2.6 inches (HD), weighs 9.3 ounces, and supports 52mm front filters. It can focus to 11.8 inches. Like the 50-150mm, pricing and a shipping date have not yet been announced.

Finally, Sigma is introducing a lens adapter that allows owners of Sony mirrorless cameras with on-sensor phase detection, including the Alpha 7R II and the upcoming Alpha 6300 to better work with lenses that are part of Sigma's Global Vision series—those marked with an Art, Contemporary, or Sports designation. The Mount Converter MC-11 transmits EXIF data, optimizes focus, and helps the camera correct for distortion and chromatic aberration when appropriate. The adapter will only work with Sony E and FE-mount cameras, but will be sold in two versions—one for Sigma lenses in its own SA mount, and one for Sigma lenses sold in the Canon EF mount. Pricing and availability have not yet been set.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

About Our Expert

Jim Fisher

Principal Writer, Cameras

My Experience

Images, and the devices that capture them, are my focus. I've covered cameras at PCMag for the past 14 years, which has given me a front row seat for the changeover from DSLRs to mirrorless cameras, the smartphone camera revolution, and the emergence of drones for aerial imaging. I have extensive experience with every major mirrorless and SLR system, and am also comfortable using point-and-shoot and action cameras. As a Part 107 Certified drone pilot, I’m licensed to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial and editorial purposes, and am knowledgeable about federal rules and regulations regarding drones.

The Technology I Use

I use all of the major camera systems on a regular basis, swapping between Canon, Fujifilm, L-Mount, Micro Four Thirds, Nikon, and Sony systems. I still find time to use Leica M rangefinders and Pentax SLRs on occasion, too. I keep an iPhone 13 in my pocket for the rare occasions I'm not carrying a camera.

I'm not a brand-specific photographer. For product review photos, I swap between a Canon EOS R5 and a Sony a7R IV. I use Flashpoint and Godox TTL lights and Peak Design tripods, and I most often reach for a Think Tank or Peak Design backpack to carry equipment.

When it comes to computers, I'm an unapologetic Mac person and have been for the past 20 years. I write in Pages and use Numbers for spreadsheets. I currently swap between an Intel i9 MacBook Pro and an Apple Silicon Mac Studio for writing and use a calibrated BenQ 32.5-inch with the Studio for photo and video editing. I rely on a LaCie 6big RAID for media storage. I also keep a PC around for gaming, but please don't tell my Macs about it; they'll get jealous.

I split time between several different software apps depending on the type of editing I'm doing. For Raw image processing, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic is my standard. I pair it with a LoupeDeck CT console to supplement my keyboard and trackpad, and I lean on RNI All Films 5 presets when I want to give an image a film look. I use Apple Final Cut Pro for video editing.

My first digital camera was the Canon PowerShot Elph S200, and my first DSLR was the Pentax *ist DL. I have a soft spot for antique film gear. I still use a 1950 vintage Rolleiflex Automat TLR and love trying mid-century Leica lenses on film and digital alike. I mainly use whatever's in front of me for review for digital snaps, but I pick up either my Leica M Typ 240 or Pentax K-3 III Monochrome when I want to step away from review work. In my downtime, I enjoy bird watching, reading, video games, and both good and bad movies, especially in the sci-fi and horror genres.

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