If you haven't seen, TCSTV's Evelyn is in Japan for Sigma's exciting announcement! Sigma has announced the new Sigma BF, a radically simple camera that evokes the essence of photography. Then announced two new lenses, the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5-6.7 DC OS, and the world’s first mirrorless lens with an approximate zoom ratio of 18.8x and finally the Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS, a prime lens with the freedom to zoom. Check out Evelyn's TCSTV first-look episode from Japan and read all about these exciting new Sigma products.
Jumping head first, the new Sigma BF is a full-frame mirrorless camera that offers an unprecedented intuitive shooting experience, focused on bringing the joy of photography back into the hands of the user. By eliminating unnecessary features, this camera transforms the experience of capturing a photo into a natural, instinctive action. The innovative user interface enhances the bond between the photographer and the device, featuring an integrated unibody design that's more user-friendly with its responsive, touch-sensitive buttons and dial. The crystal-clear detail provided by the 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, along with the dependable dual autofocus system, vividly realizes your creative vision.
The user interface features a fresh information layout distinct from typical digital cameras. Key shooting settings, such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensitivity, EV compensation, and Color Mode, are conveniently accessible on the live view screen. Secondary settings can be found in the optional menu, while management functions and detailed configurations are housed in the system menu. Users can easily adjust important shooting parameters with a simple touch. Additionally, the auto setting encompasses the general shooting mode dial's functionalities.
The main live view screen shows only the essential information, and users have the option to remove all on-screen data if desired. The status monitor keeps the current settings visible, allowing users to focus entirely on framing their shots and the subject matter. All functions are managed through a combination of three buttons, one dial, the shutter release, and the power button. The BF is the first mirrorless camera to include tactile feedback in its Dial, Center button, Option button, and Playback button, ensuring minimal physical wear. These buttons are consistently precise and comfortable to use.
The BF is the world's first camera to feature a genuine unibody design, offering unparalleled sturdiness. Each unit is meticulously crafted from a single, solid block of aluminum ingot, a process that takes seven hours. The smooth, all-metal body provides a reassuring and comfortable heft that pairs perfectly with any lens. With its L-Mount lens mount, the camera is compatible with a diverse range of interchangeable lenses from Sigma and other partners in the L-Mount Alliance.
A hybrid autofocus system that merges image phase detection with contrast detection uses the BF's advanced algorithms to capture subjects with precision and consistency. Beyond just humans, the subject detection mode can also identify dogs and cats. Additionally, there are thirteen different colour modes available to inspire creative possibilities. These modes include distinctive choices like Teal and Orange, Powder Blue, and Warm Gold, along with versatile options such as Rich and Calm.
The BF is equipped for high-resolution 6K and L-Log recording, which allows for video production that benefits from the broad dynamic range of a full-frame sensor. Furthermore, the BF boasts 230 GB of internal memory, sufficient for storing over 14,000 JPEG files, 4,300 uncompressed RAW images, or 2.5 hours of video at the highest quality. The USB-C port provides fast charging and rapid data transfer speeds.
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Next, Sigma introduced the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5-6.7 DC OS, a lens that combines strength and portability. Designed to provide exceptional performance in various scenarios, this lens boasts an 18.8x zoom ratio, the highest ever for an APS-C format mirrorless lens. Equivalent to 24-450mm in 35mm format, it spans from wide-angle to super-telephoto, making it highly adaptable for capturing a wide array of subjects, including landscapes, interiors, wildlife, aviation and sports.
The Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5-6.7 DC OS lens offers a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2, allowing for detailed close-up shots effortlessly. It excels in photographing flowers, insects, and other small subjects with remarkable clarity. Additionally, with a magnification of 1:3 at the wide end and 1:4 at the telephoto end, photographers can explore a vast array of creative possibilities.
The High-response Linear Actuator (HLA) motor in this lens ensures remarkably fast, smooth, and precise autofocus, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving subjects like birds and planes. It provides 6 stops of image stabilization at the wide end and 4.5 stops at the telephoto end, allowing photographers to take clear, blur-free photos even at long focal lengths and in low light conditions. The newest OS2 optical stabilization algorithm enhances image stability, effectively reducing camera shake, so photographers can achieve sharp images without needing a tripod, even in dim lighting and at full zoom. This highly versatile all-in-one zoom lens is an excellent choice for creative photographers who enjoy exploring various photographic styles.
Despite its extensive zoom range of 16-300mm, the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5-6.7 DC OS maintains high portability, with dimensions of just 73.8mm in diameter and 121.4mm in length, and a weight of only 615g. This compact design is made possible by advanced mechanical and optical engineering, including a high refractive index glass element with considerable thickness variation and an aspherical lens element. Crafted to support photographers in various settings, this lens also boasts a structure that resists both dust and splashes, making it suitable for tough environments. Furthermore, the front element is treated with a water- and oil-repellent coating, ensuring it stays clean and clear.
