The new Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN | Art is claimed to be the first full-frame zoom lens with a constant maximum aperture of f/1.8. Sigma says that this fast zoom delivers sharpness and clarity comparable to that of a prime lens throughout the range. Sigma has already pioneered fast zooms with the 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM and the 25-35 f/2 DG HSM. The DN (digital native) 28-45mm f/1.8 adds to this impressive line up to join the latest lenses designed expressly for mirrorless cameras.
Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8: Inner zoom
The new fast zoom incorporates an inner zoom mechanism, which ensures that the overall length of the lens remains constant when the focal length or focus distance changes. Despite its advanced feature set, the lens weighs under just 960g. According to Sigma, this makes it a portable and versatile option for either hand-held shooting or gimbal setup. Although the weight has been kept to a minimum, Sigma says that there have been no compromises on the rigidity and durability necessary to protect the sophisticated optical design. Dimensions have been kept to a minimum, with a filter diameter of only 82mm.
Commenting on the extraordinary constant aperture, Sigma says. “Once a privilege reserved only for prime lenses, the maximum f/1.8 aperture allows full-frame camera users to expose hand-held in low light and produce beautiful bokeh, while enjoying the flexibility of a zoom. This unique optical achievement has been created through Sigma’s accumulated optical design experience and advanced production technology at the company’s sole production base in Aizu, Japan.”
The minimum focus distance is a constant 30cm across the entire zoom range, with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 at the telephoto end, providing excellent close-up shooting capabilities.
Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8: Performance
Sigma say that focus breathing is thoroughly suppressed, bringing expressive power to filmmakers and photographers. The lens features 18 elements in 15 groups. Through the arrangement of five SLD and three aspherical elements, aberrations are effectively corrected. Axial chromatic aberration, which is particularly noticeable with large-aperture lenses, has been suppressed, and the lens is claimed to deliver clear images with minimal colouration, from sharply focused details to large, smooth bokeh.
Flare and ghosting, which reduce image quality, have been largely eliminated, according to the manufacturer. Using advanced simulation technology, the lens renders rich, high-contrast results in all conditions. In addition, to keep flare and ghosting to a minimum, the lens uses Sigma’s Nano Porous Coating and Super Multi-Layer Coating, producing improved resistance to backlighting and enabling clear, saturated images in all lighting conditions.
The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art delivers a range of professional features as impressive as its outstanding optical performance. With high-speed and adaptable AF, a durable weather-resistant structure, a de-clickable aperture ring, smooth manual focusing and on-barrel AFL buttons, all features combine to create a versatile photographic tool capable of responding to any situation.
The lens is equipped with an aperture ring, two customisable AFL buttons and features a dust- and splash-resistant body. It is supplied with a locking petal-style hood. It will be available in Sigma from 20 June 2024 at a recommended price of £1,299, including VAT, in the United Kingdom.
Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 specification for L-Mount version
- Lens construction: 18 elements in 15 groups (5 SLD, 3 aspherical elements) |
- Angle of view: 75.4-51.3° | Number of diaphragm blades: 11 (rounded diaphragm) |
- Minimum aperture: F16 | Minimum focusing distance: 30cm / 11.9in. |
- Maximum magnification ratio: 1:4 at f=45mm | Filer size: φ82mm |
- Maximum Diameter x Length: φ87.8mm x 151.4mm / φ3.5in. x 6.0in. | Weight: 960g / 33.9oz.
- Inner zoom
- Inner focus system
- High-speed AF
- HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
- Supports DMF and AF+MF
- Nano Porous Coating
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Water- and Oil-Repellent Coating (front element)
- Aperture ring
- Aperture ring click switch
- Aperture ring lock switch
- AFL button (2 locations)
- Focus Mode switch
- Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-mount only)
- Dust- and Splash-Resistant Structure
- Petal-type hood with lock LH878-06
- Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
- Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
- Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
- 11-blade rounded diaphragm
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
- Mount Conversion Service available
Here are some reviews of the Sigma 28-45 f/1.8 zoom
- This world’s first f/1.8 Zoom is the New Testament (Digital Camera Word)
- Limited zoom, maximum light (Petapixel, with video)
- Sample gallery (DPReview)
- Wow — but is it enough? (Froknowsphoto)
- Sigma shakes up the full-frame game with revolutionary lens (Fstoppers)
Want to contribute an article to Macfilos? It’s easy. Just click the “Write for Us” button. We’ll help with the writing and guide you through the process.
This lens leaves questions. Sigma has courage to design and produce such an exotic lens – very limited zoom range at a hefty weight. For photography, I see no real use cases. Combine a 24/1.8 and a 50/1.8, and you have more options at less weight and certainly no inferior image quality. Or get an f/2.8 zoom with a more versatile range and let the high ISO abilities of your camera do the rest. But maybe this is what videographers have been waiting for. AI generated background blur will remain a challenge in the data masses of a 30, 60 or even 120 fps, 4K or 6K film. At any rate, it will be interesting to see if super-fast zooms become the new hot stuff for full frame. JP
Hi, it is primarily designed for video people. The L-mount system is more appealing to a broader market thanks to Panasonic’s video strength and Panasonic and Sigma breadth and depth of glass options. We all need to cheer options that do not fit us but make the l-mount system stronger
Well, first reaction is …
f1.8 wide aperture GOOD
limited zoom range at both ends for something of this size. NOT GOOD
Big and heavy especially for that limited range NOT GOOD
Wide aperture like this not needed with high ISO capability of modern cameras DEBATABLE.
Also I have to chuckle at the marketing copy…..
“with a maximum magnification of 1:4 at the telephoto end”.
What telephoto end? 45mm is not telephoto.
I have no doubt that the optics are great because it’s a Sigma but I just can’t figure out who this lens is for. I’d probably prefer a 28mm and a 50mm pair than this. The Leica 24-90 is superb for example, but we’ve already seen that not a lot of people want to carry around a large and heavy lens.
Frankly I just wish Sigma would hurry up and build a 28mm f1.4 dg dn then with the high resolution cameras of today just crop in to get 45mm equivalent.
My Sigma 20mm f1.4 dg dn is wonderful, where is the missing 28mm to go with it?
This looks big and clumsy for little gain, maybe it’s directed at the video crowd, which does not include me.
It is certainly mainly directed at the video crowd – rather astutely. But if I was full frame, I would love to purchase it. I used to own the dg dn 20/1.4. A truly magnificent lens worthy of Leica.
960g and look at the size of that thing! – all for a 28-45mm focal length range. Do yourself a favour and buy a 35mm f/1.8 prime and walk three steps back or three steps forward to zoom with it.