New Sigma Contemporary I-Series

2020.12.01

Today Sigma introduces a new sub-series of premium mirrorless lenses within their Contemporary series. Over the last decade, Sigma has been producing lenses with fantastic optics divided among the Contemporary, Sport and Art series. This could be considered great, greater and greatest lenses rather than the traditional entry, mid and high levels. The new Sigma I-Series of lenses starts with 3 prime lenses in a metal weatherproof barrel for exceptional durability: 24mm F/3.5, 35mm F/2 and 65mm F/2 lenses available in both Sony E and Leica L mounts with Full-Frame coverage.

The widest of the group is the Sigma C 24mm F/3.5 DG DN that delivers an ultra-wide 84° angle-of-view. This incredibly lightweight lens weighs just 225g even with its metal and weatherproof construction. It sports dedicated focus and aperture rings which are both fly-by-wire, probably a first for an Aperture-Ring. Deep ridges provide a good grip over either ring. This ultra-wide prime lens focuses down to 10cm, giving it an unusually high 0.5X magnification to capture subjects up-close.

An internal focusing system keeps the 61mm lens of the 24mm F/3.5 DG DN constant while a stepping motor silently drives focus. Given that the focus-ring is fly-by-wire, even Manual-Focus risks causing noise should be motor not be sufficiently quiet. A switch toggles the lens between AF and MF modes while it also supports DMF mode on Sony cameras. In this mode, the camera automatically switches to Manual-Focus after locking AF. The front of the lens sports a 55mm filter-thread and bayonet to mount a lens hood.

A bright prime lens offers a more natural perspective. The new Sigma C 35mm F/2 DG DN captures a 63° angle-of-view. Even though it offers more than an extra stop of maximum aperture, this lens is relatively light. It weighs 325g despite its metal weatherproof construction. Bokeh is rendered smoothly by a 9-blade aperture within the lens. Just like the wider lens, this one sports fly-by-wire focus and aperture-rings. A switch toggles between AF and MF and also supports DMF on Sony mirrorless cameras.

The Sigma C 35mm F/2 DG DN has a typical 27cm minimum focus-distance which gives its a magnification of 0.17X. This lens is wider than the 24mm and is threaded for slightly larger 58mm filters. Given the metal construction of these lenses, Sigma is bundling a second magnetic lens cap with each lens, in addition to a standard plastic one.

The longest lens in the Contemporary I-Series is the Sigma C 65mm F/2 DG DN. This lens offers a moderately narrow field-of-view of 36° to provide a sense of closeness. Its bright F/2 maximum aperture and 9-blade iris allows it blur backgrounds very nicely. With a minimum focus-distance of 55cm, this lens has a maximum magnification of 0.14X which is typical for similar lenses. The increased focal-length compared to the 35mm, make this lens slightly heavier at 405g.

Just like other lenses Sigma announced today, the 65mm F/2 DG DN features a metal barrel and weatherproof construction. It also has two fly-by-wire rings to control focus and aperture. An internal stepping motors moves focus silently, even with the switch in MF mode since the focus-ring is not mechanically-linked. All these new lenses offer Full-Frame coverage and come in both Sony E and Leica L mounts.

Visit the specification pages for each lens for more details including pre-ordering options:

• Lens