Last Updated on 09/12/2014 by Kevin Lee
Photokina season must be in full swing because the gear announcements are coming in hot and fast. Today Sigma is introducing a three new zoom lenses and two new teleconverters. Starting with the big one, the lens maker is introducing two different 150-600mm f5-6.3 lenses for its Sports and Contemporary lines. The two lenses feature optical image stabilization and a water and oil-repellant coating on the front and rear elements.
Where the two lenses diverge is the Sports version is a big larger and made up of 24 elements in 16 groups whereas the Contemporary lens features 20 elements in 14 groups. Overall the optics in the Sports edition of the 150-600 f 5-6.3 are better with two “F” low dispersion elements (FLD) and three special low dispersion (SLD) glass elements. By comparison the Contemporary counterpart has just one FLD and three SLD glass elements.
Of course the Sports lens is built better with a dust and splash proof construction though out the barrel while the Contemporary version only features ruggedized mount. Speaking of mounts the two new 150-600 f 5-6.3 lenses will be available for Canon, Nikon, and Sony users. Sigma has yet to announce availability or pricing for it’s latest telephoto lenses, but read on to see Sigma’s new 18-300mm superzoom lens and more.
Sigma 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
Sigma has also added a new compact superzoom option to its Contemporary line with the Sigma 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM. The new lens has been designed exclusively for APS-C cameras and will afford users an equivalent 27-450mm zoom range. The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 15 inches with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3 making it a good piece of glass to take macro photos with especially with built-in OIS to smooth out any camera shake.
Sigma is also introducing a dedicated close-up AML72-01 lens that works in tandem with the 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 lens to produce an even better to scale 1:2 images. Sigma plans to roll out release the18-300mm f3.5-6.3 for Sigma, Canon, Pentax, and Sony mounts—OS isn’t available on Sony and Pentax. The superzoom telephoto hit the streets with a $579 price while the close up lens will be sold separately for $55 and both lenses will arrive this October.
Sigma TC-1401 and TC2001
Last but not least Sigma is also introducing two new teleconverters including the 1.4x TC-1401 and 2x TC2001. These teleconverters slot in between your lens and camera and will magnify your focal length using glass elements. For example throwing on a 300mm lens onto TC2001 teleconverter will double the focal length, causing the lens to behave like a 600mm lens. The TC-1401 and TC2001 will come to stores this October for $349 and $399, respectively.
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports
- Splash and dust proof construction
- 24 lens elements in 16 groups
- 2x FLD, 3x SLD glass elements
- Minimum focusing distance: 102.4 inches
- Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5.
- Dimensions: 4.8 inches x 11.4 inches
- Weight: 100.9 ounces.
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
- Splash and dust proof mount
- 20 elements in 14 groups
- 1x FLD, 3x SLD glass elements
- Minimum focusing distance: 110.2 inches
- Maximum magnification ratio is 1:5
- Dimensions: 4.1 inches x 10.2 inches
Sigma 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM
- 27-450mm zoom range (35mm equivalent)
- 4x FLD, 1x SLD glass element
- Minimum focusing distance: 15 inches
- Magnification ratio: 1:3
- Minimum focusing distance: 15 inches