New Gear: Sigma 24-105 F/4 DG OS HSM Zoom Lens

[Update 10/25/13]: Sigma has just announced that the price on this lens will be $899 and it will launch in November of 2013. That makes it a few hundred dollars cheaper than the Canon version, which is pretty much what we expected.

F/4 zoom lenses have been on the rise lately, and now Sigma is throwing their hat into the game with the 24-105 F/4 DG OS HSM zoom lens.

It should be a familiar focal range for Canon users, because they also offer a 24-105 F/4L as their kit lens with full-frame DSLRs. The Sigma version has 19 elements in 14 groups and has a massive front filter size of 82mm. It focuses as close as 17.7-inches and weighs 31.2 oz—very nearly two full pounds.

The 24-105mm has both SLD and FLD elements for optical performance, and it has built in Optical Stabilization.

The full press release is below, but it doesn’t mention the pricing that will be applied. It will be interesting to see if it has an advantage over the Canon version or the Nikon 24-120mm lens. With the excellent run Sigma has been on with their Art Series lenses, it wouldn’t surprise us.

Press Release:

RONKONKOMA, NY — October 16, 2013 — Sigma Corporation of America

(www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of

some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced its

newest addition to the Sigma Art line of lenses for full-frame cameras, the 24-105mm F4 DG OS

HSM.

True to its categorization as a Sigma Art lens, the new 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM is designed

for artistic expression and top-notch image quality. This versatile lens covers the basic shooting

range from wide to medium tele with an inner focusing system that eliminates front lens rotation,

enhancing the lens stability and allowing the use of circular polarizing filters. It also boasts a

constant aperture of F4, and contains Sigma’s proprietary Optical Stabilizer (OS) technology

to compensate for camera shake. Moreover, it was designed to surpass the required quality

inspection of every Global Vision lens with Sigma’s own modulation transfer function (MTF) “A1”

measuring system to create new optical standard to align with the high-spec cameras on today’s

market.

“For many years, Sigma users have been seeking a standard zoom lens in this range,” said

Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “The 24-105mm F4 DG OS

HSM is yet another example of Sigma listening to its users and delivering new and innovative

products with the highest image quality.”

Amir-Hamzeh added that this new lens combines the largest possible fixed aperture to zoom

ratio that will maintain optimal integrity for many kinds of photography, including landscapes,

architecture, portraiture and still-life. With a minimum focusing distance of 45cm and a

maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.6, this lens is also excellent for close-up photography.

High-performance glass elements, including SLD, FLD, which is equal to fluorite, and glass-

molded single- and double-sided aspheric lenses have been included into the optical system to

prevent aberration, field curvature, distortions and color aberration. The 24-105mm F4 DG OS

HSM lens is also able to suppress chromatic aberration very effectively at the telephoto-end,

and can achieve superior image quality throughout the zoom range. Unlike lenses with similar

specifications, this lens overcomes low peripheral brightness. Although it is designed for full

frame cameras, it also works with APS-C sensors, giving an increase to focal length.

The lens’ Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures a silent, high-speed auto focus function and

enables full-time manual focusing capability. The 24-105mm is also compatible with Sigma’s

USB dock allowing photographers to update its firmware and change focus parameters using

Sigma’s Optimization Pro software. It is also compatible with Sigma’s recently announced Mount

Conversion Service.

Specifications:

Lens Construction: 19 elements in 14 groups

Minimum aperture: F22

Filter size: ø82mm

Angle of view (35mm format): 84.1°-23.3°

Minimum focusing distance: 45cm/17.7in.

Dimensions (Diameter x Length): ø88.6mm x 109.4mm/3.5in. x 4.3in.

Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (Rounded diaphragm)

Maximum magnification ratio: 1:4.6

Weight: 885g/31.2oz