Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM A: Super-wide-aperture telephoto lens arrives
Update: Pricing and a release date for Sigma's new "Bokeh master" has been revealed
Update: Sigma has confirmed prices and a release date for the new 105mm F1.4 DG HSM A lens (see below).
Sigma has confirmed a new 105mm F1.4 DG HSM A lens.
The company has billed the lens as a 'bokeh master'. This is, no doubt, thanks in large part to its f/1.4 aperture – unusually wide for a lens of this focal length – although the lens has also been designed with nine rounded diaphragm blades to further help here.
The optic is the newest member of Sigma's wide-aperture F1.4 club, joining the likes of the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM A and 85mm F1.4 DG HSM A. This brings the total number of its Art lenses with this aperture to nine, with six of these being compatible with full-frame systems.
Read more: Sigma speaks to DCW
The 105mm F1.4 DG HSM A itself is designed for full-frame Canon and Nikon DSLR owners, as well as those using Sony's full-frame A7 and A9 models. Additionally, the lens is also available for users of Sigma's own cameras.
The 17-element, 12-group lens has been crafted with a dust- and moisture-resistant barrel, with three FLD and two SLD elements and a single aspherical lens element on the inside. Sigma claims the lens delivers "incredible" resolution, and the Canon-fit version follows the most recent 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM A in being compatible with Canon's Lens Aberration Correction function.
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Furthermore, thanks to a particularly large (105mm) front element, the lens is also said to offer exceptional peripheral brightness, which will be words of comfort to those planning on using the lens wide open with any frequency.
Other features include a Hyper Sonic Motor for fast and accurate autofocus, together with a removable Arca-Swiss tripod socket and the possibility of being used with Sigma's USB Dock for performance optimisation.
Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM price and release date
Sigma did not have any information on pricing or availability when the lens was announced back in February, although it has now stated that the Canon, Nikon and Sigma fittings will arrive in June 2018. An expected date of arrival for the Sony-fit option is still to be decided.
The lens is set to have an RRP of $1599 in the US and £1499.99 in the UK. Pricing for other territories has not yet been made available.
Read more: Sigma announces 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM A lens
The former editor of Digital Camera World, "Matt G" has spent the bulk of his career working in or reporting on the photographic industry. For two and a half years he worked in the trade side of the business with Jessops and Wex, serving as content marketing manager for the latter.
Switching streams he also spent five years as a journalist, where he served as technical writer and technical editor for What Digital Camera before joining DCW, taking on assignments as a freelance writer and photographer in his own right. He currently works for SmartFrame, a specialist in image-streaming technology and protection.