Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E

Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E Summary

The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E mount is a unique addition to the renowned series of Art lenses. It stands out as the world’s first full-frame f/1.8 aperture zoom lens, offering a constant bright aperture throughout the wide to standard zoom range. This makes it an excellent choice for filmmakers and photographers who want a combination of exceptional low-light performance, the ability to shoot handheld and the convenience of a zoom.

An advanced optical design from powerhouse lens maker Sigma delivers exquisite detail, maintaining professional image quality, which is synonymous with the Art series. Results are so good that quality rivals that of prime lenses, ensuring stunning results for both stills and video shooters.

Equipped with a high-speed AF mechanism which utilises the High-response Linear Actuator (HLA), the lens provides fast and precise autofocus, similar to the system found in the popular newly released 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art Lens for Sony.

Several other innovative features enhance the versatility of this Sony E mount lens for Alpha creators. These include an inner zoom mechanism, which maintains the lens's length, making it perfect for gimbals and video rigs. Additionally, the constant 30cm minimum focusing distance across the zoom range, coupled with a 1:4 maximum magnification ratio at the telephoto end, allows for impressive close-ups and dynamic compositions.

Whether you capture wide angle cityscapes and epic landscapes, detailed close-ups or environmental portraits, the Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Lens is a powerful tool. Thanks to the E-mount it can be used for stills and video creation with full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras and for professional filmmaking with pro video cameras like the FX6.

Key Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art Features

• World's first full-frame f/1.8 aperture zoom lens
• Excellent optical performance comparable to prime lenses (5 SLD, 3 aspherical elements)
• High-speed AF mechanism with HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)
• Inner zoom mechanism maintains length
• 30cm minimum focusing distance across the zoom range
• Maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 at the telephoto end
• Lightweight with premium build quality
• Focus breathing is suppressed
• 11-blade rounded diaphragm
• Nano Porous and Super Multi-Layer Coatings suppress ghost and flare
• Accurate MF with a bi-wire driven focus ring
• Two customisable AFL buttons
• Dust and splash-resistant body
• 82mm filter thread

Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E in More Detail

World's first full-frame f/1.8 maximum aperture zoom lens

Despite weighing under 1kg, Sigma has developed the world’s first full-frame zoom lens with a maximum f/1.8 aperture throughout the zoom range. The lens also includes an inner zoom mechanism, benefits from a close and constant 30cm minimum focus distance, plus offers a regular 82mm filter thread, making it a valuable option for both handheld and gimbal content creation.

Once reserved for prime lenses, the bright maximum aperture combined with an 11-blade rounded diaphragm facilitates beautiful bokeh, shallow depth of field and handheld shooting in low light, while creators enjoy the flexibility of a zoom lens.

This exceptional accomplishment results from Sigma's extensive optical design expertise and advanced production technology, developed exclusive at the production facility in Aizu, Japan.

High-Speed AF and advanced features

The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art offers a range of professional features that match its exceptional optical performance. It boasts high-speed, adaptable autofocus, a durable weather-resistant structure, a de-clickable aperture ring, smooth manual focusing, and on-barrel AFL control buttons. These combine to create a versatile photographic tool capable of handling any situation.

Faster Focus with a Linear Motor

The lens’s autofocus mechanism utilises an HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) first developed for the Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E, in order to achieve faster focusing speed with exquisite precision. The near-silent motor is ideal for video recording, ensuring focus adjustments are made without generating noise.

Aperture Ring Refinements

Equipped with an aperture ring, an aperture ring click switch, and an aperture ring lock switch, the lens offers flexible aperture operation for various shooting situations. These refinements enhance usability, allowing photographers and videographers to adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Inner zoom mechanism

The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Lens features a practical inner zoom mechanism that keeps its overall length constant, regardless of changes in focal length or focus distance. This makes the lens easy to use for handheld shooting, highly stable when mounted on a tripod or gimbal, and more resistant to dust and water ingression.

30cm minimum focus throughout the zoom range

A minimum focusing distance of 30cm is maintained throughout the entire zoom range, with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 at the telephoto end. This ensures excellent close-up shooting capabilities, while also allowing precise focus in confined spaces. The 30cm distance enables you to shoot closer to subjects without sacrificing sharpness when using the zoom.

Lightweight yet premium build quality

Despite being a fast zoom lens,  at less than 1kg the 28-45mm remains impressively lightweight. Additionally, its rigidity and durability safeguard the advanced optical design without adding bulk, while using a versatile 82mm filter size. This ensures that there are no compromises in portability or convenience, making it a reliable and convenient photographic tool.

Optical performance comparable to a prime lens

The Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art achieves optical performance that rivals prime lenses, with each optical aberration corrected throughout the zoom range. Advanced coatings ensure clear images even in backlit conditions, while focus breathing is thoroughly suppressed, enhancing expressive power for filmmakers and photographers alike.

Premium optical quality in a zoom

By effectively arranging 5 SLD elements and 3 aspherical elements, aberrations are throughly corrected, while axial chromatic aberration, which is often noticeable in large-aperture lenses, is thoroughly suppressed. The optical formula ensures crystal clear images with minimal coloration, sharply focused details and smooth, large bokeh.

Well suppressed Focus Breathing

Focus breathing – where the angle of view changes as focus shifts from near to far, is minimised in the Sigma 28-45mm lens. This allows for natural focus pulls when recording video, maintaining precise composition and enhancing the overall cinematic quality. It also helps when focus stacking photographs, ensuring the angle of view doesn’t make it difficult to amalgamate images in post.

Minimal Flare and Ghosting

Advanced simulation technology has largely eliminated flare and ghosting in the lens, which can degrade image quality. As a high-end Art lens it features Sigma’s Nano Porous and Super Multi-Layer Coatings, providing superior resistance to backlighting. This delivers rich, high-contrast results in all lighting conditions, producing clear, saturated results regardless of lighting challenges.

Two AFL buttons

Located on the side and on top of the barrel, two customisable* AFL buttons can be easily reached in either horizontal or vertical shooting positions. 

Built to withstand the elements

In addition to a dust and splash-resistant body, the frontmost surface of the lens is coated with a water- and oil-repellent coating so that it can be used safely even in harsh outdoor environments.

Includes locking petal-type hood

A petal-type hood is included to shield the lens from light. It has a locking mechanism for secure attachment and can be reversed for easier storage.

Additional features

• Lens construction: 18 elements in 15 groups (including 5 SLD, and 3 aspherical elements)
• Inner zoom with an inner focus system
• Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction with compatible cameras
• Supports DMF and AF+MF
• Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)
• Nano Porous Coating + Super Multi-Layer Coating
• Water and Oil-Repellent Coating (front element)
• Aperture ring with click switch and lock switch
• Focus Mode switch

What’s in the box

• Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony E Mount
• Case
• Lens Hood LH878-06
• Front Cap LCF-82 III
• Rear Cap LCR II

Sigma 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art Specifications