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Sigma Announces 50mm F1.2 DG DN Art Lens Share This on LinkedIn   Tweet This   Forward This

26 March 2024

Sigma has announced the new Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN Art lens, a compact, ultra-fast standard prime lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems. The new Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art is the brightest in the Sigma 50mm prime lens lineup, delivering high optical performance from its widest aperture, the company said.

The f1.2 maximum aperture allows you to take advantage of the large bokeh effect, enhanced with a rounded 13-blade diaphragm, and to shoot handheld with a wide aperture in low-light situations.

Despite the fast aperture, the it has the lightest weight in its class and is 30 percent smaller than the Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN Art lens.

Dual HLA-driven floating focusing, with one group near the front of the lens and one group near the back, provides stable optical performance from close to distant focus. The design also minimizes focus breathing, with very little change of the angle of view as focal distance changes, which is helpful for video capture. The dual floating HLA autofocus achieves focus smoothly, swiftly and silently for both still and video and the manual focus ring can be assigned to be linear or non-linear response on compatible L-Mount cameras.

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of the new 50mm prime include:

  • Full-frame
  • Apertures: f1.2 to f16
  • High-response linear actuator AF system
  • Four aspherical lens elements
  • Rounded 13-blade diaphragm
  • De-clickable aperture ring
  • Super multilayer coating
  • Dust- and splash-resistant construction

SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications for the new lens include:

SIGMA 50mm f1.2 DG DN ART LENS SPECIFICATIONS
Mount Sony E, Leica L
Focal Length 50mm
Aperture f1.2 to f16
13 rounded diaphragm blades
Angle of View 46.8°
Minimum Focus 15.7 inches
Magnification 16x, 1:6.2
Optical Design 17 elements in 12 groups
Four aspherical lens elements
Autofocus Yes
Image Stabilization
Filter Thread 72mm
Dimensions 3.2 x 4.4 inches
Weight 1.6 lbs.

PRICE, AVAILABILITY

Sigma said the new 50mm Art lens will ship April 18 for $1,399. Adorama and B&H are both now accepting pre-orders.

Announcing the 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art lens, the Brightest 50mm Prime Lens in Sigma's Lineup

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. -- Sigma Corp. of America, the U.S. subsidiary of Sigma Corp. has announced the new Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art lens, a compact, ultra-fast standard prime lens for full-frame mirrorless camera systems. The new Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art is the brightest in the Sigma 50mm prime lens lineup, while delivering extremely high optical performance from its widest aperture. It has achieved the highest level of performance among successive generations of Art lenses.

The f1.2 maximum aperture allows photographers to actively take advantage of the large bokeh effect and to shoot handheld with a wide aperture in low-light situations such as indoors and evening scenes. Thanks to the excellent correction of various aberrations such as spherical aberration, sagittal coma flare and axial chromatic aberration, along with Sigma's first 13-blade rounded diaphragm, which maintains a circular bokeh effect even when the aperture is stopped down, this lens delivers beautiful imaging characteristics.

Dual HLA-driven floating focusing, with one group near the front of the lens and one group near the back, provides stable optical performance from close to distant focus. The design also minimizes focus breathing, with very little change of the angle of view as focal distance changes, which is helpful for video capture. The dual floating HLA autofocus achieves focus smoothly, swiftly and silently for both still and video and the manual focus ring can be assigned to be linear or non-linear response on compatible L-Mount cameras.

Despite the fast aperture, the Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art lens has the lightest weight in its class and is 30 percent smaller than the Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN | Art lens. It is very similar in size and weight to the Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN | Art lens, which was achieved in part by streamlining the optical system.

As a DG DN Art lens designed specifically for full-frame mirrorless camera systems, the Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art is built with dust and splash-resistant structure, water and oil-repellent coating on the front lens element and durable brass bayonet mount; along with click/de-click and lockable aperture ring, an AFL button and AF/MF switch.

Offered in L-Mount and Sony E-mount versions, the lens will be available on April 18 at a retail price of $1,399 through authorized retail partners.

The Lightest in Its Class

Sigma's Art line has been offering new possibilities and surprise for expression and now the Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art is here to break the standards. Sigma's focus with this lens is on the descriptive power that is perfectly usable from the widest aperture and on portability that allows the high performance to be demonstrated in any field. In terms of image rendition, Sigma achieved high resolving power from the maximum aperture throughout the entire focus range, while also enriching the beauty of the large bokeh effect at f1.2. In addition, the lens construction and mechanical design have been stripped down to the bare essentials, resulting in a significantly compact and lightweight body. The lens is also equipped with a full range of functions suitable for professional use, including high-precision AF using the latest HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) that reduces volume while maintaining the same thrust. We hope users will enjoy the superb Art f1.2, which will transform everything they capture and even their photographic experience into something extra special.

