Sigma reveals super-bright lens for astrophotography fans – plus a new world-first for pro sports shooters
- Sigma unveils an ultra-wide 12mm f/1.4 lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras
- It’s available for Sony, Canon and Fujifilm cameras for £519 (US / AU pricing TBC)
- 200mm F2 telephoto prime also revealed, part of Sigma’s pro Sports line
Good Lord, Sigma’s lens making department is on a roll. Following its versatile 18-40mm F1.8 zoom and award-winning 300-600mm F4 telephoto monster, it has unveiled two high-quality primes; a 12mm F1.4 for APS-C cameras, plus a full-frame 200mm F2.
The 12mm lens is the fifth and widest in a line of f/1.4 primes for APS-C cameras, following 16mm, 23mm, 30mm and 56mm options. I’ve tested all of four of those existing f/1.4 primes with a Canon mirrorless camera, and they pack superb optical performance into a lightweight and super-compact form factor.
There’s still a clear need for the new 12mm lens, though, with its equivalent 18mm focal length in full-frame terms filling a niche for astrophotography, especially with its super-bright f/1.4 aperture. The previous widest f/1.4 lens in the range has an equivalent 24mm focal length, which won’t be wide enough for many keen astrophotographers.
Sigma has made the ultra-wide prime for Sony E, Canon RF and Fujifilm X-mount cameras and its list price is £519 (US and Australia pricing TBC). We don’t yet know if it will be made for other lens mounts such as Nikon Z or L-mount, but judging from previous launches I would hedge my bets that it will.
The new ultra-wide prime isn’t the only news from Sigma today. It has also unveiled the world’s first 200mm lens with bright f/2 aperture, available for Sony E and L-mount cameras.
As part of Sigma’s Sports line for pros, the 200mm F2 shares much of the same DNA as the 300-600mm super telephoto zoom; it features superb optics, a high-speed autofocus response, 6.5EV optical image stabilization using Sigma’s OS2 algorithm, and a dust- and splash-resistant build. It costs £2,999 (again, US and Australia pricing TBC).
The sales start date for both lenses is set for September 4.
Shoot for the stars
Sigma’s new 12mm F/1.4 lens will no doubt appeal to astrophotographers that shoot with an APS-C mirrorless camera, such as the Sony A6700, Canon EOS R7 or Fujifilm X-T5. However, with its compact build, wide perspective, responsive autofocus and minimal focus breathing, it also fits the bill for a different kind of star – vlogging.
It weighs just 7.9oz / 225g and measures 2.7in / 68mm in length, making it a compact pairing with any compatible APS-C, plus it’s dust- and splash-resistant, so there’s no problem getting out in challenging terrain or cold nights.
For optical engineering, the 200mm F2 pro prime is arguably all the more impressive, being the brightest 200mm lens on the market. It’s billed for telephoto portraits and indoor sports, especially given its bright f/2 aperture and the compression effect achieved by the telephoto focal length.
It’s a weightier affair than the 12mm F/1.4, tipping the scales at 64.2oz / 1,820g and measuring 7.9in / 201mm in length. That’s the price you pay for the bright f/2 aperture at such a telephoto focal length, versus a 70-200mm zoom lens with a maximum f/2.8 aperture.
Judging from my experience with previous Sigma lenses, I expect both of these latest unique optics to deliver high-quality images, which are otherwise not possible given the world-first features on offer, while many APS-C shooters could finally have the astrophotography lens they have been asking for. For further information, do check out the Sigma website.
