Sigma announces 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary L-mount wide-angle zoom

The new full-frame F2.8 16-28 mm wide-angle zoom from Sigma offers a bright constant aperture and high optical quality in a robust and lightweight body. It will go on sale in most markets on June 17.

Sigma claims exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness which is essential for most wide-angle applications. It boasts five FLD elements and four aspherical elements to ensure optical image quality with minimal aberrations.

The lens has an inner zoom mechanism that keens overall length consistent throughout the entire zoom range, thus improving balance in the hand.

With an exceptionally compact form factor, weighing just 450g and measuring 100.6mm in length, the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN is portable enough for everyday shooting. According to Sigma, it will appeal especially to landscape, wedding and travel photographers who need to carry their kit over long distances or for long periods of time.

Key features from the Sigma press information

Uncompromising optical performance in a compact body

Optimised with the latest optical design technology, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is a high-performance optic that delivers exceptional image quality despite its compact size. The two large-diameter aspherical lens elements and five perfectly arranged FLD glass elements (whose characteristics mirror that of fluorite) keep the lens light and compact while effectively suppressing the lateral and vertical chromatic aberrations that often diminish the image quality of other ultra-wide lens designs. The lens also utilises the advanced digital correction capabilities of modern cameras to enable it to achieve such impressive image quality in such a small body.

An F2.8 constant aperture gives a shallow depth-of-field for blurry out-of-focus areas, which is especially useful when shooting close-ups. The bokeh is smooth and circular thanks to the nine rounded diaphragm blades, which means the background never distracts from the in-focus subject. Sigma has also taken extensive measures to counter ghosting and lens flare, which are caused by reflections inside the lens barrel. The Super Multi-Layer Coating ensures that the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary delivers punchy, high contrast results even in the most difficult of backlit conditions.

Convenient form-factor allowing more freedom and better usability

The new 16-28mm has a front filter thread built in, which allows neutral density and polarising filters to be attached more easily. This is especially useful for landscape photographers and film-makers.

The inner zoom mechanism allows the lens to maintain the same length throughout the entire zoom range and with almost no shift to its balance point. The resulting stability will be appreciated by anyone looking to use the lens with a gimbal, or for hand-held or vlog-style film-making. The inner zoom also greatly contributes to the lens’ favorable physical dimensions: at a length of 100.6mm, a diameter of 77.2mm and a weight of only 450g, its portability is comparable with wide-angle zooms with slower maximum apertures.

By using a stepping motor to control the AF actuator, the autofocus of the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is both fast and silent, making it ideal for shooting in quiet environments, such as weddings, and also for video when using an on-camera mic.

Paired with the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, photographers are able to cover ultra-wide to medium telephoto focal lengths with only two lenses. Their combined weight of only 920g makes for an extremely versatile, compact lens system with uniform F2.8 brightness.

Exceptional build quality with intuitive ergonomics

The lens is constructed using specially selected lightweight materials including Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), a polycarbonate with a thermal contraction rate similar to that of aluminium. This enables the lens to function at peak performance even in environments with harsh temperature differences, as the metal and plastic parts contract and expand to similar degrees.

The precision of each individual component and the simple beauty of the finished product are made possible thanks to the craftsmanship and expertise of Sigma’s lens design and production teams, the company’s unparalleled manufacturing technology, and the rigorous quality control at its sole production base in Aizu, Japan.

Compact and lightweight, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens is a sophisticated but versatile photographic tool that offers photographers and film-makers the perfect blend of portability and performance.

Additional features

• Lens construction: 16 elements in 11 groups, with 5 FLD and 4 aspherical lens elements

• Inner zoom

• Inner focus system

• Compatible with high-speed autofocus

• Stepping Motor

• Compatible with front filter (Φ72mm)

• Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction

• Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.

• On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to ‘ON’ (AUTO).

• Support for DMF and AF+MF

• Super Multi-Layer Coating

• Focus Mode switch

• Petal-type lens hood (LH756-01)

• Mount with dust and splash-resistant structure

• Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only)

• Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately; L-Mount only)

• Designed to minimize flare and ghosting

• 9-blade rounded diaphragm

• High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount

• ‘Made in Japan’ craftsmanship

• Every single lens is evaluated with Sigma’s proprietary MTF measuring system

Key specifications

• Lens construction: 11 groups, 16 elements (5 FLD and 4 aspherical elements) Angle-of-view: 107°–75.4°
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)
• Minimum aperture: F22
• Minimum focusing distance: 25cm
• Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5.6
• Filter size: φ72mm
• Dimensions (max diameter x length): φ77.2mm x 100.6mm Weight: 450g

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 | Contemporary will go on sale on June 17 at a UK price, including 20% tax, of £749.99. In the USA it will cost $899, excluding tax.

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