PMA08 to Witness Sigma's Big Lenses

We have to hand it out to Sigma for coming out at PMA08 with some exotic lenses. They might not be your everyday walk-around lenses, but they sure stand out from the crowd.

The most impressive, of course, is the APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG, first showcased in March 2007. This monster telephoto beast is the only f/2.8 constant telephoto lens with such a focal range. As if 200-500mm wasn't enough, Sigma is also selling a teleconverter, which transforms it into a 400-1000mm f/5.6 lens. If you happen to have a cropped sensor camera, like EOS 1D Mark III (crop factor 1.3), the picture angle will be equivalent to that of a 520-1300mm lens on a 35mm full-frame camera. Imagine going to Africa on a safari and shooting lions and hippos straight from the airport without having to move an inch (just kidding here)!

Sigma's press release mentions that the lens can be used for portraits. What photographer would use such a monstrous piece of glass for shooting kids and brides? After all, it weighs close to 16 Kilograms (553.7 oz.).

Anyway, optically speaking, the APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG comprises 13 groups with 17 elements, which include SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass and three ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) pieces.

The lens is so cumbersome that it needs its own Li-ion battery, built in the lens barrel, to power the zooming and AF operation. For the convenience of the photographer, focusing distances and focal lengths can be viewed on the lens` built-in LCD panel.

In terms of filters, a 72mm unit can be inserted at the rear of the lens and a circular polarizing filter can be used in situ thanks to the ingenious internal rotation mechanism, the press release informs.

Unfortunately, there's still no information on pricing or availability.

Lens Construction 17 Elements in 13 Groups Angle of View 12.3 - 5 degrees Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades Minimum Aperture F22 Minimum Focusing Distance 200-500cm / 78.7-196.9in. Maximum Magnification 1:7.7 Filter Size Diameter 72mm (Rear) Filter Size Petal-type Hood Dimensions Diameter 236.5mm X Length 726mm 9.3 in. X 28.6 in. Weight 15,700g/553.7 oz. Corresponding AF Mounts SIGMA, CANON, NIKON

With a similar focal range, but with a poorer performance in terms of maximum aperture, the APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM seems to be aimed at wildlife photographers who need the extra reach.

The lens is build to work with 35mm full-frame cameras, but it can also be used with APS-C crop factor DSLRs. When mounted on such cameras, the picture angle becomes that of a 225-750mm (1.5x crop factor) lens on a full-frame SLR.

Fortunately, the lens benefits from the proprietary OS (Optical Stabilizer) system and thus, it can be used at slower than recommended shutter speeds.

Autofocusing wise, the APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM incorporates a Hyper Sonic Motor to improve speed and smoothness and a rear focus system. In terms of construction, there are 15 groups with 21 elements, there of which being SLD (Special Low Dispersion). A removable tripod socket (TS-31) is included as a standard component.

Unfortunately, the lens has a front diameter of 86mm, which makes the acquisition of filters, especially circular polarizing units, extremely expensive.

Lens Construction 21 Elements in 15 Groups Angle of View 16.4 - 5 degrees Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades Minimum Aperture F22 Minimum Focusing Distance 220cm/86.6 in. Maximum Magnification 1:5.2 Filter Size Diameter 86mm Filter Size Bayonet-type Hood Dimensions Diameter 94.7mm X Length 252mm 3.7 in. X 9.9 in. Weight 1910g / 67.4 oz. Corresponding AF Mounts SIGMA, NIKON, CANON, PENTAX, SONY

The 120-400mm focal range coupled with the f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture make the APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM a better solution for those who don't need the extra reach of the previous lens and would rather have faster apertures.

The APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM also incorporates an Optical Stabilizer system and a Hyper Sonic Motor. There are also three SLD glass elements and a rear focus system to control chromatic aberrations and to ensure a good image quality throughout the focal range.

Lens Construction 21 Elements in 15 Groups Angle of View 20.4 - 6.2 degrees Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades Minimum Aperture F22 Minimum Focusing Distance 150cm / 59.1 in. Maximum Magnification 1:4.2 Filter Size Diameter 77mm (Rear) Filter Size Bayonet-type Hood Dimensions Diameter 92.5mm X Length 203.5mm 3.6 in. X 8 in. Weight 1750g/61.7 oz. Corresponding AF Mounts SIGMA, CANON, NIKON, PENTAX, SONY

The 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM is a more consumer oriented lens, which offers a 7x optical zoom, optical stabilization and hyper sonic motor. The optical construction includes SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, a molded glass aspherical lens and two hybrid aspherical lenses to control a wide range of aberrations.

High zoom ratio lens designed exclusively for digital SLR cameras and incorporating Sigma's original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function. SLD glass and Aspherical lenses provide high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting. Compact construction of 88.5mm (3.5") in length and 74mm (2.9") in diameter. Minimum focusing distance of 35cm/13.8 inches and maximum magnification of 1:3.8, making it ideal for close-up photography. HSM ensures quiet and high-speed autofocus. Mounts: Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax*1,2, Sony*1 *1 OS function is not available. *2 If the camera body does not support HSM motor, AF will not work.

Apart from these new lenses, Sigma has also announced additional mounts for existing models. Nikon D40, D40x and D60 owners get AF motors for the APO 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO and 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO and Sony, Pentax and Four Thirds camera owners (such as Olympus and Panasonic) will be able to use the APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM. Moreover, Pentax and Sony DSLR owners will also be able to use the the APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM.

Our recommendation is to visit PMA08 and to see these lenses, especially the big ones, for yourselves. The trip will be well worth it.

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