As my wife and I were watching The People v. OJ Simpson a couple nights ago, we talked about how television programming has reached a renaissance era. The best programming ever is available today. And it’s because we have alternative platforms driving incredible content. Netflix, HBO Now, Hulu and other platforms are forcing traditional cable to push the boundaries of the limited quality we’ve seen over the last three decades.
In a very similar vein, Sigma and other third-party lens manufacturers are holding the traditional guards’ feet to the fire with amazing new lenses. It’s like we’re hitting a lens renaissance now that the digital era is maturing and the market is moving up stream to the enthusiast and pro niches. And now that next crazy lens is almost here…
Sigma’s 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens has leaked out ahead of its official announcement and it makes me want to go buy a 7D Mark II (because it is an APS-C lens if you didn’t catch the “DC” reference). If the glass is up to snuff with Sigma’s other recent lenses, I may very well do that. I imagine that Sigma will continue with its aggressive pricing to draw in the crowds as well.
Spec-wise, the lens is made from 21 elements in 15 groups and features three FLD elements and one SLD element. It has a filter size of 82mm, which should give you an idea of the scale for this lens. It weighs in at 1490g, which is about the same weight as Canon’s EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM model (and it’s a full 2cm shorter). But there is no image stabilization inside this – further evidence that this is a beastly lens. Having f/1.8 throughout the zoom range, however, should be worth the added heft.
Additional specs include a 9-blade diaphragm, along with internal focus and zooming. It will be available for Canon, Nikon and Sigma () mounts with an expected release date of April 22.
[leaked via Digicame-info]
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