Sigma’s new line of lenses are looking pretty slick. I’m currently testing the new 17-70mm f/2.8-4 with the Nikon D7100 (a promising combination); however, I got to take a closer look at it and some other lenses, including the new 120-300mm f/2.8, at CES 2013.
What’s rather interesting with the new line of Sigma lenses is the new USB dock that is designed to work in tandem with them. The USB dock allows you to update firmware for all of the lenses whenever Sigma releases upgrades. On the ‘A’ and ‘C’ series lenses, the USB dock gives you additional functionality of modifying the focus speed of the lenses.
On the ‘S’ (or ‘Sport’) lenses like the new 120-300mm f/2.8 users will be able to further adjust the focus limiter, along with the optical stabilization and AF speed. Depending on the subject matter, Sigma says it may be a worthwhile tradeoff to sacrifice some accuracy for speed. Accordingly, Sigma has opted to put this power in the users’ hands.
The new 120-300mm f/2.8 lens is a both a beauty and beast. There is a lot of glass and heft to this thing.
Sigma has began labeling its new line of lenses with the year imprinted on the lens barrel – as seen above. This makes so much sense to me….
“Which model do you have?”
“The one before the last version.” vs. “The 2013 version.”
Hopefully, this naming scheme for lenses will catch on with other manufactures. Then, perhaps, we can turn our attention to camera model names. (I’m looking at you Olympus OM-D EM-5 and the entire Canon Digital Rebel line…)
Above is the new and highly-touted Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG lens.
I will have more on the 2013 Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro HSM (there, isn’t that nice?) as my Nikon D7100 review progresses.
That 35 is mighty sharp with a great finish. Sigma’s new line-up looks great.
Does the lens dock work with only the current (new) lens line up or can it be used to modify focus speed etc. on older models?
How can you konw if your lens is compatible with the lens dock?
A pity that Sigma is still turning the wrong way for Nikon, and that the distance-ring (which turns with AF) is up the front side of the barrel.
Would like to have a wider open standard-zoom, but not this one.