Gentec International, the exclusive Canadian distributor of Sigma lenses, announces the world’s first F1.4 ultra-wide-angle lens for full-frame DSLRs, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art. Incorporating the same advanced optical technology as Sigma’s award-winning 24mm F1.4, 35mm F1.4 and 50mm F1.4 Art lenses, this ultra-wide angle, large aperture lens offers superb image quality and stunning bokeh. Allowing the photographer to leverage the perspective provided by the wide-angle and the shallow depth of field provided by the large aperture, this lens is ideal not only for such ultra-wide-angle subject as landscapes and starry skies, but also for snapshots in low light, indoor photography, portraits with a natural bokeh effect, and more much.
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM lens has a suggested retail price of $1,249.95 in Canada and will be available for Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts in December 2015.
Special Features
The world’s first large-aperture full-frame zoom lens offering a wide open aperture of F2 throughout the zoom range
A large-diameter zoom lens covering the full frame image sensor. Optical performance equivalent to a fixed focal length lens throughout the entire zoom range. These are the concepts the SIGMA 24-35mm F2 DG HSM embodies. It covers three of the most commonly used prime lenses, 24mm, 28mm and 35mm all in one lens. In order to achieve an attractive bokeh effect at wide aperture, we have developed the world’s first zoom lens for the 35mm full frame sensor with an F2 aperture value throughout the zoom range*.
* Among interchangeable lenses for 35mm full frame image sensors (June, 2015).
Advanced technologies make a 20mm F1.4 Lens possible
Incorporating the latest technology, this lens thoroughly corrects aberration and achieves ultra-high resolution for today’s high megapixel DSLRs, even near the edge of the image.
World’s first 20mm F1.4 Lens-thanks to advanced Large-diameter aspherical Lens manufacturing technologies
To offer an ultra-wide-angle 20mm focal length and F1.4 brightness at a wide-open aperture, this lens incorporates a large double aspherical lens 59mm in diameter. Lenses of this type had been considered extremely difficult to manufacture, but Sigma took on the challenge to realize an F1.4 ultra-wide-angle lens that fulfills the strict performance requirements of the Sigma Art line. What made this breakthrough possible were Sigma’s advanced manufacturing technologies, which the company has developed over time by producing a wide range of ultra-wide-angle and large-aperture lenses.
Minimized chromatic aberrations
This lens minimizes chromatic aberrations, a common issue in large-aperture ultra-wide-angle lenses. It features two FLO (“F” Low Dispersion)* glass and five SLD (Special Low Dispersion} glass elements to minimize transverse chromatic aberration, which is mainly visible around the edge of the image. The optimized lens power distribution helps minimize axial chromatic aberration. As a result, this lens delivers high image quality in every situation without color smearing, and its rendering performance is consistently sharp with high contrast.
Minimized distortion
Distortion is a common issue in wide-angle lenses, and it is not possible to correct it simply by changing the aperture value. For this reason, a lens must be designed from the start to minimize this issue. By adjusting the incidence angle of light starting with the first lens element and incorporating optimally positioned aspherical glass elements, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art lens minimizes distortion throughout the entire image.
Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
Advanced optical design and Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides sharp, high-contrast images, even in backlit conditions. Attaching the supplied petal-type lens hood provides extra protection from flare and ghosting.
Top-level performance for the ultra-high-megapixel era
At the dawn of the film camera, there was very little high-sensitivity film, and bright lenses that worked well in low-light conditions became known as “high-speed lenses.” These lenses are ideal for shooting indoors, in the evening, under cloudy skies, or in any low-light situation. Since the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art provides the benefits of an ultra-wide angle lens with minimal distortion, it is ideal for photographing landscapes, starry skies, and architecture. In addition to capturing wide-angle shots with the whole scene in focus, the photographer can leverage wide-open aperture to take snapshots with the subject in focus and the background blurred with an attractive bokeh effect. Designed for ultra-high-megapixel digital cameras, this high-performance lens delivers outstanding resolution and high-clarity image quality even at wide-open aperture.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
Sigma USB Dock makes customization and flexible adjustment possible
With a minimum focusing distance of 28cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.4, this lens is excellent for close-up photography.
Rounded diaphragm
The 9-blade rounded diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image at large apertures.
Hyper Sonic Motor ensures high AF speed
The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures silent, high-speed autofocusing, while the optimized AF algorithm helps realize even smoother AF performance. At any time during AF, users may access MF by simply rotating the focus ring. This feature makes faster focus adjustment possible, since there is no need to use the AF/MF focus mode switch.
Brass bayonet mount
A specially treated brass bayonet mount ensures maximum precision, greater strength, and superior durability for long-term use.
Evaluation with Sigma’s “A1” MTF measuring system
Replacing an MTF measuring system using conventional sensors, Sigma now employs a proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system (A1) using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of Sigma’s quality control inspections.
Made in Japan
All Sigma’s manufacturing, including molds and parts, is carried out under an integrated production system entirely in Japan. Sigma is now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely “made in Japan”, with each product reflecting a combination of expertise, advanced technology, and genuine craftsmanship.
Canadian Warranty
Like all Sigma lenses, this lens is backed by a comprehensive seven-year Canadian warranty.
Specifications:
Focal Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20mm
Minimum Aperture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F16
Lens Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Elements in 11 Groups
Angle of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94.5°
Number of Diaphragm Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 (rounded diaphragm)
Minimum Focusing Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.6 cm / 10.9”
Maximum Magnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1:7.1
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diameter: 90.7 mm / 3.6” x Length: 129.8 mm / 5.1”
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950g / 33.5oz
Mounts (AF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sigma, Canon, Nikon
Includes: Cover Lens Cap (LC907-01) and Rear Lens Cap
Appearance and specifications are subject to change for improvement without notice.