In the runup to PMA, Sigma firmly declared its commitment to digital photography with a whopping thirteen lens announcements aimed at digital photographers. Of these new models, 10 were APO lenses which are variations on existing designs, but with lens coatings that have been specifically tweaked for the best digital performance. These models all offer a full 35mm image circle, providing compatibility with both 35mm film and digital camera bodies. The remaining three models were engineered specifically for digital cameras with an APS-C or smaller image sensor, offering potential benefits in weight, size and image quality as compared to a lens designed for the larger image circle of 35mm film.

All of these new lenses were on display at PMA (although we did miss getting a photo of the impressively small 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens, which can be seen in a press photo from our coverage of the announcement. Sorry!)

We also saw an interesting macro ring flash announced last September, the EM-140 DG, which is compatible with both 35mm film and digital bodies, and is compatible with Sigma-STTL, Canon-ETTL/ETTL II, Nikon-iTTL, Minolta-ADI and Pentax A-PTTL flash metering systems.

All things considered, Sigma's booth really impressed, with a vast range of products catering to pretty much anyone who owns a digital SLR. We're looking forward to trying out some of these lenses ourselves in the future, and seeing how they fare in terms of image quality. We've been very pleased with some of Sigma's lenses in the past - if the new models are as good, they'll offer excellent alternatives to lens models made by the camera manufacturers themselves. Considering that a good array of lenses is generally the most expensive part of a digital photographer's investment, third party glass can be a great way to get the most mileage for your money...

Sigma Booth
Copyright 2005 by The Imaging Resource. All Rights Reserved.

Sigma Products
Electronic Flash Macro EM-140 DG
Electronic Flash Macro EM-140 DG Macro ring flash Flash metering compatibility: Sigma-STTL Canon-ETTL / ETTL II Nikon-iTTL Minolta-ADI Pentax A-PTTL
30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM
30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Digital-specific lens 45mm equivalent on 1.5x crop DSLR Bright F1.4 max aperture (!)
10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM
10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM Digital-specific lens 15-30mm equivalent on 1.5x crop DSLR Super wide-angle zoom
APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM
APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 75-750mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 105-300mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG OS
APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 120-600mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG HSM
APO 100-300mm F4 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 150-450mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 180-450mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
APO 300-800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 450-1200mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO MACRO 180mm F3.5 EX DG HSM
APO 180mm F3.5 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 270mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM
APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 450mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM
APO 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 750mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
APO 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM
APO 800mm F5.6 EX DG HSM Film / digital compatible Coatings tweaked for digital performance 1200mm equivalent on a 1.5x crop DSLR
Copyright 2005 by The Imaging Resource. All Rights Reserved.

Related Coverage

PMA:

• Thirteen Sigma lens announcements