Sigma has introduced two new full-frame lenses for L-mount cameras, a 17mm f/4 and a 50mm f/2. Both join the Contemporary range and offer excellent value for money at £550 and £620, respectively. In addition, the company has released a 23mm L-mount APS-C lens with a fast f/1.4 maximum aperture. Leica no longer lists an APS-C camera, but this 35mm-equivalent prime will appeal to users of the now-discontinued TL and CL ranges.
Above: Unpainted images of the two new full-frame primes
The following information on the two full-frame primes is supplied by Sigma
Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary
A classic focal length is now available as a SIGMA I series lens. The SIGMA 50mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary is a versatile lens for enthusiasts and professional photographers and available in L-Mount and Sony E-mount. Create portraits with beautiful bokeh and effortlessly capture your surrounding when shooting street photography, all in stunning detail thanks to the high-quality optics that effectively minimise aberrations. Its weight of 350g and compact size is ideal for travelling. The release of the 50mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary brings the total number of I series lenses to nine, allowing for a greater choice of compact focal lengths to mix and match to your preferred photographic style.
Key features
Versatile F2 minimum aperture
The lens features a wide F2 aperture, able to create true-to-life portraits with beautiful bokeh effects, and with its compact size and weight of 350g, the lens is the perfect photography tool for travel and street photography. Constructed using high-quality SLD and aspherical glass elements, the lens is an excellent upgrade for photography enthusiasts who want to improve the quality of their existing 50mm lens and for professionals who prefer smaller camera systems without compromising on image quality. The glass elements also effectively minimise flare and ghosting in back-lit environments.
Feature-rich and customisable
Easily control the amount of light entering the lens and the depth-of-field using the aperture ring. The lens also features Direct Manual Focus (DMF) and a focus mode switch. It supports switching between non-linear and linear focusing when customised using the SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only). It is also compatible with AF assist functions found on compatible cameras (E-mount only).
A robust and compact lens designed for travel
A dust- and splash-proof mount is fitted to help stop contamination from dust and water. The tactile knurled metal lens hood, focus ring and aperture ring improve the grip on the lens for greater control when in unique situations such as mountaineering. Between the aperture and the focus ring is a covering that helps finger placement when attaching and detaching the lens. It uses hairline processing for a sleek and stylish finish. Included with the lens is a magnetic metal lens cap which further improves ease of use.
Feature summary
- Lens construction: 11 elements in 9 groups with 1 SLD and 3 aspherical lens elements
- Inner focus system
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- Stepping Motor
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction (supported cameras only)
- Support DMF and AF+MF
- Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Aperture ring
- Focus Mode Switch
- Hood (LH633-01)
- Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF58-01M)
- Mount with dust and splash-resistant structure
- Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only)
- Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
- Designed to minimise flare and ghosting
- Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
- 9-blade rounded diaphragm
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
- “Made in Japan” craftsmanship
Key specifications, L-mount
- Lens construction: 11 elements in 9 groups (1 SLD and 3 aspherical elements) Angle-of-view: 46.8
- Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Minimum focusing distance: 45cm
- Maximum magnification ratio: 1:6.9
- Filter size: φ58mm
- Dimensions (max diameter x length): φ70.0mm × 68.0mm Weight: 350g
Price (UK) £649.99
Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary
Capture stunning landscape images anytime, anywhere with the full-frame SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, available for L-Mount and Sony E-mount mirrorless systems. Its robust metal construction, compact size and weight of 225g are perfectly suited for travel and street photography. High-quality optics are used to correct lens aberrations and create images that are sharp from edge to edge. Easily create unique close-up style images with expansive backgrounds or shoot hand-held vlogs by using the 12cm close-focus distance. The release of the 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary brings the total number of I series lenses to nine, allowing for a greater choice of compact focal lengths to mix and match to your preferred photographic style.
Key features
Ultra-wide-angle lens with edge-to-edge sharpness
With its ultra-wide-angle focal length, the SIGMA 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary can be used for a variety of photography styles. Constructed using high-quality SLD glass elements the lens is able to capture landscape and architecture images in outstanding detail that are sharp across the whole image and with minimal lens aberrations. The lens has a close-focus distance of 12cm with a magnification ratio of 1:3.6, with allows for close-up style photography with distinctive expansive backgrounds. Pair the lens with a compact full-frame mirrorless camera to create a lightweight vlogging setup, suitable for both POV shots and hand-held filming.
