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The specs of the Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens are not new. The Japanese lens manufacturer had already introduced two different versions of this at the Photokina 2014, the “Contemporary” and the “Sports” version. Now there is a new lens with identical light intensity and focal length range exclusively for mirrorless cameras with L-mount or Sony E-mount, but compatible with full-frame cameras.
The new Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports is an ultra-telephoto zoom, Sports is the first lens in Sigma’s Sports series that was specially developed for mirrorless systems. This handy zoom is specially designed for the needs of users of mirrorless cameras in wildlife and sports photography and has also proven itself in other areas when distant subjects are to be captured, the speed of which challenges the photographer.
This is the first lens in the Sigma Sports range designed from the ground up for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The image quality and the optical components ensure extremely sharp images even with high-resolution sensors. The lens shows an attractive bokeh over the entire focal length range and the aberrations are effectively corrected. It can be used with Sigmas 1.4 × and 2 × teleconverters for the L-mount, whereby the autofocus can be used up to 1200 mm. According to Sigma, the autofocus is fast and reliable, thanks to a focusing unit with a high-precision magnetic sensor, and an optical image stabilizer that extends the range of blur-free shutter speeds by around 4 EV (following CIPA guidelines).
The optical structure of 25 elements in 15 groups contains several lenses made of special, high-performance types of glass, which ensure effective correction of all aberrations. This contributes “to a high resolution and clear detail drawing – not only at the long end of the zoom range, ie at 600 mm, where the optical performance of an ultra-telephoto zoom is most critical, but uncompromisingly across all focal lengths”, says Sigma.
Thanks to improvements in the optical and mechanical construction and extensive tests based on a simulation model, the lens should be largely free of internal reflections that could result in ghost images and lens flare in backlighting situations. With the shortest focal length of 150 mm, the closest focusing distance is only 58 cm and the maximum image ratio is 1: 2.9. For the L-mount version of the lens, two specially adapted teleconverters extend the focal length up to 1200 mm, whereby the autofocus can still be used.
The Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports brings with it the professional functions of the Sigma Sports range, which are designed to accommodate fast movements. Driven by a stepper motor, the quiet autofocus still follows the fastest subjects and keeps them safely in focus. A precise magnetic sensor allows the focusing unit to be reliably positioned, as is necessary for fast and precise autofocus.
The optical image stabilizer (OS) extends the range of blur-free shutter speeds by around 4 EV (according to CIPA guidelines), thus allowing up to 16 times longer shutter speeds by hand. In addition to OS mode 1 to compensate for all movements, there is mode 2, which enables you to consciously follow the motifs and does not correct movements in this direction.
The autofocus can be limited to one of three distance ranges, which speeds up focusing and prevents misfocusing. With the Sigma USB DOCK (only for L-Mount) you can also define an individual focus limitation.
Three freely assignable AFL buttons can be assigned different camera functions, whereby the selection depends on the camera model. This means that you can quickly access the most important functions for your individual way of working without having to take your hand off the lens.
Weatherproof construction with seals at the critical points prevents water or dust from entering. The front lens is also protected with a water and grease repellent coating. The lens can therefore also be used in harsh environmental conditions without hesitation. You can quickly travel through the entire focal length range by pushing and pulling the handy dual-action zoom ring, which significantly shortens the reaction time in unexpected situations. The image section is precisely determined by turning the zoom ring. With a torque switch, the resistance of the zoom ring can be adjusted as required. In addition, the zoom ring can be locked in a wide-angled position to prevent it from automatically extending due to the weight of the lens barrel.
Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports price and availability
Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports is now available to pre-order on Bhphotovideo.com and Adorama.com websites with an L-mount or Sony E-mount at $1,499, and shipping starts from August 2021.
Recently, Sigma has also introduced the 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art Full Frame Lens for Sony E and L-mount mirrorless cameras. The lens consists of 9 blades and 15 elements in 11 groups, including special low dispersion (SLD) elements, ultra-low dispersion (ELD) elements, low F dispersion (FLD) elements, and aspherical elements, whereby optical aberrations have been reduced to the minimum and the appearance of glare and ghosting is excluded.
