Sigma launches super fast full-frame 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art zoom lens
Jun 3, 2024
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Share:
It’s been a while since Sigma last released an f/1.8 zoom lens. The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 (buy here) was released back in 2012 and the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 (buy here) in 2016. Now, we have a new one. The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art (buy here).
Unlike the two previous lenses, which were designed for APS-C DSLRs, this one is for full-frame mirrorless cameras. As one might expect, though, it has a fairly short focal length range, and it’s available for Sony E and Leica L mounts.
Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art – A full-frame 18-35mm
The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art has a fairly limited focal length range. This is the compromise that needs to be made with such a wide aperture. The longer the focal length range at such wide apertures, the larger the lens needs to be. And they can get ridiculously big very quickly. This is why the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art lens (buy here) is f/2.8 and not f/1.8.
The new lens actually provides slightly less range than the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8, which, if it were a full-frame lens, would offer the equivalent field of view to 27-52.5mm. It’s pretty close-ish, kinda, though, so I think we can expect a very similar look on full-frame bodies to that which we’ve seen with the 18-35mm f/1.8 on APS-C DSLRs – but with a shallower depth of field and not quite as long a reach.
It’s essentially the full-frame mirrorless replacement for the old 18-35mm f/1.8. I suspect this means we won’t ever see an APS-C mirrorless 18-35mm f/1.8, but Sigma may surprise us one day.
At the 45mm end, it offers a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4, thanks to its 11.9″ minimum focus distance. It has an aperture ring with clicks and lock switches and an 11-blade diaphragm. Nano Porous and Super Multilayer Coatings help to eliminate ghosting, flare and aberration.
It features a High-Response Linear Actuator (HLA) motor. Sigma says this offers fast, quiet, and smooth focusing performance. For the Sigma fp and fp L (buy here) shooters, Sigma says the manual focus ring of the L mount version can be set to the linear focus mode for those shooting video.
Sigma 24-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Specs
| Focal length | 28-45mm |
|---|---|
| Max aperture | f/1.8 |
| Min aperture | f/16 |
| Lens mount | Leica L / Sony E |
| Format | Full-frame |
| Angle of view | 75.4 – 51.3° |
| Minimum focus distance | 30cm |
| Max magnification | 1:4 |
| Optics | 18 elements in 15 groups |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Stabilisation | None |
| Filter size | 82mm |
| Dimensions | ~89 x 152mm |
| Weight | 950g |
| Launch Price | $1,349 |
Price and Availability
The Sigma 24-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art lens is available to pre-order now for $1,349.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Related Posts
Sigma officially presents four new lenses: an ART zoom, two ART primes, and a Contemporary zoom
Super Fast And Ultra-Wide: First Look At The Sigma 20mm F/1.4 Art Lens
On Assignment – Super Fast Session For Super Fast Video Editing
Kerlee jump into the lens market with world’s first super fast 35mm f/1.2 for full frame cameras
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
4 responses to “Sigma launches super fast full-frame 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art zoom lens”
The math is wrong: “The new lens […] , if it were a full-frame lens, would offer the equivalent field of view to 27-47.5mm”.
The correct focal range is 27-52.5mm.
But my fussiness is due to frustration over the lack of compatibility of this lens with Nikon Z.
Oops, my mistake, you’re correct. That’ll teach me to maths before coffee. Thanks! :)
Why didn’t they do this for Nikon Z? Why? Why? I want it really bad. (and i hate sony/nikon adapters)
Probably because they want to sell L mount cameras. Nikon may also not have approved a license for Z mount on this one. Or, maybe it’ll come eventually, but they didn’t want to tip off the competition to what they were working on (world first and all) until it was done. Now it’s announced, we may see a Z mount version at some point.