Sigma has announced a new Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens for APS-C sensor cameras. The new lens is available for L-Mount, Sony E-mount and Fujifilm X Mount cameras.
Main features
This lens has an ultra-wide-angle zoom range. The field of view is equivalent to a 15-27 mm lens on a full-frame 35 mm camera. The lens measures only 2.8 inches (72.2 mm) in diameter and 2.4 inches (62 mm) in length. It is also lightweight at only 9.2 ounces (260 g). Sigma says that the new 10-18 mm zoom lens is the smallest and lightest ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for APS-C cameras.
Constant aperture
The Sigma 10-18mm lens has a wide maximum aperture of f2.8. Importantly, for video use, the aperture is constant, so it won’t alter as you change the focal length. In addition, with seven aperture blades, you should get a rounded bokeh in out-of-focus parts of the image. It’s not easy to get a shallow depth of field with such a wide lens. However, the Sigma 10-18 mm lens can focus down to only 6.6 inches (11.6 cm) at 10 mm and 7.6 inches (19.1 cm) at 18 mm.
Optical construction
The Sigma 10-18mm lens is constructed with 13 lens elements in 10 groups. These include 3 “F” ultra-low dispersion glass (FLD) elements, one special low dispersion (SLD) element and four aspherical lens elements. Sigma also says that the lens features a unique aspherical element that reduces the overall size of the lens and enhances image quality. In addition, the 10-18 mm lens uses a fast autofocus stepping motor and exhibits minimal focus breathing. Focus breathing means that the image size slightly changes as you pull focus.
What we think
With the 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary lens, Sigma has done a great job of delivering a constant F2.8 aperture in such a small lens. Although you won’t get a very shallow depth of field with such a wide-angle lens, the F2.8 aperture will help when you shoot in low light. You will also be able to get some smooth bokeh in the background of your images if you take advantage of the lens’s short, close focus distance. In addition, the Sigma 10-18 mm lens is going to be ideal for use on a gimbal due to its compact size and low weight.
Price and availability
The Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary ultra-wide-angle lens will be available from October 26. It will retail at $599 and comes with a newly developed push-on petal-type lens hood.
