Sigma’s 28-105mm f/2.8 Art Combines Fast Aperture and Long Reach
Sigma announced the 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens for Sony E and Leica L mount systems. It combines the speed of the much loved 24-70mm f/2.8 lens type with the more versatile focal range of the 24-105mm f/4 in one, sacrificing a bit of range at the wide end to maintain the f/2.8 aperture.
The lens measures 87.8 by 157.9mm (3.5 by 6.2 inches) and weighs 995 grams (less than two pounds). Additionally, Sigma notes that the lens barrel near the mount is made of magnesium rather than aluminum, which it says ensures rigidity while reducing the weight of these parts alone by two-thirds.
The company says the new lens is surprisingly compact and covers several popular focal lengths, including 50mm and 85mm while keeping a constant f/2.8 throughout. The optic is constructed out of 18 elements arranged into 13 groups, including two “difficult-to-process” large-diameter FLD elements in the first group to suppress chromatic aberrations, five aspherical elements that are part of why the lens can maintain its compact form factor, and one SLD element. It features an aperture range of f/2.8 through f/22 via a 12-bladed diaphragm.
The 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art promises minimal focus breathing, so the angle of view won’t change dramatically when focus is shifted.
Sigma says the lens is designed to minimize flare and ghosting thanks to its Nano Porous Coating and Super Multi-Layer Coating — going so far as to claim they have been largely eliminated — which allows the lens to render high contrast results in “all conditions.”
The lens maintains a minimum focusing distance of 15.8 inches (40cm) at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at the telephoto end, which Sigma says adds to the versatility of the optic.
For focusing, the 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art features Sigma’s high-response linear actuator (HLA) motor that promises to deliver a maximum drive speed, ensuring responsive, precise, and smooth autofocus. This type of focusing system is also very quiet, which Sigma says makes it ideal for video capture, too.
The body of the lens includes two AFL buttons for customization and an aperture ring that can be clicked or de-clicked for photo and video applications. The lens also has a petal-type hood with a locking mechanism that assures it stays affixed to the lens. The 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is also weather-resistant with a dust and splash-resistant structure.
Below are some sample images captured with the new lens, courtesy of Sigma.
The Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art will retail for $1,499 and is expected to become available by late September 2024.
Image credits: Sigma