- Sigma reveals an ultra-covered 12 mm f/1.4 lens to APS-C mirror-free cameras
- It is available for Sony, Canon and Fujifilm-Cameras for £ 519 (US / AU Pricing TBC)
- 200 mm F2 Telprime also revealed, part of Sigma’s Pro Sports Line
Good Lord, Sigma’s lens department is rolling. After its versatile 18-40mm F1.8 Zoom and award-winning 300-600mm F4-Tele monster, it has revealed two high quality prime; A 12 mm F1.4 for APS-C cameras plus a 200 mm F2.
The 12 mm lens is the fifth and widest in a line of f/1.4-primes for APS-C cameras, after 16 mm, 23 mm, 30 mm and 56 mm settings. I have tested all four of the existing F/1.4 primates with a Canon Mirrorless camera, and they pack excellent optical performance in a light and super-compact form factor.
However, there is still a clear need for the new 12 mm lens, with its equivalent 18 mm focal length in full frames that fill a niche for astrophotography, especially with its super-light f/1.4 aperture. The previous widest f/1.4 lens in the area has an equivalent 24 mm focal length, which will not be wide enough for many eager astrophotographers.
Sigma has made the ultra-covering prime for Sony E, Canon RF and Fujifilm X-Mount cameras, and its list price is £ 519 (US and Australia pricing TBC). We do not yet know if it will be made for other lens mountings such as Nikon Z or L-Mount, but after previous launches I would uncover my efforts as it will.
The new Ultra-wide prime is not the only news from Sigma today. It has also revealed the world’s first 200 mm lens with light F/2 aperture, available for Sony E and L-Mount cameras.
As part of Sigma’s sports line for professionals, 200mm F2 shares much of the same DNA as 300-600 mm Super Telezoom; It has unique optics, a high-speed autofocus response, 6.5v optical image stabilization using Sigma’s OS2 algorithm and a dust and splash-resistant building. It costs £ 2,999 (again, USA and Australia Pricing TBC).
The sales start date for both lenses is set to September 4th.
Shoot after the stars
Sigma’s new 12mm F/1.4 lens will undoubtedly appeal to astrophotographers shooting with an APS-C mirror-free camera, such as Sony A6700, Canon EOS R7 or FUJIFILM X-T5. But with its compact structure, broad perspective, responsive autofocus and minimal focus breathing, it also fits the bill for another kind of star – vlogging.
It weighs only 7.9 OZ / 225G and measures 2.7in / 68 mm in length, making it a compact mating with any compatible APS-C, plus it is dust and splashing, so there is no problem getting out in challenging terrain or cold nights.
For optical technique, the 200mm F2 Pro Prime is arguably the more impressive, as it is the brightest 200mm lens on the market. It is invoiced for telecommunications and indoor sports, especially given its light F/2 aperture and the compression effect achieved by the television breaking.
It is a weighty affair than 12 mm f / 1.4 that overturns the scales at 64.2 OZ / 1,820 g and measures 7.9in / 201 mm in length. This is the price you pay for the bright F/2 aperture at such a tele-burning burn, against a 70-200 mm zoom lens with a maximum f/2.8 aperture.
Judging from my experience with past Sigma lenses, I expect both of these latest unique optics to deliver high quality images that are otherwise not possible considering the world’s first features offered, while many APS-C shooters could finally have astrophotography lens they have asked for. For more information, see the Sigma Web site.