Thanks to its sophisticated optical construction, which includes 1 FLD, 4 SLD, and 4 aspherical elements, the lens provides outstanding aberration correction and consistently sharp images across the entire zoom and focus range. Utilizing advanced simulation technology and accounting for light incidence in various conditions, the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5-6.7 DC OS ensures exceptional resistance to flare and ghosting. This feature allows photographers to capture crisp, clear images even in the most difficult lighting scenarios, fulfilling the expectations of an all-in-one lens. Additionally, the lens is designed to minimize focus breathing, making it an ideal option for both filmmakers and photographers using multi-shot techniques such as focus stacking. Throughout the zoom range, changes in the angle of view are kept to a minimum when adjusting focus.
To pre-order the Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5-6.7 DC OS in your mount, click here!
Finally, Sigma introduced the Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS, an innovative ultra-telephoto zoom lens that combines the ease of a zoom lens with the exceptional optical quality of a prime lens. This lens extends the capabilities of a 600mm F4 prime by allowing users to zoom out to 300mm while maintaining top-notch optical performance. Its internal zoom mechanism ensures stable centre of gravity across the zoom range, making it a versatile and user-friendly option for a wide array of shooting scenarios.
Comprising 28 lens elements arranged in 21 groups, including 6 FLD and 1 SLD glass elements, as well as anomalous dispersion and high refractive index glass, this lens showcases a sophisticated optical design that adeptly corrects various optical imperfections, such as chromatic aberration, across the entire zoom range. The Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS, though a zoom lens, achieves the exceptional optical quality typical of a prime lens. With a substantial aperture of F4, it remains lightweight due to a high-thrust HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor, optimized optical power layout, and cutting-edge glass materials. This combination ensures rapid and highly precise autofocus performance.
The Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS lens provides outstanding optical stabilization, achieving 5.5 stops at the 600mm focal length. This capability is powered by Sigma’s advanced OS2 algorithm, which works in conjunction with a drive unit that includes a custom-designed actuator and a high-precision sensor. The lens excels in fulfilling the requirements of a large-aperture ultra-telephoto. Photographers can select from two stabilization modes: Mode 1 is ideal for most still photography and video scenarios, while Mode 2 is tailored specifically for panning shots. Utilizing Sigma’s Intelligent OS algorithm, Mode 2 stabilizes the image during horizontal, vertical, or diagonal movements, regardless of the camera’s orientation, allowing photographers to capture moving subjects with professional accuracy. The lens is equipped with multiple buttons and switches to cater to individual preferences and various shooting conditions, including AFL buttons in four different positions, a focus mode switch, a focus limiter switch, an OS mode switch (Mode 1 or Mode 2), and a custom mode switch. Additionally, the L-Mount version of the lens is compatible with Tele Converters (TC-1411/TC-2011) for autofocus-enabled shooting at a maximum focal length of 1,200mm.
The lens design features a barrel constructed from magnesium alloy for the core components and a carbon-made hood, providing both durability and reduced weight. Additionally, the optical design places the center of gravity closer to the camera, significantly enhancing weight distribution, which often skews towards the front. The lens body is coated with a thermal insulation paint to minimize heat absorption from sunlight. This ensures the lens remains cool, even during extended outdoor sessions in bright conditions, ideal for nature or motorsports photography. When considering the durability of the lens in various weather conditions, the mount joints, manual focus ring, zoom ring, custom switches, and other control switches, as well as the exterior joints, are all safeguarded against dust and splashes by a specialized dust- and splash-resistant design. Additionally, the front surface of the lens features a water- and oil-repellent coating, making it easier to clean when exposed to water droplets or dust.
The Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS introduces a new function ring that enhances the lens's versatility. The focus ring includes two distinct modes, selectable via its setting switch: Focus Preset Mode and Power Focus Mode. By rotating the function ring left or right, Focus Preset Mode quickly transitions to a pre-set focus point, ideal for repeatedly shooting at a fixed distance. Power Focus Mode, on the other hand, enables steady focusing at a constant speed by manipulating the function ring, facilitating smooth focus transitions during video recording and ensuring minimal movement during handheld shooting. The focusing speed can be adjusted in two increments based on the angle of the function ring's rotation.
The Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS lens comes with several notable features, including a robust and user-friendly tripod socket that incorporates bearings for enhanced durability and seamless rotation. This socket also offers an optional mechanism for precise 90° angle adjustments, with a click/declick function for added accuracy. Additionally, the lens includes a drop-in filter holder designed for standard ø40.5mm filters. This holder is compatible with a newly introduced drop-in circular polarizing filter and an adjustable variable ND filter, both sold separately, which allows for approximately 7-stop adjustments when inserted into the lens.
To pre-order the Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS in your mount, click here!
Featured in this blog:
Sigma Contemporary 16-300mm f3.5-6.7 DC OS
Sigma Sports 300-600mm f4 DG OS
