Over the last few weeks Sigma have released an impressive set of lenses designed exclusively for digital cameras: the telephoto zoom 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM, the macro 70mm f/2.8 EX DG and the 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye.
Digital lenses like these are designed with the size of the digital CCD sensor in mind - they are slightly smaller than the equivalent exposure plate in film cameras and so digital-only lenses ensure that the entire frame can be captured correctly. Digital lenses also have special coating on the inside of the barrel and low dispersion glass to stop lens flare and the sensor reflection because of the design of the digital SLRs.
Zoom/Telephoto 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM
This is Sigma's latest lightweight telephoto zoom lens, and its features are pretty much self-explanatory from the name - it has a large aperture of f/2.8 and a focal length of 50-150mm. The myriad of abbreviations are slightly more confusing: EX denotes the finish, which is a Sigma indication of its superior build and lens quality; DC shows that the lens is a digital-only design; and HSM stands for the lenses' Hyper-Sonic Motor that uses ultrasonic waves to allow quiet and fast autofocusing. More details are on its PRODUCT PAGE, and the RRP is £549.99.
Macro 70mm f/2.8 EX DG
Sigma have taken its popular 105mm macro lens into the field of digital with this lens, which has a focal length of 70mm (but once you get around the intricacies of the smaller digital size it is equivalent to 105mm). The EX quality is still here but the DG notification is slightly different to DC - it is digital, but it can still be used on 35mm cameras. Other novelties on the camera that aren't denoted by code include a Focus Limiter Switch that can speed up autofocus by dividing the focus range into two, 25.7cm to 48cm and 55cm to infinity. HERE are the full details and RRP is £339.99.
8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye
Finally, Sigma is releasing a fisheye lens for digital cameras (that due to DG means film SLRs can use it too). Fisheye lenses produce circular images with an angle of view of 180degrees and these can be used for stitched panoramas with the correct software. The lens comes with a padded case and a gelatine filter holder on the rear. The details are HERE and RRP is £599.99
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