New Sigma Super Zoom lens debuts exclusive thermally stable material
posted Friday, June 15, 2012 at 9:59 PM EDT
Sigma Corp. has today announced a new lens that, says the company, offers unique technology not found in competitors' products to date.
The design of the Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM uses a material described as Thermally Stable Composite. TSC is said to have 25% higher elasticity than polycarbonate, and low thermal shrinkage. This, says Sigma, reduces expansion and contraction of the internal lens barrel.
Compared to the previous version of the Sigma 18-250mm, the new lens has an overhauled optical design that allows both a significant reduction in size and weight, closer focusing, and a greater maximum magnification. The latter earns the new model a Macro designation in its name.
The design is also less complex than that of the earlier variant, with 16 optical elements in 13 groups, a total of two less elements and one less group than previously. Where the older version needed four Special Low Dispersion lens elements, the new design has but one. There are still three aspherical lenses, of which one is a double-sided aspheric.
Of course, Sigma's Optical Stabilizer technology is included in all but the Pentax-mount and Sony-mount variants, and is still said to be good for a four-stop correction. The design also calls for Sigma's Super Multi-Layer Coating to control flare and ghosting, and a Hyper Sonic Motor autofocus drive mechanism with an inner focusing design for quick and quiet AF. A seven-bladed, round diaphragm is said to provide attractive bokeh. These details are the same as in the earlier version, but one point which does differ significantly is the filter size, down from 72mm to 62mm in the new model. A brass lens mount is used, with a surface treatment for added durability.
The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens will be available in Sigma, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Pentax mounts. First to ship will be the Canon-mount version, from July 2012. Other mounts will follow at later, as-yet unannounced dates. No information on pricing for any mount was available at press time.
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The Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens debuts a brand-new, thermally stable material said to allow a more compact design compared to standard polycarbonate. Photo provided by Sigma Corp. of America. |
Press Release
Sigma Corporation of America announces new 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens
New Thermally Stable Composite material offers wide range of photography in compact, stabilized, macro lens
Ronkonkoma, NY, June 15, 2012 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce the availability of its new Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens starting in July 2012. Pricing is still pending.
The addition of the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM speaks to Sigma’s versatile product lineup with this multipurpose zoom lens that offers Optical Stabilization (OS)* and covers wide angle to telephoto to macro photography. It differs from Sigma’s current 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens with its even more compact size, its macro capability with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9 and the use of Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material currently used only by Sigma.
TSC, which is incorporated into the lens barrel and is often compared to polycarbonate, has a high degree of elasticity and exhibits little variation in its structure in extreme temperature conditions. This means that internal barrel expansion and contraction due to extreme temperature variations is less prevalent. TSC also contributes to the lens’ size reduction. The non-macro 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 without TSC weighs 22.2 ounces and is 3.1 by 4 inches in diameter, whereas the new macro lens is 16.6 ounces and 2.9 by 3.5 inches in diameter.
“We’re constantly trying to improve and expand our lens lineup, and this addition is no exception,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “By redesigning the lens and adding TSC, we are able to offer this very compact, feature-rich lens that is flexible enough to tackle a range of photography, including landscape, sport and macro. This is key for the everyday photographer who wants to travel light but pack the punch of a complete camera bag.”
Sigma optimized this lens’ power arrangement by incorporating double-sided aspherical lenses and reexamining the design to achieve a more compact filter diameter. The lens has an approximate 13x high zoom ratio with a filter size of 2.8 inches in diameter. Sigma’s unique OS system, as well as one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass and three aspherical lens glasses, compensate for camera shake and enable correction of color aberration, respectively.
The new 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens is also equipped with Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) to ensure fast and quiet auto-focusing, and a rounded, seven-blade diaphragm to create an attractive round blur to the out of focus areas. The lens features a brass-made bayonet mount applied on the surface to reinforce strength for long-term use and enable high accuracy and solidity.
This lens will be available in Sigma, Sony, Nikon, Canon and Pentax mounts, starting with Canon mounts coming in July, 2012. Pricing and all availability for other mounts have yet to be announced.
To locate an authorized Sigma dealer nearest to you, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com/where-to-buy-sigma. For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com.
*Sony and Pentax mounts are not incorporated with OS function.
About Sigma Corporation
For more than 50 years, Sigma Corporation’s expertise and innovation has driven the company’s core philosophy of “knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination,” with an emphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 40 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com