Key Features

1. Highest descriptive power to take advantage of f1.2 brightness

The Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art has been designed with an emphasis on high resolution from the maximum aperture to the full focus range and large, beautiful bokeh expression. The contrast between the sharpness of the focus surface and the melting bokeh effect creates a three-dimensional effect thanks to its f1.2 aperture. In addition, the 13-blade diaphragm allows for beautiful bokeh expressions. Focus breathing is also well-suppressed that the f1.2 rendering can be fully utilized in video recording.

Brightness of f1.2 maximum aperture and high resolution from minimum to infinity focus: The latest optical design achieves high resolving power with each aberration thoroughly suppressed from the maximum aperture. The lens is capable of rendering details without color bleeding in any situation. In addition, the incorporated floating focus is advantageous in improving short-range performance, ensuring a stable, high-level image quality throughout the entire range from the minimum focusing distance to infinity.

Rich and beautiful bokeh without color bleeding: By correcting spherical aberration, sagittal coma flare, axial chromatic aberration and other aberrations, the lens delivers natural bokeh images that blur smoothly and without color bleeding from the focal plane. Double-line bokeh is also suppressed, allowing users to take advantage of the mellow bokeh effect in their expression.

Rounded diaphragm with 13 blades: The lens incorporates Sigma's first 13-blade diaphragm, which maintains a circular shape even when stopped down from the maximum aperture. The surface accuracy of the aspherical lens has been enhanced to the utmost to enable smooth and beautiful round bokeh expressions.

Designed to minimize focus breathing: Optimization of the focus group arrangement and aspherical shape significantly suppresses focus breathing. The change in angle of view due to focus shift is minimized, creating a natural-looking focus shift when recording video.

Designed to minimize flare and ghosting: Flare and ghosting, which reduce image quality, are addressed under all conditions of incident light, based on the most advanced simulation technology. High backlight resistance enables clear and sharp images under any lighting conditions.

2. Lightest lens body in its class, suitable for a wide range of applications

By uncompromisingly pursuing high optical performance and portability, which are inherently contradictory, the highest level of performance has been condensed into the lightest lens body in its class. The Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art can be used not only in limited situations and applications, but in all kinds of shooting environments.

Dual HLA incorporating a new system: A new system was developed that significantly reduces the volume while maintaining the same thrust of the HLA, which is characterized by its high driving accuracy and quietness and is featured in each of the two focus groups. This technological innovation has realized both high-speed autofocus and a compact lens body.

Lens construction and mechanical design stripped down to the absolute minimum: Each piece of glass is made as thin as possible while employing glasses with a high refractive index and four aspherical lenses. The high level of production technology at Sigma's only manufacturing base, the Aizu factory, provides the exacting precision necessary for processing these thin glass elements and making this mass production possible. In addition, the floating focus ensures high performance while shortening the overall length, resulting in a compact lens. In the mechanical design phase, emphasis was placed on weight reduction. Through the systematic elimination of individual components, Sigma attained the distinction of producing the lightest lens in its class, weighing a mere 745g/26.3 oz. for L-Mount.

3. A wealth of functions for professional use and excellent build quality

In addition to various functions that support photography, such as the AFL button and an aperture ring, the construction of the lens body itself and its high-quality touch and feel are also pursued. The Sigma 50mm f1.2 DG DN | Art is designed with high functionality and reliability to meet the stringent demands of professionals, as well as excellent build quality for long-lasting, reliable use.

Proud to be a tool of expression, excellent build quality with Sigma's Art line specifications: By assembling high-precision parts made of lightweight and strong Thermally Stable Composite and other materials, the lens has the high level of rigidity and durability of Sigma's Art line specifications without sacrificing portability, as well as excellent build quality that allows for long-lasting and reliable use as a photographic tool.

Various shooting assist functions: The lens is equipped with an AFL button which can be assigned to a range of functions via the menu on selected cameras. In addition to the aperture ring, the lens is equipped with an aperture ring lock switch and a click switch to turn the click on and off.

Dust and splash resistant structure and water and oil repellent coating: In addition to a dust and splash resistant structure, the front element of the lens features a water and oil repellent coating, allowing users to shoot without concerns even in harsh outdoor environments.

Includes a petal-type hood with lock: A dedicated petal-shaped hood is supplied. A locking mechanism is provided for secure attachment.


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