Easy to use and customisable
Easily control the amount of light entering the lens and the depth-of-field using the aperture ring. The lens also features Direct Manual Focus (DMF) and a focus mode switch. It supports switching between non-linear and linear focusing when customised using the SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only). It is also compatible with AF assist functions found on compatible cameras (E-mount only).
A robust and compact lens designed for travel
Even though the lens is constructed using precision-aluminium parts and an all-metal barrel, it still only weighs 225g (L-mount), making it perfect for travel photographers who prefer compact, lightweight lenses that retain image quality. A dust- and splash-proof mount is fitted to help stop contamination from dust and water. The tactile knurled metal lens hood, focus ring and aperture ring improve the grip on the lens for greater control when in unique situations such as mountaineering. Included with the lens is a magnetic metal lens cap which further improves ease of use. As a result of its compact design, the lens features a 55mm filter thread, similar to other I series lenses, making it easy to swap filters and reduce overall kit weight.
In addition to the 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary, I series lenses with a 55mm filter thread include the 24mm F3.5 DG DN | Contemporary, 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, and 90mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary (as of April 2023).
Feature summary
- Lens construction: 9 elements in 8 groups with 2 SLD and 3 aspherical lens elements
- Inner focus system
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- Stepping Motor
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction (supported cameras only)
- Support DMF and AF+MF
- Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Aperture ring
- Focus Mode Switch
- Petal Type Hood (LH576-03)
- Magnetic metal lens cap (LCF55-01M)
- Mount with dust and splash-resistant structure
- Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only)
- Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
- Designed to minimise flare and ghosting
- Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
- 7-blade rounded diaphragm
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
- “Made in Japan” craftsmanship
Key specifications (L-Mount)
- Lens construction: 9 elements in 8 groups (2 SLD and 3 aspherical elements) Angle-of-view: 103.7°
- Number of diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded diaphragm)
- Minimum aperture: F22
- Minimum focusing distance: 12cm
- Maximum magnification ratio: 1:3.6
- Filter size: 55mm
- Dimensions (max diameter x length): 64.0mm × 48.8mm Weight: 225g
Price UK: £549.99
Contemporary full-frame range
With the addition of the “standard” focal-length 50mm f/2 and the wide-angle f/17, Sigma offers a comprehensive range of nine primes in the Contemporary series. All are relatively compact and light, well constructed and inexpensive compared to similar lenses from Panasonic Lumix and Leica.
The two new full-frame primes (17 and 50mm) bring the total of Contemporary lenses for L-Mount to nine, including the 45mm f/2.8, 35mm f/2, 24mm f/3.5, 65mm f/2, 24mm f/2, 90mm f/2.8, and 20mm f/2
Sigma 23m F1.4 DC DN |Contemporary
Designed exclusively for use with APS-C mirrorless cameras and available in L-Mount, E-Mount and Fujifilm X Mount, this lens comprises 13 elements in 10 groups, with 3 SLD and 2 aspherical elements. It provides a full-frame equivalent focal length of 35mm. The weighs 340g and is available for L-Mount at a UK price of £449.99. The new lens joins three existing fast primes for L-Mount with focal lengths of 16mm (24mm equivalence), 30mm (45mm) and 56mm (85mm).
More on the L-Mount Alliance
More on Sigma lenses
Patrick Leong’s review of the Sigma F2 50mm DG DN |Contemporary for L Mount
Patrick Leong’s review of the Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN | Contemporary for L Mount
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I confess I was a total snob about Sigma. But, based on a recommendation here on MACFILOS, I got the APS-C Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN. I’m really enjoying it and have got some great shots out of it!
I have actually always wanted a faster APS-C 23mm f1.4 so I might end up getting one, even though rationally it probably does not make much sense…
I think this is very good news for Leica. Expanding user choice through a broader selection of lenses means more buyers can trust the brand to continue the SL. Adding alternative mounts means the costs are amortized without impacting quality.
What’s perhaps even more pleasing for CL owners is that they now have a faster alternative with the Sigma 23 f1.4. The brand may be dead but the product’s usability continues!
Good news. Sigma are doing a lot for L mount, especially on the more affordable end. I own the 35/2 which is very good for the price, and the 45/2.8 which is also great but sadly sees little use as is not no the best companion for my L mount photography. The 90 and the fast 20 have been on my wishlist for long. Together with the supposedly excellent Panasonic primes and the Leica lenses, the system is full of choices now. Let’s hope Sigma brings a more mainstream oriented camera in addition to the fp soon. JP