Sigma announces pricing and availability of three new prime “art” lenses

 

 

Three of the lenses Sigma announced at the CP+ imaging show in Japan earlier this year have been given official prices and availability dates with the trio set to go on sale later this month.

The Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN and 19mm f/2.8 DN will both be available NEX and Micro Four Thirds mounts at $199 each, and the 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens for Nikon, Canon, and Sigma mounts will set you back $499. All three lenses fall into Sigma's newly designated Art category and feature an "A" emblazoned on their lens barrels.

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens is an update of a lens from 2005, but with a new focusing system and optics, featuring nine elements in eight groups, and a minimum aperture of f/16. The two compact system camera (CSC) compatible lenses are updates of a much more recent pair of lenses, which only debuted less than a year ago.

These two appear to be optically identical to the older versions, but feature a new exterior. Both of these lenses and the 30mm f/1.4 will also be run through Sigma’s new A1 MTF testing before finding their way to store shelves. Hopefully, this will mean there’s more consistency between lenses, and you’re less likely to get a subpar unit in your box.

Unfortunately, only the 30mm f/1.4 can be controlled using Sigma’s USB dock for making AF microadjustments and updating firmware.